How to Do Finger Coils: Expert Guide & Care Tips

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Easy steps to finger coil your hair from professional stylists!

Co-authored by Nikia Londy and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: October 31, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Preparing Your Hair
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• Doing Finger Coils
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• Maintenance
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• Video
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• Expert Q&A
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• Tips

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Finger coiling your hair is a simple and safe way to get gorgeous curls that will last for days, and the process is super simple! In this article, we spoke with various professional hairstylists to break down how to do finger coils and maintain them. All you need is some hair products, combs, and a few hours to yourself. Read on to learn how to get the perfect finger coils!

An Expert Guide to Doing Finger Coils

Hair augmentation specialist Nikia Londy says to moisturize your hair with a leave-in conditioner, then part it into 2 or more sections. Rub a curl-enhancing cream into a 1 in. (2.5 cm) section and twist it around your finger, starting by the roots. Continue twisting until the hair coils when you pull and let go of it.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

How to Prepare Your Hair For Finger Coils

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1. 
   1
   Wash your hair and leave it damp. Londy suggests “preparing your hair by applying sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner in the shower.” If you’ve already dried your hair, fill a spray bottle with water and use it to wet your entire head. Make sure your hair is damp but not dripping wet. If so, Londy advises “patting your hair dry.”

   • It’s okay if you don’t wash and condition your hair immediately before coiling it—you can dampen your hair if it’s dry.
   • Using sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner is crucial here, as you don’t want any dirt, grime, or product buildup weighing your hair down.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Nikia Londy is a Hair Augmentation Specialist and the Founder & CEO of Intriguing Hair, a one-stop shop for high-quality human hair extensions, hairpieces, and wigs. She has over 16 years of experience.

   Matt King is the Director of Education at Fox and Jane Salon Group. He has over 15 years of experience cutting and coloring hair.

   Nick Arrojo is a Master Hair Stylist and the Owner & Founder of independent hairdressing brand, Arrojo NYC. He has over 35 years of experience.
2. 
   2
   Apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair to help with detangling. Choose your favorite leave-in conditioner and follow the instructions on the bottle to apply it evenly to your hair. This will help lock in moisture and make it much easier to detangle your hair using a brush.
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3. 
   3
   Comb out any tangles using a wide-tooth comb. Once your hair is damp, use the comb to gently brush out any tangles and prep your curls. Comb the tips of the hair first, working your way upwards with the comb to make the process easier.

   • It is especially important to use a wide-tooth comb if you have curly or afro-textured hair. This will help to prevent damage and breakage.
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Do Finger Coils

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1. 
   1
   Split your hair into two or more sections with a rattail comb. Londy recommends “dividing your hair into two or more sections depending on how thick you want your finger coils to be.” Use the end of a rattail comb to create a line at the back of your head. Send the line down the middle of your head vertically to create the first few sections. Then, split each of the sections in half horizontally.

   • Hold each section in place using a hair tie or clip.
   • It’s okay if the sections aren’t equal—they’re only used to separate your hair into more manageable sections.
2. 
   2
   Rub a curl-enhancing cream or gel into the newly-formed sections. Londy says to “apply a curl-enhancing cream or moisturizer to each section of your hair. Ensure every part of your hair is evenly covered from top to bottom.” While it doesn’t matter which section you start with, it’s easiest to work the curl-enhancing cream or gel from the back of your hair to the front.

   • Undo the first section of hair and squeeze a quarter-sized amount of the gel onto your fingers before rubbing it into the entire section of hair thoroughly.
   • Use a comb to evenly brush the gel through the sections of hair if desired.
   • Make sure you apply the gel to the ends of your hair to prevent frizz.
3. 
   3
   Coil your sectioned-off hair into 1-inch (2.5 cm) curls. Londy advises to “coil small one-inch (2.5 cm) sections of your hair in your fingers from the roots to the tips and apply more curl-enhancing cream for extra definition. Continue until all of your hair is coiled.” Twist and stretch your hair strands until they coil when you let go, making sure you start as close to the roots as possible for the fullest coils.

   • If you have shorter hair, your coils will need to be small, but longer hair can be done in any length. If you’re struggling due to the amount of hair, use a rat tail comb to pull your hair into even smaller sections, then coil.
   • The direction you coil your hair doesn’t matter, but if you plan on separating them once they’re dry, it’s best to make your coils all in the same direction.
   • This process may take 1-2 hours or longer, depending on the length of your hair, so be patient and take breaks if needed.
   • Professional hair stylist Matt King says that “once you’ve got your hair coiled around your finger, [you can] use a bobby pin to actually slide the hair off of your finger and connect directly to your head.”
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Section 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Finger Coils

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1. 
   1
   Let your hair dry completely to avoid frizz. Landy suggests blow-drying your hair. If you prefer letting your hair air dry, it may take an entire day. Either way, avoid separating or styling the coils until they’re completely dry. Spray a curl-refreshing spray on your coils to ensure they don’t frizz.

   • You can separate each coil with the end of a comb the next day to add volume, though this may cause tangles.
   • If desired, you can sit under a hooded dryer to make your hair dry faster.
2. 
   2
   Maintain your look by tying your hair up with a scarf. Do this before you go to bed to prevent your coils from getting flattened. Use a silk or satin scarf to cover your coils. When you wake up, use a refreshing spray to bring your coils back to life if necessary.

   • If you don’t want to tie your hair up in a scarf, use a satin or silk pillowcase (instead of a cotton pillowcase) to help prevent damage to your coils.
3. 3
   Apply mousse and leave-in conditioner to make your curls last all day. To make your curls last throughout the whole day, master hair stylist Nick Arrojo says to “use body-building foam or mousse then a curl crème or leave-in conditioner; if your hair is medium to thick or slightly coarse, use a gel or styling crème first, followed by a defrizz serum.”

   • Start by towel drying, but leave the hair damp. Apply a dime-sized amount of body-building foam or mousse from underneath and up (starting at your roots and going to your ends).
   • Then, apply your curl crème or leave-in conditioner just like you did the first. For thick hair, apply the defrizz serum after the crème or conditioner.
   • Finally, gently comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb if any knots remain, and gently squeeze your curls by cupping them in your hand and gently pushing them into place without applying pressure at the roots.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How do you get perfect finger coils?

  

  Nikia Londy
  Hair Augmentation Specialist

  Nikia Londy is a Hair Augmentation Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Intriguing Hair, a one-stop solution for women from all ethnicities wanting to purchase high-quality human hair extensions, hairpieces, and wigs. With over 16 years of experience, she specializes in artificial hair integrations, hair extensions, hair loss, hairpieces and wigs, and non-surgical hair replacement. Nikia holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak State College and received her Cosmetology Certification from Blaine Beauty School. She is also a member of the American Hair Loss Council.

  

  Nikia Londy

  Hair Augmentation Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Apply a curl-enhancing cream or lotion to part of your hair, making sure every part is evenly covered from top to bottom. After coiling your hair, apply more curl-enhancing cream for extra definition.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 10 Helpful 35
• Question

  Are finger coils bad for your hair?

  

  Nikia Londy
  Hair Augmentation Specialist

  Nikia Londy is a Hair Augmentation Specialist and the Founder and CEO of Intriguing Hair, a one-stop solution for women from all ethnicities wanting to purchase high-quality human hair extensions, hairpieces, and wigs. With over 16 years of experience, she specializes in artificial hair integrations, hair extensions, hair loss, hairpieces and wigs, and non-surgical hair replacement. Nikia holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak State College and received her Cosmetology Certification from Blaine Beauty School. She is also a member of the American Hair Loss Council.

  

  Nikia Londy

  Hair Augmentation Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Not at all! Finger coils are a simple, safe way to get gorgeous curls that will last for days.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 4 Helpful 41
• Question

  Can it still work with wavy or transitioning hair?

  

  Community Answer

  This style will work fine with wavy hair. The curls may not be as tight, but it'll still work. As for transitioning hair, your new growth will curl, but your straight ends won't. The style will not look pleasing at all; it will look messy.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 20 Helpful 53

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Tips

• Be patient, as coiling your hair may take a while. If you get tired, take a break and continue when you're ready.
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