It’s true: We all want what we don’t have. And when you’ve got pin-straight locks, all you want is a bouncy, voluminous curl. If you have stick-straight hair and find yourself reaching for the curling iron trying to achieve bouncy, bombshell curls, you’re not alone. If your curls end up limp within the hour, you’re still not alone.

I’m not saying I can make your hair woes vanish (I would if I could!), but I do have some tricks up my sleeve to help you achieve long-lasting curls. No one will ever know you started out with straight hair!

Curl-enhancing mousse is everything

Do not jump the gun and fire up your curling iron before you get product into your hair. Many people make the mistake of piling on the product after curling, which actually weighs down your fresh curls. Instead, make sure you have a curl-activing mousse, which does not weigh down your hair. Too, curl activating and curl enhancing are two different ball games. Curl enhancing is for people with naturally curly hair, so definitely skip that—it just becomes excess product.

So is volume foam

The same idea applies to a volumizing hair product. Reap the benefits by putting it on before you curl your hair instead of after. If you rely on things like hairspray to achieve volume, you’ll end up with crinkly, hard-to-the-touch strands. Again, a lightweight product will help achieve more volume than a heavy cream.

Gotta love hairspray

While you shouldn’t rely on hairspray alone to hold curls, it’s still an important step to making them last. The key is to know when your curls are ready to be set. Some people like to spray their hair as soon as the curling iron is removed, and that kind of works. What’s even better is to pin your curls up (yep, like Victoria’s Secret models do backstage), and once they have cooled completely, spray your whole head with hairspray. Allowing your hair to cool first sets the curl, while letting it hang while it’s still warm lets gravity drag your curls down.

Try overnight curling

Letting your hair set into a curl overnight after washing your hair is one of the gentlest methods that pretty much guarantees a long-lasting curl. As your hair transitions from wet to dry, it sets itself up in whatever style you have it. To achieve curly hair, you can make individual small, twisted buns. A braid will help achieve waves rather than curls, so the motion of twisting sections of your hair is the best option. Of course, adding a hair primer will only help the style hold. In the morning, release your curls, gently finger comb, and set with hairspray.

Hot rollers are a great option

Hot rollers aren’t the most popular option among our generation, and we get why. They take a long time, and we like instant gratification. However, they pretty much guarantee you bouncy and glossy curls that last and last. Make it easier on yourself by popping your hot rollers in the first thing in the morning. Skincare, makeup, breakfast (and yes, even coffee!) can all come after while you wait for your hot rollers to work their magic. The number one tip to remember is to let the rollers cool all the way before taking them out.

How to Add Lasting Curl to Even the Straightest Hair

Curl-enhancing mousse is everything

So is volume foam

Gotta love hairspray

Try overnight curling

Hot rollers are a great option

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