How Do You Use Hair Curlers? A Simple Guide to Smooth, Lasting Curls

Curlers are one of the easiest ways to add volume and movement to your hair at home, whether you want soft waves for a weekend lunch or bouncy curls for a night out. Getting curls that look smooth and actually last comes down to a few simple steps: the right prep, the right heat and a little patience while they set. Here's how to use the main types of curlers, plus tips for Thin Lizzy Easy Curler owners and how to keep your curls looking polished in New Zealand's humidity and wind.

Types of Hair Curlers

• Curling irons: a heated barrel with a clamp. Great for defined curls on most hair lengths.
• Curling wands: a barrel with no clamp that you wrap hair around. Ideal for loose, relaxed waves.
• Automatic curlers: you feed in a section of hair and the curler wraps it around the barrel for you. Quick and handy on busy mornings.
• Hot rollers: heated rollers that set larger sections for big, bouncy volume.

Which Heat Setting Should I Use?

• Fine, coloured or fragile hair: start at the lowest setting and a short curl time.
• Medium hair: a middle setting usually works well.
• Thick or hard-to-curl hair: a higher setting and a slightly longer curl time.

Always start low and go up only if your curls don't hold. Less heat is kinder to your hair.

How to Use Hair Curlers: Step by Step

1. Prep your hair: start with clean, completely dry hair. Curling damp hair can damage it, and the curl won't hold.
2. Detangle: brush out any knots so each section is smooth. Tangles are the main reason hair catches in a curler.
3. Protect: mist on a heat protectant spray.
4. Section: clip up the top layers and start underneath. Work in small sections about 2 to 3 cm wide.
5. Curl: wrap or feed each section around the barrel, hold for a few seconds, then release gently. Don't pull the curl off the barrel.
6. Let it cool: leave each curl to cool and set before you touch it. This is what makes curls last.
7. Finish: once all your curls are cool, loosen them with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, then smooth any flyaways.

Tips for Easy Curler Owners

If you have a Thin Lizzy Easy Curler, it's a cordless automatic curler with six heat settings from 150°C to 200°C, four timer settings (10, 12, 14 or 16 seconds), left or right curl direction and a 19mm ceramic-coated barrel. You can use it while it's charging.

• Charge it first: a full charge before you start means no stopping halfway.
• Match the settings to your hair: low heat and a 10 to 12 second timer for fine hair, higher heat and 14 to 16 seconds for thick hair.
• Keep sections small and smooth: if hair catches, the section is usually too big or not brushed through.
• Alternate directions: switching left and right curls gives a softer, more natural look.
• Care for it: let it cool completely, wipe the barrel with a soft, dry cloth, clear out loose hairs and store it somewhere dry. Always follow the instructions in your manual.

Our Picks

How to Make Curls Last in Humid Weather

• Use smaller sections: smaller curls hold their shape longer.
• Let curls cool fully: touching warm curls makes them drop faster.
• Finish lightly: a light hairspray and a sweep of gel over flyaways keep the style neat without stiffness.
• Skip heavy oils straight after curling: they can weigh curls down. Save a drop of oil for the very ends.

For more hair care ideas, see our guides to hair oils and keeping your lengths healthy-looking.

What Customers Say

"Great for my fly away hair in this humidity"
Yvonne M., Thin Lizzy customer (Smooth Hair Wand)

"Great for curly hair"
Denise C., verified customer (The Good Hair Brush)

"Love this super fast USB charger! No more flat battery on my curler"
Karen W., Thin Lizzy customer (Fast Charge USB Adaptor)

Read all Smooth Hair Wand reviews →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use curlers on wet hair?

No. Always curl clean, completely dry hair. Damp hair won't hold a curl and can be damaged by the heat.

Why do my curls drop so quickly?

Usually the sections are too big, the heat is too low for your hair, or the curls were touched before they cooled. Try smaller sections and let each curl set fully.

Can I use the Easy Curler while it's charging?

Yes. The Easy Curler can be used while it's plugged in and charging.

How do I stop flyaways after curling?

Let your curls cool, then sweep a light, clear gel such as the Smooth Hair Wand over flyaways along your parting and hairline.

Can I buy Thin Lizzy hair products in stores?

Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Farmers, Life Pharmacy, Chemist Warehouse and Unichem stores across New Zealand. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.

Final Thoughts

Great curls come down to good prep, the right heat for your hair and patience while they cool. Brush out tangles first, work in small sections and finish by smoothing flyaways for curls that look polished all day.

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