Heat protectant spray: Essential for protecting your hair from heat damage. Look for formulas with ingredients like argan oil, keratin, or panthenol that create a protective barrier between your hair and the high temperatures of styling tools. Apply generously from mid-shaft to ends before any heat styling. For disco curls, try products that offer heat protection up to 450°F, as you’ll need higher heat for long-lasting curl formation. Some premium options also contain UV filters to protect your styled hair from sun damage during daylight disco parties.
Curl hold spray or volumizing mousse: To help the curls hold their shape and add volume. Mousses provide lightweight, airy volume that won’t weigh down your disco curls, while curl-enhancing sprays help define the curl pattern. For fine hair, choose alcohol-free mousses that won’t dry out your strands. Those with thick hair should look for stronger-hold formulas containing polymers that provide lasting structure. Apply evenly to damp hair before blow-drying for the best foundation for heat styling. The best products for disco curls will provide 24-hour humidity resistance to prevent your voluminous style from falling flat at the discotheque.
Curling wand with a 1-inch or ¾ inch barrel: The smaller the barrel, the tighter the curls. For authentic 70s disco curls, consider a professional-grade ceramic or tourmaline wand that distributes heat evenly and reduces frizz. Adjustable temperature settings are crucial—fine hair typically needs 300-325°F, while thick or coarse hair might require 350-400°F for proper curl formation. Tapered wands create varied curl sizes for a more natural disco look, while straight barrels ensure uniform curls. The barrel’s material matters: ceramic heats evenly, titanium gets hotter faster (ideal for resistant hair), and tourmaline produces negative ions that help seal the cuticle for shinier disco curls.
Smooth and finish serum or lightweight hairspray: To tame flyaways and add shine. Silicone-based serums work wonders for creating that glossy, light-reflecting finish essential to disco-era glamour. Apply a pea-sized amount, warming between palms before distributing through mid-lengths and ends—never at the roots, which could diminish your hard-earned volume. For hairspray, choose flexible-hold varieties that combat humidity while allowing movement; aerosol formulations provide the most even distribution. Look for products containing light-reflecting particles specifically designed to enhance the vibrant, lustrous quality characteristic of disco hair.
Texture comb or wide-tooth comb: For gently separating the curls. Carbon fiber options reduce static electricity, which is especially important when working with synthetic wigs or extensions. The ideal wide-tooth comb for disco styling has teeth spaced approximately 4-5mm apart—wide enough to preserve curl definition but close enough to provide some control. Rounded tips prevent scalp scratching when teasing or backcombing. Some specialty combs feature a pointed handle for precise section parting, which becomes essential when creating the dramatic side parts often seen in classic disco styles.
Optional: Hair clips: To section your hair for easier styling. Professional-grade alligator or duckbill clips provide the strongest hold without creating crimps in your hair. Sectioning is crucial for disco curls, so invest in at least 6-8 clips that can securely hold thick sections. Metal clips conduct heat and should be kept away from hot tools, while silicone-coated options provide heat resistance when working close to already-curled sections. Color-coding your clips can help keep track of which sections have been curled—especially helpful for beginners tackling this elaborate style.
Optional: Volumizing shampoo and conditioner: To create a foundation of volume. These specialized formulations typically contain polymers and proteins that coat each strand, making hair appear fuller and providing lift at the roots—critical for achieving the impressive height of authentic disco styles. Look for products with wheat proteins or rice amino acids that plump the hair shaft without residue. Avoid silicone-heavy conditioners that can weigh hair down; instead, choose lightweight formulas with volumizing ingredients like panthenol or biotin. For maximum disco volume, concentrate conditioner from mid-lengths to ends only, keeping roots product-free.
Optional: Diffuser: If you have natural curls and want to enhance them. Bowl-shaped diffusers with longer “fingers” distribute airflow evenly while minimizing frizz—perfect for naturally curly hair types seeking disco volume without excessive heat styling. When diffusing for disco curls, use a lower speed and higher heat setting, cupping sections of hair in the diffuser and moving it toward the scalp to create maximum root lift. Some professional diffusers feature detachable fingers for customizable styling or ionic technology to reduce static and increase shine—both valuable features for achieving glossy disco curls.
Optional: Large hair rollers: To set the top section for extra volume. Velcro rollers (2-3 inches in diameter) provide exceptional lift at the crown—a signature element of the disco aesthetic. Self-gripping varieties eliminate the need for pins when setting your style. For the authentic Studio 54 look, heated rollers can be placed strategically at the crown while the sides and back are styled with your curling wand. Allow rollers to cool completely before removing to “set” the volume. Foam rollers can be slept in overnight for heat-free styling, though they typically create a tighter curl pattern than the voluminous waves associated with classic disco hair.
Optional: Texturizing spray: For added volume and hold. These dry, gritty formulations contain polymers and often rice starch or silica to create friction between hair strands, resulting in increased volume and that slightly “lived-in” texture perfect for disco curls. Apply at the roots in short bursts, then massage in with fingertips. The best texturizing sprays for disco styles provide volume without the stiffness of traditional hairspray and can be reactivated throughout the night by simply scrunching the hair. Some formulations contain subtle light-reflecting particles that enhance the vibrant, dynamic quality of disco curls under club lighting.
Optional: Root lift spray: For additional volume at the crown. These specialized products typically contain alcohol and polymer combinations that provide targeted lift exactly where disco styles need it most. Apply to damp roots before blow-drying upside down for maximum elevation. For the most dramatic disco volume, concentrate the product at the crown and around the face-framing layers. Some professional formulations include heat-activated ingredients that expand when exposed to blow dryer heat, creating even more impressive height that lasts through a night of dancing.
Optional: Teasing brush: For creating height at the roots. Look for brushes with mixed boar and nylon bristles—this combination provides the perfect grip for backcombing without causing excessive damage. The ideal teasing brush has a narrow profile and slightly firmer bristles in the center for controlled teasing. The technique is critical: hold 1-inch sections perpendicular to the head and brush downward toward the scalp in short, quick strokes. For authentic disco height, focus teasing efforts on the crown section and slightly at the temples, creating the dramatic silhouette characteristic of the era.
Optional: Shine spray: For that disco-ball shimmer effect. Unlike oils or serums, these lightweight, aerosol formulations contain light-reflecting particles that create dramatic shine without weighing down voluminous curls. Some premium versions include actual mica particles that catch and reflect light, mimicking the dazzling effect of disco balls under club lighting. Apply as a final step, holding the can 10-12 inches away and misting lightly over your finished style. For special occasions, look for formulations with subtle glitter particles that create the ultimate 70s disco glamour effect without appearing childish or costume-like.
