4 Ways To Curl Short Hair – A Complete Step-By-Step Guide

Curly short hair looks gorgeous! Curls give good volume to your mane and look stylish. But if you have wavy or straight hair and must be thinking curling is impossible for your hair type, let us tell you that it is not. There are several ways to curl your hair without using any hot tools. Keep reading to know more.

Ways To Curl Short Hair – A Step-By-Step Guide

1. Curling Hair With A Curling Wand

You Will Need

• Curling wand (1-1.5 inches)
• Rat-tail comb
• Heat protectant
• Hair clips
• Volumizing spray
• Hair spray

Procedure

1. Comb your hair to remove any tangles or knots.
2. Divide your hair into smaller sections and use clips to secure them.
3. Pick up the first section of hair and spritz some hair protectant on it.
4. Wrap the section of hair around the curling wand and hold it there for about 5-10 seconds before unfurling it.
5. Repeat the same for the other sections.
6. Spritz some volumizing spray at the roots of your hair to add some lift and volume a the top.
7. Finish off with a hair spray to set the curls in place.

Quick Tip

Use a curling iron with a smaller barrel for defined curls on short hair. This allows you to control the size and shape of each curl and achieve a more tailored and polished look.

2. Curling Hair With A Flat Iron

You Will Need

• Flat Iron
• Rat-tail comb
• Heat protectant
• Hair spray
• Hair clips

Procedure

1. Comb your hair to remove any tangles or knots.
2. Divide your hair into small 3-inch sections and use clips to secure them.
3. Spritz some hair protectant on the first section of hair.
4. Place the flat iron at the root of this section of hair and wrap the hair once around one arm of the flat iron. Clamp the flat iron shut.
5. Gently pull the flat iron down the length of your hair while keeping it wrapped around the flat iron.
6. Unclamp the flat iron once you reach the bottom of this section of hair.
7. Without disrupting the curl, spritz some hair spray on it.
8. Repeat the same for the other sections of hair.
9. You can run a brush through the curls at the end to give them a more natural look.

3. Curling Hair Without Heat

a. With Braids

You Will Need

• Elastic bands
• Comb
• Mousse
• Hair spray
• Hair brush

Procedure

1. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
2. Allow your hair to dry 70% of the way until it is just damp.
3. Brush your hair gently and part it down the middle to form two sections.
4. Apply mousse to both sections of hair.
5. Braid each section of hair into a French or Dutch braid.
6. Secure the braids with elastic bands.
7. Leave your hair tied in braids overnight.
8. The next morning, untie the braids and run a brush roughly through the curls.
9. Spritz on some hair spray to make the curls last longer.

b. Bantu Knots

You Will Need

• Elastic bands
• Comb
• Oil or mousse
• Hair spray

Procedure

1. Wash and condition your hair.
2. Detangle your hair with a comb.
3. Wet until your hair is damp and not sopping wet.
4. Divide your hair into small 2-inch sections. Use elastic bands or clips to keep them separated.
5. Pick up the first section and apply oil or mousse to it. Do not use any heavy cream or butter as this might lead to hair breakage.
6. Twist this section until the end.
7. Holding the twist tight, wrap it around itself to form a bun. You can twist and wrap simultaneously, if that’s what you are comfortable with.
8. Tuck the end into the bun and use an elastic band to keep the Bantu knot in place.
9. Wrap a silk or satin scarf around your hair.
10. When you remove the Bantu knots the next day, your hair will be in perfect curls.
11. Run a brush through your curls and finish off with a hair spray.

Quick Tip

You may use a diffuser attachment on your hair dryer to minimize frizz, define curls, and add volume, making your short hairstyle effortlessly chic.

c. Twists

You Will Need

• Rat-tail comb
• Mousse/gel
• Elastic bands
• Hair spray

Procedure

1. Divide your hair into small 3-inch sections using the tail end of your comb. Clip up all the sections except for one section.
2. Divide this section into two sub-sections.
3. Apply mousse or gel to the sub-sections for better grip and to curb fly a ways.
4. Twist the subsections in an anti-clockwise direction and intertwine them with each other in a clockwise direction. Do this till the very end.
5. Secure the twists with elastic bands.
6. Wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf and leave it overnight.
7. Untie twists the next day.
8. Finish off the look with some hair spray to set the curls.

d. Scarves

You Will Need

• Comb
• Hair pins
• Elastic bands
• 2small square scarves
• Mousse
• Hair clip
• Hair spray

Procedure

1. Comb your hair to remove any tangles or knots.
2. Roll up the scarves diagonally.
3. Apply mousse to your hair and spread it evenly through your hair with a comb.
4. Part your hair down the middle and divide it into two equal halves.
5. Use the hair clip to clip up one half.
6. From the free half, pick up a section of hair from the front and divide it into three sections: a middle section and two side sections.
7. Place the center of one rolled-up scarf under the center section of hair, joining each side of the scarf to the corresponding side section of your hair.
8. Now weave your hair into a French braid. Passtheright section of the hair and scarf over the middle section. The right section is now the new middle section.
9. Then, pass the left section over the new middle section.
10. Now, add some hair to the new right section and pass it over the new middle section.
11. Add hair to the new left section and pass it over the new middle section.
12. Keep repeating this until you run out of hair to add to the braid.
13. Weave a simple three-strand braid the rest of the way down.
14. Secure the braid by tying the ends of the scarf together or with an elastic band.
15. Repeat the same process with the other half of your hair that is clipped up.
16. You can do this method with a Dutch braid too. Both styles will leave you with loose curls.
17. Leave your hair in the braids for at least 6 six hours or overnight.
18. Unwrap the braids and spritz on some hair spray to keep the curls intact.

e. Pipe Cleaners

You Will Need

• Pipe cleaners
• Hair spray

Procedure

1. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
2. Allow your hair to dry 70% of the way until it is just damp.
3. Brush your hair to remove any knots or tangles.
4. Take a small section of hair in the front, clipping up the rest.
5. Spray some hair spray on this section of hair.
6. Take a pipe cleaner and wrap the section of hair around it.
7. Bend up the end of the pipe cleaner to secure the ends.
8. Repeat the same for the rest of your hair.
9. Leave your hair in the pipe cleaners for 6-8 hours.
10. Remove the pipe cleaners and shake out your curls.
11. Spritz on some hair spray to make the curls lasting longer.

f. Rollers

You Will Need

• Small or medium rollers
• Hair spray
• Comb

Procedure

1. Wash and condition your hair.
2. Allow it to air-dry until it is just damp.
3. Comb your hair and divide it into 3-inch sections.
4. Roll the sections of hair around the rollers. You may need to use hair pins to secure the rollers in place.
5. Leave your hair in rollers overnight.
6. The next morning, remove the rollers and spritz some hair spray on the curls.

g. Scrunching

You Will Need

• Hair mousse
• Hair spray

Procedure

4. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
5. Let your hair air-dry until it is halfway dry.
6. Apply mousse to your hair.
7. Scrunch up your hair in sections with your hands, holding it in a scrunched-up position for 10 seconds.
8. Keep scrunching until you achieve the desired curls.
9. Finish off this natural curls look with some hair spray.

4. Curling Hair With A Blow dryer

You Will Need

• Blow dryer
• Heat protectant
• Round brush
• Mousse
• Hair spray

Procedure

1. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
2. Let your hair air-dry until it is about 70% dry.
3. Take a section of hair and clip up the rest.
4. Apply mousse and heat protectant to that section of hair.
5. Use a comb to spread the mousse and remove any knots.
6. Roll the section of hair around the round brush gently. Don’t wrap your hair too tightly around the brush as it can cause knots.
7. Hold the round brush horizontally.
8. With your blow dryer on a low or medium setting, blow-dry the rolled hair for 10-15 seconds.
9. Slowly remove the from the brush.
10. Repeat the same with the rest of your hair.
11. Spray on some hair spray at the end to secure your loose curls.

While the above-mentioned ways take extra time out of your day to style, you can style your hair as you sleep. Sometimes you are just too tired or running late in the morning. This method allows you to save time in the morning as you rush through your routine. Learn how below.

How To Curl Short Hair Overnight

You Will Need

• Round brush
• Mousse
• Hair spray
• 2 Pairs of old soft socks
• Elastic bands
• Hair clips

Procedure

1. Apply some mousse on slightly damp hair.
2. Part your hair down the middle and then from ear to ear to make four sections. Clip up each section of hair.
3. Take the socks and cut the closed ends off. Then roll each sock into a donut shape.
4. Unclip one section of hair, hold the sock donut at the hair ends, wrapping the end around it.
5. Roll the sock donut inward, making sure your hair folds in with it, until you reach the roots.
6. Use a clip or elastic tie to secure the donut bun in place.
7. Repeat the process with the other sections of hair.
8. Carefully unravel each bun in the morning and spritz some hair spray to lock in your curls.

Curling short hair can be quite a challenge. But, how long do these curls last? Find out in the next section!

How Long Do Curls Last On Short Hair?

Curls normally last for about a day in short hair. They may last longer with the right care and maintenance. You can use a hair spray, a holding gel, and a styling mousse to make the hairstyle last longer. And yet, they won’t last for more than a day or two.

Perms are not usually done on very short hair. But if your hair is permed, it should last about 12 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does short, curly hair make you look older?

No, short curly hair does not make you look older. On the contrary, curls give the impression of fuller hair, making you look younger.

How do you keep short curly hair from frizzing?

You can keep short curly hair from frizzing by applying a moisturizing shampoo and leave-in conditioner. Also, try deep conditioning your hair once a week to tame your frizz.

Discover how to curl short hair like a pro. Watch this video and get to know the techniques, tips, and easy-to-follow steps to transform your short locks into fabulous curls with ease.

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Bill SchrlauHairstylist

     

Bill Schrlau is a highly skilled hairstylist with more than 30 years of experience. He has worked both as a freelance stylist and as a part of salon teams in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. His impressive line-up includes styling for fashion shows, designer events, and music videos.

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Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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