Curling Iron Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making.Makeup.com

Curling Iron Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making.Makeup.com

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The curling iron - you were likely but a wee little thing when you first became familiar with this magic wand of the beauty world. If you were anything like us, those first few months of learning how to curl your own hair were rife with the smell of burning hair, disastrous hair crimps and even the occasional burnt neck. You're past all that now, thank goodness. But does that mean you're using the curling iron to its greatest potential? Or instead, are you making these common mistakes? We'll tell you what they are and how to avoid them!

Mistake #1: Skipping heat-protecting products.

It won't serve you very well to have beautiful curls one night if it means damaged hair the next night. Make sure you mist on a heat protectant like Redken Hot Sets 22 Thermal Setting Mist Heat Protectant Spray to protect your hair from heat up to 450 degrees.

Mistake #2: Using the wrong heat.

Speaking of 450 degrees, doesn't that sound like a bit much? If you're guilty of just plugging in the curling iron and getting to work without adjusting the temp, you may want to rethink your strategy. For really structured curls that require a longer curling time, stick to around 275 degrees. If you're just running your curling iron through your hair quickly for loose waves, you can go up to about 360 degrees. But not higher or you'll be damaging your precious locks!

Mistake #3: Curling toward your face.

Curls should frame your pretty face. And in order for them to do so, they must be curled away from your face. Think about it - if your curls are facing your neck, no one can really see them! To curl your hair away from your face, curl the hair to the direction of the side you're working on.

Mistake #4: Clipping your ends into the curling iron.

We love a good crimped hair look, but curling iron crimps, well, they just crimp our style! Avoid them completely by skipping on the clipping! You can do this either by purchasing a curling iron without a clip or by using your thumb to hold the clip up while you curl your hair. This will help you get a smooth, even curl.

Mistake #5: Using the wrong size curling iron.

Do you want ringlets but you're using a 1.5-inch wand? Whoops, try again! Curling irons are definitely not one-size-fits-all-styes. Consider the size of the curl you want and use a curling iron that matches. For tight curls, use a curling iron with a width of less than an inch. For bigger curls, use something around the 1.5-inch mark.


What are your biggest issues with getting the perfect curls?
Drop us a line in the comment section below!

Photography: Joshua M. Shelton
Model: Victoria Tucker

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