How to Create Curls that Last on a Long Bob

January 2, 2017

I’m not a big enough blogger by far to have regular requests for anything (but please let me know if you do have something!). You know what people do ask me about? My hair. I think I must be doing something wrong seeing as I am a fashion blogger and all. Grin. Here’s the funny thing about my hair: it is my life goal to fix it as little as possible. Oh, and make it look thicker than it really is. But seriously, I am a little embarrassed to admit how rarely I wash my hair. I always get mad when it’s rainy. If I have to wash my hair sooner than planned… If you’re reading, do you promise not to judge me?

Want to hear a funny story? Sometimes people say to me, “Your hair looks great. Did you do something different?” As I hang my head in shame, I say, “No, it’s just clean.” In reality, I have found that curling my hair really does allow me to go longer between washes, accomplishing my life goal.

Okay good, now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about how to create curls that last on a long bob. I always feel so accomplished on days I wash and fix my hair before I even leave the house. I’m all like, “Hey, I just worked hard. Shouldn’t I get the rest of the day off?” I wish.

Here’s my secret – hairspray. Read on (and remember, no judging).

How to Create Curls That Last on a Long Bob

how to create curls that last on a long bob - step by step tutorial

Step 1. Add product and dry straight. My favorite products are Aveda Confixor Liquid Gel and Aquage Lifting Foam (awesome for volume!). To dry my hair, I basically flip it over, get it most of the way dry, and then use a paddle brush to comb it out while I finish drying. I don’t want to dry it super sleek or anything since I want the curl to hold.

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how to create curls that last on a long bob - start with clean, straight hair

Step 2. Section the bottom fourth off with a clip. Using a 1-inch curling iron, curl each side away from your face. For the right side, curl it back and to the right. For the left side, curl it back and to the left. They basically meet in the middle in the back, not that you can tell. I take the curling wand pretty close to my scalp so the whole strand gets curled. When it’s day three, you’ll be glad for that extra half turn. Hairspray. (Get used to that one. We’ll use it a lot.)

how to create curls that last on a long bob - step by step tutorial

Step 3. Repeat step two on next fourth of hair. Don’t forget the hairspray!

how to create curls that last on a long bob - step by step tutorialhow to create curls that last on a long bob - step by step tutorial

Step 4. Repeat step two on next fourth of hair (getting closer!).

how to create curls that last on a long bob - step by step tutorial

Step 5. You’re now on the top fourth of your hair. Congrats on your hard work. You guessed it: repeat step 2. The only difference on this final step is that I do not curl my front pieces as close to my scalp. I use my curling iron to skim over them just to take away some of the frizz then curl the rest.

how to create curls that last on a long bob - step by step tutorialhow to create curls that last on a long bob - step by step tutorial

Step 6. Let your hair cool. You may look like Shirley Temple. Fear not (and maybe don’t pin this picture of me looking like her).

how to create curls that last on a long bob - step by step tutorial

Step 7. Once all the heat is gone from your hair, tease the sides and back near your part. This should break up the curls some around the roots. Since they already have hairspray, you won’t take out all the curl. Gently loosen the rest of your hair with your fingers. HAIRSPRAY. Ya know, one last time for good measure.

how to create curls that last on a long bob - step by step tutorial

Step 8. Here’s the real secret, hairspray your hair before you go to bed. You may feel funny, but it’s worth it in the morning when you don’t have to do this all over again.

how to create curls that last on a long bob - step by step tutorial

Step 9. The next morning don’t totally brush your hair. The only time I run a brush straight through my hair is when I get out of the shower and after blow drying. Just retease it, smooth, and brush ends as needed. Then hairspray! Told you it was my secret.

Notes: As you can see, my curls last through 4 days. The curl just slowly falls/gets more wavy instead of curly. Remember my life goal? I really have been working on fixing my hair as little as possible most of my adult life. In the beginning, I washed it every other day. The the third day turned into a ponytail day. Eventually my hair adjusted and I could leave it down. Sometime in there, I managed to start making it four days. If you wash your hair everyday, please trust me when I tell you this life is so freeing! Think of the time you’ll save. And buy some hairspray and maybe dry shampoo too. 🙂

How to Create Curls That Last on a Long Bob – Products You Need

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100 Comments

  • Reply Wendy January 24, 2022 at 8:55 am

    I love this hair tutorial so much. Question: do you use a product that protects your hair from the heat?

    And thank you!

    Wendy TheInspiredEater.com

  • Reply Brenda January 21, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    Thank you for this tutorial! I have fine hair; so when I use hair spray, it mats up when I wash it. Does this happen to you? If so, do you have a solution?

  • Reply ADA January 17, 2017 at 9:54 am

    I know you did this post for me ;-). Ha, off to buy some hair spray now (since I have none) and try dry shampoo for the first time.

  • Reply ElleSees.net January 10, 2017 at 6:59 am

    The end result is fabulous!!

  • Reply Madeline Mihaly January 9, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    I wish I could go longer but with some of my workouts I get drenched. like soaking wet hair up the back of the ponytail drenched. (haha gross but true). on my lighter workout days I usually don’t wash it but I don’t think I could make it 4. PS. love the curls on your long bob!

    xo, Maddy
    http://cassidylou.com/

  • Reply Dawn Lucy January 7, 2017 at 6:37 am

    Your hair is always on point! I only wash mine twice a week and will also get people asking me if I did something different when I wash it. LOL My hair will not hold a curl to save its life, so mostly I go with straight. I will fight back the tide occasionally and try to get some waves out of it!

    Thanks so much for sharing with Fun Fashion Friday.

    OXOX

    Dawn Lucy

    http://fashionshouldbefun.com

  • Reply Sauniya January 6, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    You’re a fashion blogger with great looking hair so no wonder people ask about your hair a lot. I like this curly look. Thank you for sharing.
    Have a great weekend dear 🙂
    xo
    Sauniya | Find Your Bliss ♡

  • Reply Shea Sayers January 6, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    I do always admire your hair Amy Ann! And your style of course. I just chopped my hair into a bit of a long bob, although it’s a little longer than yours. But I also want to put as little effort into my hair as possible, so I will have to try this!

  • Reply Jacquard Flower January 6, 2017 at 7:54 am

    This is wonderful, I always love to find out other hair routines. Hope you are having a great day! Gemma x
    http://www.jacquardflower.uk

  • Reply Jackie January 3, 2017 at 10:34 pm

    I too have always been a fan of your curls. I can’t believe you can keep them looking so good for four days! I think I need to start using more hairspray and teasing my roots. These are steps that I don’t currently take.

    Jackie
    Something About That

  • Reply Candace January 3, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    I have always been a fan of your hair. It looks amazing even after 4 days. I used Aveda hair products back when I had relaxed hair; I can only imagine what wonders it can do for my natural hair now. I need to try it again!

    http://www.thebeautybeau.com/

  • Reply Akaleistar January 3, 2017 at 6:53 pm

    Love this! You hair always looks fabulous 🙂

  • Reply Ellese Launer January 3, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Ha! I loved reading this from start to finish! I am so with you! I hate doing my hair and have found a routine that has freed up so much time and energy. I have to say, you’ve definitely perfected the art of a great curl. Thanks for sharing. Xo, Ellese

    Rock.Paper.Glam.

  • Reply Emily January 3, 2017 at 4:04 pm

    Great tips here – you look lovely!
    Isn’t That Charming.

  • Reply Ianne Cabangon January 3, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    I wanna try this. I really love your curls.
    Xo, christianne
    http://simplychristianne.com

  • Reply jess z January 3, 2017 at 3:38 pm

    Your hair routine looks great on all four days. I’ve started using dry shampoo more. It gives my hair a bit more volume.
    http://tresfly.blogspot.com/

  • Reply Nevena Krstic January 3, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    Your hair always looks lovely! Thanks for sharing your hair routine! 🙂 xx

    http://www.nevenakrstic.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply hena tayeb January 3, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    beautiful.. looks great

    http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

  • Reply Treats and Trends January 3, 2017 at 2:39 pm

    These are great tips! Your hair always looks so pretty. I’ll have to try stretching out my washes, i usually have to wash it every other day.

    Jamie
    Treats and Trends

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