How To Get Big Loose Curls

If you only seem to be able to lock down loose, bouncy curls or waves that last after an hour or so in the salon, you're not alone. The demand for quick and easy curl tutorials is high.

It doesn't matter if your hair is super fine or long and strong, there's a curl video tutorial out there for everyone. And there's even a heat-free technique (courtesy of TikTok) for those who'd prefer not to go down the heat styling route.

READ MORE: These Are The Best Curling Tongs To Buy Now

How to give long hair beachy waves

Readers with long hair should watch this first tutorial. It shows how to get soft, beachy waves at home.

Tips provided here include using a curling wand to curl the hair both towards your face and away from it so that the waves don't end up looking too 'done'.

One of the key styling products used in this video? The cult classic L'Oreal Hairspray by Elnett, £2.60.

How to get loose curls

For shoulder-length hair, this tutorial offers advice on achieving big, round, bouncy curls.

The secret in this video is not keeping your hair wrapped around the tong for too long. A few seconds is enough to achieve a soft wave.

How to curl short hair

Starting with heat protectant and a Tangle Teezer, £12, this tutorial uses a 1.5inch curling iron to create perfect curls for those with shorter hair.

To nail this technique you have to curl the hair in small sections outwards away from the face, focusing the heat on the ends.

How to achieve curls without using any heat on your hair

If you're an avid TikTok scroller, you've probably already seen this viral hair hack that creates loose curls using a dressing gown belt and zero heat.

The heat-free alternative to curling your hair has gone viral, and for good reason too. All you need is a dressing gown belt, some hair ties and you're good to go. The technique involves sectioning your hair into two plaiting each section around the dressing gown belt.

After sleeping with your hair in the plaits, remove the belt and brush out your bouncy curls.

Shop The Best Curling Tongs Available To Buy Now:

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CREDIT: Boots

BLACK FRIDAY PRICE: £29.99

ORIGINAL PRICE: £39.99

Summary: With a relatively chunky barrel, expect loose, wide and 'undone' waves.

Product details: There are 6 different heat settings here that reach up to 210°C. We've found this one to heat up quickly too.

Pros/Cons: Longer hair types will enjoy this curling tong; the length of the barrel is generous. The various heat settings mean that you can be precise with your heat distribution. Have one piece of stubborn hair, that just won't curl? Whack the heat up high, and take it down a notch when you're done.

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CREDIT: Boots

BLACK FRIDAY PRICE: £37.49

ORIGINAL PRICE: £49.99

Summary: This skinny styler is great for achieving mega-ringlets, no matter your hair type or length.

Product details: Designed with a slim, rectangular titanium barrel on which you wrap sections of hair around to create gorgeous mermaid ringlets, this ultra-skinny curling tong is great for creating ultra-tight curls.

Pros/Cons: With five digital temperature settings ranging from 120-210°C, the wand boasts a heat-up time of under 10 speedy seconds. Plus it has a stay-cool tip which makes it easier to curl your hair without getting accidental curling tong burns. (We've all been there.)

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CREDIT: CurrentBody

Summary: T3 does smart tech; this wand cares for your hair whilst styling it. Unlike any other curling tongs in our roundup, this tong decides the heat level for you, based on your hair type.

Product details: Featuring interactive digital buttons, you select which hair type is most like yours. There's an option for chemically treated hair, textured hair and coloured hair. The wand generates heat (there are 9 types) bespoke to your hair needs. The wand is 32mm, so on the larger side for wide waves.

Pros/Cons: If you choose the right option on the wand, it'll deliver the right heat for your hair type (read: no unnecessary heat damage).

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Summary: Beauty editor Annie Vischer uses this every week. 'It's clip-free which makes it super easy to use. It makes working through my long hair a breeze. You can take smaller sections to create tighter curls and larger sections for looser waves, the possibilities are endless.'

Product details: One of the most versatile curling wands, controlling the size of the curl - the wand ranges from 23mm-28mm along the barrel.

Pros/Cons: It heats up in seconds for quick styling, and even has a sleep mode which turns the wand off after 30 minutes of non-use

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Summary: Yes it's spenny, but but the unique technology associated with this high tech gem allow you to avoid using extreme levels of heat on your hair. It also has every base covered, from drying to curling, to brush styling your do. Consider that more bang for your buck.

Product details: This product contains everything you need - 30mm barrels, soft smoothing brush, round volumising brush, pre-styling brush, filter cleaning brush and even a storage bag.

Pros/Cons: The curling wand styles predominantly with air rather than heat, which causes less damage to the hair. There are three options for airflow and four heat settings, including a cold shot to set your hairstyle with cooler air.

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Summary: This one's a pro favourite and for good reason. If you're after a that classic glossy curl effect that lasts, this is the buy for you. If you're not great at using tongs with the clip, keep it down and wrap hair round the length of the tong as you would a curling wand.

Product details: It has a medium 26mm barrel which creates smaller to medium sized curls. It has a cold tip for ease of styling, with a place to put your fingertips, and a sleep mode after 30 minutes.

Pros/Cons: Heats up within 25 seconds, and takes five to eight seconds to style each curl, giving you the perfect locks in no time at all.

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Summary: Here we have a game-changer. There are relatively few effective cordless tong options out there, but this is one. Whether, once lockdown is over, you're likely to find yourself on the move and keen to keep your curls looking fresh, or it would simply suit you better to be able to sit wherever you like in the house whilst you curl your hair, this is the one to make a grab for. The tong section even splits in two to act as straighteners.

Product details: It is a sleek and lightweight product that reaches the optimum styling temperature of 180C. As it says in the name, it is 3-in-1, straightener, curling wand and tong.

Pros/Cons: It is a cordless tool which is a major perk, but it also has human touch control which is ideal when carrying it in your bag - it ensures you won't accidentally turn it on.

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Summary: Available in three different sizes, choose your tong based on the curl type you're after. If it's big, loose curls - opt for the large barrel, and if it's tight, springy curls - opt for the small barrel. Again, this one is clip-free and super easy to use.

Product details: There are heat settings ranging from 125-175C which means no unnecessary heat damage to your hair. This product includes a heat resistant case, an LED mirror and a paddle brush.

Pros/Cons: The barrel is 25mm which means it can be used to create different types of curls and works for all hair types.

READ MORE: How To Curl Your Hair With Straighteners At Home