Using Hair Rollers

Hairstyles come and go but hair rollers never go out of fashion. Whether heated, bendy or bristly, rollers are the ultimate tool for creating glamorous curls, stunning waves or simply injecting a little life and bounce to an otherwise boring hairstyle. Whichever hair roller you use, the key to successful curls lies in the way they are handled. Following a few simple tips can help minimize bad hair days while leaving you with perfect curls every time.

Choosing the right size


Hair rollers come in all manner of shapes and sizes so you need to choose the right roller for the type of curl you want .  If you’re after fullness or volume, then large rollers work best. Jumbo sized rollers are also better suited to long hair which can take ages to wind up. Smaller rollers are ideal for shorter hair styles or for producing lots of curls.


Types of rollers


Hair rollers are made from several different materials, some of which are only suitable for particular hair types or for using in certain situations.  For instance, Velcro rollers are designed to hold your hair in place without additional clips. As such they shouldn’t be used on dry or long hair as they can become impossibly tangled. Heated rollers are perfect for producing a bouncier curl and great for when you’re in a hurry whilst soft curlers are comfortable for sleeping in. If you’re using a hair dryer, then choose rollers with lots of holes to allow plenty of air flow for faster drying.


Preparing your hair


To create the best results and to make your life easier when putting your rollers in, ensure your hair is well trimmed  so there are no straggly ends. Bitty ends produce messy curls and can easily become tangled. And if your hair is particularly long, consider having a few layers cut since the extra weight of longer hair can quickly pull or drag your curls out. Your hair doesn’t have to be freshly washed before your curl it. In fact, dirtier hair often produces better curls and is easier to handle. For a little more staying power, spray your hair with a styling spray before winding your rollers in.


Using your rollers


Winding slightly damp hair onto rollers is often easier, plus it will result in a stronger and longer lasting curl. However, don’t roll up sopping wet hair as it will take forever to dry. When putting rollers in, always start at the end and smoothly wrap it around the roller. Try to keep each section of hair no wider than the width of your roller then carefully wind the roller up towards your head and secure with a clip.


Bendy curlers can be tricky to use but produce fabulous results. Starting about one third along, wrap your hair a couple of times around the roller to hold the ends in place, then wind the rest of your hair along the entire length of the roller while leaving some space at the end to bend the roller and secure your hair. If using Velcro rollers, ideally try not to wrap your hair around the roller any more than one and a half times.


Removing rollers


Before removing your rollers, make sure your hair is completely dry and cool first. Any trace of dampness will cause your curls to drop like a stone. When using heated rollers, the first one should be ready to come out by the time you’ve finished putting the rest in. And if you’re using a hair dryer, give your hair a blast of cool air which will help ‘set’ your curls. Try not to pull at your rollers when taking them out. Instead, gently unravel your hair while allowing the hair to naturally fall away. Pulling at your rollers is likely to remove most the curl at the same time.


Using hair rollers takes practice and finding the right roller for your desired curls may take a bit of experimentation. However, once you’ve mastered the technique, you’ll  find it easy creating your own curls and waves at home whilst saving a fortune at the hairdresser.