Hot Rollers on Curly Hair

Create bouncy curls and beach-y waves using the right styling tools. Hot rollers can turn frizzy curls into shiny ringlets. Choose the right kind of rollers for your hair type and chosen style. Wrap your locks around curlers for beautiful waves. Set your hair in rollers and finish getting ready for a night out while beautiful ringlets form.

Roller Size

The size of the hot roller will determine the size of your curls. Small ¾-inch rollers will give you tight coils. Large 1 1/2 inch rollers will produce large glamour waves.

Simple Wrapping Technique

Start with dry or almost completely dry hair. Separate a section of hair that is the same width as the hot roller. Use a setting product, such as a curl spray or a light-hold hairspray, to spray the section of hair, being sure to cover the underneath portion of hair as well as the roots. Comb the product through the hair once. Wrap the hair around the roller starting with your ends, keeping them tucked under. Roll down to the scalp, keeping hair taut, and secure with a clip or pin. The angle at which you combed your hair to separate a section is the same angle at which the roller will sit. If you notice the hair is loose while you're wrapping, move the roller from side to side to pick up the slack. Stagger your rollers to avoid uniform curls. After removing the rollers, flip your head upside down and finger-comb your hair.

Roller Location

The spot on your head where the hot roller sits will determine how voluminous your style will be and which direction your hair will curl. For example, a roller secured tight to your crown will give you volume on the scalp. A roller that droops down towards the cheek will make the hair flat against the crown and curly from the cheek down. To get extra volume, comb the top sections of your hair forward, and wrap. Comb the lower sections outwards, horizontally past your ears, and wrap.

Securing Rollers

To secure hot rollers, use plastic jaw clips clamped over the top of the roller and hair. Hot rollers are heavy and the clips won't be able to clamp onto the scalp, so the rollers will sag a bit.

Fine Hair

If your curly hair is fine or thin, hot rollers aren't the best option since they weigh more than other rollers and don't support strands at the root. Using hot rollers on fine hair can lead to breakage. Self-grip rollers will work best on this hair type.

References

• Style Hair Magazine: Curly Hair
• Washingtonian: A Curl's Best Friend