How To Curl Straight Fine Hair

Quick and super easy methods to create curls without causing any hair damage.

Reviewed by Tiffany Young, Certified Trichology Practitioner Tiffany Young Tiffany YoungCertified Trichology Practitioner facebook_iconlinkedin_iconinsta_icon
Written by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Edited by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature) Ramona Sinha MA (English Literature) linkedin_icon Experience: 11 years
Fact-checked by Medha Deb, Integrated MA Medha Deb Integrated MA linkedin_icon Experience: 5 years
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Women Curling Straight Fine Hair

Having straight fine hair is a dream for many. You can even try straightening it or try different hairstyles with it. But how to curl straight fine hair? Does this hair type hold those curls for longer periods? Curling your straight fine hair is challenging as it will not stay curly for long. It will fall flat once you take away your locks from the curling iron. But fret not – as certain techniques can help you maintain those curls with straight, fine hair.

Aubry Trude, a YouTuber, detailed her struggle of curling her fine and extremely straight hair. Despite using a curling iron, she faced difficulty maintaining the curl as her hair reverted to its original straight form. She said, “It takes a lot of time because I want it to actually stay and look good (i).”

In this article, we discuss how you can curl straight, fine hair. Keep reading the tips and get ready to be surprised.

How To Make Curls Stay In Fine Hair

Woman applying dry shampoo on her fine hair to prep it for curling
Image: IStock
  1. Prep Your Hair: Do not shampoo and condition your hair before curling. Curls hold the best with day-old hair. If your fine, straight hair is in its natural state, the heat can work better. You can use dry shampoo on the day you have to curl your hair. Apply a curl-boosting spray to damp hair for texture and grip, and blow dry on the coolest setting. Also, use a heat-protectant spray to prevent frying the strands.
  1. Divide Your Hair Into Sections: Section your hair and use clips or bands to hold each section separately. Start by working with the bottom-most section.
  1. Curl Your Hair Up: Take small sections of your hair, maybe an inch or two wide, and use a curling rod or straightener to curl them. If you are learning how to curl hair with a flat iron, run the straightener by twisting it in curls. Make your curls tight so that they do not loosen and start falling flat.
protip_icon Quick Tip
It is recommended to hold a curling rod or straightener for a maximum duration of 8 to 20 seconds to prevent loose curls or wavy hair.
  1. Pin The Curls In Place: This is the most important step to make curls last in fine, straight hair. Once you remove the iron after curling a section of hair, roll up the curl and pin it in place with a bobby pin so that it retains the shape for a long time. Leave the pins in your curls until you have curled all your hair. Then, wait for your hair to cool down before removing the pins.
  1. Hairspray To The Rescue: The most crucial step is the application of hairspray. Check the ingredients and choose a non-aerosol hairspray that enhances your hair’s natural shine without making it stiff and sticky. Make sure to apply hairspray to your hair soon after curling one section and moving to the next.
  1. Sizzle In Your Look: Once you have curled all the sections of your hair, run your fingers through them to add volume and remove the dry feeling of the hairspray.

Note: You can also spritz some hair spray to touch-up your curls. Do not brush your curls to retain their shape and prevent tangles. You may also learn how to curl your hair without heat to minimize the risk of damage.

Check out this video tutorial for a better understanding of the process.

This is the best way to curl straight, fine hair without making your curls loose and limp. You will find your curls stay in place for a long time.

Now, scroll down for some tips to curl fine, straight hair easily like a pro.

Tips To Curl Fine, Straight Hair

Woman applying heat-protecting serum before curling her fine hair
Image: IStock
  1. Ensure that your hair is not conditioned before curling. You need your curler to get a hold on the hair, which will not be possible if it is conditioned.
  2. Undergo a heat protecting pre-treatment to avoid damage to your hair. You can also buy heat protectors from the comfort of your home.
  3. Do not forget to use a hairspray after curling your hair. This will help hold your curls in place for a long time and prevent any damage caused by hair tools.
  4. Choose the ideal barrel size for your curling iron. If you want tight corkscrew curls, opt for the smallest barrel. For loose wavy curls, go for a bigger one.
protip_icon Quick Tip
It is recommended to follow the air drying method, after a hair wash, to bring forward the hidden natural curls and increase the hair volume.

Apart from the steps mentioned above, you may want to keep in mind some additional tips on how to curl fine hair and make it last longer.

Infographic: A Step-By-Step Guide To Curl Straight Hair

While straight hair is desirable to many, ironically, one of the most common hairstyling done on straight hair is curls. Most people encounter one problem when they attempt it, which is a way for the hair to retain its shape and not fall flat once the curling iron is removed from the hair. In the following infographic, we present a step-by-step guide to avoid this problem. Check it out!

a stepbystep guide to curl straight hair (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Final Thoughts

Some people dream of having fine, straight hair, but it can get boring sometimes if you have this hair type naturally. If you want to spice up your hair texture, try curling your tresses. Once you know how to curl straight, fine hair, you can try a host of hair styling techniques that reflect your mood and complement your personality and style. Curling is fun to experiment with; however, it may seem like a daunting task. Don’t worry. All you need is an arsenal of the right mix of hair products, a good curling iron, and patience. Also, make sure you follow a proper hair care routine to keep them smooth and healthy. Follow the steps outlined above to maintain your curly hairstyle for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what temperature should you curl fine hair?

Set the curling wand below 200°F to safely curl fine hair.

Should you curl your hair inwards or outwards?

While inward curls give you a natural look, outward curls add a glamorous touch to your hair.

How can I curl my fine hair without heat?

There are several methods that can be used to curl fine hair without heat. You can wrap your hair in a bun and keep it overnight. You can also use the sock method or cold roller for curling your hair.

Key Takeaways

  • Applying a curl-boosting spray to damp hair will give good texture and grip while curling.
  • Choose a non-aerosol hairspray because it adds shine to your hair and does not make it stiff and sticky.
  • A heat-protecting pre-treatment before curling can also help prevent hair damage.

Illustration: How To Make Curls Stay In Fine Hair

how to curl straight fine hair

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Transform your fine and straight hair into stunning curls. Watch this step-by-step video tutorial to learn expert tips and techniques for achieving beautiful curls that last all day.

Personal Experience: Source

StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. How I Curl My Fine & Straight Hair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEyrETO7oF0
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Tiffany Young
Tiffany YoungCertified Trichology Practitioner
Tiffany Young is the CEO and founder of ThinHairThick and a certified trichology practitioner with 6 years of experience. She is also a recognized expert in the hair and beauty industry with celebrity clientele. Her own personal struggles with hair loss created an opportunity for her to deep-dive into learning all things related to medical conditions and external factors that contribute to hair loss.

Read full bio of Tiffany Young
Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Ramona Sinha
Ramona SinhaEditor
Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Medha Deb
Medha DebCommerce Editor
Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

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