3 Simple Steps to Curl Your Hair

Prep, Curl and Set, Perfect for Your Engagement Pictures or Bridal Shower! Get ready to discover some great tips from Bellizzimo Beauty!

Prep. Similar to starting a painting with a nice clean canvas, you want to make sure your hair is ready to be styled. That consists of having it clean (but not too clean!) and protected.
- Know Your Hair. Is your hair dry or oily? Do you wash every day or once a week? Is your hair color-treated? Is it naturally straight or curly?
  - If your hair is dry, you’ll want to style a day or two after washing.
  - If your hair is oily, you’ll want to wash a few hours before.
  - You will want to use a heat protectant before styling (either immediately after washing or a light spray just before curling).
  - For color-treated hair, be sure to use a product that is color safe. Do not use a finishing oil prior to curling.
  - For naturally straight hair, lightly spray a texturizing or dry shampoo spray throughout your hair.
  - For naturally kinky-curly hair, you will want to straighten your hair prior to curling, or have it professionally relaxed.

Curl. Now, it’s time to curl!
- When choosing a tool, remember, the bigger the barrel, the looser the curl. I use a 1.25” to 1” tapered wand and it works great on most hair (like the one you see in the photos).
- You’ll want to make sure it is hot before starting (380 degrees is perfect).
- Start by taking a 1” section of your hair and wrapping it around the barrel of the wand, keeping the section flat as you wrap it. I generally start in the back and work my way forward to one side of the front then starting in the back work my way to the other side of the front.
- Holding the wand pointing downward and always curl away from the face, wrapping the hair out and back down the wand towards the tip. Hold for a few seconds then release. Continue throughout the hair until it is all curled.
- If your curls fall quickly and don’t hold very well, mist a light, flexible hold hairspray throughout your hair as you release the curls.

Set. When you are finished curling, it may look like the curls are tighter than you like, but I promise the look will come together.

For naturally straight or heavy hair that does not hold a curl well, mist a medium hold hairspray throughout the hair. This will allow for some movement and allow the curls to fall.
Use a firm hold hair spray for less movement and stiffer hold. Once the hairspray is dry, gently comb through your hair with your fingers to loosen up the curls.
If your hair does hold a curl well gently comb through the curls to loosen them then use a light flexible hold hairspray throughout the hair.