Ten Most Common Mistakes to Avoid While Using Curling Iron

Regardless of your expertize in using a hair curling iron, there are some best practices which everyone should follow when using this hot tool. Even though it is possible to curl your hair without using any hair styling products, the results are going to drastically improve if you have a few hair curling products like a curling iron with you. Listed below are ten most common mistakes people make while using a curling iron for your hair and some tips on how to avoid them so that you can get the most of your hair styling tool and have a stunning hairstyle.

1. You are not preparing your hair correctly before using the curling iron

The Fix: Never skip the hair preparation step. Make sure to apply a volumizing hair gel before you dry your hair. Similarly, hairspray can be used if you want to add some thickness to your fine hair. If you are trying to lessen the curls on your hair, try a hair smoothing cream. These all are some ways to prepare your hair before styling them. 

2. You are skipping the use of a heat protectant

The Fix: All hot tools pack a great deal of heat, especially curling irons as they make direct contact with your hair. Experts recommend a double dose of heat protection before using them. First, apply a heat protection cream ahead of drying your hair. After that, when the hair is dry, treat your hair with a heat protection spray. Now, you can use a hot curling iron.

3. You are taking too much hair at once.

The Fix: Don't take too much hair at once and try to curl them all together. If you take too much hair at once, curling iron won’t be able to heat them all at once, and your curls will fall flat. The hair section size generally recommended by the professionals for curling at a time is around 1 inch by 1 inch.

4. You are doing a too perfect curling job

The Fix: The problem when you make your curls too perfect is that then they would appear "done." But we need to create lived-in hair curls which looks natural. To achieve such a natural wavy hairstyle, you have to vary the hair section sizes you curl, along with their direction. So, curl your hair in such a way that the sections taken are broad at times and skinnier other times. Also, make sure to change the directions also so that they are curled away and towards your face alternatively.

5. You are trying to curl the hair ends.

The Fix: Curls look beautiful when they are irregular and imperfect. Therefore, curly hair doesn't need to be curled at their ends because hair strands at the center are the ones on which the focus of the movement is concentrated. On the other hand, if you like a traditional and formal curled hairstyle, there is no harm in curling each hair section up to the tips.

6. You are trying to curl your hair, which is still wet.

The Fix: You should never try to create beach waves using a curling iron when your hair is wet because curling irons are designed to work with dry hair only. If your hair is wet, they will have to heat your hair strands, making them more susceptible to damage. So always air-dry your hair thoroughly before switching on your curling iron. For a perfect finish, you can also blow-dry your hair in the shape and direction you want.

7. You are not allowing your curls to "set."

The Fix: The secret to getting a perfect curly hairstyle is knowing the exact time for which you should heat your hair using a curling iron. Wrapping your hair around a curling iron for too long will cause heat damage to it. Also, let the hair to set by allowing them to completely cool before touching them.

Here is a pro trick for you. After curling each section of hair, slip it out of the curling iron carefully without causing any damage to the curls, and then pin the curl to your head like a roller. Now, allow the curls to cool off. Once your hair is cold and set, you can remove the pins and rake through them with either a wide-tooth comb or your fingers if you prefer a firmer shape. On the other hand, if you like a fluffier hairstyle, brush it with an oval styling brush.

8. Your curling iron is set to a wrong temperature.

The Fix: The heat setting for different hair types are not the same. Fine hair needs comparatively low temperature, whereas thick or uneven hair will need more heat to make them curly. Therefore, make sure to purchase a curling iron which offers the right temperature for your hair type.

9. You are not using the right size curling iron.

The Fix: If you are hoping to get those lazy beach waves and end up with springy curls, your curling iron size is wrong. Remember the thinner the barrel, the tighter the curls and vice-versa. If you are having hair of medium length and are looking for loose curls, one inch or 1¼-inch barrel should be sufficient. But, if you have long hair, for achieving the same type of loose curls, you will need a barrel which is  1½-inch or two inches.

10. You are unaware of the hair curling angles.

The Fix: Angles do matter, and you have to know them if you want to achieve good curls with a curling iron. As a general guideline, you can hold your curling iron horizontally if you are looking for a tight, bouncy curl which is traditional. On the other hand, you need those long, loose beachy waves, keep your curling iron at a vertical angle. Also, keep in mind that working diagonally with a curling iron gives you hair volume at the root.