The ultimate guide to curling your human hair topper

Because your topper deserves curls as soft as your own

There is something about a good curl day that hits different. Your confidence goes up, your selfies get a little bolder and suddenly every outfit feels more intentional. But curling a human hair topper? That can feel like trying to style someone else’s hair while blindfolded. One wrong move and the curls look too tight. Too loose. Too shiny. Too wiggy. Or worse, GONE in an hour.

Girl, if you’ve ever clipped in your topper, glanced in the mirror and thought the curls are not matching the assignment, you’re so not alone. TikTok might make it look easy but toppers have their own personality and they do not play. And because they sit right on the crown, every curl has to blend, bend and behave if you want that natural finish that makes people say your hair looks incredible without realizing why.

The good news is that human hair toppers from The Lauren Ashtyn Collection are made for moments like this. They curl beautifully. They hold shape. They can go beachy, bouncy, glamorous or undone in minutes. You just need the right approach and a little insider styling magic. And once you understand how to curl a human hair topper, your entire routine becomes faster and way more fun.

This guide breaks down the curling process the way a stylist would explain it to her best friend. No confusing steps. No stiff, outdated rules. Just real techniques that make your topper look like the hair you woke up with. We’re talking prep, tools, curl directions, section sizes, blending tricks, cooling tips and all the mistakes to avoid so your curls stay perfect from brunch to bedtime.

 

Hair topper styling 101

Curling a topper isn’t the same as curling your bio hair, and girl, that’s exactly why so many people struggle at first. A topper sits differently, moves differently and needs a little more intention to look natural. Once you understand the basics, the whole process suddenly feels SUPER simple.

Here’s what actually matters:

• Placement changes everything
  A topper lives at the crown, so the curls need to support the shape and volume you already have. This is why curling it exactly like your bio hair is essential for a seamless blend.
  
  
• Human hair behaves like human hair… with boundaries
  The Lauren Ashtyn Collection toppers are premium human hair, which means they react to heat, moisture and styling the same way your real strands do. They just need a bit more care because they don’t receive natural scalp oils.
  
  
• Blend is the name of the game
  Curl patterns must match. If your natural hair bends at the ends, your topper should do the same. If you normally rock loose waves, your topper shouldn’t be serving tight spirals. Everything needs to sync.
  
  
• Extension curling rules still apply
  Techniques from curling human hair extensions, curling halo hair extensions and even how to curl hair extensions overlap here. The big difference is placement and making sure the curls frame the topper base naturally.
  
  
• Section size decides the vibe
  Smaller sections create tighter, longer-lasting curls. Larger sections give you that soft, undone wave.
  
  

Once you get these foundations down, curling becomes less trial and error and more like a glam session you actually enjoy. Ready to prep your topper for its best curl moment yet? So are we.

 

How to prep your topper before curling

If there’s one thing us queens learn fast, it’s that great curls start way before heat ever touches the hair. Prepping your topper properly can double your curl longevity, prevent frizz and give you that soft, bouncy finish that moves like real hair.

Start by securing your topper the right way. A mannequin head is your bestie here. Pop your piece onto the block head, then use T-pins at the clips to hold it steady. This keeps the base intact and gives you the control you need to shape the curls cleanly.

Before you even think about heat, smooth everything out. Brush through the topper gently with a paddle brush or a wide-tooth comb, paying extra attention to the ends. Knots and tangles will fight the curling iron and leave you with uneven texture.

Now it’s time for your pre-style essentials. This is where a lightweight heat protectant from our hair care line comes in clutch. A light mist adds hydration, creates slip and keeps the hair silky as you curl.

Here’s a few more prep tips for perfect curls:

• Make sure the hair is fully dry
  Slightly damp human hair won’t curl properly and can become frizzy or puffy once heat is applied.
  
  
• Section the hair intentionally
  Use 1-inch sections for tighter curls or smaller faces. Go for 1.25 to 2 inches for loose, effortless waves.
  
  
• Keep sections clean, not chunky
  This helps each curl wrap around the tool smoothly and form a consistent pattern.
  
  
• Prep the blend area
  If your bio hair needs a little smoothing or a touch of heat protectant too, now’s the time.
  
  

Once your topper is smooth, prepped and sectioned, you’ve set yourself up for curls that actually hold and look natural.

The curling methods that always work

Once your topper is prepped, secured and sectioned, it’s showtime. Human hair toppers curl beautifully when you use the right technique. Each tool creates a different look, so think of this as your curling menu. 

Pick the look you’re going for, follow the method and let the topper do what it does best.

Curling with a curling iron

A curling iron gives you classic, polished curls that look chic and intentional. It’s great for blending with bio hair that naturally bends or waves.

Start by choosing the right barrel size.

• 1-inch barrel for bouncy curls and defined patterns
• 1.25 or 1.5-inch barrel for soft waves or a blowout vibe
  

Working in your pre-sectioned pieces, wrap the hair around the iron vertically. Keep the clamp gentle so you don’t dent the hair. Hold for a few seconds, release, then cup the curl in your hand to help it cool into shape.

For the most natural look, alternate your curl direction:

• Face-framing pieces should curl away from the face
• The rest can switch back and forth for a lived-in wave pattern

Alternating prevents that overly uniform look that gives wig energy instead of effortless blend.

Curling with a flat iron

Flat-iron curls are all about softness. They give you that perfect bend that looks like your hair did it naturally. This technique works especially well for girlies asking how to curl hair extensions or how do you curl hair extensions because it blends textures SO perfectly.

Here’s the simplified version:

• Place a small section of hair between the plates
• Twist the iron away from your face
• Glide downward slowly while maintaining the twist
• Stop before the ends if you want a modern, undone finish

Flat-iron curls are ideal for toppers that need movement, not structure. The curl looks expensive, airy and extremely natural.

Curling with a curling wand

A wand gives you fast, uniform curls and is especially great for curling human hair extensions or curling halo hair extensions, since it creates consistent texture from root to end.

Prep your sections, then wrap the hair around the wand barrel, keeping the ends slightly looser for a soft finish. Wands tend to give more volume and bounce, making them especially great for toppers sitting near the crown.

A few wand tips to keep your curls smooth:

• Always point the wand downward
• Keep your wraps flat, not twisted
• Don’t let the hair overlap too much or the curl will look uneven
• Hold for a few seconds, release and let it fall into your palm
  

Wand curls feel youthful and full of movement, which makes them great for toppers that need extra blending power.

Heatless curling methods

If heat isn’t your thing or you’re trying to rotate heat responsibly, heatless curling options are a lifesaver. 

And yes, they totally work on human hair toppers.

Try one of these:

Flexi rods

Wrap damp-to-dry hair around flexible curling rods. Leave overnight or until the hair is fully dry. The curls come out springy and defined.

Robe tie or soft foam rod curl

Wrap each section around the robe tie fabric, then secure it and leave it to dry slowly. This gives you soft, brushed-out waves with zero heat.

Pin curls

Roll sections around your fingers, pin them flat and let them dry. Great for vintage-style curls or extra bounce.

Heatless curls last forever in the best way because the shape sets as the hair dries, not under stress. It’s the low-effort, high-reward trick that keeps your topper bouncy without overworking the strands, especially if you’re a curl-it-every-other-day girlie.

 

How to make your topper curls last longer

Okay girlie, here’s the part nobody tells you. The curl you create with heat is only HALF the story (cry). The real magic happens in the cool-down. This is where curls lock in, smooth out and actually stay put instead of dropping the second you step outside.

A few longevity rules every topper-wearer should know.

• Let each curl cool completely
  Don’t touch. Don’t brush. Don’t breathe too hard. A warm curl is soft and shapeless, so give it time to stiffen into that perfect pattern.
  
  
• Pin the curls if you want maximum bounce
  Once you release a curl from your iron, catch it in your hand, roll it back up and clip it to the mannequin head. This sets the curl while it cools, giving you that rich, salon-quality finish.
  
  
• Go easy on product during the curling stage
  Heavy sprays kill movement. A lightweight mist from The Lauren Ashtyn Collection’s Hair Care range is your best pre-curl friend. Save stronger stylers for after the cool-down.
  
  
• Brush strategically
  Once the curls are fully cool, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to soften the pattern. This makes the curls blend beautifully with your bio hair without destroying the shape.
  
  
• Protect the curls once you’re done
  If you’re styling ahead of time, pop a soft hair net over the topper to keep the curls intact until wear time.
  
  

This is how you get curls that last through brunch, errands, humidity and everything in between. Topper curls can absolutely hold all day—they just need a glam-worthy cooldown routine.

 

Common curling mistakes girlies make (and how to avoid them)

If your topper curls have ever come out crunchy, uneven or gone limp before you even leave the house, you’re not alone. Here’s what usually goes wrong and how to fix it fast.

• Curling while the hair is even slightly damp
  Damp hair plus heat equals frizz city. Make sure your topper is bone dry before you start.
  
  
• Using huge chunky sections
  Big sections heat unevenly. Break the hair into smaller, manageable pieces so each curl forms cleanly.
  
  
• Skipping heat protectant
  Your topper deserves better. Always use a lightweight protectant so the hair stays soft and glossy.
  
  
• Curling every piece in the same direction
  That’s when the style starts looking wiggy. Alternate curl directions for a natural, lived-in flow.
  
  
• Brushing too early
  A warm curl has zero structural integrity. Let it cool before you break it up.
  
  
• Using too much hairspray at the start
  Product overload leads to sticky, stiff curls. Save hold for the end.
  
  
• Ignoring your blend area
  If your real hair isn’t curled the same way, it will stick out—literally.
  
  

Fix these, and your curls will instantly look softer, more expensive and miles more natural.

 

Your topper curl era starts now

Consider this your green light to stop overthinking your topper and start styling it like the premium piece it is. Once you understand how to curl a human hair topper the right way (with the right prep, the right sections, the right cool-down and the right blend) everything falls into place.

Your curls last longer. Your blend looks clean. Your topper moves like your real hair.

And you get that picture-perfect glossy finish that makes people stare for all the right reasons.

The truth is, toppers don’t need complicated routines. They just need intention, good technique and products that support their texture. With a little practice, curling your topper becomes one of the easiest, most satisfying parts of your routine.

Because when the hair on top looks flawless, the rest of your look follows.

Your best curls are officially loading.