Love Your Curls? 10 Tips On How to Make Curls Last Longer

Don’t you love rocking a curly hairstyle? Here's how to take care of curls and make them last longer so you can enjoy them as much as possible.

Whether it’s beach waves, ringlet curls or retro waves, one thing is for sure: every woman loves a gorgeous curly hairstyle to rock on a special occasion or even on a daily basis. 

However, achieving the desired hairstyle requires some time and patience - and when you finally have the perfect result, you want it to last a little longer. Ideally, as long as possible!

Luckily, there are some things you can do to prolong the life of your beautiful locks. In this article, we will give you our expert tips on how to take care of curls to make them last longer. So, let’s not waste any more time because we have a lot to talk about:

1. Choose a curling wand with tourmaline plates 

You may not think it’s a big deal, but the type of curling wand you use can actually make a huge difference in how long your curls are going to last. 

That’s because some plates distribute the heat more evenly, while others are not as effective - especially if you are looking at a cheap thermal hair styling tool. Let’s take a look at a quick recap of the different types of plates and their benefits:

• Ceramic plates - a popular choice for hair styling, curling wands with ceramic plates tend to distribute the heat quite evenly, reducing the risks of hot spots that can damage the hair. However, they don’t hold the heat as well as other materials, which means that they are not always the most-effective option for long-lasting curls.
• Titanium plates - this type of plates heat up quickly and can reach high temperatures, making them a good choice for those times when you want to achieve faster results. They also conduct the heat well, which can help to make curls last longer. However, titanium plates can be more damaging to hair if not used properly, as they can get very hot and cause heat damage.
• Tourmaline plates - if you want to learn how to make curls last longer, look no further than curling wands with tourmaline plates. This type of plates emit negative ions and far-infrared heat, which locks in moisture and creates smooth and shiny curls without causing damage. Tourmaline plates are also less damaging to hair than titanium plates, as they heat up more evenly and require less heat to create curls. Tourmaline plates can be a good choice for creating long-lasting curls that are healthy and shiny.

So, whenever possible, opt for a curling wand with tourmaline plates such as the NuMe Classic Curling Wand if you want to ensure that your curls will last long without getting damaged in the process. 

Not sure where to begin? Take a look at our article on how to choose the best curling wand for beginners.

2. Opt for smaller barrel sizes

Our list of pro tips on how to take care of curls to make them last longer continues with barrel sizes - yes, that’s true, size matters when it comes to enjoying long-lasting locks. 

When it comes to making your curls last longer, smaller barrel sizes are generally better. This is because they create tighter curls, which are more likely to hold their shape over time. Some of the best sizes include:

• ¾ inch barrel size for tight, bouncy curls
• 1 inch barrel size for a variety of curly hairstyles
• 1 ¼ inch barrel size for larger, looser curls
• 1 ½ inch barrel size for loose, beachy waves

If you don’t want to be limited by barrel size, and you still want to enjoy multiple options depending on your moods and preferences on a specific day, you can consider getting the NuMe Octowand 8-in-1 curling wand. 

This versatile curling wand with tourmaline plates comes with 8 interchangeable barrels so you can enjoy endless styling options and long-lasting curls every time you use it. 

3. Invest in a curling wand with adjustable heat settings

If your curling wand doesn’t have adjustable heat settings, you may have to consider investing in one that does - not only to make curls last longer, but also because it’s a much healthier option that doesn’t cause as much damage to your hair.

Curling wands with adjustable temperatures allow you to customize the heat level to the type and texture of your hair, and only use the least amount of heat that your hair type needs in order to achieve the desired results.

They also help to create more defined curls - it’s important to keep in mind that different hair types require different levels of heat in order to create the most defined (and long-lasting curls). 

For example, fine fine hair may require a lower heat setting to create curls that last longer, while thicker hair may require a higher heat setting. By adjusting the heat setting to your hair type, you can create more defined curls that hold their shape over time.

High heat can cause curls to fall out more quickly, while low heat may not be enough to create defined curls that will look great all day. So, make sure to get yourself a heat styling tool that you can adjust to your preferences so you can find the sweet spot between temperatures for your hair.

4. Don’t forget your thermal heat protectant

If you want to learn how to make curls last longer, but also ensure that your hair won’t get damaged during the heat styling process, one essential product that should absolutely not miss from your heat styling routine is the thermal heat protectant. 

Heat protectants work by creating a shield between your hair and the heat styling tool, coating it with a protective layer to prevent damage from high temperatures. This is not only important for reducing damage, but also makes the hair more manageable, helping your curls last longer.

5. Let the hair cool down and set before letting go

If you want to know how to make curls last longer, another tip that you should consider is letting your beautiful new hairstyle cool down and set before you actually let it go. This allows for the hair cuticle to close, setting the curl in place for a longer period of time.

As you curl each section of your hair, simply take a clip or a pin and set the section into place to maintain its spiral shape, then let it cool down before releasing it. If you break your curls too quickly, especially if they are still hot from the curling wand, they won’t be able to hold their shape for long.

6. Use a hair primer before curling your hair

If you want to enjoy a more defined hair texture, as well as curls that hold their shape and form for longer, make sure to use a hair primer before you start curling your hair.

This product is applied before any other styling product (including the heat protectant), and it works by creating a base layer on the hair to improve the performance of other styling products, including extending the life of the hairstyle.

One of the best hair primer products that you can go for is the NuMe Rise and Prime hair primer - made using natural ingredients such as hydrolyzed silk, sunflower seed oil and honey extract, it enhances the texture of the hair and makes your beautiful curls last longer.

So, if you want to learn how to make curls last longer, keep this in mind the next time you are looking forward to creating a beautiful hairstyle with your curling wand.

7. Curl your hair in small sections

Instead of curling large sections of hair at once, divide your hair into small sections and curl each one individually. This will help ensure that each curl is properly set and cooled down before releasing it.

Once you have curled a section of hair, secure the curl in place with a clip or bobby pin to maintain its shape and allow it to cool down completely before releasing it. This will help the hair's cuticle to close, setting the curl in place and making it last longer.

8. Touch your hair as little as possible

While reaching out to feel how smooth and shiny your hair is can be extremely tempting, make sure to avoid touching your hair too much if you want to master the art of making curls last longer.

Touching your hair often will cause the curls to fall out of place and lose their shape, which means that you won’t be enjoying your new hairstyle for longer.

9. Sleep on a silk or a satin pillow

If you are wondering how to make your curls last longer, another important - but often underestimated tip that you can learn from is sleeping on a silk or a satin pillow.

These materials cause less friction on your hair compared with cotton pillowcases, and less friction means that your curls will be able to “sleep” undisturbed without falling out of place during the night.

Cotton pillowcases usually create more friction and tangles in your hair, which can be counterintuitive for what you are trying to achieve - make your curls last longer. In fact, a cotton pillowcase may even cause your hair to become frizzy overnight, which is something that’s definitely not exciting!

Additionally, silk and satin are less absorbent than cotton, which means they won't absorb moisture from your hair as much as a cotton pillowcase would, helping to keep your hair moisturized and healthy.

10. Set off your hairstyle with a hairspray

In order to hold the curls in place, one of the best things you can do for your gorgeous locks is to use a finishing hairspray.

Hairspray helps to make hair last longer by providing hold and control to your hairstyle.

When you spray it onto your hair, it creates a layer of resin that coats the hair shaft, helping to keep the hair in place and maintain its shape. This can help your curls stay defined and bouncy for a longer period of time.

FAQ

How can I make my curls last all day?

To make your curls last all day, make sure to use a curling wand with tourmaline plates and adjustable heat settings to ensure that you are adapting the temperature to your hair type. In addition, opt for a smaller barrel size and don’t forget to use a thermal heat protectant, a hair primer and a finishing hairspray.

Why do my curls fall out so fast?

Curls may fall out quickly due to hair texture, using heat styling tools at too high a temperature, curling damp or wet hair, product buildup, not allowing curls to cool down, and touching or brushing the curls too much.