DIY Formal Updo Hairstyle | How to curl your hair with a straightener, by Jean Watts on YouTube. 19 min 4 s.
- Video length
- 19 min 4 s
- Time to do it
- 40 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Wash and condition your hair, then towel dry. Spray a leave-in conditioner through the lengths to make detangling easier and protect the hair from heat.
Comb out all knots and let your hair dry fully. Dry hair holds a curl better and avoids steam burns from the flat iron.
Heat the flat iron to about 350°F (175°C). Fine hair needs less heat, thick or coarse hair can take 400°F (200°C).
Mist a heat protectant over the lengths. Comb it through so every section is covered before you apply heat.
Part your hair into 1 to 2 inch sections. Clip the top layers up and work from the bottom up.
Clamp a section near the roots, then twist the iron half a turn and glide slowly down to the ends. Keep the twist steady to form a spiral curl.
Release the curl and let it cool in your hand or pin it loosely. Do not brush it while hot or the curl will drop.
Repeat around the whole head, then brush the cooled curls gently into one smooth shape for the updo.
Smooth a little hair wax over the front and sides. Gather the hair into a ponytail and wrap it around a hair donut to build the bun.
Pin the bun with bobby pins, tuck loose ends, and finish with hairspray to hold the style.
Tips and common mistakes
Always use a heat protectant and keep the iron moving so one spot does not overheat.
Let each curl cool completely before brushing, or the waves will fall flat.
Use bobby pins with the wavy side down so they grip the hair better.
Test the iron temperature on a small hidden section first if your hair is damaged or color treated.
Questions
Can I curl my hair with a flat iron if it is short?
Yes, but you need at least a few inches of length to wrap around the iron. Shorter hair may only hold a slight bend.
How do I stop the curls from falling out?
Let each curl cool fully, use a light hold hairspray, and avoid brushing until the hair is cold. Hair that is too clean can also drop curls, so a little texture spray helps.
Do I need a special flat iron?
A standard 1 inch flat iron with adjustable heat works fine. A vibrating or rounded-edge iron can make the twisting motion smoother but is not required.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
