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Smooth individual curls with shingling

Try shingling when a few curls need more individual shaping than a quick pass through a section. Start with a reachable front or side area, smooth one small curl group at a time, then let it settle.

Step by step

  1. An adult clips back the surrounding wet curls while holding a small front panel free.
    STEP 1 OF 8

    Leave one wet side area free

    • Start with clean hands and washed, detangled hair. Keep one reachable front or side area wet.
    • Clip the surrounding hair loosely out of the way. A towel over your shoulders can catch drips.
  2. A woman spreads styling gel over a wet side section while her other hand loosely supports the ends.
    STEP 2 OF 8

    Spread your styler through that area

    • Use a leave-in curl gel or cream whose directions allow wet-hair use and air-drying. Follow its directions for amount and placement.
    • Support the lower lengths loosely while spreading product through the working area. Close the container and put it down before separating curls.

    Extra oil or conditioner layers are not required. Use only combinations your product directions allow.

  3. A woman separates a small wet curl group from its neighbors and holds it lightly between her fingers.
    STEP 3 OF 8

    Choose one natural curl group

    • Use your fingers to find a small group that already sits together within the wet section. Move neighboring hair aside.
    • Separate that group down to its ends without pulling through tangles. It should be easy to hold between a thumb and finger.
  4. An adult supports a small wet curl group while the other thumb and finger smooth its length without winding.
    STEP 4 OF 8

    Glide down the curl group

    • Hold the group gently near its upper length with one hand. Keep slack between that hand and your scalp.
    • With the other thumb and finger, glide lightly down the group toward its tips. Keep your grip loose enough for the hair to slide.

    Stop at a snag. If the working area has dried, wet it again as your styler directions allow before continuing; more product is not automatically needed.

  5. A woman holds both hands clear of a released wet curl group while the surrounding hair remains clipped aside.
    STEP 5 OF 8

    Let the curl go before choosing another

    • Open the fingers at the tips, then release the supporting hand. Move both hands away so the curl can settle.
    • Repeat on neighboring groups you want to shape. Leave finished groups loose instead of smoothing them again or clipping them up.
  6. A woman holds the last sectioning clip open and frees a strand before lifting it away.
    STEP 6 OF 8

    Take out the sectioning clips

    • When you finish the chosen area, open each remaining clip fully. Free any caught strands before lifting the clip away.
    • Let the hair hang loose to air-dry. Avoid more separating or smoothing while it dries.
  7. A woman lifts an outer curl and lightly feels the inner hair, with all sectioning clips removed.
    STEP 7 OF 8

    Check the roots and inner lengths

    • Once the surface seems dry, lift an outer curl gently and feel near the roots, through the inner lengths and at the ends.
    • Give any damp area more time. Arrange the curls lightly only when the whole area you styled feels dry.

    A dry-looking surface does not tell you whether the inner hair is ready. There is no fixed drying time.

  8. A woman places removed sectioning clips into a tray, with both hands clear of her loose curls.
    STEP 8 OF 8

    Put away the clips

    • Leave the dry curls as they are, or adjust only the few pieces you want to move.
    • Wash your hands and clean used clips according to their care directions. Let the clips dry before putting them away.

About 8–20 minutes of handling for one front or side area, including sectioning, styler application, smoothing, clip removal, checks and cleanup. Add drying time.

Practical estimate, not measured. Washing and detangling come first. Many small curl groups or a first attempt can take longer.

You’re done when…

All clips are out, the chosen area feels dry at the roots, inner lengths and ends, and the curl groups hang freely. Arrange only the pieces you want to move.