Here are the steps to curl hair with a curling iron:

1. Prep your hair: Before you begin, make sure your hair is clean and dry. If your hair is freshly washed, let it air dry or blow dry it until it's just damp. If your hair is oily or greasy, wash it or use dry shampoo to refresh it.

2. Divide your hair: Use a comb or brush to divide your hair into sections. The smaller the sections, the tighter the curls will be. If you want loose, beachy waves, take larger sections.

3. Apply heat protectant: To protect your hair from heat damage, apply a heat protectant product to each section before you begin curling.

4. Choose the right curling iron: There are different sizes of curling irons available, from small barrel irons for tight spirals to larger barrel irons for loose waves. Choose the size of the iron based on the type of curls you want.

5. Heat the curling iron: Set your curling iron to the right temperature based on your hair type. For fine or damaged hair, a lower temperature is recommended, while for thicker or coarser hair, a higher temperature may be necessary.

6. Start curling: Take one section of hair and wrap it around the curling iron, starting from the roots and working your way down to the tips. Hold the hair in place for a few seconds, then release it. Repeat this process with each section of hair until you've curled all of your hair.

7. Set the curls: To help the curls hold their shape, mist your hair with a light-hold hairspray. If you want more defined curls, you can also use hairpins or clips to set the curls while they cool.

8. Finish with a cool blast: After you've set the curls, blast them with a cool blast of air from your hair dryer. This will help to set the curls and make them last longer.

Remember to be gentle when handling your hair and avoid using too much heat, as this can damage your hair.