Gather Supplies
If you are looking to learn how to curl your hair using rags, the first step is to make sure that you have all the necessary supplies. You will need long strips of cloth, such as t-shirts, cut into two to three inch strips. You will also need a hairspray, a comb, and some bobby pins. Make sure you have all the necessary supplies before you proceed with the tutorial.
Hair ties
Secure your hair with hair ties, which will hold the sections while you curl them with the rag. Elasticized headbands work well for thick hair, while small scrunchies are better for thin hair. If necessary, purchase one of each style to ensure the ties or bands will be strong enough to hold all of your hair.
The length of your rag strips should determine the size of your ponytails; long rag strips will require bigger sections and stronger banding to keep the curls inplace during rolling and drying. Use water-resistant elastic bands that won’t break easily when wet or pull out too much when removing them from your hair later.
Cotton t-shirts or bandanas
To create a rag curl, you’ll need to gather some supplies. The most important of these supplies are a few pieces of cotton fabric. Generally, you will want to use t-shirts or bandanas for this project as they will produce lovely rag curls that are soft and manageable. You can use scraps from old shirts or even whole old pieces of clothing for this project – just make sure the materials you use are 100% cotton. Other materials such as silks may produce a different effect than the traditional rag curl look.
When cutting up your t-shirts or bandanas, make sure that the finished strips are roughly 2 inches by 12 inches in size to make evenly sized curls.
Prepping the Hair
Before you start curling your hair, make sure that you have the right tools and techniques ready. First, you will need some rag strips. Cut each old cotton t-shirt into 4-inch wide strips, then break them down into 4-foot long pieces. Make sure to wash and dry the strips before curling. This helps make the strips soft and more malleable so they will be easier to use when curling your hair.
Wash and condition hair
Curling your hair with rags is a long-lasting and heat-free way to create beautiful curls. Before prepping the hair, you must make sure it’s clean and conditioned. Start by shampooing your hair using a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, product build-up, or drying agents from the scalp. Follow up with a conditioner to give your hair a softer and more hydrated feel.
To get the best results be sure to use a deep conditioner or treatment that is tailored for curly hair – this will help protect against breakage and reduce frizz. You should also use specific products that are designed for curling such as volumizing mousse or curl enhancers. Finally, consider using an anti-humidity spray – this will help to keep your curls looking great all day!
Dry hair completely
One of the key steps in preparing your hair to create curls using rags is to ensure that it is completely dry. This can’t really be overstated—curls lose their shape quickly when exposed to moisture. Towel drying your hair until it’s damp is a good start, but you should also allow some time for air-drying before beginning.
Once you’ve let your hair air dry for at least 15 minutes, section off the desired areas and run a brush through each section to get each strand as straight and smooth as possible. If too much moisture remains in any part of the section, then you should:
- Use a blow-dryer set on low heat
- Hold the blow-dryer at arm’s length away from the strands
- Finish up the job
Make sure that all sections are completely dry before continuing with the curling process, or else you could end up with an unsatisfying result.
Apply heat protectant
It is essential to apply a heat protectant before using any form of heat styling on your hair. Heat protectants work by providing a protective layer that helps reduce the damage caused by hot tools, such as curling irons and blow dryers. When selecting a product, look for one that is specifically designed for use with heated styling tools. Also, ensure that the product you choose is formulated for your specific hair type- some are designed specifically for curly or coarse hair while others are suitable for all hair types.
When you have found the right protector, section your dry hair into sections before applying each product. Begin at the ends where damage often occurs due to improper use of heated styling tools and work your way up towards the roots in either an up or down direction – whichever is more comfortable and natural to you. Be sure to evenly distribute through each section of your hair, remembering to get near the scalp so there’s no missed spots! Once fully applied, allow the product time to settle in before beginning the rag curl process.
Separating the Hair
When curling your hair using rags, it’s important to start by separating your hair into manageable sections. Divide your hair into four sections: top, bottom, right side, and left side. Once your hair is sectioned off, you can begin creating the rag curls.
Starting with the lower sections of your hair, divide them into smaller sections and secure each section away with clips. This will help keep your rag-curls distinct and free from other sections of your hair.
Divide hair into sections
Before starting to curl your hair using rags, start by dividing the hair into sections. Depending on the thickness and length of your hair, this can be done in one of two ways.
- For medium to thick and long hair it is recommended to divide the hair into four sections: front two sides, back two sides, with clips or elastic bands.
- For thin and shorter hair you can divide the hair into multiple smaller subsections which are easier to curl than larger ones.
When sectioning your hair, try to keep each section as close in size as possible – avoid making one side thicker than the other – so that all parts of the head get equal coverage when curling with rags. Sectioning too many pieces risks making your curls look lopsided and uneven once you are finished styling. Secure each section smoothly with a clip or elastic band for maximum hold before curling will help keep them tangle-free and make you look more polished when styling is complete.
Secure each section with a hair tie
Once all of your hair is separated into small, tightly wound sections, you need to secure it in order for the rags to stay put properly. You can use either a standard hair elastic or a tiny elastic band. If you have multiple loose hairs on each section, use your fingers to pull them back and tuck them into the bun before securing. Once the bun is tight and secure, you’re ready for the next step. Make sure not to tie it too tightly or else it will be difficult for you to unwrap your curls later.
For added security and protection against breakage and frizzing, consider using a rubber band that won’t snag or break your hair strands.
Rolling the Hair
Rolling the hair with rags is a great way to get natural, heatless curls. This method works best with clean hair that has been reduced of its natural oils, so consider washing and conditioning your hair with a nourishing shampoo and conditioner before trying out this technique.
In order to curl your hair, you will need the right materials, a few bobby pins, and some patience. Read on to learn more about how to curl hair with rags:
Take a section of hair and roll it around a cotton t-shirt or bandana
Curling your hair using rag strips is an easy and cost-effective way to get hassle-free curls. All you need are some cotton shirts or bandanas, which are especially good for creating loose, beachy waves. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to curl your hair this way:
- Start with damp or wet hair that is free of any styling products.
- Separate a small section of clean, dry cotton material from the t-shirt or bandana; make sure it is not wrinkled and still quite stretchy.
- Select a section of your hair for the curl (the size will depend on the tightness of the curl you desire).
- Take the strip and wrap it around that section of your hair in a spiral fashion, starting at the ends and spiraling towards the root (smoothing upwards as you do so). Secure with a bobby pin or two at each end as you wrap it around to keep it secure in place throughout the process. After wrapping it around your hair several times, tuck in any excess fabric under one of the bobby pins and clip in another bobby pin over top so they stack together (this will help secure all those wraps tightly).
- Leave these light curls overnight or blow-dry them until they are completely dry depending on how long you want them to last; just remove all traces of moisture before taking off those pins!
- Lastly, gently remove each rag strip carefully while holding onto curls so they don’t unravel — once finished fluff out curls with fingers for added volume!
Secure the rolled hair with a hair tie
Once the hair has been rolled onto the rag, it is important to secure it in place with a hair tie. Start by tying the center of the rag, which should create an X-shape on top of the hair. This is important because it ensures that all of the hair stays in place without slipping when you move or flip your head over.
After tying the center part, wrap a second elastic at each end of the rag and then pull it tight to create a secure hold.
When finished, carefully release one edge and gently slide out your newly formed curls from under each piece of cloth. Do not remove all twists at once; this can cause damage to your hair and potentially make for some uneven-looking curls. Take care when releasing each piece and ensure that you are being gentle with your finished style.
Finishing Touches
Once you have achieved the desired curl using rags, it is important to give your hair a good finish. This includes adding shine, reducing any frizz, and taming any fly-aways.
In this section, we’ll discuss a few techniques that can help you get the perfect finish for your curl-set. Read on to learn more:
Let the hair sit overnight
Now, you’ll need to let the hair sit overnight as your rag curls set. It’s best to wear a satin, silk or polyester scarf or wrap over the rag curls for maximum scalp protection and comfort. You may want to secure the ends of the rags with clips or rubber bands if your hair is particularly long and tends to unravel at night.
The longer you keep your curls in, the tighter they’ll be when you take them out in the morning – but remember not to leave them too long as this could cause breakage or split ends. Leave your hair wrapped in rags for 6-10 hours – try not going beyond 10 hours as this can damage your hair if done repeatedly.
When it comes time to unwind the rags, gently remove each one starting with any clips used at the end of each strip and unraveling around them until all of your hair is liberated from its rag curling prison. Start by releasing one strip of fabric and then collecting all four strips together before unwinding everything else. This will help avoid tangles from any individual strands that are loosely wrapped around other pieces of fabric – easy does it!
Unroll the hair and style as desired
Once the entire head is covered with rags and the hair has been left to set, it’s time to unroll and style. Using a comb or brush, start at the ends and gently tug each piece of hair out of its wrap. Carefully undo each knot, remove the rag band and tug gently on each piece of curl until it looks just right. Be sure not to yank or pull too hard, as this will cause your curls to loosen and lose their shape.
Once all the pieces have been unrolled, use styling wax or mousse to provide additional hold. The wax will help keep your curls in place while also adding texture and body. Carefully run a wand through smaller pieces of hair for additional definition if desired, then set with hairspray for maximum longevity. Enjoy your beautiful curls!