We all love those beautiful, flawless, bouncy curls. But do you know what's even better? Today we're sharing our favorite tips and tricks with you on how to curl your hair to make it last all day! By the way, all these tips also work for hair extensions as well.
Start in the Shower: Prepare for Hold
The perfect curl starts from the very beginning-the shower. Skip the conditioner when washing your hair, as this can sometimes make the hair too soft and slippery, leading to curls falling out faster. Having said all of the above, the best hair to start off with is actually second or third-day hair! Although we all love the feeling of fresh, clean hair, curls tend to hold better in dirtier hair. The reason for this is because the natural oils from your scalp give the hair a grittier texture and natural hold without needing hair mousse, so there’s a better chance the curls will last longer.
Texture and Products: Building a Grippy Base
As we mentioned earlier, it's important for your hair to have the right texture to be able to hold a curl all day or night, which can be achieved with the right hair products. Before beginning to curl your hair, apply a thickening mousse to your hair. Since hair mousse contains alcohol it will remove some of the moisture from your hair, which further enhances the hair's grit and hold. Although we usually preach using alcohol and sulfate-free hair products, this is one of the few times that using an alcohol-based product is actually recommended!
Heat Styling Primer and Texture Boost
This is the most important styling product you can use on your hair before heat styling, which is the number one way that most women damage their hair. You can purchase a heat protectant at any drug store or hair salon, or you can go au-naturale, using certain hair oils as heat protectants. Help your curls! Apply styling products to your hair, which will help hold the curls in place longer. Depending on what works with your hair, apply a tiny bit of mousse prior to drying your hair. Or, spray a bit of hairspray before, during and after curling. This will give your hair a rougher texture which will help prolong the lifespan of your curls. Hint: Don't hold the hairspray too close to your hair as this will make your curls crunchy and heavy.
Choosing Tools: Curling Iron vs Curling Wand and Barrel Size
You may think that your hair is "stick straight" and that "your curls will fall apart in 20 minutes anyway." Well, you will continue to think that as long as you use cheap, drugstore brand curling irons or curling wands! High-end curling irons and curling wands are usually coated with tourmaline or ceramic, which are materials proven to cause less damage to your hair than straight metal. Yes, they may be more expensive, however, they are less damaging on your hair, they heat up better (so you will apply heat for a shorter period of time), and good quality curling irons will last you years. The Luxy Hair Signature Curler was specifically designed to achieve curls that last all day. With a 1" barrel and tourmaline ceramic mixed coating, the Signature Curler allows for even distribution of heat-a must-have for frizz-free curls. We recommend setting your tools at 350F to achieve the optimal curl.
Barrel size is super important because the tightness of your curls goes hand in hand with how they will wear and fall throughout the day or night. The common misconception is that a bigger barrel curling wand or curling iron is what will give you those sexy Victoria Secret Curls. We find that most of the time, however, a smaller barrel will do the trick. Depending on your hair type, try using a smaller barrel size that you normally would. We like using the 1" Luxy Hair Signature Curler. Not only will the curls look more defined, but they will also last longer. It is also important to differentiate between a curling wand and a curling iron, which will give you different types of curls. A curling iron is usually ideal for those tight princess curls, while a curling wand gives you more freedom to customize the type of curls. Sometimes, all you need is a different technique to achieve larger or smaller curls, using the same curling wand. One of the most effective tricks on how to get your curls to stay is to let the curl cool down and set before letting it go. Take each fresh curl (still keeping the curl shape) and secure its spiral shape with a clip or a bobby pin. How does this work? Well, as you wrap your hair around the curling iron, heat is transferred onto the hair strands, which is what makes them change their shape. So, once your pinned curl is cooled down, it will allow the hair's cuticle to close and set in place, making the curl last for a much longer period of time. Learn how to do this technique from this video. You can also use the same technique when curling your hair extensions. When unclipping your curls, be sure to let them cool down for a couple of minutes prior to brushing them out.
Cool, Set, and Style
Hint: Ever wondered what that 'cool' button on your hair dryer was there for? Once your curls have cooled down, unclip them, then toss your head back and gently shake the curls out. Rake your fingers through your hair to gently break up the curls, but be sure to leave the curls a little tighter than you actually want them. It is inevitable that your curls will fall out as time goes on, however, leaving them a bit tighter while you're getting ready will ensure that the curls last longer than they would have. Texturizing spray is lighter on your hair than hairspray and you don’t have to use a ton of product for its effectiveness, it will actually weigh your hair down less and allow the curls stay bouncy for longer. Texturizing spray is great because it adds volume and can also act similarly to a dry shampoo by neutralizing the oils in your hair. You can still use hairspray before or throughout the curling process, but finishing with a texturizing spray will help hold the curls in place without dragging them down too much.
Maintenance and Night Care: Protecting Curls While You Sleep
Well, this is a sign that your hair is screaming SOS. Overly damaged hair (including split ends) doesn't curl and doesn't hold style well. It's time to give your hair some love and get a trim! Or, prevent split ends altogether by following our guidelines here. Remember, regular trims actually lead to faster hair growth, so don't be afraid of a few snips! As an alternative, we recommend deep conditioning your hair with a hair mask, which is a great short-term solution to dry, damaged hair.
If you're protecting your curls at night, there are several effective methods. A silk pillowcase is the quickest, simplest way to protect your hair at night. For longer hair, a loose pineapple at the top of the head works well to preserve root volume. Silk wraps, turbans, and scrunchies help minimize friction and keep curls intact. The Puff Cuff and satin scrunchies offer gentle support without leaving dents. When choosing night protection, consider your hair length and density to avoid tangling or pulling. A satin or silk option is preferred to reduce moisture loss and frizz.
Additionally, plaiting the hair loosely, using a scarf, or cradling the curls under a protective cap can help maintain curl shape overnight. If moisture control is your challenge, use lightweight products and avoid over-washing. For those who struggle with straightening or flattening curls, nightly protection paired with a proper wash-day routine can dramatically improve longevity.
Putting It All Together: A Day-Long Curl Strategy
To maximize curl longevity, start with second or third-day hair and a mousse-based base, protect with heat styling products, choose a suitable barrel size, and allow curls to cool properly. Finish with a light texturizing spray and a flexible hold hairspray if needed. For night protection, select a silk pillowcase or a protective head wrap and avoid tight tying that could dent the curl pattern. With these steps, your curls can stay defined, bouncy, and frizz-free from morning to night.
- Prepare hair in shower with the right texture.
- Apply thickening mousse and optional alcohol-based products thoughtfully.
- Use heat protectant and set curls with cool-down techniques and clips.
- Choose the right curling tool and barrel size; practice different techniques.
- Let curls cool entirely before brushing; apply light texture spray.
- Protect curls at night using silk/satin accessories and gentle methods.
