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Curls falling out fast: how to make them last

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Short answer

Curls usually drop because they were touched before cooling, the sections were too thick, the barrel was too big, or the hair had too much conditioner or oil in it. Let every curl cool fully, ideally pinned, before you brush it out. Use smaller sections, a slightly smaller barrel, clean dry hair and a light hold spray after the curls have set.

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Close-up of an elegant bridal hairstyle featuring curls and a braid, captured from the back
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels

You spent half an hour curling and the curls are gone by lunch. That is one of the most common complaints with curling irons and wands, and it is usually fixable without a new tool. This page explains why curls fall, then gives the fixes in order, from free technique changes to product and tool changes. It applies to clamp irons, clipless wands and flat iron curls. If your hair will not take a curl at all in the first place, see hair won't curl with a curling iron.

Why curls fall out

Heat reshapes hair temporarily by loosening the bonds that hold its shape. As hair cools, it sets in the new shape. If you move or brush a curl while it is still warm, it sets loose or straight instead. Weight, humidity and slippery products then pull the curl down over the day. Very fine or very heavy, long hair tends to drop faster.

  • Touching curls while warm

    Fix
    Let them cool fully, pin if needed

  • Sections too thick

    Fix
    Use 1 inch sections or smaller

  • Barrel too big for your length

    Fix
    Go down one barrel size

  • Hold time too short or heat too low

    Fix
    Hold a few seconds longer or raise heat slightly

  • Heavy conditioner, oil or serum

    Fix
    Lighter products, style clean hair

  • Humidity

    Fix
    Finish with a light hold spray
Causes and fixes

Fix 1: let the curls cool before you touch them

This is the biggest and easiest fix. When a curl comes off the barrel, catch it in your palm and either let it hang untouched or roll it back into a loop and pin it against your head with a clip. Leave everything until the whole head is cool to the touch. Only then remove the pins and rake through with your fingers.

Pin curling is worth trying if your hair is fine or slippery. It takes a few extra minutes but often makes the difference between curls that last hours and curls that last all day.

Fix 2: smaller sections and the right barrel

Thick sections heat unevenly. The outside curls and the inside stays nearly straight, so the curl relaxes fast. Take sections about 1 inch wide, smaller if your hair is thick. Wrap the hair flat around the barrel, not twisted into a rope.

A barrel that is too large for your length gives a loose bend that drops quickly. Hair should wrap around the barrel about two times. If curls keep falling, try one size smaller. The barrel size picker and the curling iron size guide help you choose.

  • 3/8 in10 mmRinglets
  • 1/2 in13 mmTight
  • 3/4 in19 mmTight
  • 1 in25 mmClassic
  • 1 1/4 in32 mmLoose
  • 1 1/2 in38 mmWaves
  • 2 in51 mmVolume
Common barrel sizes at true relative scale, with mm and the curl each usually makes. Smaller barrels make tighter curls.

Fix 3: heat and hold time

If your iron has a dial and you are at the very bottom of the range, a small increase can help the curl set. Typical maker ranges are about 250 to 300°F (121 to 149°C) for fine hair, 300 to 380°F (149 to 193°C) for normal hair and 380 to 450°F (193 to 232°C) for thick or coarse hair. Raise it gradually and only as far as you need. Fixed temperature tools, such as ghd's Curve line at 365°F (185°C), rely on section size and hold time instead.

Hold time matters too. A few more seconds on the barrel can help thick hair set, but there is no benefit to holding much longer than needed. See the curling iron temperature guide.

Fix 4: prep and products

Hair that is very soft and slippery from rich conditioner or oils resists holding a curl. On curl days, try a lighter conditioner on the ends only, and skip oil until after styling. Curling on second day hair works well for some people because it has a little more grip. Make sure hair is fully dry; damp hair does not set well.

  1. 1

    Wash with a lighter conditioner or condition ends only.

  2. 2

    Blow dry completely, adding volume at the roots if you like.

  3. 3

    Apply heat protectant and let it dry.

  4. 4

    Curl in small sections, pin or leave each curl to cool.

  5. 5

    Once cool, break curls up gently and mist with a light hold hairspray.

  6. 6

    Save shine serum or oil for the ends at the very end.

Tools that make curls easier to set

Technique matters more than tool, but some features help. Adjustable heat lets fine and thick hair each get what they need. Long barrels cover more hair per wrap. Interchangeable barrels let you go smaller without buying a second tool. For fine hair, see the best curling irons for fine hair; for thick hair, the best curling irons for thick hair. If you prefer a wand, our curling wand guide covers the wrap.

See the best curling irons →

Frequently asked questions

Why do my curls fall out so fast? The most common reason is brushing or touching them while they are warm. Thick sections, a barrel that is too big and slippery products are the next most common.

Should I spray hairspray before or after curling? After. Spraying before can leave wet product on the barrel and may cause a burnt smell. Let curls cool, then spray lightly.

Does pinning curls really help? Yes for many people. Pinning keeps the curl in shape while it cools and sets.

Do curls last longer on dirty hair? Second day hair often holds better than freshly conditioned hair, but heavy buildup can weigh curls down. Clean, fully dry hair with light products is the safer starting point.

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