What size curling iron should I get for thick hair?
Thick Hair: For thicker hair types, Rivera says to reach for a 1.5-inch barrel, depending on the overall effect you are going for. “This is a good everyday size that, depending on your sectioning [thicker or smaller sections], you can create both tight and loose curls,” she explains.
To curl long, thick hair, start by washing and drying your hair. Next, apply a heat protecting serum, heat up your curling iron, and wrap the front of your hair around the curler. After you roll your hair around the barrel, wait 3 seconds before removing the curling iron and pinning the curl to your head.
If you have thicker hair, use a volumizing mousse to help lighten up your hair and hold the curl. Next, spray your hair with a heat-activated hairspray and let it sit for about a minute before you curl it.
1.25" Barrel Curling Iron: This size is perfect for loose, breezy, effortless waves. It adds the perfect amount of definition in all the right places. 1.0" Barrel Curling Iron: This barrel size should be in everyone's kit. Use it to create easy waves, polished curls, and everything in between.
Go for 1” to 1.25” barrel sizes for tight curls, 0.75” to 1.5” for big bouncy curls, 1.25” to 1.5” for big curls, and 1.25” to 2” for loose curls. You also need to keep your hair type in mind and set the correct temperature to style your hair in the best way possible.
Coarse correction: "For those with super-healthy hair, especially those with straight hair, the reason for curling trouble is because the hair is too smooth," said celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena. However, using products like texturizing spray will help build grip.
“If there is still moisture in the hair when you use a curling iron, it will not curl as well, and the curls will eventually drop out,” says Huffnagle. To make sure your hair is fully dry before you curl it, blast it with cool air from your blow-dryer, then run your fingers through.
Well, hard water can leave curly hair coated in a film of mineral buildup which can weigh curls down, stretch them out and cause them to fall flat. To restore the spring back into your curls you need to remove these minerals and that's where Color Wow's Dream Filter comes in to play.
2″ Curling Iron
This is a mighty big curling iron. If you're just looking for a very loose wave or just big bouncy ends, with a slight curl you want to get yourself a 2 inch curling iron. This is a good curling iron size for long hair and the longer your hair is, the more wave you will get out of it.
A 2-inch curling iron is best used for loose curls and waves on longer hair. You can create a round-brushed look or slightly bend the end of a long updo with the help of a 2-inch curling iron.
What is a 2 inch curling iron used for?
The 2″ barrel iron (AKA “The Bumper”) isn't intended for curl, but more for a nice rounded bend at the ends of your hair. This curling iron is best for those with long hair who want to make it look like they had a blowout. It's a good way to fake that round-brushed look. A- Bend the ends of a voluminous updo.
"Prep your hair before you blow-dry with a heat protectant and a hold product, then spray it with hairspray before you start curling." Not only will it keep your hair from frying, but it'll help set the curl better.
Using the right products and tools
It's also important to thoroughly rinse out your shampoo and conditioner so the strands are sufficiently exposed to the heat, which will activate the curl. Any product that is too heavy on your hair will be counter-productive, even if it's a specific holding product.
Use a mousse and heat protectant before you blow-dry in order to give the hair more hold. Prepping with a setting spray is also great for locking in your curls. Many of them offer heat protection, too.
And experts agree that mousse is one of the best products for naturally curly hair, to enhance the bounce and shape of fine or thin curls, or to help hold curls in straight hair.
When hair is really healthy, the outer layer of the shaft is extremely smooth, which doesn't lend itself to holding any style–ringlets to updos– in place. Your hair is too clean. Like exceptionally straight and healthy hair, really clean hair is also slick and doesn't behave the way you'd like it to when styling.
Just like hair will hold better with a little grit, some added texture will go a long way to keep your hair curled all day. Mousse is one of the easiest ways to add texture. Apply it to your roots and work it down to your ends. Curling spray is another great way to add texture.
Brushing after curling
It will cause the curled hair strands to separate and look clumsy. To avoid this, gently run your fingers through the curls to loosen them and make it look natural.
That's because high-porosity hair has large gaps and holes in the cuticle, making it very easy for the hair to lose moisture; and when moisture evaporates from high-porosity hair, it renders products less effective—which results in loose, frizzy curls.
The right curling iron size for you depends on the style you're hoping to achieve. When trying to choose a curling iron, keep this in mind: The larger the barrel, the more loose your curl will be. Select a thinner barrel if you want tighter ringlets and a larger barrel for loose curls or waves.
Are my curls 2B or 2C?
2B hair consists of 'S' shaped waves in the lengths, but sits relatively straight at the roots. 2C hair has even more defined 'S' shaped curls that start from the root and continue down the lengths of the hair. Once you've identified you have wavy hair, you should also explore your hair's porosity.
Heat Matters
For those with coarse or thicker hair, have your curling iron set between 200 degrees and 300 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal curls.
The temperature control settings are as follows: Low 1– 8 Fine/Thin Hair, Medium 9–14 Medium/Normal Hair, Med-High 15–20 Wavy/Curly Hair, High 21–25 Coarse/Thick Hair, Turbo Heat® Up to 20˚C/36˚F burst of heat for difficult styling spots.
Identifying your curl shape and pattern(s) is best determined while your hair is sopping wet. A simple breakdown: Type 1s are straight, Type 2s are wavy, Type 3s are curly, and Type 4s are coily. Easy, right? The sub-classifications of A to C are based on the width or diameter of your wave, curl, or coil.