Partitioning your curls is an important step in creating a curly look, it not only makes the curls more even and natural but also reduces damage to your hair. Partitioning is often overlooked in many hair tutorials. Still, in reality, the right way to partition your hair can help you, more easily master your curls and enhance the overall styling effect. So, how to section hair for curling?
The importance of partitioning curly hair
Partitioning curly hair helps us to evenly divide our hair into sections so that we can deal with them one by one, avoiding unevenness due to knots or partial over-curling of the hair. Proper parting also allows us to use our tools more targeted, increasing our curls’ success rate.
Benefits of curly hair zoning
- Make curls more even and long-lasting.
- Reduces pulling and damage to the hair during the curling process.
- Easier access to curling tools for greater efficiency.
- More professional and layered curling style.
Preparing your tools
Before parting your curls, it is vital to have the right tools on hand.
- Comb: Use a wide-toothed or row comb to smooth the hair for easy parting. A comb helps us to see the flow and layers of the hair better for precise parting.
- Hair clips: Hair clips are used to fix the hair after partitioning and prevent the hair from interfering with each other during curling. Choose good quality bobby pins that do not come loose easily to ensure the hair stays in place during the curling process.
- Curling iron or perm rod: Choose the right curling iron or perm rod according to your hairstyle and preference, they are the main tools for curling hair. The diameter of the curling iron, the material, and the adjustability of the temperature are all important factors that affect the curling effect.
- Protective products (e.g. heat protectant spray): Using a heat protectant spray before curling can minimize heat damage to the hair. Thermal protection sprays create a protective film that helps hair withstand the heat damage caused by hot tools.
Parting methods
1. Partitioning according to hair length
Hair length is one of the most important factors affecting the effect of curling, different hair lengths need to be used in different ways of partitioning.
1.1. Short hair
- For short hair, hair is generally divided into four regions: forehead, top, sides, and back of the head.
- The forehead area consists of the hair above the eyebrows and can be secured using bobby pins.
- The top area runs from the hairline to the top of the head and is the focus area for curling.
- The side area, from the front of the ear to the back of the neck, needs special attention to be handled to ensure even curls.
- The back of the head area is the part of the hair at the nape of the neck, which can be subdivided according to the specific length of the hair.
1.2. Medium hair
- Medium-length hair can be divided into three sections: top, middle, and bottom.
- The upper part, from the forehead to the crown, is the key area that determines the style of the hair.
- The middle section, from the ear to the center, is the thickest part of the hair and needs to be focused on.
- The lower part from the middle position to the tips of the hair can be made to be curled inwardly or outwardly according to the need.
1.3. Long hair
- Longer hair usually requires more parting to ensure that each section is evenly heated.
- This can be done by using the ‘quadrant’ method, which divides the hair into four main zones: forehead, top, sides, and back of the head.
- Within each of these main zones, you can further subdivide into smaller zones, such as in front of the ears, behind the ears, and at the nape of the neck.
- The focus of curling long hair is on the treatment of the tips, and you need to make sure that the top part of the hair can also be curled evenly.
2. According to the hair thickness zoning
Hair thickness determines the style and durability of the curls, the following is a detailed description of the partition according to hair thickness:
2.1. Fine and soft hair
- Fine and soft hair lacks elasticity, so try to keep the partitions small and dense.
- This type of hair is prone to damage, so avoid pulling and tugging when parting, and try to fix it gently with bobby pins.
- When curling, use a small-diameter curling iron to produce tighter curls.
2.2. Coarse and hard hair
- Coarse and hard hair can be parted in larger sections for easier handling because of its elasticity.
- Larger bobby pins can be used when parting to ensure that the hair does not shift during the curling process.
- When curling, a large-diameter curling iron can be used to create a more natural wave effect.
- For coarse and hard hair, you may need a higher temperature to fix the curling effect, but you should also be careful not to overheat.
3. Partitioning according to hairstyle needs
Different hairstyle needs have different requirements on the way of partitioning hair.
3.1. Full head curl
- For those who want to create the effect of full head curl, the method of even partition is usually used.
- The hair can be divided into four main areas: forehead, top sides, and back of the head, and then subdivided into several small areas within these areas.
- The size and number of each zone can be determined by the overall thickness and length of the hair to ensure that each section receives an even curl.
- This method of sectioning aims to create an overall curly effect that makes the hair look rich and layered.
3.2. Partial curl
- Partitioning is more focused if you are trying to create a partially curled effect, such as curling only one part of the hair, such as the top or the sides.
- For example, if you want to curl the top part of the hair, you can separate the hair in the middle and take a section in the front and back, focusing on the top area.
- For curling the sides, you can separate the hair in the middle and then treat each side separately, starting in front of the ear and curling backward.
- Partial curls have a more flexible method of partitioning, which can be adapted to your personal preference and specific hair design.
How to section hair for curling?
1. Clean hair
Before you start parting, make sure your hair is clean. Wash your hair with a shampoo and conditioner that suits your hair type, then blow dry thoroughly.
2. Separate hair into sections
Divide your hair into sections according to the length and thickness of your hair and the desired effect of your hairstyle. Run a comb through each section to make sure there are no tangles, then use bobby pins to secure each section.
3. Use bobby pins to secure excess hair
While working on a particular area, use bobby pins to secure the hair in other areas to prevent it from interfering with the current area during the curling process.
4. Curl the sectioned area
Choose a suitable curling iron or perm rod and adjust it to the right temperature. Remove the hair clip, release a small area of hair, and use the curling iron to curl from the roots to the ends. Depending on the need, different curling techniques can be used, such as inward, outward, or spiral curls.
5. Detach the bobby pins and tidy up your hairstyle
Once the curls have cooled, detach the bobby pins and gently tidy the hair for a more natural look. If desired, you can use hairspray or styling spray to hold your hairstyle in place and prolong the longevity of your curls.
By following these steps, you can create the desired curly effect while reducing damage to your hair. Remember, practice is the key to mastering your curling technique, keep experimenting and tweaking and you’ll find the best curls for your hair type and style.
Notes on curly hair partitioning
During the process of curly hair partitioning and curling, you need to pay attention to the following aspects to ensure the quality of your hairstyle and the health of your hair:
- Avoid over-curling to avoid damaging the hair texture: Over-curling will make the hair dry brittle and prone to breakage. Do not repeat curling on the same section of hair multiple times each time you curl.
- Use heat protection products to reduce heat damage: Before using hot tools, you should apply heat protection spray or other heat protection products to form a protective layer and reduce heat damage to your hair.
- Control the temperature of the curling iron to avoid overheating: Choose the right temperature of the curling iron according to your hair type. Usually, fine and soft hair needs a lower temperature, while coarse and hard hair may need a higher temperature. Avoid setting the temperature of the curling iron too high to avoid burning your hair.
- Keep your hair moisturized to avoid over-drying: Before curling, make sure your hair is not too dry and you can use some moisturizing products such as hair lotion or oils to keep your hair moisturized.
- Trim your hair regularly to keep it healthy: Regular trimming of your hair will remove split ends and damaged ends and keep your hair healthy and shiny.
Conclusion
Keep experimenting and adjusting while practicing curly hair parting techniques to find the best curly hairstyle for you. Focus on hair protection and enjoy every moment of your beautiful curls. Remember, beautiful hair styling comes from careful care and proper handling, may every beauty lover create their perfect curly hairstyle.
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