How to Set & Dress Hair

Set it, dress it--voluminous curls

Setting and dressing hair is a simple process of creating form to your locks with rollers and heat. Magnetic roller sets are among the most popular, however there are many different types of rollers that can be used to create curls including cloth Curlformers rollers and the sponge-like, flexi rod rollers. Choose rollers depending on your hair texture and the type of curl that you want to create: Curlformers are great for textured hair (wavy, curly, kinky); magnetic rollers are better for shorter hair and bigger curls; while flexi-rods are the most versatile in both size, hair texture and curl type.

Things You'll Need

• 1 or 2 packs of rollers, depending on hair length and thickness
• Bottle of setting lotion (choose according to hair type)
• Pack of metal hair pins
• Hooded dryer (optional)
• Jar of pomade, hair dress, hair oil or moisturizing cream (choose according to hair type)

Instructions

1. Wet your hair. Freshly cleansed and conditioned hair is best, since healthy hair is less susceptible to damage. For curly or kinky textures, starting with soaking wet hair will give strands the stretch needed to wrap hair smoothly around rollers.

2. Section hair into four equal sections. Fasten each section with a plastic butterfly clip.

3. Apply setting lotion to one section. Detangle the hair in that section before applying a light setting lotion.

4. Take 1/2- to 2-inch sections of hair (depending on hair length and thickness) and wrap the hair around one roller, beginning at the ends and rolling upward toward the scalp. Secure the roller by sliding a metal hair pin between the scalp and the roller. Repeat rolling until the entire head is rolled and all strands are accounted for.

5. Dry your hair completely. Do this by sitting under a hooded dryer or allowing the hair to air-dry. Be sure there are no wet or damp spots before removing rollers. Remove each roller carefully by removing the hair pin first then unraveling curls.

6. Dress the hair by applying a light pomade or hair dress. To ensure a light application, rub a dollop of the product in between both hands and distribute lightly throughout your hair for shine. Curly and kinky textures may benefit from a heavier oil or cream.

References

• Curlformers: For Curls on Curls
• Curls, Coils and Kinks: Flexi Rod Experimentation
• Long Healthy Hair Advisor: Roller Set Natural Hair