I'm using a Babyliss automatic hair curler at 230 C heat but my curls turn out weird, they're in fizzy spirals instead of actual curls. If I try to brush them at all they fall out so I can't make them look more natural. Even then they don't last more than 4-5 hours.

I use a heat protection that's supposed to add some hold as well, and I separately tried using a hairspray and a salt spray on the finished curls. I also pin the curls to my head while they cool.

I got some advice to use a hairspray before curling so I'll be giving that a shot, but is there anything else I could use/try? I've been considering returning the hair curler as it's still new but is the curler the problem or is it me?

Also I tried it on my mom whose hair is pretty thin and the curls weren't forming at all. My hair is thick.