How to Do Piggyback Curls for African American Hair

The wide variation of textures in African-American hair can make styling a challenge, but can also create opportunities for some lovely and creative hairstyles. Creating piggyback curls in long hair takes some time and effort, but the result is a head of beautiful, cascading waves.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Moisturizing shampoo for black hair
• Conditioner for black hair
• Spray hair gel or setting lotion
• Wide, flat-toothed bristle brush
• Comb
• Hair rollers, medium size
• Hair clips

1. Shampoo hair with moisturizing shampoo and condition it well. Brush it with a wide, flat-toothed brush to remove any tangles.
2. Spray the hair with spray gel or setting lotion and using a comb, separate a small section of hair.
3. Lay the hair neatly over the roller and clip the roller securely in place as closely to the scalp as possible. Maintain steady, even tension and keep the hair smooth as you roll the hair. Spray on a little more spray gel as you work
4. Add another roller directly next to the first roller, over the top of the hair, with the roller close to the scalp. Bring the section of hair up and around the second roller and clip the roller in place next to the first.
5. Wrap the hair completely around a third roller that will sit on top of the other two like a pyramid. Clip the third roller in place.
6. Continue dividing the hair into small sections and apply three piggyback rollers to each section until all of the hair is rolled.
7. Allow the hair the dry and carefully remove the rollers. Let the hair drop into soft, balanced curls, arranging them carefully with your fingers.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose larger rollers for soft, gentle waves and smaller ones for tighter, ripply waves.