Nothing is more frustrating than wanting to wear your hair curly but not being able to curl it with a curling wand. Luckily, there are other ways! Curling African American hair with a flat iron is an easy way to get those beautiful waves you’re looking for, and we have all the tips & tricks you need in this article. We hope that after reading this article, you’ll be able to find how to curl African American hair with a flat iron.
Decide What Type of Hair You Want
RegularCurls:
If you want regular curls, it’s best to start with the straightener in a high or medium-heat setting. You’ll then need to section your hair and curl one small piece of hair at a time until you reach the end of your head. This will take some patience but if done correctly, the result is beautiful!
Tight curls:
To get tight, corkscrew curls, make sure to use more heat than usual and apply it from three inches away from the root so that you can see what you’re doing better. It’s important not to grab one big chunk when curling because if you do this then all of the pieces will be uniform in size which is unappealing, instead take two or three pieces at once but try not to to use too much pressure on each piece as we did with loose waves as this won’t give us the desired effect either!
Loose curls:
To get loose, corkscrew curls, make sure to use less heat and apply it from six or more inches away from the root so that you can’t see what you’re doing easily. It’s important not to grab one big chunk when curling because if we do this, then all of the pieces will be uniform in size, which is unappealing; instead, take two or three pieces at once but try not to use too much pressure on each piece as we did with tight waves as this won’t give us the desired effect either!
Choose a Good Flat Iron:
To make your African American hair curly, it’s important to get a good flat iron. You want something that’s going to be able to go through your hair easily and make it more manageable. We recommend some of the best flat iron, which is designed for use with African American Hair.
You also want something that has a good heat setting. It’s better to have the higher heat because you don’t need so much time on your hair and it will still come out looking great. You only need around 180 degrees Fahrenheit for African American Hair, but make sure it says “cools down fast” on the box before you buy anything!
Things You’ll Need to Curl Your African American Hair
- A good quality Flat Iron
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Plastic Drinking Straws
- Blow dryer
- Hair Elastic/Band (depending on how you plan to wear your hair)
- A few spritzes of a heat-activated oil product like TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Amplifier or Ondeo Unlimited for hold and shine.
- A few bobby pins you’re going to want for the back of your hair.
Steps On How To Curl African American Hair With a Flat Iron
Step One:
First thing’s first; before curling all locks, make sure that it is completely dry and preferably stretched out. I usually let my hair air dry which takes about an hour or two but if time isn’t on your side, then use a blowdryer with a cold shot button to quickly cool down any excess water left on your strands. When finishing up drying, run one last pass through using a paddle brush and put away anything else in the bathroom so as not to distract from getting ready!
Step Two:
Take about three-inch sections of loose curls (or however many) and curl around a one-inch barrel.
Step Three:
Set the flat iron on its highest heat setting with an appropriate amount of time in between each section as to not fry your hair (about ten seconds). When finished, spritz with hairspray and run your fingers through for that extra flowy look!
Step Four:
Pin up any loose curls or flyaways using bobby pins. The back will get more attention than the front so make sure you’re prepared before going out into public. To finish off this tutorial, I would recommend keeping some texturizer at hand for touch-ups throughout the day when needed because it won’t frizz like regular gel and is easy enough to comb through without all that buildup on your scalp after!
Tips & Tricks for a Beautiful Hairstyle
- For an even easier curl, put your hair in two sections before you start curling (top/bottom or left side right side) and then just divide them into three parts after each section is curled.
- Take out any tangles with your fingers as they happen! A comb can pull at strands of curly hair, which could potentially cause breakage down the road, so it’s best avoided if possible.
- If you want to hold without being weighed down by the product, try using castor oil on damp hair.
- Don’t forget to use a heat protection spray or oil before you start! The less time the flat iron is on your hair, the better chance it won’t fry and damage your tresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Can’t I Make My Hair Curly?
There are a couple of reasons you might not be able to make your hair curl. One is that the curls will come out straight, no matter what you do. You should consider using a diffuser attachment or volumizing spray if this happens to you frequently.
The other reason could be due to how damaged your hair is and it’s too fragile for heat styling methods such as curling with iron or a wand. If this sounds like your problem, try oil treatments on dry hair until the frizziness subsides before considering another method of styler application!
When I Curl My Hair, It Turns Out Straight?
To ensure that some curls turn out curly when others don’t, start at the roots and work your way down. This will create a natural-looking curl pattern and add volume as well! If you’re still not getting the curl results you want, try using a diffuser attachment or volumizing spray to help your hair hold its shape.
Which Flat Iron Should I Use to Make My Hair Curly?
A ceramic one. When it comes to styling tools for African American hair, this type of tool typically works best because it distributes heat evenly and doesn’t get too hot that can damage the strands or cause frizziness. This article will give more details about how a flat iron helps create curls in afro-textured natural hairstyles as well as some tips & tricks on how to style them perfectly.
Where Should I Place My Flat Iron When I’m Doing Curls on My Hair?
The answer to this question is not a one-size-fits-all but rather what works best for your individual needs. You will need the right temperature setting on your flat iron, and also, you’ll want it as close to the scalp as possible without touching skin or hair.
Your goal should be to have it at least an inch away from the root of each curl you are creating. For some people, that might mean starting with their head upside down so they can get closer to the roots; for others, holding their flat iron in front of them while doing curls towards their back may work better for them (this way, they don’t end up getting too much heat directly in the face).
You Can Check It Out to Swoop Bangs With Flat Iron
Conclusion
Curls are a great way to accentuate your natural beauty and can be created with the use of a flat iron. However, not all African American hair is built the same, which means that there isn’t one specific technique for how to curl this type of hair.
We have provided some steps in this article on how to curl African American hair with a flat iron at home. If it’s been a while since you’ve done so or if you’re unfamiliar with the process altogether. If these instructions still don’t seem clear enough to you.
