How to Get Curls to Stay All Day (Without Damaging Your Hair)
If you want your curls to stay all day, it comes down to method more than anything, plus a few small tricks along the way. We know how deflating it is to spend time on your curls only to watch them fall out the moment you step outside. At Cordina Hair, everything we make is built around holding a curl gently, without the heat and breakage that so often comes with it. Whatever your hair, these are the steps that keep the curls going. Here is exactly how we do it.
Why curls drop in the first place
If your hair is naturally straight or wavy, that is the shape it always wants to return to. A curl is only ever a temporary instruction, and your hair starts working its way back to its natural state almost as soon as you have finished. That is why curls drop, and it is not a reflection of your effort. The good news is that the right technique slows the process down considerably, and you can do it without wrecking your hair. Damage the cuticle once, through heat or rough handling, and it is very hard to bring it back, so the gentler your method, the better both your curls and your hair will look.
How to get curls to stay all day
1. Start with clean, dry, conditioned hair. Long-lasting curls begin long before you pick up a curler. Skipping conditioner to make hair “grippier” is common advice, but we would rather have soft curls than dry, brittle ones, and dry hair breaks more easily. Keep your hair conditioned and moisturised, add a little hair oil after washing to seal each strand, and make sure it is completely dry before you begin. We recommend day 2 hair to ensure there is no moisture present in the hair which often leads to unwanted frizz.
2. Choose heatless over a hot wand. Letting your hair curl slowly rather than forcing it with heat gives you two wins at once: a longer lasting curl and no heat damage. Sitting in its curled shape for hours trains the hair to hold far better than a quick pass with a wand ever could. Leave it in for at least six hours, or overnight. We use the Flower Curl, our award-winning heatless curler, which splits the hair into sections so each curl starts off defined, and defined curls take longer to drop.
3. Lightly spritz water onto dry hair before setting. This one small step makes a real difference. Mist a little water along the length of your dry hair just before you set the curler, so it dries into its curled shape. The key word is little, as your hair should feel barely damp and never wet. Done this way, the curls come out bouncier and more defined, and they hold for longer.
4. Never curl wet or damp hair. There is an important line between a light spritz and genuinely wet hair. Setting soaking or damp hair is asking for trouble, because it will not dry evenly, the result is frizzy and unpredictable, and wrapping wet hair under tension can stress and break the strands. Always begin from dry hair and add only the lightest mist.
5. Lock it in with hairspray. Hairspray exists to hold a style, so use it, just sparingly. A light mist of strong-hold spray once your hair is set in the curler helps the shape stay put while it develops. Then, before you unravel the next day, give it another light mist and let it sit for a while before releasing the curls. A little is plenty. You want hold, not a crisp shell you cannot run your fingers through.
6. Break the curls with your fingers, not a brush. When it is time to reveal your curls, put the brush down. Tip your head forward and gently open the curls with your fingers, scrunching as you go. They may look tight at first, but they will drop slowly and beautifully through the day. If you prefer a softer look, use a wide-tooth comb rather than a bristle brush, which tends to pull the curl straight out.
7. Go easy on product. More product does not mean more hold. Piling on sprays, mousses and creams weighs curls down and leaves them crispy rather than bouncy. Keep it simple, so your hair feels light and your fingers glide through without catching. Many setting products also contain alcohol, which can be drying, so use them sparingly.
8. Once they are set, leave them alone. This is the tip most people ignore, and it matters more than any product. The more you touch and fiddle with your curls, the faster they fall, and the oilier your roots and drier your ends become. Set them, then keep your hands away. A relaxed half-up, half-down style helps enormously here, because it lifts your hair off your face so there is far less temptation to touch it, and it takes some of the weight off the curl too. Add a pretty clip and you have an easy hairstyle that shows your curls off while helping them last.
The best day to curl your hair
For heatless curls, second-day hair is your friend. We recommend curling a day after washing, not because dirty hair grips better, but because it makes sure there is no moisture left over from washing day. Even hair that feels dry to the touch can hold a little dampness, and that leftover moisture is one of the most common causes of frizz and uneven curls. Give your hair a day, make sure it is completely dry, and it will take a heatless curl beautifully.
FAQ
Why do my curls fall out so quickly? Usually because the hair did not stay in its curled shape long enough, or because heat and handling worked against it. Set heatless curls for at least six hours on dry hair, and touch them as little as possible once they are done. How you open up the curls and what type of brush you use also matters.
How long should I leave a heatless curler in? At least six hours, and overnight is ideal. The longer the hair holds its curled shape, the longer the curl lasts the next day.
Is second-day hair better for curling? Yes. We recommend curling on second-day hair, not because it grips better but because it ensures no moisture is left over from washing day. Even hair that feels dry can hold a little dampness, which is a common cause of frizz.
How do I stop my curls dropping in humidity? Humidity coaxes the hair back towards its natural state, so it is a curl’s worst enemy. A light mist of strong-hold hairspray before unravelling (let it sit for 5-10mins) and then a light mist of hairspray again once the curls are out gives them the best chance, along with keeping your hands out of your hair.
If your curls have always dropped too fast, the method is usually a big part of the reason. Set them gently, and lean on the small tricks above. Learn more about the Flower Curl.
