Hair Curling Hacks: 5 Hair Curling Hacks from Stylists That’ll Give You Perfect Curls All Day Long

Moonstone Salon Owner and Stylist, Madi, reveals soft beachy waves on her client!

Most of us have been there—you spend forever curling your hair, only for the waves to fall flat within an hour. 🙄 Whether you're prepping for a big event or just want a foolproof everyday style, the secret to long-lasting curls isn’t always more product—it’s smarter technique. We asked our pro stylists for their top tips, and trust us—these hacks will make all the difference.

So without further ado, here are our top 5 tips for getting the best curls that actually last!

5 Curling Hacks from Stylists:

1. The Right Routine Is EVERYTHING!

Above: Our fave amika product combo for a lightweight base (suitable for most hair types): superfruit star, the shield, velveteen dream, rising star, plus size, and brooklyn bombshell.

Before you curl, your hair needs the right prep routine. And yep, that starts in the shower! Our stylists recommend a lightweight, color-safe shampoo and conditioner, free of parabens, phthalates, and silicones. This creates a clean, weightless base so curls can hold better.

Post-shower: Apply a volumizing mousse or root lift product and a heat protectant before blow drying. We love amika’s plus size perfect volume mousse and brooklyn bombshell blowout spray to give your hair structure before the heat hits.

Pro tip: When applying non-volumizing products (like smoothing or moisturizing creams), focus only on the mid-lengths to ends—avoid the roots to keep your style from falling flat.

2. Use the Right Barrel Size for Your Hair Type

Not all curling irons are created equal—and choosing the right barrel size can make or break your style. It directly affects the shape, tightness, and longevity of your curls.

Here’s a quick guide:

• Fine hair: Use a 1" barrel for tighter, more defined curls that stay put.

• Thick or coarse hair: Opt for a 1.25" or larger barrel to create soft, voluminous waves that hold their shape.

Smaller barrel = stronger curl pattern. You can always loosen the curl by brushing, but it’s much harder to get it to stay if it’s too loose to begin with, so err on the side of tighter curls if you want them to last longer.

Pro tip: We love the BaByliss Pro 1" for shorter or medium-length hair, and the Bioionic Long Barrel 1.25" for longer hair or softer waves.

3. Work in Sections & Start at the Front

Above: Stylist Tara curling her hair with a BaByliss Pro 1.25" curling iron

Split your hair into even, horizontal sections (2–3 total depending on thickness), and make sure it’s completely dry before curling. Comb through each section for a smooth base before wrapping it around the iron.

Start curling at the front of your head—those face-framing pieces get the most attention and benefit from the longest setting time.

• Fine to normal hair: Use 1" sections for more defined curls

• Thicker hair: Go slightly larger (1.25"–2"), but make sure the section is still roughly the size of your curling iron barrel.

4. Let them Cool & Set Completely

The #1 reason curls fall flat? Touching them too soon.

Our stylists say: “After removing the curl from the iron, let it sit in your palm for a few seconds or clip it to the scalp while it cools. Cooling sets the shape, so curls last way longer.”

Give your curls 10–15 minutes to fully cool before touching or styling them.

Stylist Hack: Use flat clips or rollers to pin curls in place. Mist lightly with soft-hold hairspray while they set for even more staying power.

5. Finish with the Right Products (and Technique!)

Now that your curls are cooled—don’t just rake through them randomly!

• Fine hair: Use a wide-tooth comb to gently separate curls

• Thick/coarse hair: A soft paddle brush or fingers work best

With your hand in a claw shape, gently lift each section and spray texture spray beneath the strands for volume and hold. Mist a flexible hold hairspray across the whole style to lock everything in place.

Finish by adding a lightweight shine serum to the ends. We recommend amika’s starfruit styling oil or K18’s Molecular Repair Hair Oil—they give a glossy, polished finish without weighing curls down.

“My favorite trick for getting extra volume is spraying a little dry shampoo on either side of the part and under the crown while the curls are still cooling. When you brush it out—it gives you that little oomph at the roots!” — Sierra R., Stylist, Moonstone Salon

Ready to Level Up Your Curling Game?

Try these stylist-approved hacks and see the difference for yourself! Got your own holy grail curling tip? Drop it in the comments—we love a good hair hack.

FAQs

Q: Why won’t my curls stay all day?

Curls can fall flat due to humidity, technique, or product choice. Make sure your hair is prepped with lightweight volumizing products and that you allow curls to fully cool before brushing out.

Q: How do I keep curls from falling flat?

Use smaller sections, prep with mousse/root lift, and finish with a texture spray. Let curls cool completely before touching them for the best hold.

Q: What’s the best curling iron for fine hair?

Our go-to's are the BaByliss Pro or Bioionic 1" curling iron—they create defined, long-lasting curls perfect for fine or thin strands.