Style Curly Hair in 20 Minutes or Less

Curly hair can often be difficult to style due to its thick, unruly nature. If you're short on time, however, there are a few quick styles you can try to have your hair looking great in 20 minutes or less. The key is to stick to simple, classic styles, spend less time drying your hair, and use only a few styling products. You may find simple styles work for you on days when you're in a rush.

Steps

Trying Simple Styles

1. Do a pony tail. A pony tail is a simple, classic hairstyle that works on nearly all hair types, curly hair included. There are a few unique considerations when it comes to pulling curly hair up into a class ponytail.
   • Consider going for a hair bungee over a conventional elastic bands. Curly hair can be thick, and may be too thick for the usual rubber bands. You can pick up hair bungees at most beauty stores and salons. They're elastic bands with two clips on the end. You would pull the band around your hair until it forms a ponytail, and then clip the bands together.
   • To do a classic ponytail, gather your hair in back. You can gather all your hair, or just clip back part of it. A pony tail can fall high or low, depending on your preference. Once your hair is gathered, place the bungee in place or wrap an elastic band around your hair.
   • If your hair feels too tight, try gently loosening the bungee or band. If you can't loosen it adequately, take your hair out of the ponytail and try again. A pony tail should take less than 5 minutes.
2. Try a high bun. A high bun is a quick, classic style that can be particularly flattering for curly hair. As with the classic ponytail, there are some special considerations to take when putting your hair in a high bun.
   • To start, use your fingers to gather your hair in a high ponytail. Aim to have your bun resting towards the top of the back of your head. Then, use an elastic band or hair bungee to secure your hair.
   • From here, you can pad your hair gently with your hands or a soft-bristled brush, creating a bun shape. You can use a large scrunchie or a hair donut, which is a large and thick elastic band, to secure the bun shape you've created. Simply tuck the ends of your hair under the scrunchie or donut.
   • If your hair still feels a bit loose, you can place some bobby pins around the base of your bun to secure it. You can also spritz your hair with a light bit of hairspray to keep the style in place.
3. Do a simple braid. If you have curly hair, you can try a simple braid. If your hair is thin enough, simply separate it into three sections and braid it to the side or running down your back. If your hair is particularly thick, however, braiding the whole thing may be difficult. In this case, there are other options.
   • You can try braiding one or two small strands of hair. Then, you can wrap these strands around your existing hair and secure with bobby pins, creating a ponytail with your braid.
   • Some women like to separate their hair into three section. Then, they braid each of these sections. When complete, they braid the braided parts together. This creates a fun, somewhat eccentric style. The only downside is, if you're not used to braiding, it may take slightly longer than 20 minutes.

Using Products to Style Your Hair

1. Apply a leave-in conditioner and let your hair sit naturally. Sometimes, the easiest way to style curly hair is to let it sit naturally. A simple leave-in conditioner, and a spritz of hairspray, can leave your locks looking beautiful and natural.
   • Wash your hair as you normally would. Allow it to dry so it's damp, but not dripping wet. Then, apply some leave-in conditioner. For best results, choose a lightweight conditioner.
   • Use a wide-toothed comb and comb through your hair. Then, simply leave it alone. As it dries naturally, the conditioner will allow it take a fun, natural shape. If you want to keep your hair from getting messy throughout the day, spritz a light amount of hairspray after your hair is fully dry.
2. Part your hair after applying mousse and hair serum. Another low-key, quick look would involve simply parting your hair. As curly hair can be unruly, it's a good idea to try to add hair serum and mousse to make your hair easier to work with prior to parting.
   • Wash your hair as you normally would and then wait until it's damp. From there, apply a small amount of your choice of mousse. You should also add a smoothing serum.
   • Usually, you do not need to use a lot of either product. In fact, using more than a small dab could leave your hair looking greasy. However, if you're unsure what a good amount for your hair is, you may be able to find some information on the instructions label on your style products.
   • Part your hair as you wish. You can do a side part or part it down the middle, depending on what you feel is flattering for your facial features. If you have time to dry your hair, do so with a hair dryer or diffuser.
   • Set your style with a light spritzing of hairspray or finishing spray.
3. Create big curls and set with hairspray. On some days, you may want to show off your natural curly hair. To do so, you can tease your curls with a backcombing or regular brush and then use hairspray to set the style for the day.
   • It's a good idea to wash your hair with volumizing shampoo and conditioner before attempting this look.
   • Starting at the roots, backcomb your hair. To backcomb, use one fluid motion to push your hair back towards your scalp. Work through each section of your hair, backcombing until your curls are as big as you like. It's a good idea to work in {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} sections at a time.
   • You can simply backcomb near your scalp, but if you want a bigger look try backcombing near the ends of your hair. Once you're satisfied, spritz your hair with conditioner to set the style.
   • Keep in mind this style works best for shorter hair. Longer hair may not respond well to big curls.

Using Accessories

1. Use velcro rollers and bobby pins for a low hanging pony tail. A low hanging ponytail is a slightly more styled version of a classic look that you can easily pull off in less than 20 minutes. You'll need some velcro rollers, bobby pins, a brush, and an elastic band.
   • Separate your hair into {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} sections. Secure these sections in a velcro roller, rolling the hair from the bottom of the lock to the root. If your hair is wet, allow your hair to air dry for a few minutes with the rollers in place.
   • After a few minutes, remove your hair from the rollers and brush out your hair. From here, lift your hair up at the roots. Use a brush or comb to lightly tease the end strands of your hair, volumizing it slightly and calling attention to your natural waves.
   • Pull your hair into a low, loose ponytail. The hair should hang slightly taut with this look. Leave a small 2-inch section out of the ponytail. Secure your ponytail with an elastic band.
   • Take the {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} section of hair. Wrap it around the ponytail, concealing the elastic band. Secure with a bobby pin.
2. Use a curling iron and bobby pins for half up-do. A half up-do can work great for curly hair. As curly hair is often thick, it can be hard to pull all of it into an up-do without straightening, which can take a long time. Instead, try to do a partial up-do. All you need is a curling iron and some bobby pins.
   • Tease your hair with a fine-toothed comb if you want to add volume. Then, pull the front sections of your hair back. Twist the hair slightly and secure with a bobby pins. If your hair is too unruly for bobby pins, try using a small elastic band.
   • Allow excess curls to hang down. Try using a curling iron to make your natural curls more apparent, teasing them slightly. This will allow your natural curls to shine, while giving you a fun and casual look.
3. Roll your hair in a bandana or scarf. A bandana or a scarf is a great accessory for curly hair that can be put in place quickly. After washing and brushing your hair as you normally would, take a scarf or bandana. Wrap the scarf or bandana around your head, so it circles around your forehead and the back of your head. Twist a small strand of hair. Then, loop this strand around the bandana and scarf. This keeps the bandana in place, while giving you a fun and casual hairstyle.

Tips

• If your hair is thick, pull the top half up and put mousse on the bottom then let down the top and put stuff on that half.
• Invest in proper hair products. Unlike straight hair which can handle abuse by cheaper hair products, curly hair is sensitive and must be treated with care and quality products.
• If you want to use headbands or elastics in your curly hair, make sure they are wide and thick. Curly hair may cause weaker elastic bands to snap.

Related Articles

• Wave Your Hair With a Straight Iron
• Wash Curly Hair
• Turn Frizzy Curls Into Beautiful Twirls
• Make Your Hair Wavy in 15 Minutes
• Get Beach Hair

Sources and Citations

See also

• Turn Frizzy Curls Into Beautiful Twirls
• Get Natural Curls
• Get Curly Hair to Turn Into Wavy Hair
• Follow the Curly Girl Method for Curly Hair
• Repair Damaged, Curly Hair
• Bring Out the Natural Curl in Your Hair
• Care for Your Curly Hair
• Determine if a Hair Product is Curly Girl Approved
• Make Naturally Straight Hair Curly
• Style Curly Hair

Read more ...

What links here

• Curl Long Thick Hair
• Style Wet Hair