To use an automatic hair curler, start with clean, fully dry and brushed hair, spray a heat protectant, and choose a low to medium heat setting. Take a smooth section about 1 inch wide, place the hair in the opening with the tool held away from your scalp, close it and let it wind the hair in. Hold until it signals the curl is done, open it, and let the curl cool before you touch it.
Automatic curlers do the wrapping for you: the barrel turns, pulls the hair into a chamber or around the barrel, and holds it at a set temperature for a few seconds. That makes them easier than a curling wand for many people, but the first few tries can still go wrong. The most common problems are hair that tangles, curls that drop by lunchtime and sections that come out frizzy. This guide covers how to use one step by step, which setting and section size to pick, how to fix tangles, and how to make curls last. We use our Rechargeable Automatic Hair Curler as the example, but the steps work for most rotating curlers.
Before you start: prep your hair
- Make sure your hair is completely dry. Automatic curlers are made for dry hair. Even slightly damp hair steams, curls poorly and is more likely to catch.
- Brush out every knot. A tangle that goes into the curler comes out as a bigger tangle. Brush from the ends up to the roots.
- Use a heat protectant. Mist it over each section and comb it through. Let it dry for a moment before curling.
- Charge first. If you have a cordless model, charge it fully. For our curler, the directions say to charge it fully overnight before the first use.
- Get clips ready. Two to four clips make sectioning much faster, especially on long or thick hair.
How to use an automatic hair curler, step by step
- Switch it on and pick your heat. Start on the lowest or middle setting. Fine, colored or bleached hair usually needs less heat than thick or coarse hair. Our curler has several temperature levels with a digital display, so you can see the setting you picked.
- Choose a direction. Many automatic curlers let you curl left, right or alternate. Curling away from your face on both sides gives an open, polished look. Alternating directions gives looser, softer waves.
- Section your hair. Clip the top layer up and start with the bottom layer at the back. Take a section about 1 inch wide and keep it smooth and flat, like a ribbon.
- Place the hair, not the tool. Hold the curler a few inches away from your scalp, pointing down. Lay the section across the opening as the instructions show, keeping the hair taut but not pulled. Leave a gap at the roots so the curler never winds up against your head.
- Close and let it wind. Press the button or close the handle. The barrel turns and draws the hair in. Do not move the tool toward your head as it winds; hold it still.
- Wait for the signal. Most models beep or stop turning when the curl is done, usually after a few seconds. Fine hair needs a shorter hold, thick hair a slightly longer one.
- Release and pull away gently. Open the handle and slide the tool down and away. Do not yank it while the barrel is still turning.
- Let each curl cool. Leave the curl alone until it is cool, or pin it up in a loop with a clip. Curls set as they cool, so this is the step that makes them last.
- Repeat and finish. Work around your head, then up through the top layers. When everything is cool, rake through with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb and add a light hairspray if you want more hold.
Which heat setting and section size to use
Use this as a starting point, then adjust. If curls fall out quickly, try a slightly smaller section before you turn up the heat.
| Hair type | Heat | Section size |
|---|---|---|
| Fine, thin or colored | Lowest to low | About 1 inch, short hold |
| Medium, normal | Low to medium | About 1 inch |
| Thick or coarse | Medium, raise only if needed | 1 inch or a little less, more sections |
| Short (chin to shoulder) | Low to medium | Small sections, ends only |
The section size matters more than most people expect. A thick section is the main reason automatic curlers tangle, and it also gives weaker curls because the heat cannot reach the middle of the bundle.
How to stop an automatic curler from tangling your hair
- Keep sections thin and flat. If hair bunches up as you feed it in, the section is too big.
- Brush before every few sections. Especially on long hair or hair that knots easily.
- Stay away from the scalp. Leave an inch or two of hair between the tool and your head.
- Do not twist the tool while it turns. Hold it steady and let the motor do the work.
- Use the anti-tangle feature if your model has one. Our automatic curler has anti-tangle protection, but good sectioning still makes the biggest difference.
- If hair catches, stop first. Switch the tool off, open it, and gently unwind the hair by hand once it has cooled. Never pull hair out of a hot, turning barrel.
How to make the curls last longer
Start with hair that is not freshly conditioned and silky, since very slippery hair lets go of a curl faster. Curl smaller sections, let every curl cool completely, and wait to brush or shake them out until the whole head is done. A light hairspray or texture spray at the end helps on straight or fine hair. On the second day, you can usually refresh just the front pieces instead of curling everything again.
If you heat-style often, a weekly rinse-out mask can help keep the lengths feeling soft. Our guide to using a keratin hair mask shows how to fit one into your routine.
Cordless curlers for travel
A rechargeable curler is handy for trips because you do not need an outlet near a mirror. Battery-powered styling tools have their own airline rules, though, so check them before you pack. Our article on bringing a cordless hair straightener on a plane walks through carry-on and battery rules that also apply to cordless curlers.
Our Rechargeable Automatic Hair Curler
Our Rechargeable Automatic Hair Curler is a cordless rotating curler for dry hair. It runs for up to about 60 minutes cord-free (run time depends on the heat and timer settings you choose and on your hair), charges by USB, and has a digital display with several temperature levels and constant temperature control. You can curl left, right or mixed, it has anti-tangle protection, and the heating surface is tourmaline. It comes in black, white, pink and pink-grey, priced from $82.25 depending on the color.
Read the instruction manual in the box before your first use, keep the tool away from water, and let it cool before you store it. Every US order ships free, and new customers can use code WELCOME15 for 15% off their first order. You can browse more styling tools, masks and shampoos in our hair care collection.
FAQ
Do you use an automatic hair curler on wet or dry hair?
Dry hair. Automatic curlers are made for hair that is fully dry and detangled. Damp hair steams, curls poorly and can tangle more easily in the chamber, so blow-dry or air-dry completely first and add a heat protectant before you start.
How much hair should I put in an automatic curler?
Less than you think. Most tangles happen because the section is too thick. Start with a section about 1 inch wide, or roughly the width of the opening, and keep it smooth and flat. Thick or long hair simply needs more sections, not bigger ones.
Do automatic hair curlers work on short hair?
They can work on hair that reaches about the chin or longer, because the tool needs enough length to wrap the hair around the barrel. On shorter hair, use small sections, feed in only the ends, and expect looser bends rather than full ringlets.
Why does my automatic curler tangle my hair?
The usual causes are sections that are too thick, hair that is not fully brushed, holding the curler too close to the scalp, or pulling the tool away while it is still turning. Keep sections small and flat, leave a little space at the roots, and let the cycle finish before you open it. If hair does catch, switch the tool off before you free it.
How long does a cordless automatic curler last on one charge?
It depends on the model, the heat setting and your hair. Our rechargeable curler is rated for up to about 60 minutes cord-free, and higher heat settings use the battery faster. Charge it fully overnight before the first use.