1. Don't put hairspray on hair before you use the curling iron. (Or any Mousse, or anything else)
2. Curl the hair after it has been washed and blow dried, it gives it a more natural look, and a softer touch;
3. Make sure you're using suitable curling iron. They need to be a good temperature. The best curling irons are probably GHD or CHI. (If you have none of these, then your curling irons need to heat up to about 220 degrees, because the weak degree would be a big factor in why your curls drop out);
4. A really good hairspray, the best one is L'oreal Studio Fix, because it dries like rock, but still looks really natural and shiny. Or, Tresseme Strong Hold, because it's really strong, and smells gorgeous!!
If you want large curls, try this method:
Roll the curls in a spiral pattern (but not all the way to the root) with large hot rollers. Then use hairspray to spray them all and leave them in until they are cooled down. Then give them a second spray and a good heat up with a blow dryer (blow them on cool setting). After they are all cool again, remove the rollers (just let them drop out), but don't comb out the curls --- just separate them with your fingers. And then spray again. In this way, you can get perfect large curls and last all day!
Here are some other related articles on taking care of curls:
