Why am I so shit at curling my hair?

[Workyticket]

I have longish (between shoulders and bra strap length) thick hair. It's naturally a bit wavy

I've tried curling it with straighteners- no joy

Bought a curling wand and watched loads of tiktoks which made it look easy but no - mine just looks bushy and shit

I've no clue which bits I've done and just grab random bits...

Can I train myself before a night out ezt weekend or am I doomed?

Do you use serum/ heat protectant??

You've answered your own question! You need sectioning clips and to be methodical about it.

Heat protect spray!

I'll definitely try this, will order some.

Honestly these kids in tiktok videos do it effortlessly. I'm 45 and go at it like a toddler!

You need old fashioned tongs and some YouTube videos

I divide my hair down the middle, do one side at a time but do 3 layers in each 'side', clip the top 2/3 up and curl the bottom 1/3 , let the middle 1/3 down then do that, then the top. and each side's 1/3 I'll do 2 or 3 curls. so I'm getting 18 sections total.
That probably makes no sense.
I find straighteners great for curling but I can only get it the right way round on my left hand side.

Try a heatless curl band, they are great. About a fiver on amazon and if you get the soft one not the rubber tube type they are easy to sleep in for fab curls next day.
www.amazon.co.uk/DKDDSSS-Heatless-Curling-Headband-Sleeping/dp/B0BQC16FRF/ref=sr_1_29?crid=3UCW335WN1K0I&keywords=sleep+hair+curl+band&qid=1676115274&sprefix=Curl+band%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-29
you tube videos will help in putting it in but it is really easy.

Straighten your hair first - I’ve got slightly frizzy slightly wavy hair and this is the only way I can get nice defined beachy waves with a wand. Also do it on day 2/3 hair, never on freshly washed hair, need some dirt to grip on to 😉

I could never curl mine.
Bought the Wylera Dreamwave when it was on offer. It’s fab.

This week has run away with me and I've not bought sectioning clips or anything!

I wonder if it's because I'm trying to curl all of it rather than just some bits 🤔

I'm off out for boozy brunch tomorrow morning and wondering whether to try or just straighten it like usual!

Oh yeah if your hair is thick you'll never be able to curl big thick clumps. Try with a much smaller section of hair. I've got super thick hair and I honestly divide mine into about 50 sections when I do curls (with straighteners). Start with the bits underneath (top of your neck, behind your ears) and then slowly take down quite small layers from the clips. You end up doing the crown and the hair either side of your parting last of all, if you see what I mean.

I could never get the hang, tried YouTube videos so many times but in the end my hairdresser showed me with straighteners and then watched me - was a revelation! Can you ask yours or a friend who has the knack?

I'm not as good as she is but it's passable if I blow dry it straight, use heat protection, section it then let it cool for a moment.

You WILL get there, I have faith in you.

i wrap mine around it instead of using the bit that lifts up, also leave the ends out so you don’t end up looking like an Irish dancer!

My hair is thin and I do about 18 sections.

• Wash hair the day/night before so it has time to get some 'dirt'
• Spray with a curl retention dry spray
• Once you curl your section, don't pull it or brush it out at all. Slowly unroll it from the curler/straightener
• Leave it to sit so you look like Shirley Temple
• Keep going row by row.
• Once you look utterly ridiculous leave hair until all the ringlets are cool
• Brush out with a wide toothed comb. A very wide toothed comb. Or your fingers if needed
• Use hairspray only once it's all done.

A wider barrel will give you a gentler curl, a smaller barrel gives you a tighter curl and can make frizz. Try different sizes to get an idea.

Do it a day or even two after you’ve washed it, never on freshly washed hair
Section, don’t necessarily need clips, I just use hairbands!
Texturising or salt spray
I usually alternate between curling away from my face and towards it for a messy beachy look.
Keep the wand moving, don’t ‘hold’ the hair against it.
I prefer mine the day after I’ve curled it tbh as it drops into more natural waves so sometimes I curl it right before bed but I get this doesn’t work for everyone!

I have a Dyson air-wrap - they are pricey but so worth it - perfect curls every day,

Like a PP I straighten my hair first.

I don't really bother sectioning or anything.

I start at one side of my face, take a smallish section, wrap it round the barrel (don't use the clip) hold for 29 seconds, then pin it up with a Kirkby grip.

The next section I wrap the other way round the barrel, the opposite way to the first.

I work round my head methodically. Because I'm clipping them up you don't miss a section.

I then leave to cook before taking the Kirby grips out and just brush through fairly gently with my fingers.

Sometimes use hairspray

I got my hairdresser to teach me. She knew my hair, what temperature to set the curling wand to for my hair and how long to hold it on for. Really helped rather than YouTube which made me fear the classic burning your hair off.

You can just use a hair bobble if you don't have clips. You do need to section it. I have very long thick hair. Split it down middle then do another section on eaxh side. You have to leave it on the tong for a good 20 secs or more. Then I pin up the curls I've done for a while in a big messy bun

I've failed miserably. Lol

Have you tried encouraging the natural wave? Try shampoo for wavy hair, I like Noughty products. I only use shampoo and conditioner but others use a curling product.