The Secret to Curling Your Hair with a Flat Iron

Is your hair naturally straight and seemingly incapable of holding a curl? Or do you have naturally curly or wavy hair but want gorgeous salon quality spirals? You can find a solution in a styling tool that you may already have: your flat iron.

Like curling a ribbon with a pair of scissors, curling your hair with a straightening iron is actually very simple. It's all about the angle of the iron, the thickness of the section of hair you are curling and the quickness you pull the iron through your hair.

• Mist your hair with a heat protecting spray. This will prevent the flat iron from causing damage to your hair, but it will also help create and hold the curls.
• Section your hair. Start at the bottom of your hairline or the nape of your neck, and pin the rest of your hair out of the way. Larger sections of hair will create looser curls but more volume, and smaller sections will create a tighter spiral effect. Generally the section should be one inch by one inch.
• Holding the section of hair in one hand, clamp the flat iron about an inch away from your head.
• Turn the clamped-shut flat iron one full turn in either direction.
• Now pull the flat iron down to the ends of your hair, as you would if you were using the iron normally. The slower you pull the iron, the more pronounced the curls. If you desire a wavy look, pull the iron quickly.
• If necessary, you can set the curls by spraying a light to medium hold hairspray over the entire curl. Hold about half an arm's length away so as to prevent the hardened helmet-head look.
• Repeat these steps for your entire head. Work from the base of your head up to the crown.

The end result will be beautiful curls. If you have difficulties in the beginning, try holding the iron at different angles or switch hands. Have patience when first trying out this trick; you'll get the hang of it!