How to Curl Long Hair and Create a Wavy Hairstyle Quickly
The best thing about having long hair? You’re basically a full time mermaid. The worst thing about having long hair? How long it takes to style (hint: it takes forever). But today we’ve got an easy hair hack that will teach you how to curl long hair quickly so you can create an easy, effortless wavy hairstyle in 4 key steps.
To achieve the best results when curling long hair with a wand, proper preparation is key. Here's a step-by-step guide to prep your hair:
HAIR PREP BEFORE CURLING: START WITH CLEAN, DRY HAIR
Ensure your hair is clean and completely dry. Curling damp hair can cause damage and won't hold the curl well. Our go-to products are the Color Security Shampoo and Conditioner range which are sulfate-free and leave no nasty residues behind!
Once washed, you can then blow dry your hair using our Speed Dry Blow-Dry Spray, which is clinically proven to cut blow-dry time by 30%.
HOW TO CURL LONG HAIR WITH A WAND
STEP ONE: TIE YOUR HAIR INTO TWO HIGH PIGTAILS
Why the old school hairstyle? Well when it comes to curling long hair, we spend a long time wrangling the sections and deal with curling hair up to the root.
But to create natural looking wavy hair, you don’t need to curl from root to ends. Creating pigtails makes it easier to reach all sections of the hair. No more reaching to the back of your head with a curling wand and potentially scalding the back of your neck. Plus, you get a looser more natural looking wave when you only curl from mid length down to the ends.This technique makes sectioning a breeze.
STEP TWO: SELECT YOUR TOOL
The key to learning how to curl long hair? Selecting a tool that makes the process easy and simple. Our pick for this Wow-To wavy hairstyle is a wand. It’s the quickest curling tool because you don’t have to worry about working with a clamp - or dealing with where to place it and how to minimize creases.
Another pro tip? Create a more natural look by alternating the direction you wrap your hair around the barrel of the curling wand.
STEP THREE: PREP YOUR HAIR FOR HEAT AND GIVE IT HOLD
When it comes to learning how to curl long hair, rule number one is to make sure you protect your strands from heat. You also want to help strands hold their style.
Our go-to pick? Style on Steroids. This texturizing spray has heat protection and helps with hold. The formula also has moisturizing and elasticizing ingredients to make sure hair is silky, has bouncy texture, and style memory. It also makes sure that strands don’t get glued together. An even bigger bonus? It’s completely translucent, which means it won’t dull colour.
Before curling each section, use a spritz of texturizing spray with heat protectant to ensure best results.
STEP FOUR: HOW TO CURL LONG HAIR AND CREATE A MERMAID WAVE
Begin taking sections from your pigtails, point the wand down with the handle upward. Starting with the hair closest to the handle of the wand, wrap your hair downward along the barrel.
Hold in place for 15 seconds and then release. Repeat this process until you’ve completely curled both pigtails. Then remove the elastics to reveal a gorgeous wavy hairstyle.
Want looser wavy hair? Simply rake your fingers through strands. Then fluff your hair and you’re ready to go.
Want to watch this technique live? Check out our video for how to curl long hair and create a wavy hairstyle in a snap.
Now you know how to curl long hair with a wand and create wavy hair in 5 easy steps! Read more styling tips on the Color Wow blog:
