Table Of Content

I remember learning it myself and thinking, ugh, I’m never going to use this. It may seem like an outdated task because it’s not a frequent demand for salon clientele, but over a decade into my career, I can confidently say that hot rollers are still very relevant. In fact, behind many of our favorite red carpet hairstyles is a good roller set.
Start Rolling, With Special Attention to Direction and Size
She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. When your hair is about 90% dry, you want to take a round hairbrush and blow-dry one section at a time before placing the roller into the hair. But with such a wide variety of options, it's hard to know where to start and which hair curlers to use to get the texture you desire. We hit up a few hairstylists to find out just how to navigate the wonderful world of curlers, so you don't get lost in the sauce when you're at the beauty supply shop, IRL, or online.

Conair Xtreme Instant Heat Hot Rollers
He calls this volumizing spray "amazing" and says it's the perfect finishing product for hot rollers. If you want to refresh your blowout on the go and don't need to do your entire head, try this set of five rollers from Conair. Each roller is one and a half inches, so you're going to get a bouncy, full finish. This is also a great option for anyone who wants to give their curtain bangs or face-framing layers a little extra oomph. To give curls some staying power, Olivia recommends prepping strands with a light misting of a working hairspray, like Oribe Freestyler.
How to Use Hot Rollers for a Blowout
Runway-esque waves that offer more volume than you’ve ever seen. Three roller sizes allow you to easily cover your entire head with curls. Plus, this kit comes with specially designed J-clips, which securely hold the rollers in your hair with less creasing. To achieve tight curls, you'll want to use the smallest rollers available in your set. While these questions are all valid, using hot rollers doesn't have to be a high maintenance task—in fact, they're designed not to be.
How do you prep your hair for hot rollers?
"The longer you leave them in, the better the results." Now is the perfect time to do your makeup or scroll on your phone for outfit inspo. If you've ever given yourself big, bouncy curls, you know the feeling of pure defeat when your curls deflate mere hours — or minutes — after styling. This is especially common when you have long hair, as the weight of your hair can put tension on the curl, causing it to quickly unravel. Then, you'll want to carefully remove each roller and gently shake out the curls with your fingers. "Finally, use hair spray to set once the rollers are removed to ensure longevity of the look," he says.
They come in two, large sizes, so your long hair can get a mix of waves and loose curls when all is said and done. The roll up is smooth (no snagging) and the release is always flawless thanks to the ceramic barrel. While there are great options for every hair type and texture out there, the size of the barrel and number of rollers required is going to differ from person to person. To get a better idea of what to look for—and shop the best hot rollers on the market—keep scrolling. We’re sharing our editor-approved favorites tools, and sharing a guide on how to use hot rollers, ahead. Unlike the wet sets of yore, you're going to want to start out with dry hair before using your hot rollers (after washing and detangling, that is).
Conair 20-Piece Hot Rollers with Clips
“A texture spray is key for giving the perfect separation of the curl,” she says. This hot roller set includes 12 rollers that have two different sizes. The set comes with four super-jumbo rollers and eight jumbo rollers. Each creates full, long-lasting curls that even your favorite curling wand can’t replicate. Let them heat up, then take a one-inch section of hair and roll your hair. For more voluminous curls, leave the rollers in for 20 minutes, and for looser waves, let them sit for 10 minutes or less, then unroll.
How to Use Hot Rollers for Beach Waves
"This is usually around 10 minutes, but this depends on the thickness of your hair." The safest bet is to keep them in until they're totally cold to the touch before removing. If you want to speed up the cooling-down process, try blasting the cold shot setting on your hair dryer over the rollers. This will be different for everyone and down to personal preference, but if you want to add volume to your roots, Merrick-Thirlway recommends applying them in such a way. I personally prefer rolling them over for some face-framing curls. These thermal Velcro rollers are made to be used without clips for an easier styling experience.
Best for Fine Hair
Styling product–wise, you'll want to look for products that add hold without weighing down the hair. Try L'Oréal Professionnel Tecni Art Pli, which hairstylists love for adding weightless hold to hairstyles, or JVN Complete Blowdry Styling Milk through the lengths. When curling long hair, you need to utilize large-size rollers to ensure all strands are securely wrapped.
How to Use Hot Rollers to Give Your Hair Major Volume - Who What Wear UK
How to Use Hot Rollers to Give Your Hair Major Volume.
Posted: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. For healthy waves with a heaping side of gloss and bounce, follow these steps. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Here, several stylists explain how to use them to get these popular, volume-boosting looks.
The rods move seamlessly through thicker hair without creating tangles. Unlike hot rollers, flexi-rods work well in damp and wet hair. As long as you prep your hair, using rollers doesn’t have a laundry list of instructions — but the experts do have a few hacks to share when using hair rollers.
"Hot rollers can enhance and define natural waves, creating a more polished and uniform look," says Porsche. "They can also help to smooth and refine curls, giving them a softer, more controlled appearance." Neill recommends this light-hold hair spray to keep your style in place post-rollers. These days, I rely on a few volume-boosting products, including texturizing spray and dry shampoo (I swear nothing lifts my roots quite like dry shampoo). When I really want volume, though—like '90s-style volume—I'll reach for my secret weapon. It's an old-school hair product that gives me the lift and bounce I've always wanted.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Laurren Welch is a freelance editor, writer, and creative who covers lifestyle, interiors, entertaining, fashion, and more. When she’s not under deadline, you can find her styling blooms over at Garden Party L.A., scouring thrift and antique stores for hidden gems, and reminding her boxer pup, Monster, that he’s a very good boy. Erica Marrison is an editorial assistant at Shop TODAY, where she covers fashion, beauty and more. When she’s not at TODAY, Erica can be found reading, cooking and investigating the latest news in pop culture.