What Are Utah Curls? The Viral MomTok Hairstyle Explained

Photo by Steve Eichner/Variety via Getty Images

What Are Utah Curls?

Unlike the messy, tousled curly look that celebs like Kylie Jenner love to rock, Utah curls are all about perfection, which is reminiscent of the overall Mormon culture. The Moms of #MomTok like Paul and Jessi Draper are quick to dive into and discuss these “high beauty standards” on the show, and the now infamous hairstyle is no different. The group loves to wear the style that features subtle waves that are achieved by a barrel curling iron. If you have extensions, even better, as most of the girls have the same hair length and end up looking quite similar when they’re showcasing their Utah curls.

According to Draper in a Utah curls tutorial she posted on Instagram, the key to Utah curls is getting them to go all in the same direction, so don’t even think about alternating the direction of your curling iron. Uniformity is key, along with the right products, tools, and patience.

Photo by JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images

How to Do Utah Curls at Home

Utah curls may look polished and effortless on screen, but don’t be fooled—perfection rarely happens in five minutes. If you want that signature MomTok bounce, prepare for a few steps (okay… more than a few).

Step 1: Start with clean and dry hair. 

Draper also adds that beginning with straight hair is helpful. Wash and dry your hair with a frizz-fighting smoothing shampoo, like the FOXYBAE HAIR Maliboo Smooth Anti-frizz Shampoo. From there, begin to section off the top layers of your hair so you can start from the bottom layers and work your way up. 

Step 2: Choose your curling iron. 

Draper says using a curling iron that has a 1¼-inch barrel is key for this look. We love the CONAIR Double Ceramic curling iron for this, but truthfully any kind will do as long as it’s this size. 

Step 3: Make sure your curling iron is vertical and faces outward. 

Draper says you want the clamp to face outward (so if you’re curling in front of a mirror, it should be facing the mirror), and you should always hold it up vertically. This ensures the curls are uniform every time and the perfect amount of tightness.

Step 4: Work in 1-inch sections. 

This can be a bit tedious, especially if you have a lot of hair or extensions, so patience is key. Keeping the same sized sections of hair will also keep the look cohesive. As soon as you grab a 1-inch section, place it towards the bottom clamp of the barrel, and begin curling away from your face. The hair should automatically twist towards the upper part of the barrel. 

Step 5: Release and re-twist. 

If you have long hair, you’re definitely going to have to release the barrel, pull it outward a little in the same section of hair, and retwist the hair to get all of it.

Photo by JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images

Step 6: Let the hair set.

Once you have done step 4, untwist the entire piece of hair to release it from the barrel, while still keeping the bottom piece of the hair clamped in. This should release the strand of hair into a tight twist. Then you can release the clamped piece and leave the tight twist as is. 

Step 7: Watch out for layers.

If you have a 1-inch piece of hair to curl and they are of varying lengths due to layers, make sure to separate out the pieces by length and curl those individually. Draper says this helps keep the layers seamlessly blended into the rest of the curls. 

Step 8. Set all your hard work.

Once your entire hair is curled and twisted, reach for your favorite flexible hold hair spray and go to town spraying each tightly twisted piece. For this, we’re fans of LIVING PROOF Style Lab® Flex Hairspray that has vitamin B5 to pack on the shine. 

Step 9: Brush it out and add more shine.

After your hairspray dries, you’re free to brush out the curls to create smooth, uniform waves. If you want even more shine on your strands because you’re filming your own reality show (or, just, you know, your Instagram story), you can add a little hair oil from the middle of the strand to the ends. We reach for the PACIFICA BEAUTY Jasmine Agave Strength + Shine Hair Oil for this.

Final Thoughts

Utah curls might look effortless on TikTok and reality TV, but the secret is actually precision. The signature look comes from uniform curls, consistent sectioning, and brushing everything out for that polished, glossy finish. Whether you’re recreating the style for a night out or just experimenting with the latest viral hair trend, Utah curls prove that sometimes the most structured styles can still feel fresh and modern.