We’re all familiar with that age old saying “you always want what you can’t have”, and I don’t know about you, but that always seems to be especially true when it comes to my hair! Ever since I was I was a toddler, I’ve been “lucky” enough to have a head full of curls. My older sister and role model, on the other hand, has always had perfectly pin straight hair. Of course i envied her to no end, especially on the days that it took me 45 minutes with a flat iron to get my hair the way I wanted it to be. However, I soon realized that all she really wanted was to have curls like mine and would spend equally as long with a curler! I don’t know why we always want the opposite of what we have, but it makes perfecting our hairstyles so much harder.

Over time, I’ve learned that I should actually be thankful for my curls because its a lot easier to turn curls straight then it is to make straight hair hold onto the curls. I’ve watched my sister and friends struggle for years trying to find an easy way to perfect a cute wave or curl, and I’ve learned a few tricks along the way. I’m sure there’s plenty of beauties out there searching for the exact same thing, so I think it’s time I shared these tips with the rest of you!

Quick Curl Tip #1- The Clamp-less Curling Iron

The hottest product this season definitely seems to the be the clamp-less curling iron that has been released by numerous brands. Unlike traditional curling irons, there is no clamp to hold down the hair, and it also takes about half the time to get the desired look. This type of curling iron allows you to take sections of your hair and manually wrap them around the barrel. You then hold for about 30 seconds, let go, and you’re left with a perfect spiral curl! The advantage to not having a clamp is that you can control how the hair wraps around the barrel, and you’ll never be left with creases or straight spots from the clamp! It also takes about half the time due to the way the hair is situated on the ceramic, so its a great way to get the wavy look when you’re in a rush.

Quick Curl Tip #2- Braided Hair

A common version of this tip has always been to braid your hair when it’s wet, let it dry and take the braids out, and you’re left with tight crimped curls. However, I’ve seen this tip go wrong so many times due to the hair drying in weird positions. This will leave the hair crimped and sticking out in all of the wrong places, which isn’t exactly the look you had in mind. I recently came across a modified version of this tip, and I absolutely love the way it turns out!

Start out with hair that is completely dry and separate into 5-9 even sections. Pull each section back into its own loose braid and secure at the ends. Next, take a flat iron and slowly run the flat iron over top of each of the braids so that the braids are heated up. Let them cool for a few minutes, spray the braids with some product, and then remove your hair from the braids. This will leave your hair with crimped spiral curls and is a great option when you want cute curls in under ten minutes!

Quick Curl Tip #3- How to Curl When you Don’t Have a Curling Iron

Have you ever really wanted to curl your hair when you’re out of town, but don’t want to bring both a curler and a flat iron with you? Well, now you don’t have to! With these tips, you can get a quick curled look all by just using your flat iron! Start out by separating your hair into layers. Take the first strand you want to work with, and place it between the clamps of the straightener. Pull the straightener towards you, give it a 180 degree turn, then glide it down to the bottom of your hair. If you prefer more of a wavy look, hold the flat iron more horizontally, but if you prefer actual curls, hold the iron vertically. Continue to do this to the rest of the strands of hair, and when you’re finished, add a small amount of product to keep the curls in place.

This tip is a bit more time consuming than the last 2 options, but the curls are more defined this way. It also gives you the option to use an appliance that you already have, which is always a plus!

Whichever option you choose, you’ll have cute carefree curls in no time! Adding product to your hair is also a good idea with each option because it increases the chances of maintaining your look throughout the whole day. For tips on where to find clamp-less curlers, flat irons, or product, visit my favorite hair salon in downtown Pittsburgh, Verve 360!