How to curl short hair with straighteners 

Can you curl short hair with straighteners?

With the right techniques and styling tools, you can use hair straighteners to achieve easy curls and waves that rival any salon finish. Shorter hair can present unique challenges – limited length means every curl matters. 

This guide reveals how you can use professional methods and the best tools to achieve consistent, beautiful results every time.  

Steps for curling short hair using hair straighteners

In your perfect short hair curling routine, each step builds on the last, creating optimal conditions for beautifully defined waves and curls.  

1. Choose a cordless hair straightener to curl shorter hair 

Cordless straighteners deliver substantial benefits for styling. Free, uncompromised movement lets you reach every strand effortlessly, so that each section receives equal attention for consistently defined curls.

Cordless technology benefits shorter styles by making it easier to access areas that traditional corded straighteners may struggle to reach, such as the back of the head and the neck.

The Dyson Corrale™ delivers up to 30 minutes of cordless operation on a full charge. For longer styling sessions, connect the cable and continue in hybrid mode without interruption. 

2. Use the right styling products  

Shorter hair may require additional support to maintain curls. While conditioning treatments create softness, they can also make your hair less manageable and reduce its ability to hold wavy styles. Before curling, skip heavy conditioners and focus on styling products that enhance texture and grip.

Apply a generous amount of pre-style product to damp or towel-dried hair, working it evenly from roots to ends. This creates the foundation your curls need to maintain their shape. Dyson Chitosan™ Pre-style cream gives your hairstyles twice the hold of similar products, without crunch, stickiness or residue.

Before styling, use a hair dryer with a gentle airflow attachment to prevent damage. You can skip this step with the Dyson Airstrait™, our engineered technology that dries and styles hair simultaneously. 

3. Set the right temperature for your hair type

Choosing the right temperature is essential for effective hair styling without unnecessary damage. Understanding your hair type and texture lets you achieve the best results with minimal heat.

• Thick or coarse hair can require higher temperatures, around 210°C.  

• Fine or straight hair often responds to lower temperatures, around 185°C. 

Hair straighteners with precise temperature controls allow you to adjust the settings according to your specific hair type and desired style. 

4. Section your hair carefully 

Take the time to divide your hair properly to achieve professional results at home. Proper sectioning makes curling short hair with straighteners easy and efficient; attempting to style large sections can lead to uneven heat distribution and inconsistent curls.

If you have thick or textured hair, use smaller sections to encourage thorough heat penetration and even styling. Fine hair can be curled in slightly larger sections. Regardless of your hair type, working with smaller sections always creates tighter, more defined curls. 

5. Avoid holding too long or repeating the same section  

UK market research reveals that 60% of people hold their straighteners on their hair for longer than necessary. Most styling sessions take between 11 and 30 minutes, but this can be significantly reduced with the proper technique.

Dyson’s advanced straightener technology features flexible plates that adapt to your hair, eliminating the need for excessive pressure or repeated curling. 

The right tool combined with proper technique creates lasting curls, reducing styling time and potential heat damage. Focus on smooth, controlled movements rather than prolonged contact or re-curling the same section. 

6. Add product after styling to hold the curl  

Post-styling products can be the difference between curls that last all day and those that fall flat within hours. Over-moisturised hair may struggle to maintain its curl structure, so carefully consider which products you use.

Use hairspray to lock in the shape of your curls while allowing natural movement. For particularly stubborn hair, light hairspray application before curling can create additional grip for better curl retention.

Dyson Chitosan™ post-style serum was developed for use on all hair types and gives your finished styles twice the hold without crunch, brittleness or residue. Our key ingredient, chitosan, creates flexible, lightweight bonds that support the hair, strand by strand.

Apply post-styling products systematically through curled hair, distributing evenly so that your finished style doesn’t feel stiff or weighed down.

7. Let curls fully cool before brushing 

The cooling phase is essential to the longevity of your curls, so be patient. The heat from styling tools temporarily restructures your hair bonds and disturbing them too early can undo their new structure before it has a chance to lock in. 

Let styled sections cool naturally or accelerate the process by blasting cool air from your hair dryer.

For fine or thin hair, secure cooled curls with clips until the entire head is complete. This prevents gravity from pulling out the curl pattern while you work on other sections. When you’re ready to finalise your style, use a wide-tooth comb to preserve the curl shape. 

Using the Dyson Corrale™ for short hair styling

The Dyson Corrale™ straightener creates your favourite wavy and curly styles with less reliance on heat. Flexing copper plates change shape to gather your hair for extra control on shorter styles. Our technology applies even heat and controlled tension across each strand, including the hard-to-reach area around your neck, for superior control with reduced risk of breakage. 

Master the art of curling short hair 

While research indicates that fewer than 18% of people use straighteners for curling, this technique offers remarkable versatility for styling short hair. Whether you prefer subtle waves or defined curls, a combination of proper technique and quality tools can bring salon-worthy results at home.

Use our recommended methods as your foundation, then experiment to discover the approaches that work best for your hair type and styling goals. With practice and the right technique, your Dyson hair straightener is a valuable tool for achieving perfect curls every time.