Nasmati guide · Curls
7 secrets to curls that last all day
Curls falling flat by lunch? It is almost never the curler. It is the prep, the sections and what you do after. Here is what actually makes them hold.
Start on 100% dry hair
Curling damp hair makes steam instead of a curl, and the shape drops within the hour. Blow-dry fully first, roots included.
Heat protectant, every single time
Mist it through mid-lengths and ends before any hot tool. It is the step that keeps hair shiny after weeks of styling instead of dry and brittle.
MoroccanArgan Oil Heat Protectant SprayLightweight argan-oil spray that shields from heat and sun · $9.97ShopMatch the heat to your hair
Fine or bleached hair curls at low heat; thick or coarse hair needs more. Start low and go up only if the curl will not hold. More heat is not better, it is just more damage.
5-In-1 Magic Hair CurlerFive ceramic barrels and an 80–220°C range for every hair type · $102.97ShopWork in small sections
Sections about two fingers wide curl all the way through. Clip the rest of your hair up so it stays out of the way.
Duckbill Hair Clip - 2 ClipsHold sections firmly without creasing · $4ShopPick the barrel for the look
Small barrels (10–19mm) give tight, defined curls. Big barrels (32–38mm) give loose, glam waves. Not sure? Use a medium barrel and brush out gently at the end.
Humid day? Seal before you style
Mist an anti-frizz spray before the hot tool. The heat activates it and locks out humidity, so the curl keeps its shape outside.
Supernatural Anti-Frizz Humidity-Proof SupercoatHeat-activated shield, frizz-free for up to 72 hours · $11.97ShopLet them cool, then sleep on satin
Do not touch a curl until it has cooled: that is when it sets. At night, pile hair loosely on top of your head with a satin scrunchie so you wake up with curls, not creases.
Satin Crystal ScrunchiesSoft satin that protects curls and prevents breakage · $3.50ShopBonus: never brush curls with a dirty brush
A clogged brush puts oil and old product straight back into clean hair, and curls go limp faster. Clean it after every use.
Self-Cleaning Hair BrushOne click releases all the trapped hair · $14.97Shop