How to Curl Short Hair: 3 Clever Styles to Try

Step 1: Pamper your hair with a treatment mask.

You know it’s hair mask time when your strands are visibly dry, dull, and frizzy. Rianne loves applying Cream Silk Treatment Keratin Damage Repair after shampooing to moisturize her tresses, reduce breakage, and enhance shine. The rich formula contains keratin and collagen that deeply penetrate each strand, revitalizing and strengthening it from within.

Hair masks can make hair more manageable and feel less dry.

Step 2: Clip your hair into three sections.

If you have short and layered hair like Rianne’s, you may not have much length at the top. It’s easier to curl your hair if you part it into three sections: left, middle, and right. That way, there won’t be awkward gaps or missed spots.

Divide your hair into three equal sections as pictured above. (Pinterest.com/4am_mtrx)

Step 3: Put your curling iron to work.

The easiest way to curl short hair is to clamp the middle of each hair section with the curling iron and then twist it away from your face. Leave a little piece of your hair sticking out from the barrel to give the look a lived-in feel. This trick also helps prevent clamp marks.

Take your time with the curling iron to make sure you don’t miss any spot.

Step 4: Roll and clip your curls in place.

Try Rianne’s secret trick: after curling each section of hair with an iron, lock it in with a Velcro roller. This adds more definition at the ends and boosts volume at the roots. It can also make your curls last longer, especially if you have super straight hair.

Here’s how to do it. While your strands are still warm, wrap a section of your freshly curled around the roller and secure it with a pin. Repeat until all your strands have been curled and secured. Once you’re done, undo the rolls and finger-comb your hair to get that “swoosh.”

Leave the rollers on for at least 10 minutes.

Step 1: Prep your hair like a pro.

Laying the groundwork is an important step in a DIY blowout. Start by misting your hair with a heat protectant. Then, massage a golf ball-sized amount of hair mousse onto the roots. This simple addition will keep your locks from falling flat.

Hair mousse is a must if you have fine, straight hair.

Step 2: Divide and conquer.

Grab a large hair clip and separate and secure the top section of your hair. If your strands are on the thicker side, create smaller subsections to help you make uniform curls. Got tangles? Spritz detangling spray and break apart the knots with a wide-tooth comb.

Separate the top and bottom sections of your hair before styling it. (Pinterest.com/crystahhled)

Step 3: Blow-dry your hair.

Here’s a tip: Opt for a 1.5- or 2-inch round brush since it provides better control and precision on short hair. Once you have your tools ready, take a section of hair and place the brush underneath the roots. Set the blow dryer to medium heat. Aim the nozzle downwards along the hair shaft. Simultaneously roll the brush away from your face, then slowly twirl as you release.

Repeat this step until you have curled all the sections. For the finishing touch, shake out your waves and lock everything with hairspray.

Don’t pull your strands too tightly as it can lead to more hair fall.

Step 1: Start with freshly washed hair.

Buildup from styling products and natural oils in your scalp can weigh down short hair. Wash your hair as usual and follow up with Cream Silk Ultimate Reborn Damage Control Conditioner. Its Fiber Repair Complex is specially designed to strengthen weak hair and offer up to 97% damage protection against split ends.

Washing your hair before styling helps make your curls last longer.

Step 2: Do twist braids.

Towel dry your hair and apply a texturizing spray or hair mousse to add grit. Next, create two French twist braids on each side of your head. As the name suggests, you twist your locks and pick up more hair as you go down the nape of your neck. Secure with a clear elastic. Repeat until every section is complete.

Don’t worry about twisting your hair perfectly. Just keep the braid tight. (Tiktok.com/@erinmbooher)

Step 3: Sleep it off.

Let your hair dry overnight, or at least for two hours. The longer you leave the braids on, the curlier your hair gets. Unlike other heatless techniques, this one isn’t bulky – a major win for side-sleepers. When you wake up in the morning, simply unravel the twists and muss up your hair to loosen the ringlets.

You can style your hair while catching on some beauty sleep with this curling technique!