To section hair for blow-drying or heat styling, split it into a bottom, middle and top layer with horizontal partings, clip the upper layers out of the way, and work from the nape upward in pieces no wider than your brush or tool. Sectioning means every strand gets the same heat for the same time, so hair dries faster, styles hold better, and you are not passing hot tools over the same top layer again and again.
Why does sectioning make such a difference?
- Even results. The hair underneath is the thickest part and the hardest to reach. Without sections it stays damp or unstyled.
- Less heat overall. One proper pass per section replaces several rushed passes over the surface.
- Speed. It feels slower, but a head of hair dried in order finishes sooner than one dried at random.
- Longer-lasting styles. Curls and smoothness set properly when each piece is fully dried and cooled.
What do you need?
- Four to six sectioning clips. Alligator clips grip well on thick hair
- A tail comb for clean partings
- Your brush or heat tool
- Heat protectant
The basic four-section method
- Detangle and apply heat protectant.
- Part from ear to ear over the top of the head with the tail of the comb. This separates front from back.
- Split the back horizontally at about the level of the ears. Twist the upper back section and clip it at the crown.
- Split the front down the middle, or along your usual parting. Twist each side and clip it forward or up.
- You now have the nape section hanging loose. Start there.
How many sections do you need?
| Hair | Layers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fine or short | Two: under and top | Two or three clips are enough |
| Medium thickness | Three: nape, middle, top | The standard approach |
| Thick or long | Four or more | Split each layer left and right as well |
| Curly, being straightened | Four to six, with small pieces | Small sections need fewer passes |
Sectioning for a blow-dry
- Rough-dry until hair is about 80 percent dry. Sectioning soaking hair wastes time.
- Set up the layers as above.
- From the nape layer, take a piece as wide as your brush and about as thick as the brush barrel.
- Dry it from roots to ends with the airflow pointing down the hair. Finish with cool air.
- Continue across the nape, then release the next layer: unclip, draw a new horizontal parting a few centimeters higher, and re-clip the rest.
- Finish with the top and the hair around your face.
Sectioning for a flat iron
- Hair must be completely dry.
- Take pieces no wider than the plates and thin enough that heat passes through in one glide, roughly one to two centimeters thick.
- Work from the nape up. Comb each piece smooth before the iron touches it.
Sectioning for a curling iron or wand
- Use the same layers, with pieces about two to three centimeters wide.
- Smaller pieces give tighter curls. Larger pieces give looser waves.
- Let each curl cool before you release the next layer on top of it. Clipping curls in a loop while they cool helps them hold.
How do you clip sections so they stay put?
- Gather the section and twist it once or twice toward the crown.
- Coil it flat against the head.
- Slide the clip in from the side, so the jaws hold the twist against the hair beneath.
- Place clips away from the area you are working on, so they are not in the way of the dryer.
A set with clips and a tail comb
The Uexim 9-piece hair sectioning set includes alligator clips for holding sections and a pointed-tail comb for parting, for sectioning and styling at the salon or at home. The pieces are plastic and there are nine in the set. See the product photos for exactly what is included.
Common mistakes
- Sections that are too big. The middle stays damp or unstyled.
- Starting at the top. The finished top layer then gets disturbed while you work underneath.
- Uneven partings. Pieces from different layers get mixed. Use the tail of the comb.
- Letting clipped hair dry in a twist. If the upper layers are drying out, mist them lightly before styling.
- Resting hot tools against plastic clips. Keep clips clear of plates and barrels unless they are described as heat resistant.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to section short hair?
Two layers are enough: clip the top up, dry underneath, then let the top down.
How big should each section be?
About the width of your brush or tool, and thin enough for air or heat to pass through.
What clips are best for sectioning?
Alligator clips hold thick sections firmly. Duckbill clips suit finer hair and smaller pieces.
Does sectioning really save time?
Yes for most hair, because each piece is done once and done properly.
The bottom line
Clip the top layers up, start at the nape, and work in pieces matched to your tool. A few clips and a tail comb turn heat styling into an orderly, quicker job.
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