How to Use Hair Rollers: Velcro, Hot, and Foam Rollers

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A complete guide for creating professional-style curls at home

Co-authored by Karen Leight and Eric McClure

Last Updated: April 19, 2024 Fact Checked

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Velcro Rollers

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Hot Rollers

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Foam Rollers

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Expert Q&A

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Hair rollers are one of the easiest styling tools to use if you’re looking for beautiful, voluminous curls but don’t want to fiddle with a curling iron. But what curlers should you use and how do you use them? We interviewed studio owner and veteran stylist Karen Leight to get her insight on how to use hair rollers correctly to get the curls of your dreams.

Things You Should Know

Use Velcro rollers if you don’t want to wash your hair or you’re in a rush.
Choose hot rollers if you want strong curls, or foam rollers if you don't want to use heat.
To use curlers, divide your hair into sections and roll your hair from the ends to your head.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Velcro Rollers

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1
Use Velcro rollers to add volume with softer curls. Velcro rollers are ideal if for soft, voluminous curls but don’t want that tight-curled Shirley Temple look. These rollers are easy to use and don’t require any heat or wet hair.^{[1]
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- There are two types of Velcro rollers: mesh and aluminum. Never heat the mesh rollers. You can use heat with the aluminum rollers if you want, although it’s not mandatory.
- The advantage of mesh rollers is that they’re just more forgiving. It’s easier to bend and adjust them if you make a mistake.
2
Wash and condition your hair for tighter curls. If you want to wet-set your hair (curl it when wet), wash and shampoo your hair the way you normally would. Squeeze the moisture from your hair in the shower, but don't towel dry it. Comb through wet hair to remove any knots.^{[2]
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- Velcro rollers should never be used in very wet hair. Air or blow dry your hair until it is slightly damp before using them.
- Wet-setting will give your curls a little more tightness and staying power.
- For many people, the whole point of Velcro rollers is that they’re fast and don’t require wet hair though, so it’s okay to skip this step.
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3
Divide your hair into sections. Part your hair at the left and right temples. Aim for at least three sections: one over each ear and one at the top of your head. Leave the back alone for now.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.}
- Use the width of the roller to help guide the size of your sections. If you need to use more sections for smaller rollers, that’s totally okay!
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Roll the first section up starting at the end of your hair. Comb the first section forward and then hold it up away from your head. Then, grab the roller and press it against the hair. The Velcro will grip the hair and hold it in place. Roll the roller towards your head and go all the way down to your scalp.^{[4]
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- Secure the roller with a pin or clip if it feels like the roller is going to come undone.
- Whether you roll on top of the end of your hair or underneath the end of your hair is totally a matter of taste. Your hair will curl in whatever direction you choose.
- Run a bit of hair gel or smoothing cream through your hair before rolling it if you want more staying power!
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Continue rolling each of your sections the same way. For each section of your hair, comb it out away from you, hold it in place, and set a roller at the end. and roll the curls away from your face.^{[5]
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- If you want very small tight curls, use small rollers and put them close together. If you want larger curls, use larger rollers and make your sections longer.
- If you want a touch of staying power but don’t feel like bothering with gels or creams, just spritz your hair with some hairspray when you’re done.
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Heat your curls or wait an hour to set them. If you want to avoid heat on your hair, just leave your rollers in for at least an hour before unraveling your hair. Alternatively, blow dry your hair with the rollers in.^{[6]
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- If you blow dry, allow the rollers to stay in about 15 minutes after you've dried your hair to cool and set the curls.
- The longer you leave the rollers in, the tighter your curls will be when you take the rollers out.
- To take the rollers out, just remove any pins or clips and then unravel each roller the same way you put it in.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Hot Rollers

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1
Use hot rollers instead of a curler if you have fine hair. Want that big, dramatic blow out look but don’t want to expose your hair to a lot of heat? Hot rollers are ideal for you! These rollers heat up on a little stand so that they’re warm when you put them in your hair and cool off slowly over time.^{[7]
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- This is preferable to a red-hot curling iron because it puts way less stress on your hair.
- If you have fine hair but you don’t want really expressive, voluminous curls, just use Velcro rollers. The heat isn’t necessary for softer curls.
If you have curly or wavy hair, blow dry your hair straight before rolling. This will help you set smooth, uniform curls.^{[8]
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Preheat your rollers on the stand they came with. Hot rollers must be preheated to get them to the optimal temperature before you begin rolling. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you have a hot roller set with variable temperatures, you may need to experiment to find the right setting for your hair.^{[9]
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- For tighter, spiral curls use small rollers and a high temperature. For softer, looser curls use larger rollers and a low temperature.
4
Apply a heat-protecting product to your hair. If you’re using a higher temperature, apply a heat protectant spray to your hair before adding the rollers. Distribute the product evenly throughout your dry hair before you start adding the rollers.^{[10]
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- If you’re using a lower heat setting and your hair isn’t especially prone to breakages or heat damage, it’s okay to skip the heat protectant spray.
5
Divide your hair into sections. Create a “mohawk” about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) wide that runs from your forehead to the back of your neck. Secure it with a clip. Using a tail comb, part the hair on the sides of your head into a few even sections and secure them with clips.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.}
- The smaller the sections the easier it will be for your hair to curl.^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  Karen Leight
  Professional Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.}
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Begin rolling the first section from the end of your hair. Comb through a section of hair as wide as the roller you're using. Hold that section up and away from your head. Place the roller at the ends of your hair and roll down toward the scalp, away from your face. Secure the roller with the clips that came with it.^{[13]
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- Don’t use normal plastic clips with hot rollers—they may melt a bit from the heat.
- Continue rolling the mohawk section, working your way from front to back. Section off manageable sections of hair and roll them onto the rollers, then secure with clips.
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Roll the sides horizontally or vertically. Comb through the section, pull it up and away from your head, and place the roller diagonally across the ends. Roll tightly to your scalp and secure with clips. Repeat until all your hair is rolled.^{[14]
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- To achieve bigger lift, roll hair at the top part of the side sections diagonally. For the highest possible lift, roll the hair up at a 90° angle from each section.
- Horizontal rolls will create a more textured, bouncy look. Vertical rolls will give you a more dramatic, lengthy vibe.
- You can create different curl or wave shapes by wrapping your hair around the curler multiple times.
- For example, making 1 ½ wraps around a curler will create a “c” shaped curl. 2 ½ wraps will produce an “s” shape.
Allow the rollers to completely cool before removing them from your hair. Removing the rollers too quickly will result in less long-lasting curls. Rollers will take longer to cool in very thick or curly hair, so just be patient. The results will be worth it!^{[15]
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Remove the rollers. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top of your head. Hold the roller in one hand and remove the clips with the other.
- Do not pull or tug the roller out of your hair as it will mess up the curl. Just unravel it slowly.
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Style your hair as desired once you’re done. Brushing through your curls will remove much of the curl and result in loose, flowing waves. To keep the curls neat and tight, run your fingers gently through your hair. Spray with hairspray to ensure long-lasting curls.
- If you want more volume, bend over and let your head hang down. Shake your head a few times and run your fingers gently through the curls. This will give you bigger, bouncier hair.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Foam Rollers

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1
Opt for foam rollers if you want maximum comfort. Foam rollers are good for many types of hair, but they are particularly good for fragile hair as they are unlikely to snag or damage it. They’re also great if you feel like sleeping with the rollers in. That’s right, these comfy rollers can be left in while you snooze!^{[16]
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- Foam rollers aren’t the best if you’re in a rush. They take a bit more time to put in, and they need to be left in longer than Velcro and hot rollers.
2
Wash your hair or apply product to your hair. You have two options with foam rollers. Wash your hair and let it air dry in the rollers or apply styling product (like cream, hairspray, or gel) and then put the rollers in.^{[17]
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- You can use foam rollers with dry, untreated hair, but the curls won’t have much shape or staying power.
3
Divide your hair into sections. Studio owner and stylist Karen Leight says, “Make sure you do small enough sections so the hair gets evenly rolled in the roller. I think that's where people make the biggest mistake—they try to take a big chunk of hair, put it in a roller, and then, they're like why didn't they get curly? Why is it not looking good or smooth? So, my best suggestion with that would be to just take small, small sections.”^{[18]
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Expert Source

Karen Leight
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.}
- Any type of hair clip is suitable for holding your sections in place once you roll them.
- Comb through each section before rolling the hair. Use your tail comb to comb through your hair to eliminate any tangles and pull the section gently away from your scalp.
4
Begin rolling at the front of your forehead. Roll the hair in this section away from your face, toward the back of your head. Keep the hair taut as you roll by holding onto the ends with one hand as you roll with the other. After a few complete rolls, tuck the loose ends in and finish rolling the curl.^{[19]
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- If you want volume all the way along your curl, start rolling about an inch or so from the ends and roll the curl all the way down to your scalp. Secure with a clip.
- If you want your hair to be straight near your head, start rolling about three inches from your head, and roll all the way to the ends. Then wind the roller down to your scalp. Secure with a clip.
5
Continue rolling until your other sections are curled. Divide each side section in half horizontally, using a tail comb to part the hair just above your ears. Roll the two parts of each side section under (rolling away from your face, toward the hairline at your neck) and secure with clips. Roll the back the same way.^{[20]
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- You may want to use larger curlers at the bottom and smaller curlers at the top for a varied look.
6
Blow dry if you want to set the curls fast. Blow dry until your hair is dry and warm to the touch. This will set the curl as quickly as possible. Leave the rollers in for about 15 minutes, then gently remove them if you’re in a rush.
- Don't brush your hair after removing the rollers! This will destroy the curls. If you need to, use your fingers to lightly separate your curls.
- If you want more volume, bend over and let your head hang down. Shake your head a few times and run your fingers gently through the curls. This will give you bigger, bouncier hair.
7
Spray with hairspray and take the rollers out. Leave the foam rollers in 6-12 hours. You can even sleep with the rollers in if you’d like! When you’re ready to remove the curls, spritz your hair with hairspray before slowly removing the curls.
- For long-lasting volume, flip your hair upside down before spraying.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How long do you leave Velcro rollers in your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You should leave Velcro rollers in for between 10-30 minutes usually, but you can leave them in longer if you wish. Since there's little to no heat or moisture involved the timing is flexible.

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Question

Can I put curlers in my hair when it wet?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, but you need to use magnetic rollers. You can also roll damp hair with velcro rollers, but don't use them on soaking wet strands.

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Question

How can I heat my rollers now that the heater has broken?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can still use the rollers without the heater but the results will be softer. Prep hair with a heat reactant spray or light styling mousse. Roll with firm tension and pin in place. Use a hairdryer to gently heat the completed roller set and then allow to cool for 15 minutes before removing rollers.

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If you normally shower before school or work, blow dry your hair so you can be ready on time. But if you shower at night, try sleeping with rollers in to make the curls bigger.

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Use old-fashioned brush-type rollers and pins to set your hair when it's wet. This makes it easier to roll into your hair than magnetic-type rollers.
Use a triangular setting net or slumber net if you're sleeping with rollers overnight.

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