Hot Babe Thermal Brush for adding volume, bend and texture to short men's hair

How to Curl Men's Hair: Easy Ways to Add Curls, Waves and Texture

Quick answer: To curl men's hair, you need at least a couple of inches of length and a small tool. A ½" mini flat iron is the easiest way to add curls and piecey texture to short hair, a thermal brush adds volume and bend, and a hair waver creates textured S-waves on longer hair. Start with dry hair and heat protectant, curl small sections away from your face, let them cool, then work in a little texture paste or sea salt spray with your fingers. Heat curls are temporary and usually last until your next wash.

Hey! Whether you're after the textured, tousled look, more volume up top, or loose waves on longer hair, you don't need a salon visit to get there. Here's a straight-talking guide to curling men's hair at home: what's realistic for your length, which tools to use, and exactly how to do it.

Can guys curl their hair?

Absolutely. Curling isn't about your gender, it's about your hair. The same tools and techniques work on anyone's hair. What matters most is length and texture:

Very short (buzz cuts, tight fades on top): there isn't enough length to wrap around a tool, so heat curling isn't really an option.
Short (about 2"–3" on top): think texture, bend and lift rather than full curls. A mini flat iron or thermal brush is your best bet.
Medium (about 3"–6", like a flow or curtains): you can get defined waves and loose curls.
Long (shoulder length and beyond): nearly any style is possible, from waves to full curls.

If you already have some natural wave, heat styling can help define it. Many guys with straight hair go for a textured, piecey look rather than ringlets, and that's often the most natural-looking result.

Are heat curls permanent?

No. Curls made with a hot tool are temporary and generally last until you wash your hair, sometimes less in humidity or if your hair is very straight. If you want curls that last for weeks or months, that's a perm, which is a chemical salon service. Talk to a stylist about whether it suits your hair. Heat styling is the low-commitment way to try the look first.

What is the best curling tool for men's hair?

Most men's cuts are shorter on the sides and longer on top, so smaller tools usually win. Here's how they compare.

Tool	Best length	Look you get	Difficulty	Keep in mind
Mini flat iron (½")	Short to medium	Piecey curls, bends and texture	Easy to medium	Narrow plates grip short hair close to the root
Thermal brush	Short to medium	Volume, lift and soft bend	Easy	Gives body more than defined curls
Straightening comb (mini)	Short	Smooth, controlled front and edges	Easy	Used for smoothing and shaping, not curling
Curling wand or iron	Medium to long	Defined curls and waves	Medium	Large barrels slide off short hair
Hair waver	Medium to long	Textured S-waves	Easy	Needs enough length to clamp between the plates

For more on picking barrel sizes, see our curling wand barrel size guide and curling wand vs. curling iron vs. automatic curler.

How to curl men's hair with a mini flat iron

This is the most versatile method for short to medium hair.

Start with clean, completely dry hair. Never use a flat iron on wet hair.
Spray heat protectant. Mist it through and let it dry. Our heat protectant guide explains why.
Use a lower setting first. Short hair heats quickly. Only turn the heat up if the curl doesn't take.
Grab a small section. About ½" to 1" of hair on top.
Clamp, twist, glide. Clamp near the root, rotate the iron half a turn, and slide it slowly toward the ends.
Mix directions. Curl some sections forward and some back for a natural, messy look.
Let it cool. Don't touch the curls until they're cool, or they'll drop.
Break up and style. Rub a pea-sized amount of texture paste or clay between your palms and twist pieces with your fingertips.

How to add volume and bend with a thermal brush

Start with dry hair and heat protectant.
Lift at the root. Place the brush under the hair at your front hairline and hold it for a few seconds to build lift.
Roll back or to the side. Roll the brush in the direction you want your hair to fall to create a soft bend.
Repeat across the top. Work in rows from front to crown.
Finish with texture. A little paste or a light hairspray holds the shape.

Prefer to dry and style in one go? Our blow dryer brush guide covers hot air brushes.

How to get textured waves on longer hair

For medium to long hair, a hair waver is the easiest way to get surfer-style texture. Clamp a section near the root, hold for a few seconds, then move down and clamp again so the waves line up. Keep sections small, let the hair cool, and scrunch with sea salt spray. A curling wand also works on longer hair: wrap sections away from your face, leave the ends out, and loosen the waves with your fingers. For more ideas, read how to get beach waves.

What are the most common mistakes when curling men's hair?

Using a big barrel on short hair. The hair just slides off. Size down.
Too much product before heat. Style with paste or clay after curling, not before.
Too much heat. Short hair heats fast. Start low.
Curls that look too perfect. Mix directions and break them up with your fingers.
Forgetting the cool-down. Let each section cool before touching it.

How do you make curls last in men's hair?

Prep with a light texturizer. A sea salt or texture spray on dry hair before heat can add grip.
Use small sections. They set more evenly and hold longer.
Finish with hold. A matte paste, clay or flexible hairspray keeps texture in place.
Refresh, don't restart. On day two, touch up just the front with a mini flat iron.

Karma picks: tools for curling men's hair

Tool	Type	Key features	Best for	Price
Mini Mane ½" Mini Flat Iron	Mini flat iron	½" ceramic plates; negative ion; far infrared; nano silver; fast heat; dual voltage	Curls and texture on short to medium hair	$50
Hot Babe Thermal Brush	Thermal brush	Tourmaline ceramic barrel; cool tip; anti-scald massaging bristles; negative ions	Volume and bend up top	$80
Mini Moment Straightening Brush	Mini heated comb	Ceramic bristles; negative ions; travel size; dual voltage	Smoothing the front, edges and flyaways	$40
Wave Craze Hair Waver	Hair waver	S-waves; ceramic-coated plates; 4 settings 320–410°F with LED; lock; 8 ft swivel cord; magnetic box; dual voltage	Textured waves on medium to long hair	$100

Mini Mane: our top pick for most guys. The ½" plates handle short hair, and it's compact enough for a gym bag. Who it's for: short to medium hair that wants curls or texture.
Hot Babe: a heated thermal brush with a tourmaline ceramic barrel and anti-scald bristles, designed for faster styling with less heat. Who it's for: anyone who wants lift and a soft bend on top.
Mini Moment: a small heated comb for quick smoothing. It won't curl, but it's handy for taming the front before you add texture. Who it's for: short hair, edges and flyaways.
Wave Craze: four heat settings and ceramic-coated plates for even S-waves. Who it's for: medium to long hair that wants surfer-style texture.

Shop our flat irons collection, curling irons collection, straightening brushes collection and travel-size collection.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

How can a guy curl his hair?

Start with clean, dry hair and heat protectant. For short hair, twist small sections through a ½" mini flat iron or use a thermal brush for volume and bend. For longer hair, use a curling wand or hair waver. Let the hair cool, then style with a little texture paste using your fingers.

What is the best curling iron for men?

For most men's cuts, a small tool works best. A ½" mini flat iron like the Mini Mane handles short hair and can make curls or texture. For medium to long hair, a curling wand or a waver like the Wave Craze gives more defined waves.

How long does men's hair need to be to curl?

You generally need at least a couple of inches of length on top to get bend or texture with a mini flat iron or thermal brush. Defined waves and curls are easier at medium length and longer. Very short cuts like buzz cuts don't have enough length to wrap.

How long do heat curls last on men's hair?

Heat curls are temporary and usually last until your next wash. They may drop sooner in humidity or on very straight hair. Prepping with a texture spray, using small sections and finishing with a paste or hairspray can help them hold.

Is curling bad for men's hair?

Occasional heat styling with a heat protectant and lower settings is a reasonable approach for most hair. Damage is more likely with high heat, frequent styling and skipping protectant. Give your hair heat-free days when you can.

Can I curl my hair instead of getting a perm?

Yes, heat curling is a temporary way to get the look without a chemical service. It's a good way to see if you like curls before committing. If you want long-lasting curls, talk to a stylist about a perm.

What products should men use with curled hair?

Use a heat protectant before any hot tool. Afterward, a matte paste, clay or sea salt spray adds texture and hold, and a flexible hairspray keeps it in place. Apply products after curling, not before.

Ready to add some texture?

Start with the Mini Mane or the Hot Babe, and protect your hair with Hot Girl Filter. Enjoy free standard shipping on orders over $50 to the continental US and 30-day returns on unused and unopened items. Karma tools are covered by our 2-Year Limited Warranty.

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