Utah Curls: Step-by-Step Tutorial
Utah curls are the loose, beach-inspired waves with sleek ends that have taken TikTok by storm. This elevated, five-step guide—complete with our top professional picks—walks you through achieving those effortless, spa-worthy waves at home. Scroll down, shop as you go, and master the look on both desktop and mobile.
Step 1: Deep Clean & Nourish
Begin with a luxurious cleanse to strip away buildup and hydrate each strand. Start by massaging Redken All Soft Shampoo into damp roots, working into a rich lather. Rinse thoroughly, then follow with Redken All Soft Conditioner mid-length to ends. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes, allowing argan oil and keratin to infuse moisture. Rinse to reveal a silky-smooth base ready for repair.
Redken All Soft Shampoo
Infused with argan oil and keratin, this sulfate-free formula gently cleanses and adds silkiness.
$27.00 Buy Now
Redken All Soft Conditioner
Keratin-infused conditioner delivers deep nourishment and shine, leaving hair soft and manageable.
$27.00 Buy NowStep 2: Strengthen With a Mask
On towel-dried hair, apply K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask from roots to ends. Comb through with a wide-tooth comb to distribute evenly. Let it sit for 4 minutes—no heat required— as patented peptides repair and reinforce the hair’s inner structure. Follow with a small pump of Redken All Soft Moisture Restore Leave-In Treatment to lock in softness and protect against environmental stressors.
K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask
Patented peptide formula repairs the hair’s interior in just 4 minutes, no heat needed.
$29.00 Buy Now
Redken All Soft Moisture Restore Leave-In Treatment
Lightweight leave-in spray packed with argan oil to maintain hydration and shine all day.
$32.00 Buy NowStep 3: Prep and Diffuse
For volume and frizz control, mist Bumble and Bumble Thickening Blow-Dry Prep Spray evenly from roots to mid-lengths. Flip your hair forward and use an Ionic Hair Dryer with Diffuser attachment on low heat. Gently scrunch sections as you dry to enhance texture without causing frizz. Finish until hair is about 80% dry, leaving a bit of moisture to help set the waves in the next step.
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Blow-Dry Prep Spray
Lightweight formula that adds volume and grip, ensuring long-lasting, frizz-free waves.
$31.50 Buy Now
Ionic Hair Dryer with Diffuser
Professional-grade ionic dryer minimizes frizz and dries evenly, enhancing natural wave pattern.
$149.97 Buy NowStep 4: Create the Waves
Divide hair into 1″ sections. Wrap each section around a T3 SinglePass Curl 1″, leaving the last inch or two unwrapped for that signature straight-end finish. Hold for 6–8 seconds, then gently release. Alternate direction with each section for an organic, editorial look. For thicker hair, you can also opt for the 1″ Titanium Curling Iron (Extra Long Barrel) to accommodate larger sections.
T3 SinglePass Curl 1″
One-pass barrel technology delivers smooth, consistent heat for long-lasting, defined waves.
$149.99 Buy Now
1″ Titanium Curling Iron (Extra Long Barrel)
Extended barrel for faster styling and smoother curls from roots to mid-length, ending in soft straight tips.
$79.97 Buy NowCelebrity & Professional Endorsements
“Utah curls are taking over the salon chairs,” says Jessi Ngatikaura, co-owner of JZ Styles and star of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. “We’ve seen a surge in clients requesting this effortless, swooping wave look since season two aired.”
Jen Atkin—raised in St. George, Utah and celebrity stylist to the Kardashians—calls the T3 SinglePass Curl 1″ “her go-to tool for seamless, long-lasting waves, especially on thick, Utah-inspired hair.”
Step 5: Shape and Refresh
Allow all curls to cool completely before touching. Use your fingers to gently separate waves for a softer finish. Seal flyaways and add shine with a few drops of K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil, focusing on ends. For a quick second-day refresh, mist Living Proof Dry Shampoo at roots and scrunch lightly to revive texture—no more flat, greasy hair.
K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil
Lightweight oil blend that smooths ends and locks in long-lasting shine without weighing curls down.
$27.00 Buy Now
Living Proof Dry Shampoo
Instantly absorbs oil at the roots while adding volume and texture—perfect for refreshing curls on day two.
$30.00 Buy NowReferences
- “'Utah curls' trend makes $1.5K extensions look low-effort” – New York Post, Oct 17, 2024
- Jen Atkin – Wikipedia; notes her Utah upbringing and celebrity hairstylist status
