Sweeping Over Shoulder Curls

Use heated rollers in place of Velcro rollers to set lasting curls.

If you have ever attempted to style a mass of shoulder-grazing curls, you know that creating curls is not the tricky part; preserving curls is the troublesome task. After laborious effort and the achievement of your desired style, the slightest movement can straighten your curls. The key to achieving a dramatic, sweeping style that lasts throughout the day is to set the hair with heat and let it cool in that arrangement. Armed with the appropriate techniques, your voluminous curls are here to stay.

Things You'll Need

• Heated rollers with clips
• Hairbrush
• Mousse or pre-styling cream
• Hairdryer
• Hair styling lotion

Instructions

1. Preheat a set of heated rollers. This allows them to reach maximum heat by the time you need them.

2. Wash your hair according to your routine. Squeeze as much moisture out of your hair as possible as you towel dry it.

3. Brush your hair to remove tangles. Apply the directed amount of mousse or pre-styling cream to your palm. Rub your palms together. Run your hands through your hair to distribute the product.

4. Dry your hair with a hairdryer. Run your fingers through your hair instead of a brush so that it dries with its natural texture. Dry your hair 95 percent of the way. A minimal amount of dampness aids in setting the curls.

5. Brush your hair to remove tangles. Separate a 1 1/2- to 2-inch section of hair at the front center of your hairline.

6. Brush through the section to smooth it. Hold the end of the section with your non-dominant hand. Pull it taut away from your head. It should resemble a long, broad spike.

7. Lift the lid of the heated roller case with your dominant hand. Remove a roller from the device. Close the lid so that the rollers do not cool. Hold the roller horizontally behind the hair against the end of the section.

8. Lay the hair ends against the barrel of the curler. Hold the hair against the barrel with your fingers. Roll the curler down. The barrel is hot but this motion is quick, therefore the heat should not harm you.

9. Move your fingers to the plastic holders at the ends of the roller once you have secured the hair around the barrel. Roll the curler down to your scalp. Place the corresponding clip or pin around the hair-wrapped barrel to secure the roller.

10. Repeat the process to section and roll all of your hair. Turn the heated device off. Allow the curlers to stay in your hair until the barrel and hair are both room temperature, about 30 to 60 minutes. It is safe to leave the curlers in longer.

11. Hold the plastic edge of the last roller you placed in your hair. Keep the roller in place as you remove the clip and set it aside. Unroll your hair gently. Let it fall away from the barrel naturally. Do not pull it. Place the roller back in the heating device.

12. Repeat the process to unroll all of your hair. Apply a pea-sized bead of styling cream to your palm. Rub your hands together. Run your fingers through your hair to smooth the curls. Brush 1 to 2 inches at the bottom of each curl to soften its appearance or loosen the coil, if desired. Apply a light layer of hairspray to set the curls.

Tips & Warnings

• The rollers should have at least a 1-inch diameter to achieve thick, full curls. Use a set of rollers with heated clips, if possible. The clips are plastic with metal lining, and they preheat with the rollers. Using heated clips doubles the heat on your hair and sets it more effectively.

• Avoid putting hair products, like mousse, cream, or lotion, on your roots. The product can weight your roots down, making them look greasy.

• Always wrap hair tightly around a roller. Slack in the hair allows air into the arrangement, cooling the roller before it sets the hair effectively.

• Put on your top or dress before you roll your hair if the garment must go over your head.