whether you’ve got an event coming up or simply want to try a new style, it can be frustrating going to the effort of curling your hair, only for it to fall flat within an hour.
if this is something you want to avoid, our stylist tips on how to make curls last longer could help make sure that all of your hard work doesn’t go to waste.
why do my curls fall out so fast?
if your curls still won’t hold after multiple attempts, it may be due to your hair’s texture.
those with fine to medium hair can often struggle with this, but that’s not to say curls are out of the question, you may have to just spend more time prepping before styling. don’t fret, we’ve got the perfect prep and set formulas for your hair type.
aside from texture, another reason that could cause your curls to drop is using too much product, which can weigh down your strands.
although it can be tempting to layer your styling creams, oils, and sprays, we recommend using them the amika way (as directed on the packaging, that is!).
how to keep curls in hair
here are some of our favourite tips that may help to maximise the hold of your curls:
don’t curl clean hair
if you’re wondering when to curl your hair to help make it last longer, we would advise against doing this on freshly washed hair, as it may be too soft to style.
instead, try a day or two after washing, as your hair should have more natural oils, providing the extra grip and texture needed to help your style stay in place.
prep your hair
even if you’re limited to time, prepping your hair shouldn’t be a step that is slept on–especially if you want your curls to last longer.
depending on the products you pick, this step may help to provide some extra grip.
here are amika stylist’s favourite picks for prepping your strands for curly styles:
- brush through any tangles.
- prep for heat styling with a heat protectant, we love the wizard detangling primer
- add hold with a styling foam like plus size perfect body mousse
- add grip with a texturising spray. Our un.done volume + matte texture spray is our fave
section your hair
although sectioning may not determine whether your hair will hold or not, free curling could make it easier to miss pieces.
we’d advise dividing your mane into 2 to 3 sections (depending on how much hair you have) to ensure no strands are missed.
consider your barrel size
when it comes to your curler, there are a number of barrel sizes to achieve everything from mermaid waves to tight textures. however, this could influence whether your curls maintain their structure or not. the looser the curl, the more likely they’ll fall.
if you’re going for a loose curl, it’s best to opt for a big-but-not-too-big barrel (1 inch) but if you want a more defined look, a slightly smaller one, around ¾ , is recommended.
our chameleon 5 barrel curling kit could help you achieve whichever style you prefer.
featuring interchangeable barrels, you can switch up your ‘do without having to invest in multiple tools.
select the right heat setting
heat is something you want to be conscious of when styling your mane, both to help reduce the risk of damage and increase the longevity of your curls.
before you crank up to the highest temperature, you might want to consider the right setting for your locks.
we recommend using a lower setting (between 120 and 180 degrees Celsius) for finer hair and slightly higher (between 180 and 220 degrees Celsius) for thicker hair. we recommend lower heat settings for finer hair as they may be more vulnerable to heat damage.
additionally, if your hair tool has a cool setting (we’re lookin’ at you blowout babe thermal brush!), it’s a good idea to swap to this setting after curling to set your style in place.
pin curl your hair
although it can be tricky if you’re a beginner, pin curling is a stylist secret for helping to hold curled styles in place.
you can do this by individually wrapping each curl around your fingers starting from your ends working up the roots and securing it in place with a kirby grip.
pro tip: leave your pin curls in for at least 10 minutes before removing the clips. the longer you leave them, the more chance the hair has to cool and mould to its new shape.
avoid touching your hair
if you’re constantly asking yourself ‘why do my curls fall out so fast’ and you’re frequently running your hands through your strands, you have your answer.
although it can be tempting, touching your hair may increase the likelihood of causing flyaways, adding heavy oils, and losing the definition of your curls.
instead, you should allow it to sit in place for 5 minutes after styling and use a wide-tooth comb to gently separate and add volume.
set with hairspray
as one last step for your curl routine, finish with a couple of spritzes of hairspray.
we recommend headstrong intense hold hairspray, a strong hold formula designed to set your hairstyle in place, while helping to protect against breakage.
now you know how to make curls last longer, your hair will be set to stand the test of whatever you have planned, while still looking fabulous. explore our hold range today to help you hold your style—whatever life throws at you.
