Hair Styling Tools

What is all the buzz with regard to curling with a flat iron?  Since when do you use a flat iron to curl your hair?  Isn’t a curling iron the hairstyling tool you use to curl your hair?   Yes, curling irons are the traditional tool used to curl hair, however, more and more stylists are using the flat iron to get that loose, flowing curl for longer styles and with shorter hair, the slight flip at the ends or the slight curling under.  Most stylists will tell you that the best way to achieve curling your hair with a flat iron is to use one that has rounded beveled plates.  

There are a couple of ways you can use your flat iron to create different looks. 

STYLE ONE (Slight Flip or Curl Under)

1. Divide your hair into one inch sections just as you may already do when you are using your flat iron to straighten your hair.  Bobby pins or clips can be used to help keep the hair separated.
2. Take one of the sections of hair and place the flat iron at the top gliding it downwards to slowly curl the hair up.  This results in a cute flip at the end of your hair.
3. If you want your hair to curl under and in, glide the flat iron downwards curling the hair towards you, being careful not to let the flat iron touch your scalp.

 STYLE TWO (Twisted Curls)

1. Divide your hair into one inch sections as described above.
2. Take the flat iron and clamp it approximately one inch from your scalp.
3. Glide the flat iron down the length of your hair, twisting as you go.
4. For a tighter curl, slowly glide the iron down the length of your hair.
5. For a looser curl and/or wavy hair, quickly glide the iron down the length of your hair while twisting the iron around the hair.

Prior to using your straightener to curl your hair, it is advisable to coat your hair with a heat protective product.  This is no different than when you are straightening your hair.  Lastly, it is a good idea to spritz your hair with hair spray as you are curling your hair so that the curls will stay.