How to Use Hot Rollers

Hot rollers create all types or curls and come in many shapes and sizes. Stick rollers are quick and easy to use, steam rollers create extra curl, and velvet covered ceramic rollers create body and bounce. You can flip you hair out, curl it up, or wave it into shape depending on how you roll it. Roll up to flip, down for body, and longwise for spirals.

Instructions

1. Decide if hot rollers are right for the look you want to achieve. Rollers create bouncy rolling curls and a great for hair that resists curling. If your hair has a lot of natural wave or frizz, hot rollers might give you too much curl and make you look a bit like a French poodle unless you just roll them loosely into the bottom third of your hair.

2. Start with clean, completely dry hair. Be sure that the hot rollers are completely heated up (most rollers have an indictor light to let you know) to get the best results. Start with the hair closet to your face, and work from the front to the back. Go from your crown down until you reach the nape of your neck.

3. Separate a section to curl with a comb or pick and be sure the section is tangle free. Spray each section with hairspray before you roll for maximum curl, or skip the hairspray to get loose, controlled waves.

4. Lift the section straight out and away from your head with one hand and then grab the roller with your dominant hand. Avoid burning yourself on the middle of the hot roller, and carefully wrap the ends of the hair around the barrel and then roll it up to the base of the scalp. Secure with a pin or clip.

5. Choose smaller rollers for tighter, more noticeable curl and volume, and choose larger rollers for looser curls. Spray rolled hair with hairspray, and then leave in until the rollers are cool to the touch, or about 20 minutes.

6. Unroll the rollers in the direction you rolled them for softer curls, or pull the roller vertically through the curl and down toward your shoulder to create spiral ringlets.

7. Separate the curls with your fingers or a wide tooth comb, and style as usual. If you don't have enough curl, go through with a large-barrel curling iron and touch up the curls. If you have too much curl, dampen the curls and pull through with a wide tooth comb to release them.

Resources

• Tips for using hot rollers
• Tips and types of hot curlers