10 mistakes youre making when curling your hair and how to fix them

• Curling your hair can be hard, which can lead to common mistakes that could end up damaging your hair.
• Common mistakes include using too much heat, using the wrong-sized barrel, and curling in the wrong direction.
• Make sure to start by using a heat protectant on your hair.
• Using hairspray throughout the process will help your curls last longer.

Styling your own hair is not quite as simple as it seems like it should be.

It's easy to get into the habit of doing something that could actually be destroying your strands without even realizing it, which is especially true when it comes to using hot tools. Heat styling can be tricky, even for professionals, because it can very easily lead to breakage and damage. If you've ever used a curling wand or iron, chances are good that you've made some mistakes when curling your hair.

While the below mistakes aren't the end of the world (or the end of your hair), they aren't exactly something you want to keep doing.

So, if you spend a lot of time curling your own hair, you'll want to avoid the below mistakes as much as possible. Keep these mistakes in mind whether you're using a curling wand or a curling iron with a clamp.

Not using a heat protectant first

Before you even touch your hot tool of choice, you should be using a heat protectant on your hair. A heat protectant helps minimize the damage from hot tools by adding a barrier between the tool and your strands to seal in moisture and fight frizz.

You can find them in many different formulas, although sprays are the easiest to work with and get the job done. I personally recommend Living Proof Restore Instant Protection.

Cranking up the heat setting way too high

It's tempting to crank the temperature of a curling wand up to the highest it can go. After all, the higher temperature, the faster you can curl your hair, right? Sure, but you'll also be damaging your locks in the process.

Too much heat can cause extreme damage very quickly. According to experts, no matter how thin or thick your locks are, you should never set a heat tool to 400 degrees (the maximum on most tools).

You're better off being more patient and giving yourself more time. This is why you should always opt for a curling iron or wand that allows you to adjust the temperature, such as The 3-Day Bender by DryBar, which lets you to digitally pick your temp.

A good rule of thumb to keep in mind: if your hair starts to smoke, your tool is way too hot.

Letting the curls fall as soon as they come off the tool

Think about what you do with the section of hair you just curled when easing it off the wand. Chances are, you simply let it fall to your shoulders on its own and move onto the next section.

That's fine, but there's a better way. If you hold the curl up in the palm of your hand and let it cool that way, it will last longer and come out tighter. You can hold it in your hand, or you can carefully pin it up until you're all done, depending on the look you're going for.

Using the wrong size tool for the look you want

There are several different types of curling wands out there for a reason: different shapes produce different results. If you want loose curls and find that curling your hair always leaves you with tight curls, you're probably using the wrong size barrel.

If you're looking for loose curls, go for a barrel that is one or two inches. For tighter curls, a .75 or one inch barrel will do the trick. There are also tapered wands that give you more of a natural wave, like The Wrap Party by DryBar.

Curling in the wrong direction

If curling your hair never gives you the exact results you want, that could also be because you're curling in the wrong direction. If you want a more natural, wavy look, curl away from the face rather than towards the face.

If you want your curls to look glamorous and tight, curl every section in the same direction. If you want your curls to look more effortless, curl certain sections in different directions.

Using hairspray only at the end

Many people do the same thing with hairspray when curling their hair: they wait until they're all finished, then unleash a stream of hairspray all over their head. That will work, but if you really want your curls to hold for a long time, you need to use hairspray throughout the curling process.

This is especially true if you have thin hair that struggles to hold a curl or if you just washed your hair and it's very soft. Each time you put a section around the barrel, spray it lightly with hair spray, then let it down.

Holding the tool for too long

A lot of people assume that the longer they leave their hair wrapped around the barrel, the tighter the curl will be, and therefore the longer it will hold. That might be true, but keeping your hair wrapped around a hot iron for a long time is like asking for it to burn off.

You shouldn't hold your hair on the barrel for more than about eight to 10 seconds, or you'll risk seriously damaging your strands.

Wrapping too much hair around the barrel

One mistake a lot of people make is that they wrap way too much hair around the barrel. This won't allow the heat to distribute evenly, and you'll find that your curl isn't very defined at all. A curling wand can only handle so much at once.

If you're using a large barrel, like one and a half inches or two inches, you can use a little bit more hair. If you're using a smaller barrel, like under an inch, use less hair.

Holding the tool incorrectly

Yes, it does matter how you hold the curling iron when your hair is wrapped around the barrel. Holding it horizontally will create tighter curls. Holding it up and pulling the hair away from your head will give you more volume, rather than pulling it down.

Try to hold the wand on a bit of an angle for the best curls and a good amount of volume.

Not sectioning your hair correctly

Curling your hair can be a bit of a process, and if you're strapped for time, you probably skip the whole "sectioning off" part. Don't! Evenly sectioning your hair can make a big difference. It keeps you from missing a chunk of hair, and it results in a much smoother look.

It's also easier. Clip away the hair you're not curling, and carefully brush out the section you're about to curl for a better result.

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