How to Straighten Curly Hair, Directly From the Experts

Ready to learn how to use this hair styling tool like a pro? Here's how to use a straightener to create three stunning types of curls and waves. Before going in with a flat iron, it's important to create consistent sections in your hair so that your curls appear uniform. “I like to start by sectioning from below my ears around the head, starting at the bottom and working my way up,” says Potempa.

How to curl your hair with a straightener: 5 simple steps

Alright, so you have all of your hair curled, it’s time to style and lock the look in place. Gently separate curls to create a softer look by either finger combing or using a wide-tooth comb. Flat irons produce a more compressed, elongated shape than a traditional curling iron. "If you have really fine hair that does not hold a curl, coat your sections in hairspray before curling, allow it to dry, and then brush out," says Josh. "This way, it will have some memory before curling to hold the curl."

Start with freshly washed hair.

Having said that, tweaking your rotation technique (more on that after the jump!) and/or the section size of the hair fed through the plates can provide a greater range of options with your existing straighteners. One of the greatest advantages of curling with straighteners is the control and variation you can achieve with the curls. Once you have perfected this method, you'll be well on your way to tousled curls. We recommend practicing the below method while your straighteners are off, to fully get to grips with the motion. The quintessential Old Hollywood (or modern Kim Kardashian) look, S-waves are elegant, sleek, and teeming with volume.

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Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own beauty subscription. Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY. Before you turn on your straightener and give these techniques a try, there are a few prep tips the pros want you to know. After you have your hair in place, drag the straightener down your hair like normal. Keep scrolling to learn how to curl hair with a straightener.

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Work in one-inch sections.

Once you have the technique down, continue doing the same thing on all sections of your hair. For a natural look, try making the curls go in opposite directions from section to section, twisting one section away from the face and the next toward it. “If you stop mid-shaft, you will get a bump from the edges of the iron,” Sears warns. Twirl the curl gently with your fingers to “set” the wave, and gently drop the hair. Apply heat protector spray to dry hair and comb it through to distribute the product.

Apply a frizz-taming and heat protectant primer such as John Frieda's Beyond Smooth Frizz Immunity, from the mid-shaft to ends of your hair. The silicone-free liquid has coconut oil and glycerides to keep strands hydrated and and reduce flyaways. As for the direction of rotation, curling the hair nearest to the face in an outwards direction is more flattering and yes, does wonders for opening up your countenance! For the rest of the hair alternating directions for a more textured, natural finish and avoid clamping down hard to prevent any bend marks or crimping. If you have naturally curly or tightly coiled hair, try a home blow dry first, for as even a finish as possible. ”Not doing so would result in irregular texture and movement,” explains Craig.

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Our ELLE testers said these straighteners managed to keep frizz at bay, and found the smoothing results lasted from day to night. This tool straightens hair in a flash and successfully keeps frizz at bay. It helps keep styles intact for longer, with many of our ELLE testers enjoying a diamond-like shine. We promise, once you've got the simple technique down it'll be the easiest way to add everything from luscious ringlets to cool girl waves to your hair without reaching for the curlers.

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Texture spray can be used on the looser style to create soft movement. There's a particular technique to about every type of curly look you can imagine—and a plethora of tools to go along with them. But if there's one iron to have in your arsenal, it's a good old-fashioned flat iron —because it's not just for keeping hair straight. The jack of all curl-creating trades, a flat iron is one of the easiest ways to produce a number of different kinds of coils. For tighter waves, Villa suggests creating alternating "C" shapes down the length of the hair. "Starting on the side of the head one inch from the root, use fingers to pinch the hair, and push up towards the root to form a 'C' shape," he explains.

Turn down the heat.

Next, brush your hair, working from the ends up, to detangle without causing breakage.

Knowing how to curl straightened hair is quite seamless when you have a simple method down pat. Whether you don't have a curling iron, forgot your curling iron, or are simply intimidated by a curling iron, it's a good time to let you know that you can actually curl your hair with a flat iron. A hair straightener can get you some seriously bouncy curls—if you know the right techniques. In order for the curls to last longer, make sure to let them fully cool before adding styling products. Potempa styles her curls by spraying hairspray onto a mixed bristle brush to brush throughout the hair, which creates soft and frizz-free waves. If you have dry hair, you can apply a hair oil for moisturizing and smoothing the hair.

But when doing a major transformation to smooth, straight styles, having freshly clean hair is the first step. "It is absolutely crucial that you keep your hair clean," says Aronson, who suggests a moisturizing shampoo for both curly and coily hair types. Any lingering product build-up can cause the hair or scalp to burn during heat application, so you want to remove those barriers and give yourself a clean slate. For more control over the look of your beach waves, she suggests bringing a hairbrush or comb into the mix. Try experimenting with each method to see what feels best for you.