Smoother, better-defined curls enhance every style, from special-event glamour looks to tousled beach waves.
Anna Peters, Sam Villa ArTeam educator and owner of re:TREAT Color + Hair Design and Studio in Clovis, CA, gives her pro tips on creating cleaner, sleeker curls for client styles.
Always start with a heat protectant.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's a step that's forgotten or skipped in salons way more often than you'd think. Choose a product that protects up to 450° and enhances shine. (Anna uses Redken Thermal Spray High Hold.)
Comb each section before wrapping around the iron.
This eliminates even the tiny or hidden tangles that will otherwise end up locking into the curl pattern.
Plus, ensuring that all strands are laying in a uniform direction means all cuticles are evenly closed and following the same pattern. Anna demonstrates this below:
Separate cleaner, more intentional sections.
As with the "comb through" step, taking more care when sectioning off makes wrapping the hair easier to control. Both these steps maximize the performance of the tool you're using by creating optimal sections.
And speaking of tools:
A Marcel iron is best for a highly polished finish.
Its manually controlled clamp provides tension that helps control the curl.
If you're new to using a Marcel iron, it can take time to master it. Practice on a mannequin head to get comfortable using the tool. (Anna is using the Sam Villa Artist Series 2-in-1 Marcel Iron & Wand, which has a removable Marcel handle.)
And share your curl styles with American Salon! Tag us on Instagram for a chance to get reposted.
Heads up: Through July, Sam Villa is running a 50 percent off sale on several tools, and donating a portion of the proceeds to the Professional Beauty Association Emergency Fund.
Book a class with Anna Peters or another Sam Villa ArTeam member here.