We’ll show you two different ways to curl your hair with a flat iron. The ribbon curl is a tight flat iron curl made with tension and only one small twist motion at the start. By creating an s-shape with the hair and only tapping the flat iron down the section, the push wave creates a loose and organic finish. Are you prepared?
Using a Flat Iron to Ribbon Curls
The ribbon curl, created with your flat iron once more, is a tight curl with more bounce. Place the flat iron diagonally into the section and, as you pinch the iron close, slowly rotate half a turn and slide it down the hair section. The tight ribbon curl is created by the half-turn and tension. The ribbon curl lasts for days and eventually transforms into a beach wave curl as time passes.
• Using a thermal heat spray, prepare a medium-sized section measuring 12 inches in length and 12 inches in width. With your flat iron vertical and your palm facing the head, hold the section in one hand and your flat iron in the other.
• Pinch the base section and fold your hand so the palm faces you as you pinch (still holding the section with your left hand). Allow the hair to spring into a ribbon curl by slowly sliding the flat iron down to the end of the hair shaft and releasing it.
• Shake out the curls with your hands and finish with a flexible-hold hairspray to keep them in place.
• Comb through the section to the ends with your brush, holding the hair at the bottom for a few seconds to relax the waves.
• When you release the section, your loose waves will appear. To help tame any frizz, apply a light oil serum.
With a Flat Iron, Create Push Waves (also called an S Wave)
We’re going to use our flat hair straightener for this curling technique. The push wave is a natural-looking finish. The push wave is created by making an S shape with your hair and then using your flat iron to tap over the waves.
• Take horizontal sections with your flat iron, making sure to spray them first with a thermal heat protectant.
• Begin pinching the section near the scalp with your index and thumb.
• Insert the iron above your pinch and start tapping over the section, pushing the hair in the same direction until it’s completely heated.
• Move your “pinch” down the section and tap, tap, tap it again, this time pulling the hair in the opposite direction as before.
• Concentrate on making an S pattern.
• Repeat this push-and-pull pattern until your hair reaches the ends.
• Curl your hair into loose, organic waves with a different texture than you can get with a curling iron.
Conclusion
Remember to work in small sections, and practice is required for anything you want to be good at. Take your time learning these flat iron techniques before attempting them on yourself. Above all, don’t forget to bring your thermal spray! You don’t want to end up like the YouTube little girl.
Get creative flat iron techniques once you’ve mastered them! Now is the time to start curling!
