How to Curler Set Hair

Curler-setting is gentler alternative to curling irons.

If you want to sport a curly style or if you simply want to add some body to your hair, curler-setting will help you to achieve that look. Curler-styling can be done without using heat, as the curlers are rolled into wet hair and are left in until the hair is dry. Hot irons and curling irons will weaken the hair and dry it out, causing breakage. Curler-setting will give your locks the curls you desire, with less damage.

Things You'll Need

• 20-40 magnetic rollers
• 20-40 roller clips or pins
• Wide-tooth comb
• Hair dryer
• Setting lotion

Instructions

1. Shampoo and condition your hair. Curler-set results are best with a clean, conditioned head of hair. Take styling scissors and trim away any split or frayed ends. Apply hair setting lotion for a tighter curl.

2. De-tangle the hair using a wide-tooth comb, which will not pull the hair and cause breakage. Hair is at its most fragile when it is wet. Comb the hair until it's smooth and tangle-free before you attempt to curler set. Hair will dry frizzy if not smoothed with a comb.

3. Part the hair in three sections from the front to the back of the head. Use hair pins to secure the sides, leaving the top and center looking like a Mohawk. With a comb, part the front of the hair in a half-inch section. Extend the hair with the comb to smooth the hair. Start at the end of the hair and begin to roll it around the curler until you get to the scalp. Take a hair pin and secure the curler.

4. Part hair in half-inch sections and roll-pin until you reach the back of the head. Loosen one side and part hair in half-inch sections starting from the top of the hair. If you want your hair to fall towards your face, roll the hair downwards towards your shoulders. If you want the hair to fall towards the back, roll your hair in the same direction as the top until you reach the back of the head. How the curler is rolled will determine volume and direction of the hair. Continue until your entire head is curler-set.

5. Set hair dryer for medium heat. Drying times will depend on the length and the thickness of your hair. Start with 30 minutes and test the dryness of the hair by removing a curler from the top of the head. Hair is usually longest at the top. If the hair is still damp, stay under the dryer another 20 minutes and test for dryness again. Shoulder length hair should take no longer than one hour.

6. Remove the curlers after the hair is dry. Take your fingers and pull the hair to just loosen, so the curls will fall. Sleep with a satin cap or satin pillow. Satin caps can be found at most beauty or hair supply stores. Satin pillowcases can be found at most linen retailers. Satin will help keep your style longer. The hair will slide across the fabric and keep your curls in place between washes.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a hair spray to maintain your curler style.

• Allow hair to air dry if you do not want to use the heat from the hair dryer.

• Use small rollers for tight curls and big rollers for loose curls.

• Do not curler-set your hair too tight, you can pull the hair and cause breakage and baldness.

References

• Black Women Beauty Central: Want To Learn How To Roller Set Hair
• Long Healthy Hair Advisor: How to Roller Set Natural Hair
• Style Hair Magazine: Roller Setting Techniques To Create Voluptuous Curls

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Hair Finder: Long Hair Roller Set