How to Get Long-Lasting Bouncy Curls on Long Hair
If your long curls look beautiful when they first come off the iron but start dropping soon after, the answer is not necessarily more hairspray. How you prep the hair, the amount of product you use, your section size, barrel size, curl direction, and what you do while the curl is cooling can all affect the finished result.
For this styling demonstration, I started with freshly cleansed SL Raw Natural Wavy hair and created soft, flowing body curls from the bottom up. The finished look shown throughout this guide was styled on three 24-inch Natural Wavy wefts paired with a Natural Wavy closure.
Finished result: three 24-inch Natural Wavy wefts with a Natural Wavy closure, styled into soft body curls.
How Do You Make Curls Last on Long Hair?
Start with clean, completely dry hair, use lightweight product, work in controlled sections from the bottom upward, let every curl cool without disturbing it, and only separate the set after the entire head has cooled.
The Hair Behind This Look
24-Inch Natural Wavy Hair
- Length: 24 inches
- Hair used: 3 Natural Wavy wefts
- Top closure: Natural Wavy lace closure
- Finished style: Soft, flowing barrel curls
This is the exact hair formula used for the look shown throughout this tutorial. Your own install may require a different quantity depending on your head size, desired fullness, installation, and overall density.
Why Do Curls Fall Faster on Long Hair?
Long hair gives you beautiful movement, but the extra length also means there is more hair pulling against the curl. Technique becomes especially important when you want a soft body curl that still has shape several hours later.
The Hair Is Too Soft
Freshly washed hair can be extremely soft and silky. That is the finish I personally prefer, but very soft hair may sometimes need a little extra grip from a light texturizing or flexible-hold spray.
The Sections Are Too Large
If too much hair is wrapped around the barrel at once, the section may not heat evenly enough to form a consistent curl from top to bottom.
The Curl Is Touched Too Soon
Pulling, brushing, or separating a curl while it is still warm can stretch the new shape before it has had time to set.
Too Much Product
Heavy oils and excessive serum can weigh long hair down. For this look, I used only a small amount of serum rather than coating the hair.
The Tool Does Not Match the Hair
Barrel size should complement the length and finished curl you want. A longer style can usually accommodate a larger barrel than a short hairstyle.
What I Used for These 24-Inch Body Curls
Natural Wavy Extensions
Three 24-inch Natural Wavy wefts with a matching Natural Wavy closure.
SL Raw Extension Brush Set
I used the extension brush for detangling, the heat-resistant pintail comb to create and smooth my sections, and the included clips to keep the hair organized as I worked upward.
FHI Barrel Curling Iron
For this look, a 1-inch to 1¼-inch barrel works well depending on the length you are styling and how large you want the finished curl.
SL Raw Hair Extension Brush Set
I used the extension brush to detangle from the ends upward, the heat-resistant pintail comb to create and smooth each section, and the clips from the set to keep the long hair organized while I worked from the nape upward.
Start with Freshly Cleansed, Completely Dry Hair
I prefer to start my styling on freshly cleansed hair whether the installation is brand new or I have already been wearing it for a while. Clean hair gives me the soft, polished finish I want before I begin adding heat.
There is one tradeoff: freshly washed hair can sometimes feel extremely soft and have less grip than second-day hair. You may notice curls naturally hold a little longer once the hair has been worn for a day or two.
I still prefer starting clean. If the hair needs a little more support, I would rather add a small amount of texturizing spray or flexible-hold hairspray than overload freshly washed hair with heavy products.
Starting point before the curl set: clean, dry and smoothed Natural Wavy hair.
Detangle Before You Begin Sectioning
Before applying heat, I want the hair smooth from the ends upward. Detangling first helps prevent knots from interrupting the curl and gives the barrel a smoother section of hair to work through.
I used the SL Raw Hair Extension Brush Set to detangle the hair, then the heat-resistant pintail comb from the set to create cleaner sections and smooth each section before curling.
Begin near the ends and gradually work upward instead of pulling a brush straight from the root through a tangle. This gives you more control and reduces unnecessary pulling on the hair and installation.
Use a Small Amount of Product
For this particular style, I used approximately a dime-size amount of Sebastian serum. It spreads easily, so I concentrated most of it through the ends and lightly worked my way upward.
The goal was to smooth the hair and help control flyaways—not make the hair feel coated.
Long hair can become heavy very quickly when multiple oils, serums, creams and finishing products are layered together. Start conservatively. You can always add a light finishing product later if the set needs more control.
Section from the Bottom and Work Your Way Up
I start at the bottom of the hair and gradually work upward, using the clips from the extension brush set to keep everything I am not styling out of the way.
Working in organized sections gives me more control over the curl pattern and helps me make sure I do not repeatedly apply heat to pieces I have already finished.
The section size can change based on your hair density, length, and the amount of curl you want. Smaller sections generally give the barrel more control over the hair, while slightly larger sections create a softer result.
Curl Away from the Face for a Flowing Finish
For this look, I wanted the curls to move backward and away from my face rather than closing inward toward it. I inserted each section into the curling iron and directed the curl away from my face as I worked around my head.
That direction is not a rule for every hairstyle. You can change the direction depending on the shape you want. For this particular result, curling away from the face created the soft, open movement I was after.
The hair is wrapped smoothly around the barrel and directed away from the face.
A 1-inch to 1¼-inch barrel
can work for this type of body curl, depending on your hair length and desired finished shape. For the Natural Wavy hair shown here, I worked around 375–395°F.
That is the setting used for this demonstration—not a required temperature for every head of hair. Adjust your tool according to the hair you are styling and use the lowest effective temperature that produces the result you need.
Leave Each Curl Alone While It Cools
This is one of the most important parts of my curl set.
Once I release a section from the curling iron, I do not immediately pull it apart, brush it, or run my fingers through it. I let the curl stay in its formed shape and move on to the next section.
I continue that process around the entire head. By the time I reach the last sections, the earlier curls have already had time to cool without being stretched.
Give the newly formed shape time to cool before manipulating it. Separating warm curls too soon can loosen the pattern before the full set is complete.
Let the Full Set Cool, Then Finger-Separate
After I finish the entire head, I wait approximately two additional minutes before I begin separating anything.
For this result, I use my fingers to gently stroke through and separate the curls. I do not immediately go back in with the extension brush because I want to keep more of the curl formation intact.
If you prefer a more uniform finish, a wide-tooth comb can also be used gently after the curls have fully cooled.
After cooling, the curl set is gently finger-separated to create soft movement without completely brushing out the pattern.
A light flexible-hold hairspray or texturizing spray is optional at this point. If freshly washed hair feels very soft or you know your hair tends to lose curl quickly, a small amount can help give the finished set additional support.
How to Preserve the Curls Overnight
If you want to carry the style into the next day, you do not need to completely recurl all 24 inches before bed.
Pin-Curl the Hair
Re-form the curls into larger pin curls and secure them with double-prong clips. This helps preserve the curved shape rather than allowing the full length to stretch flat while you sleep.
Cover the Set
After pinning, protect the hair with a satin scarf or satin bonnet so the curls are not rubbing directly against your bedding throughout the night.
Do You Need Hair Extensions to Use This Technique?
No. The same styling principles can be adapted to your natural hair.
Hair extensions become useful when you want more length or fullness than your natural hair currently provides. The technique itself—clean prep, controlled sections, appropriate barrel size, cooling the curls and separating them afterward—can be adjusted for many hair lengths.
If your hair is shorter than the 24-inch look shown here, you may simply choose a different barrel size or section size based on the finished curl you want.
Want to Recreate This Exact 24-Inch Hair Look?
The finished style shown throughout this guide uses three 24-inch SL Raw Natural Wavy wefts with a Natural Wavy closure.
24-Inch Natural Wavy Weft
Start here if you want the same extra-long foundation shown in the styling demonstration. The Natural Wavy texture can be worn in its natural pattern or heat-styled into larger body curls like this look.
Natural Wavy Lace Closures
This look was paired with a Natural Wavy closure, allowing the top and part to be finished without relying on natural-hair leave-out.
Three Bundles Created This Look—but Your Amount May Be Different
The images in this tutorial show my specific install using three 24-inch bundles and a closure. Head size, desired density, extension length and the fullness you want through the ends can change the amount of hair needed for another install.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my curls fall so quickly after curling?
Common reasons include working with sections that are too large, using too much heavy product, separating the curls while they are still warm, or choosing a barrel size that creates a curl looser than the finished result you want. Freshly washed hair can also be very soft and may benefit from a small amount of texturizing or flexible-hold spray.
Is freshly washed hair better for curling?
I personally prefer starting with freshly cleansed hair because I like the clean, soft finish. Second-day hair may sometimes have more natural grip and hold a curl longer. If freshly washed hair feels too soft, use a small amount of lightweight styling support rather than loading the hair with heavy product.
What curling iron size is best for long bouncy curls?
A 1-inch to 1¼-inch barrel is a useful range for the soft body-curl look demonstrated here. Your ideal size depends on the hair length and how tight or loose you want the finished curl.
What temperature did you use on the Natural Wavy extensions?
For the 24-inch SL Raw Natural Wavy hair shown in this tutorial, I worked around 375–395°F. That is the temperature used for this particular demonstration, not a universal recommendation. Adjust the temperature for the hair you are styling and use the lowest effective heat that gives you the result you need.
Should I brush my curls immediately after curling them?
Not for this technique. I leave each curl alone after it comes off the barrel and allow the full set to cool. Once the entire head is finished, I wait approximately two additional minutes and then finger-separate the curls. A wide-tooth comb can be used if you prefer a more uniform finish.
Should I curl toward or away from my face?
Either direction can be used depending on the hairstyle you want. For the look shown here, I curled away from the face because I wanted the hair to open backward and create a flowing, bouncy finish around the face.
Can raw human hair extensions be curled with a curling iron?
Yes. Human hair extensions can be heat-styled, but use sensible heat, avoid repeatedly applying heat to the same section, and make sure the hair is completely dry before using a hot tool.
How do I keep long curls overnight?
Re-form the hair into pin curls, secure them with double-prong clips and cover the set with a satin bonnet or satin scarf. In the morning, remove the clips and gently separate the curls rather than starting the entire curl set again.
How many bundles were used for the 24-inch look in this article?
This specific look uses three 24-inch Natural Wavy wefts paired with a Natural Wavy lace closure. Your own quantity may differ based on head size, desired fullness, density and installation.
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Love the Length and Movement in This Look?
Start with the exact 24-inch Natural Wavy hair used here, or use our quantity and texture guides to find the length, fullness and hair that make sense for your own install.