Utah curls are having (another) moment!
They’re not quite beach waves… but they’re just not regular curls either. The term Utah curls is once again, trending nationwide, mostly thanks to Utah based social media influencers and reality TV personalities. The look refers to loose curls with a straight and relaxed end. We’re asking, is this really a look we want to own?
Studio 5 Style & Beauty Contributor Megan Moore shares her opinion and how to achieve the look.
What Makes Utah Curls Unique?
Utah curls have two distinct features. One being that the roots are straight and the ends are straight. The volume is in the middle.
“That’s what really makes it something different than what we’re seeing in other places,” Megan explained.
“It’s funny to us because we see this and don’t think anything of it. It’s just kind of normal here,” Megan said. But it’s blown up on social media. Other people in other places say it is different than what they do where they live.
“I think we’ll look back and say, ‘that was a trend.’ Same as the 80s bangs and the 90s Rachel,” Megan emphasized.
Hair Length and Texture
The length and texture of hair can play a role in achieving the quintessential Utah curl. “Any length can pull it off, but it is more common in long hair,” Megan said.
She speculated that this trend started to minimize the “triangle head” effect of adding curl to long hair. “As we have longer hair and we add curl, we also add horizontal volume and we kind of get into that triangle head and nobody really likes that,” Megan emphasized. If you keep the ends longer, the hair lays longer.
Preparing Your Hair
“Your hair doesn’t necessarily have to be clean, but the smoother it is before, the smoother it’s going to be after,” Megan said.
Ensuring your hair, especially the ends, are somewhat smooth is crucial because “if they’re frizzy and crazy, they’re going to be frizzy and crazy,” Megan emphasized.
Tools and Techniques
There are different tools for different skill levels. “One’s a little bit more advanced. One’s a little bit more foolproof that anybody can do,” Megan said. For longer hair, she recommended a longer barrel.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Sectioning the Hair: Grab your section and clamp it in the iron.
- Positioning the Iron: “The key here is we want to go into the middle of the hair… and we want to go all the way down to the bottom of that clamp,” Megan instructed.
- Rolling the Hair: “We’re going to roll back away from our face,” Megan said. “I’m leaving about three inches at the top where I’m not taking it all the way… and my ends are left out.”
- Adjusting the Curl: “Slide down a little bit and go up a little bit further, but I’ve got to leave these ends out. You want at least two inches to get this look,” Megan explained.
- Cooling the Curl: “We’re going to leave it alone and make sure it cools before we brush it out,” Megan said.
Beginner-Friendly Tool
For beginners, a beach waver is a great option. “This one does the rolling for you. It’s super simple. It just rolls in. It does the work for you,” Megan said. This tool helps get the desired look without much effort.
After curling, it’s important to let the hair cool and then comb through it. “After everything’s cool, you want to make sure you comb through it so that everything breaks up,” Megan said. Depending on your preference, you can finish with pomade, oil, or hairspray.
Find more beauty advice from Megan on Instagram, @beautysnoop, or at thebeautysnoop.com.
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