How to curl your hair with straighteners in 4 easy, stylist-approved steps

Knowing how to curl hair with a straightener is one of those life hacks that, once learned, can totally change the way you approach your day-to-day routine. And while it might seem complicated at first, once broken down into steps, the process is actually very straightforward and will save you so much time and money.

The best straighteners, while predominantly touted for their ability to smooth frizz and iron your strands into sleek styles, are actually incredibly versatile. Unlike a curler, whose rounded barrels make it very difficult to do anything other than curling, a straightener is a very different story. In fact, you'll have no doubt seen someone use it to add waves to their strands. It's mesmerising to watch: a seemingly simple glide and twirl of the flat iron, and within seconds, straight locks have transformed into a glossy, pristine swirl. That said, while it might look easy enough, arm cramping, rotation confusion and uneven sectioning are all common complaints that have resulted in many of us throwing in the towel and just investing in a curler instead.

Thus, we've quizzed Craig Taylor, creative director for Hari’s Hairdressers, for tips on mastering the method - to achieve professional-looking results and to get more from our tools.

How to curl your hair with straighteners, per the pros

While there are plenty of multi-stylers on the market, if you already have a trusty straightener in your cupboard, you actually don't necessarily need to invest in another tool. As mentioned, a straightener is incredibly versatile and can indeed double as a curler. Meaning that you can not only streamline your tool collection (begone, tangled cables), but save quite a bit of money in learning how to add waves and chic twists with your go-to Dyson or best ghd straighteners.

First things first, though, you'll need a few hair essentials at the ready. Sectioning clips are handy, as well as a wide-toothed comb and one of the best hair dryers for your hair type. As for products, heat protection spray and hairspray are essentials.

Choose your straightener according to your desired style, and the type of curl is also key. As a general rule of thumb, the narrower the plate, the tighter the curl. Hair length is also a factor to consider. For short hair, Craig recommends a straightener with a small, narrow profile with narrow plates. "Too big, and you won't get enough movement into the hair," he cautions.

Having said that, tweaking your rotation technique (more on that later) and/or the section size of the hair fed through the plates can provide a greater range of options with your existing straighteners. But like with skincare before makeup, prep is key for shiny and voluminous results...

1. Prep the hair

"The main thing is to make sure your hair is completely dry before starting the styling process," says Craig. "Using straighteners on wet hair can cause hair damage."

A good heat protection spray or balm is also key. For added volume, try a root lift spray, and to give your efforts extra longevity, a curl hold spray (we love ghd Heat Protect Spray for keeping our curls in place).

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. After applying your products, use sectioning clips to divide your hair into two sections horizontally, from ear to ear.

2. Experiment with section size

The wider the section of hair used, the looser the curl (and vice versa). Aim for between one to two inches, but don’t be afraid to experiment a little to find the most effective size for your desired style. Experts recommend that hair should be spread out evenly onto the plates, so if you're seeing too much "bunching," you probably sectioned off too much hair.

For longer locks, Craig recommends keeping sections a bit bigger underneath, so that curls don’t look too tight.

3. Twirl straighteners in a smooth, fluid motion

The secret to the perfect straightener curl is a continuous motion, says Craig: "When the hair is in the straighteners, straighten the roots by doing a quick but fairly firm tug, then, as you move through to the mid-lengths, give the straighteners a turn by rotating your wrist," he says.

Continue through in this twirled direction until you run out of hair - some even like stopping an inch before the ends for that trendy, slightly tousled look.

• For short hair: aim for half a turn, then tug hair downwards the rest of the way, keeping that half-turn.
• For long hair: try one complete turn. The greater the rotation, the rounder the curl. You can also try clamping the iron shut with hair in between, then wrapping the rest of your long hair around the closed plates as you tug downwards.

The shape of most straighteners affords a more modern curl than your typical barrel-shaped curling iron, which is the tousled and slightly worn-in natural effect a lot of us have been looking to emulate.

To keep things as snag-free as possible, hold the straighteners with your fingers and not grasped in the palm of your hand. "Using your fingers means that you can turn the straightener between your hands more carefully - one holding the bottom of the straightener and one at the top near the hot plates," explains Craig. "If held in the palm of the hand when you turn the straighteners, your hand will get stuck in the turn and won’t be able to complete the action down the hair."

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, alternate directions for a more textured, natural finish and avoid clamping down hard to prevent any bend marks or crimping.

4. Fix and finish

For a more natural finish, shake out curls and break them up with a wide-toothed detangling brush such as the Tangle Teezer vs Wet Brush. Or lightly brush out the spirals with a comb. Finally, spritz with hairspray to give your handiwork extra staying power.

woman&home thanks Craig Taylor of Hari's Hairdressers for his time and expertise.