How to Achieve the Perfect Utah Curls

How to Achieve Utah Curls

Apply heat protectant spray. Start by applying some heat protectant spray to your wet hair after washing it. These products create a barrier around the surface of your hair (AKA the cuticle), so they essentially act as a shield against the high temperatures of your blow dryer and curling iron. Here are some heat protectant products to try out: Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray Pros: Has conditioning and detangling properties, great for dry, damaged, or tangle-prone hair. Cons: Only protects up to 400°F (204°C), a bit pricey. Customer Ratings: 4.6 star average on Amazon.com. Tresemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Protectant Spray Pros: Heat protection up to 450°F (232°C), smoothes and eliminates frizz, least expensive option. Cons: Reviewers mention that the nozzle doesn’t create a very fine mist, so it does get your hair pretty wet when you apply it. Customer Ratings: 4.7 star average on Amazon.com. Morrocanoil Perfect Defense Thermal Protection Spray Pros: Protects up to 450°F (232°C), is a dry aerosol spray so it can be applied to dry hair before straightening. Cons: Has a stronger scent (which some people enjoy), but may be overwhelming if you like products with more subtle scents. Customer Ratings: 4.6 star average on Amazon.com

Blow dry your hair. To achieve this look, you’ll want to start with completely dry hair. You can let your hair air dry if you prefer, but if you want a super smooth, polished look, it’s best to blow dry it. Almona recommends using a blow dryer that has a nozzle to direct the heat in the right direction. You can find a blow dryer with a nozzle attachment at most beauty supply stores.

Curl your hair using a curling iron with a clamp. When creating Utah curls, you’ll need to use a curling iron with a clamp, rather than a curling wand. Clamp your hair a little over midway down, leaving the ends out—remember, you want the ends to stay straight! Curl the hair away from your face, and allow it to heat for 2-3 seconds. Finally, twist the curling iron around the section of hair as you unravel it (this movement can be a bit hard to master, but this TikTok video shows it pretty well if you need a visual reference). Be careful not to put your curling iron on too hot of a setting. Van den Abeel explains that this is “the biggest mistake people make with their curling iron.” For many hair types, the 400°F (204°C) is a good place to start, but for finer hair types you may need to subtract 10-20 degrees, and for coarser or denser hair types, you may need to add 10-20 degrees. For color treated hair, you’ll want to stick to 350°F (176°C).

Run a wide-toothed comb through your hair to separate the curls. Utah curls are meant to be loose and beachy, so you’ll want to comb through them after you’re done curling to achieve this laid-back look. A wide-toothed comb is perfect for this, but you can run your fingers through your hair instead if you don’t have one.

Finish with hairspray. A light-hold hairspray or texturizing spray can help your curls last without giving you that crunchy feeling of regular hairspray. And that’s it! You should now have a full head of Utah curls. If your hair starts to look a little flat after a day or two without washing, try freshening it up with some dry shampoo. “I think people live on dry shampoo, and it’s awesome,” says van den Abeel. “It really does work. And the benefit for a lot of people, especially with fine hair, is that it gives just a touch of grittiness on second or third day hair, which gives them a little bit more volume.”

Are Utah Curls Different from Beachy Waves?

Utah curls are slightly different from beachy waves. Both styles involve loose, laid-back waves (rather than tightly coiled curls), but there’s one key difference: the ends. To achieve Utah curls, you’ll leave the end of each curl straight. Beachy waves, on the other hand, usually continue all the way down to the bottom of your hair.

Origins & Popularity of Utah Curls

Utah curls originated in Utah and then exploded on social media. As their name suggests, Utah curls first became popular in the state of Utah. They then grew in popularity when social media users and influencers based in Utah began posting about the hairstyle on TikTok.

FAQs about Utah Curls

Can you achieve Utah curls with a straightener? Yes, if you’re having trouble achieving the straight end look with your curling iron alone, a straightening iron can help. Just run the iron through the ends of your hair once you’re done curling, and voila! You should have perfect Utah curls.

Can you do Utah curls on short hair? Utah curls absolutely work on shorter hair, as long as your hair is long enough to wrap around a curling iron. In fact, Utah curls a super fun and flattering look for a bob, long bob, shag, or mid-length cut!

Are Utah curls out of style? No, Utah curls aren’t out of style—they’re still a trending look that many people wear. It’s true, however, that Utah curls have been a bit divisive on social media, with some users expressing their love for the hairstyle, and others expressing bewilderment at the fact that the ends of each curl remain straight. Ultimately, the important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident with the hairstyle you’re wearing—if you love Utah curls, wear them with pride!