Perfectly Pinned Curls: A Guide To Curling Hair (2025)

Pin curls are a great styling technique to create bouncy, beautiful spirals without the use of curling irons or other hot tools. This classic technique has been around for quite some time and is an excellent way to achieve curls that last for days. In this guide, you will learn how to create pin curls, the tools and products needed, and the step-by-step process to achieve those gorgeous, bouncy curls.

How to create pin curls

Pin curls are a great way to create bouncy curls without using a curling iron. They are an easy way to create curls that last all day long and can be done on both short and long hair.

Step 1: Wash Your Hair

Start by washing your hair with a formula that will help keep frizz at bay. You can also use dry hair and add a bit of product to each section as you go.

Step 2: Apply a Frizz Serum or Cream

After washing your hair, apply a styling product to keep your strands sleek and tamed. Use a frizz serum or a hair cream, and apply it to damp hair.

Step 3: Part Your Hair

Part your hair as you normally would, either to one side or down the middle, and brush through your strands to ensure there are no knots or tangles.

Step 4: Create Your First Pin Curl

Starting at your hairline, take a one-inch section of hair and hold it upward. Place one or two fingers at the end of that section—the more fingers you use, the bigger your curls will be. Roll the hair around your finger(s) until you reach your scalp, then carefully remove your fingers and lay the curl flat against your head.

Step 5: Pin and Repeat

Pin the curl with two bobby pins in a crisscross fashion. Continue to section your hair, roll your curls, and pin until you have a head full of pin curls.

Step 6: Wait for Your Hair to Dry

Once your pin curls are in place, give them time to dry. You can do this by waiting a few hours or wrapping your hair in a silk scarf and sleeping on it overnight to prevent frizz.

Step 7: Remove Your Pins

When your hair is dry, carefully remove all of your bobby pins, taking your time to ensure your curls stay tightly coiled.

Step 8: Shake It Out

After removing all the pins, gently shake and comb through your curls with your fingers to help separate them and create a fuller appearance.

Step 9: Brush It Out

Brush out your hair to make the curls more relaxed and natural-looking. You can use either a wide-tooth comb or your fingers.

How to choose the right products

Choosing the right products for pin curls is essential to achieving the desired look and maintaining hair health. Here is a guide to help you select the most suitable products for your pin curls:

Cleansing and Conditioning:

Start by cleansing your hair with a shampoo that suits your hair type and targets frizz control. Look for shampoos that are designed to reduce frizz, such as the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Shampoo. Follow up with a conditioner like the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Conditioner to nourish your hair and further enhance frizz management.

Frizz Control:

After washing your hair, apply a frizz control product to damp hair. This can be in the form of a serum, cream, or oil. For instance, consider using the L'Oréal Paris EverSleek Frizz Finish Oil-In-Serum or the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Frizz Vanisher Cream to tame flyaways and keep your hair sleek during the pin curl process.

Thermal Protection:

If you plan to use heat styling tools such as a blow dryer, curling iron, or hooded dryer, it is crucial to protect your hair from heat damage. Apply a thermal protectant spray all over your hair before beginning the pin curl process. This will create a barrier against heat-induced damage and keep your hair healthy.

Curl-Enhancing Products:

To define and enhance your curls, use curl-setting creams or mousses. Apply a product like the Suave Luscious Curls Curl Defining Cream or the Suave Professionals Captivating Curls Mousse Cream to damp hair before creating pin curls. These products will help hold the curls in place and add definition.

Setting Lotions:

If you want to go for a more traditional approach, setting lotions can be used on wet hair before creating pin curls. Setting lotions help hold the curls in place and add shine. However, they can leave your hair feeling crunchy if overapplied. Experiment with different setting lotions to find the one that works best for your hair, such as the Motions At Home Foaming Wrap Lotion.

Hair Accessories:

Invest in the right hair accessories to secure your pin curls in place. Single- or double-prong curl clips are ideal for holding the curls, and bobby pins can also be used, although they may leave crimps in your hair. Additionally, a silk scarf or a satin bonnet is recommended to wrap your hair while sleeping, as it helps prevent frizz and maintains the shape of your curls.

Finishing Sprays:

To ensure your pin curls last throughout the day and to add shine, finish your style with a light hairspray. Look for a flexible hold hairspray that will keep your curls in place without making your hair feel crunchy. For example, the TRESemmé Compressed Micro Mist Hairspray Smooth Hold Level 2 is a great option for a natural-looking hold.

Remember, finding the right products may involve some trial and error, so don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for your hair type and the desired look you want to achieve.

How to section your hair

Sectioning your hair is the first step in achieving perfect pin curls. The size of the sections you create will determine the tightness of the curls. Smaller sections will give tighter curls, while larger sections will result in looser, bouncier curls. You can also vary the size of the sections depending on the look you want to achieve and how much time you have, as larger sections will take less time to curl.

To start, part your hair as you usually would, either in the middle or on the side. Then, working with damp hair, create sections that are about one to one and a half inches in size. For tighter curls, sections can be as small as one square inch or roughly the size of a quarter.

It's important to note that creating triangular sections, especially for the hair framing your face, will result in finished curls that flow together without obvious gaps between sections.

If you're working with damp hair, it's a good idea to spritz each section as you go and then brush it through. This will help the curls hold their shape without adding the crunch that comes from using hairspray.

Once you've created your sections, you can move on to creating the pin curls.

How to dry your hair

To dry your hair for pin curls, it is recommended that you let your hair air-dry. This can be done by putting your pin curls in at night and sleeping with a scarf on. Make sure that your hair is completely dry before removing the pins. This can take around 7 hours.

If you are in a hurry, you can use a hairdryer on the lowest setting, but this may cause frizziness and loss of curl.

• If you have very thick hair, wait for your hair to air-dry a little before creating the curls. You may need to mist the ends lightly to get even dampness.
• Wrap your head in a cotton scarf or bandana to prevent frizz and keep the pins in place.
• If you are using a hairdryer, use a diffuser to minimise frizz.
• Test one curl by removing the pins and checking if it is completely dry before removing the rest.
• Avoid using a brush on your curls as this can make your hair look puffy.

How to brush out your curls

Once your pin curls are dry, carefully remove the bobby pins or hair clips. Then, gently shake and comb through your curls with your fingers to help separate them and create a fuller appearance. Check for any strands that may need a touch-up and, if necessary, use a small curling iron to curl any outlying strands.

After that, it's time to brush out your curls. This will create a softer look instead of harsh ringlets. Brush your hair out using either a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. This will also encourage some bounce back, which happens naturally if your hair has fully dried. If you want controlled waves, stop brushing once you've broken up the curls. If you like your hair to be somewhere in the middle: somewhat natural and somewhat controlled, try adding some bounce and volume by brushing your hair back towards the nape of your neck. Turning your head upside down and gently flipping it back up can also help create volume, but be careful not to make your hair too frizzy.

If you find that your hair gets too frizzy when you try to add volume, brush down small sections until you find a happy medium. It all depends on the look you're going for. A final trick when you've found that happy place is to use several light coats of hairspray. This can help keep your curls intact when threatened by humidity or rain. Layering multiple light coats works better than one thick coat.

Frequently asked questions