How to curl hair with straighteners

What you need

Any straightener can bend hair, but those with rounded outer edges and a slim body curl more smoothly, because the hair wraps around the barrel instead of catching on a square edge. ghd's Gold, Platinum+ and Chronos all have rounded barrels designed for curls and waves. Narrower plates, around 2.5 cm (1 inch), are easier to twist than wide plates. See the best straighteners for curling for models built for it.

You also need clean, completely dry hair, a heat protection product, sectioning clips and, ideally, a few small pin clips for setting curls while they cool.

• Straighteners with rounded edges, ideally standard width
• Heat protection product
• Sectioning clips
• Optional pin clips and a light hairspray

The half twist method, step by step

Turning away from the face on both sides is the classic, flattering direction. For a beachier effect, alternate the twist direction with each section so the curls do not clump together.

1. 1

   Section your hair, clipping the top layers away. Start at the back or the sides, whichever you find easier.

2. 2

   Take a section about 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide. Comb it smooth.

3. 3

   Clamp the straighteners near the root, a little away from the scalp, with the plates horizontal.

4. 4

   Turn the straighteners half a turn (180 degrees) away from your face, so the hair wraps around the top plate.

5. 5

   Keeping the twist, glide the straighteners slowly and steadily down to the ends.

6. 6

   Release at the end. The section should drop into a curl. Let it cool, or pin it in a coil while it cools.

7. 7

   Repeat around the head, alternating direction near the face if you want a natural, undone look.

8. 8

   When every curl is cool, rake through with your fingers and add a light spray to hold.

Controlling the curl: speed, section and twist

Speed is the main control. A slow glide lets the heat set the bend, giving a tighter, bouncier curl. A faster glide gives a looser wave. Gliding too fast can leave just a slight bend; stopping or slowing unevenly can leave a kink.

Section size matters too. Smaller sections give more defined curls; larger sections give softer, broader waves. A full turn instead of a half turn makes a tighter spiral but is harder to glide smoothly. Leaving the last few centimetres straight, by opening the plates just before the ends, gives a modern, undone finish.

Curling long and short hair

On long hair, the weight can pull curls out, so use slightly smaller sections, a slower glide and pin each curl while it cools. Start the twist a little lower if you do not want volume at the root. Working in more layers makes it easier to keep sections neat.

On short hair, a bob for example, use a narrow straightener and smaller sections, and focus on bends and flicks rather than full curls. A half turn and quick glide gives a soft wave. For very short cuts, see our guide to straightening short hair, which also covers bending the ends.

Straighteners or a wand?

Straighteners give looser, more open curls and smooth lengths, and you only need one tool. A wand gives more consistent, defined curls and is quicker once learned. If you curl most days, a wand is often worth adding; our curling wand vs straighteners comparison explains when, and the best curling wands guide lists premium options.

See the best straighteners for curling →

Safety while curling

Twisting brings the hot plates closer to your face, ears and neck. Keep the iron angled away from skin, work slowly near the hairline and never curl while distracted. Rest the straighteners on a heat mat between sections and unplug when finished.

Note:Straighteners can burn skin instantly. Keep them away from children, never leave them on a bed or carpet, and follow your model's manual.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't my straighteners curl my hair? Usually the glide is too fast, the section is too big or the plates have square edges. Slow down, take smaller sections and make sure hair is fully dry.

Which way should I twist straighteners to curl? Twist away from your face for the classic look. Alternate directions for a more natural, beachy result.

Can you curl hair with ghd straighteners? Yes. ghd's Gold, Platinum+ and Chronos have rounded barrels designed for curls and waves as well as straight styles.

How do I stop kinks when curling with straighteners? Keep the glide continuous without stopping, and do not clamp too hard. Open the plates slightly at the ends.