Curl Enhancers: Straight Hair's Secret Weapon? (2025)

If you have straight hair and want to add some curls or waves, there are several products and techniques you can use to achieve long-lasting curls. It's important to note that each head of hair is unique, and you may need to experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for you. Here are some tips and product recommendations to help you get started:

- Use a curl-enhancing mousse or volumizing product before curling your hair. Avoid heavy creams that can weigh down your hair.

- Apply a texturizing spray like sea salt spray, especially if you have naturally wavy hair.

- Use a curling iron or hot rollers to create curls. Look for curling tools with interchangeable barrels to give you more options for the type of curl you want.

- Set your curls with a dry-touch finishing spray or a strong-hold hairspray. Avoid sticky, crunchy hairsprays that can make your curls fall flat.

- Try overnight curling by making small, twisted buns in your hair after washing it. This gentle method can give you long-lasting curls without the need for heat.

- Enhance your natural texture by using a diffuser attachment or drying your hair with your hands when blow-drying.

- Use products with memory that give your hair a flexible shape during heat styling and help retain that shape once you're done.

- Avoid silky serums, oils, and dry shampoos as they can weigh down your hair and reduce the curl.

The best curling products for straight hair

If you have stubbornly straight hair, you might be wondering how to get those curls to stay in place. Well, the good news is that there are plenty of products out there designed to help you achieve and maintain bouncy curls.

Pre-Styling Products

The best curling products come in the form of sprays, crèmes, and serums, which are applied to the hair before using hot tools. These include mousses and texturizers such as salt sprays or foams, which create texture and help your hair adhere to a new shape with the help of heat.

• Tresemmé Beauty Full Volume Mousse
• Ouai Wave Spray
• Kristin Ess Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse
• Bed Head by TIGI Foxy Curls Mousse

Curl Enhancers

Once you've created your curls, the next step is to keep them in place! Curl enhancers include shaping and defining gels and creams, which help to keep your curls shiny, separated, and frizz-free.

• Tresemmé Flawless Curls Defining Gel
• Bed Head by TIGI On the Rebound Curl Recall Cream
• Tresemmé Flawless Curls Hair Spray

Permanent Solutions

If you're looking for a more permanent solution, you could consider a perm. However, keep in mind that these treatments can damage your hair, leaving it vulnerable to breakage and dryness.

Other Tips

• Use a diffuser attachment or dry your hair with your hands to enhance your hair's natural texture.
• Avoid using a round brush when blow-drying, as this can smooth out your hair's natural texture.
• Use a light-hold clay or wax to add texture and allow your hair to set in the desired direction.
• Use a light conditioner in the shower, and only apply it to the ends of your hair rather than the roots.
• Dirty hair holds shape better, so consider styling your hair when it's not freshly washed.
• Use a curling iron with a barrel that's slightly smaller than the size of the curls you want to achieve.
• Allow your curls to cool down in your hands for about 10 seconds after curling to prevent them from relaxing too quickly.
• Shake out your curls instead of brushing them to loosen them without activating the falling process.
• Use a light hairspray to lock in your curls without weighing them down.

Now you're equipped with the knowledge and products to help you achieve those bouncy curls you've always wanted!

How to prep straight hair for curling

If you have straight hair and want to try out curls, there are a few steps you can take to prep your hair and achieve the best results.

Wash and condition

Start by washing and conditioning your hair with products formulated for your hair type. This will help prevent unwanted frizz before you even begin styling.

Use a curl-enhancing product

When your hair is damp, apply a curl-enhancing product such as a mousse or spray. These products will help to create texture and grit, allowing your hair to better adhere to a new shape when heat is applied. Look for products with "memory", which will give your hair a flexible shape during heat styling and help it retain that shape once you're done. Avoid products labelled as "curl enhancers", as these are intended for people with naturally curly hair and will just become excess product in your straight hair.

Dry your hair

Avoid the temptation to blow-dry your hair with a round brush, as this will smooth out the natural texture that you need to hold a curl. Instead, use a diffuser attachment or dry your hair with your hands, encouraging waves and texture. If you must use a brush, opt for a small ceramic round brush to brush and curl the hair as it dries.

Curl your hair

Once your hair is completely dry, it's time to curl! Use a curling iron or wand, or try a heat-free method such as applying a set of curling rods to damp hair and letting your hair air-dry. Make sure to curl one-inch sections of hair, holding them longer than you think you need to, and then release the curl into your palm to cool. You can also clip each warm coil to your head to ensure it holds its shape, but this will take a bit more time.

Set with hairspray

Once your curls have cooled completely, set them with hairspray. This will help your curls last longer and prevent them from falling out or loosening up.

Finish with putty

To add some piece-y texture and hold, rub a thin layer of putty between your hands and scrunch it into the ends of your hair.

How to curl straight hair with a curling iron

If you have straight hair and want to add some curls, there are several methods you can try. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to curl straight hair using a curling iron:

Step 1: Choose the Right Products

Start by selecting the right products to enhance and protect your hair. Use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner to give your hair a lift. If your hair is fine, skip the conditioner to prevent it from weighing down your hair. Next, apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair. This will give your curls extra hold. Finally, add a heat protectant to shield your hair from damage.

Step 2: Blow-Dry Your Hair

Completely dry your hair with a hairdryer, ensuring there are no damp spots. This step is crucial, as any remaining moisture can cause your curls to fall.

Step 3: Prepare Your Hair for Curling

Spritz each section of your hair with a lightweight hairspray before using the curling iron. This will create a solid base for the curls to hold for an extended period.

Step 4: Curl Your Hair

Select the right curling iron for your hair length. For shoulder-length hair and shorter, use a one-inch iron. For longer hair, opt for a 1.25-inch barrel. Hold the curling iron on each section of hair for about five to eight seconds to ensure the heat sets in. After removing the curling iron, hold the curled section in your hand or pin it up until it cools down.

Step 5: Finish and Set Your Curls

Once your hair is completely curled and cooled, spritz it with a humidity-resistant hairspray to lock in the curls. If you pinned your hair, remove the pins and use your fingers to gently tousle your hair for a more natural, effortless look.

Additional Tips:

• When curling your hair, remember to curl away from your face.
• For more defined curls, try using a curling wand instead of a curling iron.
• To make your curls last longer, sleep with your hair in braids or buns, or use foam rollers overnight.
• To enhance your curls further, you can also apply a curl-enhancing gel or cream after curling, such as the TRESemmé Flawless Curls Defining Gel.

How to curl straight hair without heat

Using flat irons and curling irons can cause damage to your hair. If you want to curl your hair without the risk of damage, try one of these no-heat curl techniques.

Braids

One of the easiest ways to get loose curls is to braid your hair at night and sleep with it. First, comb your hair to get rid of tangles, then comb your hair into the desired placement of the braid. Separate your hair into three even sections, overlap one outer strand over the middle strand, and then repeat with the opposite strand. Continue to smooth the hair as you continue to braid. Braid all the way to the ends of the hair and secure it with an elastic. In the morning, undo the braids and apply a smoothing hair oil to tame any frizz.

Hair Rollers

Take a shower and wait until your hair is about 80% dry, then put in hair rollers in sections. Wrap your hair in a scarf or sheet and sleep. In the morning, undo the curls and comb through them with your fingers to separate.

Headband

Take a stretchy headband and put it on. Take strands of hair and loop them over the headband as many times as necessary for your hair length. In the morning, untangle your hair from the headband and comb your fingers through it to separate the curls.

T-shirt Halo

Take a t-shirt and twist it until it makes a rope, then tie the ends together with a hair tie. Place it on your head and pull up sections of hair, winding them around the halo. Once all your hair is wound up, wait until it's dry, then remove the halo. Use your fingers to separate the curls.

Twists

This method works best on shorter, thinner hair. Take a small section of hair and roll it up in a piece of toilet paper, a pipe cleaner, or a clean baby wipe or makeup wipe, starting from the bottom. Once you reach the height where you want your curl to start, tie off the twist. Repeat across your hair, then allow to dry naturally or dry with a hairdryer on the no-heat setting. Undo the twists and run your fingers through the curls to separate them.

French Braids

French braids can give you curls all the way up to the scalp. For best results, make two French braids, one on each side, to avoid an uneven curl.

How to finish and set curls in straight hair

So, you've spent ages curling your straight hair, and now you want those curls to last. Here are some tips to finish and set your curls:

Products

• Avoid using silky serums, oils, and dry shampoos, as these can weigh your hair down and undo all your hard work.
• Use a lightweight, dry-touch finishing spray to set your curls without making them crunchy or sticky. Garnier Fructis’s Texture Tease Dry Touch Finishing Spray is a good option.
• If you need something stronger, opt for a quick-drying hairspray with strong hold. Try SexyHair Big Spray & Play Harder Firm Volumizing Hairspray.
• For extra hold, use a curl-enhancing mousse before you curl your hair. Just make sure it's a curl-activating mousse, not a curl-enhancing one, as these are designed for people with naturally curly hair.
• If you want to add some definition to your curls, scrunch in a pea-sized amount of curl cream.
• To prevent frizz, use a hair primer or a product with a natural heat protectant, like arginine and pea extract.

Techniques

• Pin your curls up and spray with hairspray once they've cooled. This helps the curls set.
• Try overnight curling. Wash your hair, then twist small sections into buns before bed. In the morning, release the buns, gently comb through, and set with hairspray.
• If you're using curling irons or hot rollers, make sure you let them cool down completely before removing them from your hair.

Frequently asked questions