30 Pencil Curls Hairstyles

It seems like a fairly universal truth that we always want what we don’t have. When it comes to hair textures, curly haired women spend time and money flattening their strands while those with straight hair would die for more texture and body. There are tons of ways to put curls in your super straight hair, and pencil curls are the latest trend that straight haired girls are dying to try. Read on to find out how to curl your hair using a pencil and to see 30 gorgeous examples of pencil curls hairstyles.

You’ll need three specific items to pull off pencil curls: a flat iron, aluminum foil, and a regular wood pencil. Beginning with the underneath layers of your hair, wrap one inch sections around the pencil from roots to ends. If you don’t wrap close to the roots, you’ll be left with a straight segment that can look strange with the tight spiral curls this style creates. Once hair is wrapped around the pencil, wrap the pencil in a square of aluminum foil, then clamp with your flat iron to heat the wrapped hair. Remove the foil and slide the pencil out from your hair, and you’ll be left with a springy spiral curl. Repeat on the rest of your head, then gently separate each curl to reveal bouncy, natural looking texture! Depending on how long or thick your hair is, this method can be time consuming. For best results, be sure to give yourself enough time to pencil curl your entire head.

No pencil? No problem! Other wooden items can be used to get these tight spiral curls. Try chopsticks for skinny curls, or wooden paintbrush handles for a variety of thicknesses. It’s always a good idea to treat your strands with a heat protectant before starting your pencil curls style, especially if you’ve got dry or damaged ends. If you’re especially wary of the flat iron, heat-free pencil curls are definitely do-able. You’ll need enough pencils to wrap your full head of hair all at once, and elastics to secure them in place. Wait several hours (this heat-free style isn’t comfortable to sleep on), then unravel your no-heat pencil curls.

These ultra skinny pencil curls begin right at the roots, giving them tons of definition and volume. Hair has been gently separated to soften the spiral shape at the ends, while roots still have tons of body.

These tousled pencil curls have been gently brushed out to reveal just the right amount of soft texture.

Pencil curls can help to put extra emphasis on dynamic color like this ombre hairstyle. To get beautifully uniform curls like this, take care to wrap your hair evenly and be sure to use aluminum foil to help evenly distribute heat.

These glamorous pencil curls strike the perfect balance between curly volume and soft supple texture, making them a great choice for your next night out.

These ultra defined pencil curls haven’t been separated much after styling, which gives them a unique bouncy texture that can last for several days.

These soft, loose curls are a gorgeous example of a pencil curl style that’s been achieved using no heat. Wrap thicker sections of dry or slightly damp hair around pencils then secure for several hours or until dry. You’ll probably need at least 4 hours to achieve a defined curl, but this time may vary depending on your specific texture.

If you’re looking to add a few pieces of ombre color to your hair, pencil curls offer up a great way to add texture that will help blend your ombre colors.

These voluminous curls help to enhance super thick hair, giving you the texture you’ve always dreamed of. To get thicker curls like this, try using a wooden item that’s slightly larger than a pencil like the handle of a wooden spoon or a paintbrush.

If you’ve got ultra long locks, try styling your curls with longer wooden items like chopsticks to make the process more manageable.

Bored of your pin straight hair and looking for a bold style to wear for your next special event or night on the town? If you’ve got all day to get ready for a big night out, use either the heat or no-heat method to get these vampy pencil curls.

The extra bouncy texture in these pencil curls is thanks to even heat application and pencil wrapping techniques. It can take a few tries to get your curls looking this uniform, but practice will ultimately make perfect!

Try beginning your pencil curls lower down on each strand to create an artsy, triangle-shaped style.