How to Curl Short Hair
- adriana
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Curling short hair isn’t impossible! If you’ve ever heard someone say differently, there’s a good chance they haven’t got their hands on the right curling wand. That said, even with great tools, when it comes to curling short hair, you’ve still got to get the technique down. If you have short hair and want to learn how to curl it with a curling wand, here’s a guide to help you.
Image by Deagreez / Adobestock
Choose the right curling wand
Before anything, we need to ensure that we’re equipped with the right curling wand for your hair type. We’re not just talking about the final look you can achieve with the curling wand because that would also largely depend on your abilities. The ideal curling wand would be gentle with your hair, allowing you to curl successfully without causing damage.
Understanding barrel sizes
Barrel sizes are essential to curling your hair successfully. Each barrel size ultimately allows you to achieve a different size and style curl. You need to understand what barrel size your hair will need, especially if you want to curl short hair.
For short hair, you would need to look for either a ¾ inch barrel or a 1 ¼ inch barrel. The ¾ inch barrel is great for creating tight curls with short hair. The 1 ¼ inch barrel size gives you looser curls or waves, helping you achieve a more relaxed style. Scale this with the length of your hair. If your hair is extremely short, you might want to go for a curler with interchangeable barrels so you can use it at different lengths.
Types of plates
Plates are another consideration you’ll need to make. Essentially, what you’re looking for in a plate is a material that conducts heat well, distributes it equally, and doesn’t damage your hair. Here are some of your options:
First of all, you’ll be exposed to tons of curlers that use ceramic-coated plates. These wands are usually your entry-level options. They’re more affordable but aren’t necessarily the best on the market. While the ceramic coating does a decent job at distributing heat, it does wear over time, leading it hotspots forming. Again, this also depends on the brand you purchase
Titanium plates are a great option if your hair is thick or curly. These plates can reach higher temperatures, and they tend to heat up pretty fast. However, they can also damage your hair if you use them when the temperature is too high
For short hair, tourmaline plates are generally considered to be the best. They conduct heat well, distribute it evenly, and are gentle on your hair. In addition to that, they are also durable, so they’ll last you longer
Always opt for adjustable heat settings
Hair straighteners, or any thermal styling tools, can cause serious damage to your hair if you don’t use them carefully. For this reason, we always encourage ladies to get a curling wand with variable temperature controls. This just gives you more control over the temperature of your hair curler. So, instead of allowing it to heat to the maximum temperature, you can set it to a temperature that’s less likely to damage your hair.
Give your hair a good wash and dry
Now, we get into how to curl your hair. Before you start curling your hair, it’s always best to give it a good wash and dry. This is just to get rid of any dirt and oil buildup from the day. Try to make sure your hair is dry before you start curling.
Use heat protectant spray
Use a reputable heat protectant spray on your hair before starting. This will ensure that your hair has an extra layer of protection when you apply the curling wand to it. Plus, these sprays often have nutrients that can benefit your hair, too.
Start curling
Take your curling wand out and allow it to heat up. When the wand is ready, follow these steps to curl your hair:
Separate your hair into small sections that are easy to manage, and use clips to hold them in place
Do the same from the back of your head and work your way forward
Now, take one of the sections and wrap it around the wand while holding the iron vertically. Do this for a few seconds
Then release the curl from the wand slowly without pulling or tugging too hard
Do this with each section of hair, and you’re curls will be done
Image by Vics Ilustrada / Adobestock
Looking for the right curling wand?
As we said earlier, not every curling wand will work for curling short hair. You need to choose the right wand to do the job right. If you’re stumped about where to look, check out the range of hair curling wands GHD offers. With GHD, we’re confident you’ll find what you need and get a reliable and professional curling wand that will last you.
Final thoughts
So, while curling short hair might not be the easiest, it’s certainly possible, and it can look amazing! Follow the steps above, and with some practice, you’ll nail down the perfect curls for your short hair.