How to Roll Hair in Curlers

Do you dream of having glamorous, Veronica Lake style hair? Using curlers is a simple way to give your hair lift, body and a head full of beautiful curls or waves, even if the hair you were born with is straight as a board. With practice you’ll be able to roll your hair quickly and easily and achieve movie starlet worthy hair. Read on to learn how to roll hair in curlers.

Things You'll Need

• Curlers (foam, plastic, velcro or hot rollers)
• Bobby pins or some other type of clip to hold the curlers in place
• Styling gel
• Hair spray
• Comb
• Silk scarf

Instructions

1. Wash your hair and blot it dry with a clean towel. Your hair will not be completely dry, but should not be dripping.

2. Use a small amount of styling gel. Work it evenly throughout the length of your hair.

3. Comb your hair so that there are no tangles.

4. Starting in the front of the top of your head, use the comb to section off a small piece of hair to roll onto the first curler. The section of hair should be about the same width as the curler.

5. Put the ends of the section of hair on the curler and carefully roll it down and backward until you reach your head. Secure the curler with a bobby pin or a clip.

6. Section off another small portion of hair right behind the first roller and do the same thing. Continue sectioning and rolling until all of your hair is in curlers.

7. On the top of your head, the hair should be rolled away from your face.

8. On the sides and in the back, the hair should be rolled downward.

9. Wait a few hours for your hair to dry completely.

10. Put a silk scarf on your head to secure the curlers if you wear them overnight.

11. Once your hair is dry, give it a spritz of hair spray to give your curls all-day hold.

12. Gently remove the curlers one by one, being careful not to pull on your hair and damage the curls.

13. Run your fingers through your hair for a tousled look or brush through them for a head full of sophisticated waves. Give it some more hair spray, and you are ready to go.

Tips & Warnings

• Use smaller curlers and roll the hair tighter to get curlier hair.

• Use larger curlers for looser curls or waves.

• If you are using hot rollers, then start with dry hair and remove them after a few minutes when they are cool to the touch.

• Pulling on the curlers while removing them can result in frizzy hair.

Resources

• This blog has a wonderful tutorial with pictures, showing you how to roll your hair on hot rollers and get gorgeous results.
• This article explains in detail how to roll wet hair. It has diagrams showing where to place the curlers on your head in order to get the best results.