For many of us curlies, there is always that one section of hair with a mind of its own. Maybe it’s that spot at your crown that refuses to curl, or a section at the nape of your neck that you struggle to get a comb through, or a few curls that frizz even in the best weather.
For me, the front of my hair has always required more attention that the rest, partly because my cowlicks are there, and partly because I spent so many years smoothing it with heat and chemicals that when I transitioned, I didn’t know what to do with it. For the longest time, I pinned it flat with a barrette or pulled it back, all the while dreaming of a full head of curls.
It took me a while to understand heatless, curl-encouraging styling for that section. It’s fast and easy, and can be done with just a few items: a wide-toothed comb, your favorite styler, and a few hair clips, such as DevaClips. For the looks shown below, complete the following steps before you begin.
Before You Begin:
- Fully saturate and moisturize your hair.
- Apply your favorite styler all over. I prefer Elucence Volume Designing Foam.
- Scrunch the back and sides.
- If desired, use a microfiber towel to blot excess moisture from these areas.
Note: If you generally use a diffuser to dry your hair, wait until you have applied the hair clips to the front of your hair before doing so.
Style #1: Loose spirals
This carefree look allows your curls to fall softly in front of your face. It’s achieved by using the skip curl method, along with a strategically-placed hair clip to coax the front curls to lay flat at the roots. To do:
- Part your hair as you would normally wear it.
- Using your fingers, choose some small sections of hair in the front and sides of your head, create small curls, shake those curls, and then scrunch (see The Skip Curl Method“>.
- Pin down a few curls in the front with a horizontally placed hair clip.
- Allow the hair to dry, and then fluff and pick out the roots.
Style #2: Volume at the part
This easy style volumizes your roots at the part line, making your hair look fuller. To do:
- Part your hair as you would normally wear it.
- Using hair clips, clip individual curls at the part on a diagonal as shown.
- Allow the hair to dry, and then fluff and pick out the roots.
Style #3: All-over Volume
This fresh-from-the salon look is both voluminous and versatile. You can change it up with the flip of a part. For maximum body, create a side part on the opposite side than you normally would. To do:
- Part your hair as you would normally wear it.
- Using hair clips, clip individual curls at the part line on a diagonal, and then clip additional curls throughout the crown of the head.
- Allow the hair to dry, and then fluff and pick out the roots.
Style #4: Wave
Curly hair is so versatile! This smooth wave was created with one hair clip. To do:
- Part your hair as you would normally wear it.
- Secure a large section of hair in the front of your head with your fingers.
- Using a hair clip, pin the section away from your face, weaving the clip in an out of the hair horizontally.
- Allow the hair to dry, and then flip your head over at gently pick out the roots near the crown of your head.
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Optional: Using the praying hands technique, gently apply a few drops of your favorite oil to your curls to add sheen.
How do you like to style the front of your hair? Let us know in the comments. For more on root clipping, click here.
