Whether your tresses are long or short, thick or thin, you could potentially spend hours creating curls with a curling iron or Velcro rollers — only to have your beautiful, bouncy, hard-won curls drop away by the end of the day, leaving you flat-haired and frustrated. Don’t throw up your hands in defeat and let your dream of long-lasting curls go the way of the Dodo — instead, start using the right products and techniques to help those enviable curls bounce throughout the day and into the night.
Step 1
Skip washing your hair the day that you’re going to curl it. Tresses covered by a thin layer of naturally occurring scalp oils will hold the curl more effectively.
Step 2
Squeeze into the palm of your hand a dime- or quarter-sized amount of anti-frizz serum — depending on the length of your hair — and distribute the serum throughout your hair. This serum helps to eliminate any fly-aways and frizz, allowing the curls to hold throughout the day. If an anti-frizz serum isn’t available, work a light coating of leave-in conditioner through your hair with a wide-tooth comb, instead.
Step 3
Squeeze into the palm of your hand a small amount of a curl-enhancing gel, mousse or styling cream and distribute the product through your hair prior to styling with a curling iron or rollers. The cream, gel or mousse helps to set the curl and keep it in place throughout the day.
Step 4
Cover your hair with a light coating of a medium- to maximum-hold hairspray after styling. Avoid applying excessive amounts of hairspray as it will actually weigh down your curls, causing them to fall much faster.
Step 5
Reapply a light coating of hairspray throughout the day. Slip a small bottle into your purse, a cubby inside your car, or a drawer in your desk at work. If you notice your curls going limp, scrunch them between your hands after applying the hairspray.
