make-up(ish) monday: kaitlin's curls

i'm always being asked how i curl my hair and what i use to get my smooth waves. it's so simple! i've been using a curling iron since i was, oh i don't know, 15 or so, and even though i've tried all other methods and the newest hot tools out there, i always go back to my tried and true, good old-fashioned regular curling iron.

my hair holds curl pretty well as it is, i have some natural wave to it. i don't use a fancy or expensive curling iron, even being a hairstylist, i don't believe you have to be a snob about tools, if it works, it works! [although hair products and hair color are different!]

depending on the length of my hair, i adjust the size of the iron. you want to be able to wrap your hair at least one and a half times around the barrel to get a full curl. the bigger the barrel, the looser the curl. i use a 1 + 1/4in. curling iron from Conair. i find it works just as well as any others i have used, and i have it in many different sizes as well.

let's begin as i walk you through the steps to the perfect curls!

1 // the biggest mistake girls make when curling is starting all the way at the ends of the hair strand and curling up. do not do this! first of all, you ends are the most fragile and need the least amount of heat. the longer amount of time the hair is on the barrel, the more curl it will have. so if you wonder why your ends are super ringlet-y and the top has no wave or curl, that's why! you must start from the top of each section and slowly release the clamp and turn, bringing the ends in last.

2 // with this method, you will get a consistent curl [especially on long hair] because the top of each section is on the barrel the longest, receiving more heat, and providing consistent even curl. the ends will be less damaged too!

3 // the other part to this method is the direction in which you curl the hair. if you curl it all in the same direction, meaning all away or towards your face depending on your preference, you will have a very soft smooth wavy effect when you brush through it.

3 // ok, got it! consistent curl all going in the same direction. now let's do the other side! tip: remember the size of the sections of hair to curl should be the same [doesn't have to be exact!] to the size of the barrel. ex: 1 + 1/4in. barrel = 1 + 1/4in. section of hair.

4 // and that's it! spray some light hairspray if you want and let hair cool before you brush through either with your hands or a brush! super simple, easy, and really only takes me 5-10 minutes after blow drying my hair. always apply something to protect your hair before using hot tools!

try this tutorial out, let me know how it goes for you, and if you have any curling tips of your own!

x's + o's

kaitlin elaine