How to Create Curls that Last on a Long Bob

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

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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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.)

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

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

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.

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).

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.

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.

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. 🙂

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