Hair length and thickness decide which of these loose curls is yours: shoulder-length hair springs up as it curls and sits shorter than it looks straight, while long, thick hair holds a bigger, bouncier shape with less effort.
The ideas run from clipped curls and a brushed-out finish to a sleek, polished auburn set that I would hand straight to a stylist.
1. Clipped Curls
A claw clip turns loose curls into an updo with one twist and one snap, and that is why I like this version.
Twist the hair up, clamp it, and leave a few curls falling loose at the nape so the shape stays soft instead of tight.
Curls pinned on day two or three tend to sit better than fresh ones. A clip with wide teeth holds the volume without flattening it.
2. Brushed-Out Curls
Brushing a curl out loosens the pattern into a fuller, softer shape, and the result reads as volume more than definition. Bangs like these blend in easily because they brush out along with everything else.
I would use a wide-tooth comb or a soft brush, not a tight bristle brush, and work from the ends up. Expect some frizz; that is the trade for the softness.
3. Long Voluminous Loose Curls
Long, thick dark hair holds loose curls with a bounce that lighter, finer hair often has to work harder for. Bigger sections give the loose, open shape seen here, while small ones tighten the result into ringlets.
Wrap each section so the ends turn back and away from your face, and leave the curls alone until they have fully cooled; touching them warm pulls the shape out.
Finish with your fingers, not a brush, so the volume survives.
4. Polished Auburn Loose Curls
This auburn version depends on polish: smooth, even curls with no frizz on the surface. On long reddish-brown hair, that shine is what makes the color look rich.
A smoothing serum on the ends before curling helps, and a light-hold spray afterward keeps the shape without stiffness. Since the finish is so sleek, I would take this photo to a stylist rather than attempt it rushed at home.
5. Blonde Shoulder-length Loose Waves
At shoulder length, loose waves sit right where the hair bends against the collarbone, so a little flip happens on its own. That makes this blonde bob forgiving: the waves can be uneven and still look intended.
Wave only the mid-lengths and leave the last inch or so relaxed. A looser barrel keeps the shape from turning into a curl.
6. Long Blonde Loose Curls
Long blonde hair in soft, loose curls shows its color best when the curls are open and slightly uneven, since the light catches each bend. I would keep the curl pattern relaxed, with the roots left smooth.
Blonde can dry out under repeated heat, so I would use a heat protectant each time. Brush through gently with your fingers once the curls cool, and the cascade stays soft.
7. Casual Long Wavy Curls
Two-toned hair like this brown and blonde mix gives loose waves extra depth, because the lighter pieces catch the light on every bend.
A 1 inch curling iron gives the right loose size here, and mixing two methods keeps the curls from looking stamped out: wrap some sections around the barrel alone for a softer bend, and use the clamp on others for a slightly tighter wave at the ends.
I would use the clamp for the ends and the bare barrel for the lengths, so the waves stay uneven and relaxed. Leave the ends a little loose, then rake through with your fingers once the hair cools.
Loose curls can range from the most effortless-looking beachy waves to the most perfect bends cascading from a glamorous ponytail. They’re incredibly versatile, allowing you to make them look all dressed up or so laid-back.
8. Shoulder-length Voluminous Loose Curls
Shoulder-length dark brown hair gets its volume from the way loose curls stack at the jaw and collarbone. The shape is full and rounded rather than long and drooping.
Keep the curls open and loose, and finish with your fingers so the pattern stays big. Short hair springs up as it curls, so expect it to sit a bit shorter than it looks straight.
Best Products for Loose Curls
Start with a heat protectant. Loose curls need less heat than tight ones, but a spray still guards against breakage during blow drying and curling.
A light primer before styling helps with frizz and gives workable hold, and it can speed up drying. A texture or wave spray afterward adds body without a heavy or sticky feel.
For the tool, a 1 inch ceramic barrel wand with adjustable temperature settings is the one I would pick. 10 settings let you start low on fine hair and go up only if the curl won’t hold.
Keep a few large clips for sectioning and some small ones to pin curls while they cool.
Finish with a single drop of hair oil, worked through the ends only, and the curls pick up shine and lose that dry, crunchy feel.
Techniques for Styling
Before the iron even heats up, clip the hair into 3 or 4 layers so every strand gets the same heat and the same wrap. Clip the top away and work through the bottom layer first, so every strand gets even heat.
Alternate the direction of the curls: one section away from the face, the next toward it. This keeps curls from clumping together and looks more natural.
Hold time changes the shape. The longer a strand stays on the barrel, the tighter it gets, so vary it a little for a mix of looser and tighter curls.
Smaller sections last longer and loosen gradually, which suits anyone curling only every 2–3 days.
If curls come out tighter than you wanted, wait until they are fully cool, then run a wide-tooth comb through once or twice. Overdo it and they relax too far.
Maintaining Curls
To stretch a set into day two or three, I spritz the roots with a wave spray at night and twist the hair into a loose top bun before sleeping.
Come morning, tip your head upside down and rake your fingers through the curls to loosen them and bring back the volume.
For a tousled, lived-in texture, spray salt spray on damp hair, scrunch, and let it air-dry. Use enough to coat the hair evenly, but not so much that it feels crunchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get loose curls in my hair?
Clip the hair into 3 or 4 layers, then wrap each section around a 1 inch barrel, alternating the direction so one section turns away from your face and the next toward it.
Section size sets the curl: 1.5–2 inch pieces wrapped around the iron fall into open, easy waves, and anything under an inch starts to look like ringlets.
Let the curls cool fully before touching them, then finish with your fingers instead of a brush. A heat protectant first keeps the heat from damaging your hair.
Why did my hair lose its curl?
Most often the curls were touched or brushed while still warm, which pulls the shape out.
Letting each curl cool fully, ideally pinned up, helps it set. Fine hair may also need a light-hold spray or a slightly higher heat setting, and a primer before styling gives the curl something to grip.
What is loose curly hair called?
Loose curls are often called soft waves or beach waves.
The look is open and a little uneven, with a relaxed bend rather than a tight spiral. A looser barrel and leaving the last inch or so of the ends relaxed push a curl toward wave territory.
Are loose or tight curls better?
For a relaxed finish, loose curls forgive more, since a few that came out uneven just read as part of the look.
Tight curls take smaller sections and more hold time, and they spring up shorter on short hair. Loose curls also need less heat, which is gentler on blonde or fine hair.
