Basic Loose Curls (with a flat iron)

Style 1 - Basic Loose Curls

Picture # 1 - Finished Product

You can start with your hair blow dried or slept on or really any way you like. This hair had been straightened early in the day. This didn't affect the curls at all because the hair had time to settle and cool from the heat that had been put on it. (If you've just applied any heat, wait a little while before trying to curl or it will come out flat and fall out. Do your make up or eat or something to pass the time)

Picture #2 - before picture

Before I put any heat on hair I always give it a good once-over with heat spray. I use the TRESemme Thermal Creations leave in Spray. Any heat spray will work. 

I like to section off the hair when I curl, just to make it a little less overwhelming(: I section off the top with just a clip or a hair tie or something and then section the part that's left down into 2 or 3 smaller sections At this point I again spray just a little heat spray on the layer/section I am working on. When it's time to curl, I always start from the back and work my way forward, just so I don't have to reach over fresh curls to get my next piece. Take a piece about the size of what picture #4 shows for a larger curl. (large = loose curls)

Picture #3 - sectioned off hair

Picture #4 - good sized piece to curl

When I curl, I use a flat iron. I love the look this gives the curls. To make the curl I clamp the flat iron onto the hair and simply twist it like in picture #6 and slowly, but not too slowly, slide down the hair. Begin the curl about halfway down on the bottom layer to give it a looser look. This also helps the hair lay better when the upper layers are done.

Picture #5 - where to begin the curl

 

Picture #7 - what the curl will look like

Picture #6 - twist and slide

Just like I mentioned before, I start at the back and work toward the front. Some people like to curl each piece in the same direction, from the same spot, so they all look uniform. That's too perfect for me. I like to just curl, not paying attention to which way I'm curling or if one starts up higher than another; just as long as it's not too high for the look I'm going for. I just like variety in my curls(:

However, I do always curl away from the face on each side. I take a section (just a few pieces big) and curl those about the same, away from the face to frame the face. It creates a really nice look(:

Pictures # 8 & 9 - Curl away from the face

Picture #10 - finished bottom  layer

When you've finished with the bottom layer, give it a good spray of hair spray; any kind will work. I just use the cheap Suave stuff.

Picture #11 - next section

Picture #12 - back to front

-Now it's time to pull down the next section. I just took what I had in the clip and split it in two. Before curling, remember to give the new section a once-over of heat spray before curling.
-Again, I start from the back and work my way forward, doing that with both sides. Don't forget to curl away from your face with the front few pieces on both sides to frame your face.
-After each section, spray it with hair spray to give it a good hold. You don't need a lot(:


I don't have pictures for either of these tips :( I apologize, but I think you'll get the idea. First, I never ever curl bangs. It just makes it look funny. Second, the top pieces do not need to start right at the base of your head. I just start a little more than halfway up, especially with the loose curl look; front pieces are a little lower because high curls in front look silly too(:
One more tip for the loose curl look. If you like the less put together, more wavy look, try running your fingers through your hair and giving a slight shake. (put your hand under your hair and stick your fingers out through your hair) This breaks up the curls and lets them be a little more free. Do this only after the heat is gone and the hair has had time to settle so you don't take out the curl(:

Here is another look at the finished product(:

Picture # 13 - Finished Product