Unfortunately, I've never really liked my hair. While I'm grateful for my unique, natural blonde hair, I've always found curling my short, fine hair to be basically impossible. In fact, my hair barely does anything except lay flat on top of my head.
Growing up, I used to compete in dance competitions. My team never opts for curly hair during competitions because everyone knows that no matter how much hairspray I spray, my curls will fall out before I get on stage. It's great that they're so considerate, but I'm eager for our game to come in waves. Then, before my senior year of college—I think about six years too late—my hairdresser told me that I didn’t have to settle for flat hair on the top of my head. After cutting off about six inches, she taught me seven steps to curling my hair. Finally, I have more than one style to choose from!
When she took out the straightener and curled my hair, I thought she was crazy. What good is a hair straightener if my hair can't handle the force of a curling iron? Oh, I was wrong. Here’s how to recreate it on your own short hair!
Materials used
Thankfully, this little project doesn't require a lot of materials. All you really need is a brush, dry shampoo, hairspray (lots and lots of it!), and a flat iron.
1. Start with dirty hair
Since it takes extra time to "curl" my hair compared to straightening it, I choose not to wash my hair on the days I decide to curl it - which also helps maintain curls! If I know I'm going to have curly hair the next day, I'll go to bed with it in a ponytail. The little creases the ponytail leaves in the hair actually help in the process. However, so as not to look dirty, I wash my roots with dry shampoo.
2. Section, then rotate in and out
Look, when you have almost no hair, you can't miss a hair. The key to fake curly short hair is to break it into sections. Rumor has it that this is also the key to curling long, thick hair, but I can never be sure.
I divided my hair into three sections, starting at the bottom. Even though this layer isn't visible underneath the first two layers, you'll be surprised how much volume it adds to this style. I tied the rest of my hair into a ponytail.
After I parted my hair, I pulled out a section of hair no wider than 1.5 inches and straightened it with a straightener. Starting at the top, I curl the straightener, then slightly loosen and move my hair down before curling the next section out. Repeat this step until you reach the ends of your hair. This is what creates the appearance of curls without actually curly hair, hence the fake curls. Based on the direction I started the previous section of hair, I will curl the next 1.5 inches of hair in the opposite direction.
3.Hairspray
Always, always, always spray hairspray on freshly curled hair immediately after curling it. always. Otherwise, if your hair is as sensitive as mine, the curls will fall out before you can complete the next section of pseudo-curling.
4. Repeat on second layer of hair
When the bottom layer is completely curled and sprayed, remove the next layer and repeat steps one through three. Again, don’t forget to spray each section of hair with hairspray after doing fake curls! It may start to look crunchy due to the hairspray, but we'll take care of that in the final step.
5.Final layer
Once the second layer is fully fake-curled and hairsprayed, take off the top layer, which is the most important layer and the most complicated. While this must be close to perfect since it will be the most common layer, I always have trouble curling this section.
Repeat the same steps you performed on the first and second layers. Don't be surprised if you have to check a section a few times to make sure the curls stay intact.
6. Bangs
If you have bangs like me, having them curled into this pattern will look a little weird next to your face. Instead, I pull my bangs all the way up my face - meaning if my bangs are on the right side of my face, I pull them diagonally across my face and curl them underneath. This will create a nice curl that blends in with the rest of your hair without completely losing the bangs effect.
7. Go austere
Once all the hair is curled and sprayed, gently run your fingers through the strands, both downward through the strands (to eliminate the crunchiness of the gel) and upward to add volume and separate curls. If it still looks crunchy, you can give it a light brush with a bristle brush!
Final Results
I always feel like a new person after curling my hair. I look (and feel) like I really put in the effort on myself. The best part? The whole process only took me half an hour.
Image: Heather Hartman
