Flat Iron Hair Curling Tutorial + My Favorite Hair Tutorial Sites
Well wonder no more, here’s how it’s done…
and yes, that’s a flat iron/straighter… NOT your typical, cylinder curling iron.
This process is super fast, super easy and only takes a few times of practicing before you’re a pro. I promise, once you curl hair with a flat iron, you’ll never want to go back to a regular curling iron again.
Because pictures don’t ever do a hair tutorial justice, I’ve put together a video below, with my crazy-wild 5 year old and Cason at the camera, to demonstrate how quickly this hair curling technique moves.
Ta-da! Easy as that!
You can find a CHI flat iron like the one I’m using in the video a lot of different places online, but just make sure yours comes with a warranty before you buy. Lots of discounted ones from Amazon and such will NOT be protected in case of broken or missing parts… and these suckers are EXPENSIVE! Also know that the CHI iron doesn’t have a temperature setting option, which I’ve never found to be a problem, but just wanted to give everyone a heads up.
A lot of different flat irons will work, but just make sure you have a really good quality one, that won’t rip or pull the hair. You’ll want a hard outer shell around your smooth-glide ceramic iron plates inside. This will allow the outside of the flat iron to act as a “curling iron” as you twist the hair around and pull.
And don’t forget, the key is to let the curl COOL DOWN, before brushing or running your fingers through the hair. Letting the hot curls “cure” will allow them to keep their shape longer throughout the day.
I don’t have video or picture tutorials for the next two hairstyles that I did on my twins, but here are examples of the side sock bun, and the messy top bun. I thought I’d show you them both, because they’re equally pretty and fun, but one is just a little more casual and less structured than the other.
Also, some of my favorite hair tutorials are done by these lovely ladies below, and I get a lot of great ideas from them, so feel free to spend hours upon hours there, wishing you had thicker, more cooperative hair.
If you have thin, lifeless hair like me, I promise this will be your first thought. ha!
LifeBegins@Thirty says
Love it! Your daughter is beautiful and her hair style worked out so well. I've tried a billion times to curl with a flat iron and can never do it without a kink. This makes me want to try again!
Andrea Shumway says
CUTE sweater from DownEast! and what a great hair tip!
Elizabeth says
You are too cute, wish my mum helped me with hair stuff when I was little!
Hilarie says
Thanks – I learned so much! My last hair cut, the lady said I could do blah-blah-blah to the back (I didn't really understand). I think she meant what you said – lift, spray, back-comb for more volume. Nice to know that it's possible with my thin hair!
Michelle says
She is so cute and so funny… such a ham!!! I am out of the curling the hair of my kids. My girls are 15 and 25. I wish they were little again. I miss those days.
imklvr says
That's one cutie patootie you got there!!! Dona
Lizzy says
Ahhh! I can't even deal with how cute you and your little girls are! Her blowing a kiss at the end made me tear up.
Haha – sorry…I grew up with all boys, have a toddler son, and just had a baby girl 4 months ago – so now I get giddy when I see these sweet little princesses! π
ReneH says
OMG!!!! She is so cute! Thanks for the tutorial. It will definitely help with my hair. I wish I had a daughter, but I was blessed with 3 boys instead. (Easier on the clothing budget though!)
- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
Great tutorial Shelley! As a fine haired gal, I'm definitely going to have to try a flat iron ;-).
Shanelle Cunningham says
Good Morning! My girls want me to try the flat-iron waves on them – thanks for the video tut! Can you share how you keep all of the hair "stuff" organized? I have 3 girls as well, and hair stuff is EVERYWHERE. Help!!!
Thank you! π
JenM. says
Oh my goodness!! So cute. Thanks for the great how-to!!
Karey says
I do have thin, fine hair. I purchased a flat iron because that is what my girl uses to fix my hair after a cut. No matter how low my setting is it damages my hair. I only run it through once and never leave it on each strand very long. I have given up trying to use them.
Jeanette says
Oh my gosh! So cute! You to are going to have your hands full. I have one daughter who is grown, my advise is to keep them busy with after school activities when they are teenagers. My daughter run track and cross country was in the choir. Good luck! Enjoy them they grow up way to fast.
Acraea says
Awesome tutorial, I needed this! Your daughter is so adorable!
poppy says
You're such a sweet mom! Thanks for the tutorial…if I can ever convince my little one curls can be cute I'm doing this…in fact, I think I'll show her this video. Thanks for sharing!
Shannon says
My 14 year old daughter loves her hair done this way. My son's girlfriend showed us this a year ago, and I had never tried it until then. Took a little practice since her hair is long. Thanks for the other resources as well, I'm going to have to spend some time there. My daughter has amazing hair, lucky her! She can just wash and go and it looks like those wavy beachy styles you see in magazines. Yes I'm jealous of her hair because mine is thick and a frizzy curl.
Shannon @ bohemianjunktion.com
Stacyli says
Your family is SO cute! Thanks for that tutriol! Very helful for sure. "Dynamite" is my 5 yr old son's FAVE song, too funny!
Stacyli says
Your family is so cute! Thanks for that tutorial is very helpful to me! BTW, my 5yr old son's fave song is "Dynamite" too funny!
Danielle says
OH MY GOSH, AUBRIE IS SOOO CUTE!!! Great tutorial! I can't wait to try it on myself! I think she has more hair than I do haha!
controlling craziness says
Wow! That does curl fast. I never would have thought a flat iron would make curls. Cool. My daughter has really thick hair and I have a hard time curling it using a regular round curling iron. Does the flat iron do well with thick hair too?
Anonymous says
Where did you get your cardigan?! LOVE!!!
DIYbyDesign says
I love the idea of using a flat iron. So adorable. I have to try this on my daughter's hair. I think we have the same flat iron.
Sarah says
I dont think she could be any cuter! Love that sass
Anonymous says
ur girls are sooo cute
Unknown says
thank you for adding a video! I was trying to figure out this process from pics on another site and it just didn't make sense. totally going to try it. beautiful little girl by the way π
Unknown says
Oh my gosh your girls are so cute!!!
Lisa @ Texas Decor says
I love this!! Thanks so much for the tutorial! I never thought to use my flat iron for curls..can't wait to try this! π
Anonymous says
Oh my, Aubrey is a little beauty! Luca is the same age and he had to watch the video with me and he loved your music choice. Thank you for the tutorial and great tips as alays. LOVE your blog and you look fabulous Shelley and your twins as well π
Jodie π
Janessa says
Man, that little girl is FIERCE! Thank you for the great tutorial… I've been looking for new ways to do my hair and I've been inspired! There's about 10 minutes left of nap time so I'm off to try it out. π
Spanish Kitchenette says
Adorable tutorial! she really knows how to pose! π
Anna Whiston-Donaldson says
super fun! I am terrible at fixing my daughter's hair. She loves it when my sister or a hairdresser gets their hands on her.
Katie from Sew Woodsy says
Seriously Shelley, you make this look way to easy. I've tried before, but now that I've watched your video I'm going to attempt it again! I wonder if I can get Jon to watch the video and do my hair for me! lol.
Jenny Lynn says
Very cute hair ideas. I have not given any thought to using a flat iron to curl my girls hair.
Unknown says
gorgeous! I'll see how it goes with my karmin g3 π
Karin says
As we say in the south… so stinkin' cute!!! Thanks for the tutorial. I have long super fine hair which does NOT hold curl, so I am definitely going to try your technique! Oh, & I adore the pic of your daughter with her tongue poking through where she is missing a tooth! I have a 5 year old son who is just as silly as yours! What fun those 2 could have together! π
Unknown says
You know, I loved the learning of how to curl – I'm one of those people you seem to think is extraordinarily fortunate in having really thick hair – but mine's naturally curly (think serious squiggles here) and what is perhaps unbeknownst to many? naturally curly hair isn't always NICe and curly, all over. I end up 'touching up' pretty much every time I go anywhere . So ya. THANK YOU!
Having said all that? The music. The video. The fab pics of her. Love. LOVE. The energy, was just…supercute π
Anonymous says
I found your blog about 6 months ago, and i find it so fun watching you and your family. Call me crazy, but there are so MANY things you post about and I am like, hey, thats me.
I am a mom to 3 beautiful girls, on a weight journey, married to a DIY guy and today I too had the same joke on me about being a hairdresser! Only God would of known how much I needed those few years to prepare for my 3 beauties….
Have a blessed day, and no your not alone..really!!
Anonymous says
The video was so fun to watch! π All of you have such pretty hair!
Crystal Boyle says
I really enjoyed the video and your girls are so cute. That Aubrielle has such a fun personality π
Kate says
Thanks for the shout out! π
Carrie says
Awesome. I always use the flatiron to curl my daughter's fine hair under at the ends, but haven't used it for beachy curls. She is going to wonder why I'm doing her hair after work today. I want to try it now!
Lil Mama Stuart says
Love this, thanks Shelley!
Tammy B says
Oh my gosh! I've been trying to do the flat-iron curls forever. I'm going to go give it another shot, seeing it from behind made a huge difference (as opposed to sitting in the chair and seeing it in the mirror). Also – I'm now in love with the Small Things Blog, she's so cute!
Lisa says
So cute. Your girls have gorgeous hair. Your little one is so darling, she seems to be a little jokester, if that's a word. LOL
Lora says
Ok, for real. Get those kiddos an agent! They are gor-g-e-o-u-s!
This may sound strange..but have you ever used toilet paper to roll hair ? It works! Twist pieces of TP, wrap sections of hair in TP, tie the ends of TP in a knot, and send the babes to bed. It is comfy enough to sleep in, alot more comfy than the evil sponge rollers my Mom used to make me sleep in. The TP makes really pretty curls/waves. It works better with a cheap brand, because the soft higher priced brands leave fuzzies.
Plus side..the girls would get a kick out of it, I bet. Wearing TP on their head. π
jenn says
Um. That girl could not be any cuter!I cannot even stand it! And I love that five years olds are so….five. I have one in the boy variety and he too would have a max of five minutes on camera before having to act nutso at the end. Great tutorial! Thanks!
jenn gent says
I shared this video with my 5 year old and we tried it out today! SO SO cute! Thanks for the tutorial!!
Mindy says
Just wanted to stop by and say thanks for the shout out π I've had a couple of your readers come over and tell me about it. Thanks again!
Amanda says
She is a cutie!! Thanks for this!
http://cyndilumoon.wordpress.com says
Oh my gosh! I don't like the "M" word either! Cute tutorial!
http://cyndilumoon.wordpress.com says
Oh my gosh! I hate the "M" word too! Cute tutorial. Your daughters are adorable. I have three sons, so I won't be curling anyones hair, anytime soon π
Kari V. says
Ok, that was the cutest video ever! Love it!
FacingTheSon says
LOL! Favorite part was the modeling "after" pictures! Your little one is a hoot! Great tips! Thank you!
Irene Jennings says
This post makes my heart happy π After reading and reviewing all your posts, I have tried and tried again to make my hair curl with a curling iron. Repeat FAIL after epic fail. I do, however, have curling my hair with a flat iron down to a science- thanks for confirming that it is coooooolll to curl my hair this way π This morning my hair is curled up pretty with with handy flat iron!
New follower
Irene Jennings (Fort Worth Roofing)
Karo says
omg they look amazing, so cute and lovely, I'll try that with my karmin g3, it's very good. π LOve it !!
Karo says
omg they look amazing, so cute and lovely, I'll try that with my karmin g3, it's very good. π LOve it !!
Unknown says
βAppreciate you sharing, great article.Really looking forward to read more about Flat iron with comb. Will read onβ¦β
Unknown says
Love it!! Gonna try for picture day my daughters hair is longer so hopefully I can do it with out burning either of us! I must ask what color is the nail polish you have on? Also, where do you buy the girls clothes super cute!! π