How to Use Curlers on Long Hair | Sectioning Is Key

For the full breakdown, see our best Curlers for Long Hair guide.

Long hair is heavy, and that weight pulls curls straight before they ever set. The fix is technique, not a stronger product. Mastering how to use curlers on long hair comes down to three moves: sectioning carefully, winding each strand correctly, and waiting long enough for the curl to set. Here’s how each step works, plus how long to leave the curlers in for results that actually hold.

How Much Hair Should You Wrap at a Time?

Section size decides everything. Wider strands create loose waves that fall out quickly on long hair. Thinner sections produce defined curls that hold their shape under the pull of gravity.

For hot curlers or a curling iron, take strands about 2 to 4 cm wide. For automatic curlers, separate sections around 3 cm wide. If your hair is naturally curly or beyond shoulder length, go smaller — closer to 2 cm — so each strand heats evenly and wraps cleanly.

• Thicker strands (4 cm): loose waves, beachy texture
• Thinner strands (2 cm): tight curls, longer-lasting hold

Work from the bottom up so you are not leaning over wrapped hair. Clip the top sections out of the way, finish the lower layer, then release and wrap the crown.

Winding Direction and Placement on the Head

Every strand gets wrapped the same way: start at the ends and roll toward the roots. Which direction you roll depends on where the strand sits on your head.

For the crown, roll top strands under, toward the back of the head. For side sections, roll them under, toward the neck hairline. This pushes the finished curl away from your face and gives a more natural, blended fall.

Keep the barrel or hot surface away from your scalp at all times — contact with the skin increases burn risk, and holding the device in one spot too long damages the strand. For a curling iron, hold it horizontally and away from your head and face, wrapping the strand from root to tip. For hot rollers and traditional curlers, the same ends-to-roots rule applies.

Using an Automatic Curler on Longer Hair

Automatic curlers do the wrapping for you, but they still need correct placement for longer strands.

1. Hold the styler vertically with the opening facing you.
2. Twist the strand once, then insert it through the back opening.
3. Press and hold the curling button; the device draws the hair into the chamber.
4. Wait for the four beeps and the click, then gently release the hair.

On longer hair, insert the styler farther down the strand so hair is drawn into the curl chamber efficiently without bunching. Sections wider than the recommended size may not feed in cleanly and can tangle inside the chamber.

Always start with clean, dry, combed-through hair. Wet or damp strands cannot form durable curls and take on heat unevenly. Apply a heat protectant first if you use one; heavy styling creams and oils can weigh long hair down before a hot tool ever touches it.

How Long Should You Leave Curlers In?

Curls only set once they cool. Removing curlers while the strand is still warm is the most common reason long hair falls flat within an hour.

When the time is up, remove each curler by unwinding in the opposite direction you wrapped it. Pulling them out straight tangles the strand. After removal, separate curls gently with your fingers and let them settle for a few minutes before brushing.