Perfect Curls: Styling Short Hair With Products (2025)

Curling short hair can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Whether you're looking for a laid-back wave or a more defined curl, there are several methods and products that can help you achieve the look you want. Here are some tips and tricks to get you started:

- Use the right tools: A curling iron, wand, or flat iron can be used to curl short hair. Look for tools with a smaller barrel size, around 0.75 to 1 inch, to create tighter curls or waves.

- Prepare your hair: Start with freshly washed and dried hair. Apply a heat protectant to prevent damage, and use a texturizing spray to add volume and hold the curls longer.

- Section your hair: Divide your hair into sections to make it easier to curl. You can use clips to separate the top and bottom layers.

- Curl away from the face: When curling your hair, start with the front sections and work your way around. Curl the hair away from your face for a more natural-looking curl. For a more defined look, curl smaller sections of hair.

- Set and style: Allow your curls to cool before touching them. Then, gently loosen them with your fingers for a more natural look. Finish with a light hairspray or texture spray to hold the style.

Curling short hair with a curling iron

Curling short hair can be tricky, but it's all about finding the right technique. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to curl short hair using a curling iron:

Prepare your hair:

• Start with dry hair. You can curl freshly washed and blow-dried hair, but next-day hair tends to hold curls better.
• Apply a heat protectant spray or gel to your hair before using any hot tools. This will help protect your hair from heat damage.
• Comb or brush your hair to distribute the heat protectant evenly and ensure there are no knots.
• If you have fine hair and want to add volume, try combing it out with a round brush.

Section your hair:

Clip up the top layer of your hair. Pull the hair from both sides of your head, just above your ears, and secure it with a hair clip. This will make it easier to curl the bottom layer first.

Curl the bottom layer:

• Use a curling iron with a 0.5-inch (1.3 cm) wand or a 1-inch (2.5 cm) flat iron.
• Take a small section of hair, about 0.75 to 1 inch (1.9 to 2.5 cm), from behind your ear.
• Wrap the hair around the curling iron or wand 1 to 2.5 times, away from your face. For a C-curl, wrap it at least 1.5 times, and for an S-curl, wrap it 2.5 times.
• Hold the hair around the wand for 10-30 seconds, depending on your hair type. Fine hair will need less time, while medium to thick hair will need the full 30 seconds.
• As you release the curl, catch it in your hand and hold it for a few seconds to set it.
• Alternate the curling direction with each section of hair. Curl one piece away from your face, then the next section towards your face, and so on. This will give your hair more volume.
• Continue curling the bottom layer from one side to the other, taking small sections at a time.

Curl the top layer:

• Release the clipped-up hair and curl the top layer using the same technique as the bottom layer.
• Take your time with any very short pieces of hair at the front. You can try curling them upwards to add volume, but be careful not to burn your fingers.

Finish and set the curls:

• Let your hair cool for a minute or two. Avoid touching or moving the curls while they cool to help them set.
• Use your hands to gently tousle the curls for a more natural, messy look. Slide your hands up into your roots and massage your scalp to tousle without ruining the curls.
• Set your curls with a light mist of hairspray to hold them in place.

Curling short hair with a flat iron

To curl short hair with a flat iron, start by applying a heat protectant spray or gel to your hair. Comb or brush your hair to ensure there are no knots. Next, separate your hair into three or four sections, depending on its thickness.

Take a 1- to 1.5-inch strand of hair from behind your ear and wrap it around the flat iron, moving away from your face. When you reach halfway down the hair shaft, flip the iron over to begin curling. Hold the hair around the iron for 10 to 30 seconds, depending on your hair type. Release the curl and catch it in your hand for a few seconds before gently pulling the iron away. Repeat this process, alternating the curling direction of your hair with each section.

Once you have curled all of your hair, let the curls cool for a minute or two. Then, gently tousle the curls with your hands to give them a more natural, messy look. Finish by setting your curls with a light mist of hairspray.

Curling short hair with a curling wand

Step 1: Prepare Your Hair

Start by applying a heat protectant to your hair. This will help shield your hair from the high temperatures of the curling wand and prevent damage. You can use a heat protectant spray if you have fine hair, or a heat protectant gel if you have thicker hair. Let the protectant dry for a minute or two. Then, use a comb or brush to gently brush your hair, distributing the product evenly and ensuring there are no knots.

Step 2: Section Your Hair

To make curling easier, section your hair. Pull the hair from either side of your head, just above your ears, and clip it up. This will allow you to focus on curling the bottom layer first. If your hair is very short, you may not need to do this step.

Step 3: Curl the Bottom Layer

Now it's time to start curling! Take a section of hair, about 3/4 to 1 inch, from behind your ear. If your hair is very short, you may only be able to grab a smaller amount. Wrap the hair around the curling wand, about 1/2 inch away from your roots. Curl the hair away from your face, and hold it around the wand for 10-30 seconds, depending on your hair type. For fine hair, a shorter time is sufficient, while medium to thick hair may need the full 30 seconds.

Step 4: Release and Set the Curl

Once the time is up, slowly release the curl and catch it in your hand. Hold it for a few seconds to set the curl, then release. Repeat this process for the rest of the bottom layer, alternating the direction of curling with each section. Curling in different directions will give your hair more volume and a natural finish.

Step 5: Curl the Top Layer

Now, release the clipped section of hair and repeat the curling process. Take 3/4 to 1 inch sections, curling them around the wand and setting them with your hand. Be careful with any very short pieces, as they can be more challenging to curl without touching the wand. You may want to try curling these pieces upward to add volume.

Step 6: Let Curls Cool and Tousle

Once you've curled all your hair, let the curls cool for a minute or two. Then, use your hands to gently tousle the curls and give them a more natural, messy look. Avoid using a brush or comb, as this can pull out the curls.

Step 7: Finish and Set Your Curls

Finally, set your curls with a light mist of hairspray. You can skip this step if you prefer a more natural, messy look that will evolve throughout the day. And that's it! You now have beautiful, curled short hair.

Curling short hair without heat

There are several ways to curl short hair without heat. Here are some of the most popular methods:

Pin Curls

Wash and condition your hair, then gently towel-dry it until it's damp. Comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb to detangle it, then apply a small amount of styling lotion or lightweight mousse. Separate a small section of hair (around 1 inch or 2.5 cm) near your face and wrap the ends of this section around your finger once or twice, then slide your finger out and wrap the hair up towards your scalp. Secure the curl with a pin and continue this process until all your hair is pinned up. Leave the pins in until your hair is completely dry, then remove them and brush out your hair for soft, bouncy curls.

Braids

Wash your hair and let it dry until it's mostly dry but still slightly damp. Put your hair into loose braids before you go to bed, then undo the braids in the morning and brush through your hair to separate the curls.

Headband Curls

Put a stretchy headband on your head like a hairband, then take strands of hair and wrap them around the headband. You can do this by wrapping the hair around the headband once and tucking it behind the elastic, then repeating until you reach the end of the strand. Do this for all of your hair, then leave the headband in overnight or for at least 4-6 hours. When your hair is dry, untangle it from the headband and separate the curls with your fingers.

Curlformers or Foam Rollers

Wash your hair and let it dry until it's around 80% dry, then put in hair rollers or Curlformers. Wrap your hair in a scarf and sleep with the rollers in, then undo the curls in the morning and comb through them with your fingers.

Twists

You can use a variety of materials for this method, including toilet paper, pipe cleaners, or clean baby wipes or makeup wipes. Take a small section of hair and roll it up in your chosen material, starting from the bottom and working up to the height where you want the curl to start. Tie off the twist and repeat for the rest of your hair, then let it dry and undo the twists, running your fingers through your hair to separate the curls.

Using products to prep hair for curling

When curling short hair, it's important to use the right products to ensure your curls last and your hair stays healthy. Here are some tips on how to use products to prep your hair for curling:

Choose the right curling tool

Before you start curling, it's important to choose the right curling tool for your hair length. If your hair is very short, like a pixie cut, a narrower curling iron or wand is best—aim for a barrel size of 0.75 to 1 inch. For hair that's longer than ear-length, you can go up to a 1.25-inch barrel. Flat irons are also an option, but a smaller, narrower size is best for short hair.

Apply a heat protectant

Since curling short hair involves using heat, it's crucial to protect your hair from heat damage. Choose a heat protectant spray if you have fine hair, as it tends to add more volume. Go for a heat protectant gel if your hair is thick. Apply it all over your hair, then let it dry for a minute or two before you start curling.

Use a texturizing spray

If your hair is freshly washed, a texturizing spray can help add hold and give your hair more volume and body. Apply it all over your hair, then run your fingers through to evenly disperse the product.

Section your hair

To make curling easier, section your hair into layers. Use clips to separate the top and bottom layers. If your hair is very short, you might not need to do this step. For longer short hair, you can also create more sections to make it easier to curl.

Choose a styling product

Depending on the look you want, you can finish your curls with a hairspray, texture spray, or shine gloss. Hairspray will give you a stronger hold, while texture spray adds a more natural, tousled finish, and shine gloss will give your hair extra shine and tame flyaways.

Frequently asked questions