One of the biggest misconceptions with hair styling is heat is bad.
Which is why so many search for heatless styling techniques.
And sure. Some no heat methods do work as promised. Others not so much.
Take Velcro rollers. Way too many struggle to get volume that lasts using self-grippers alone.
If that’s you then maybe you need to apply a little heat to things. But in a smart way.
So let’s explore one way to use heat to get the results you want without the damage you don’t. This time using a curling iron as the heat source.
In fact we’ve got something of a two-fer here. With a demo of both a larger and smaller curling iron. So you can see the difference size makes in the resulting style. Or not.
If you’re the least bit curious keep reading. Or jump directly to the topic that most interests you.
Curling Iron From Flat to Fabulous Roadmap
- How to Use a Curling Iron and Velcro Rollers For DIY Glam
- You’re Just 9 Easy Steps From Big, Bouncy, Beautiful Hair
- Is Smaller Better? See the Diff a One Inch Curling Iron Makes
Just so you know this is the third part of our series looking at ways to use heat safely with Velcro rollers.
In case you missed it we explored the classic blow dryer round brush technique. Sharing how to blow dry hair with a round brush for volume to get a style that’s sexy, sultry, and seductive.
Then we recently dug into how to use a hot air drying brush to get a salon worthy blowout at home. Or the perfect alternative for those who struggle with manipulating a hair dryer and round brush simultaneously.
Plus we’ve got even more hot styling brush help. Just head over to our hot brush blowout tips to get what you need to get the most out of that styling tool.
Having three deep dives available makes it easy for you to compare and contrast the various ways to get your hair heated up.
That way you can pick the one best for you in your quest for the lush body everyone lusts after.
Anyway, here’s …
How to Use a Curling Iron and Velcro Rollers For DIY Glam
She demonstrates using two iron sizes. First with an inch and a half barrel and then a one incher.
This first clip is with the bigger barrel. The one with the smaller is cued up below.
Anyway here’s her entire routine using the inch and a half barrel.
To follow this styling routine you’ll need …
The Essentials
- Curling iron with barrel size appropriate for the style desired
- Velcro rollers
- Heat protectant
- OPTIONAL: Anti Frizz or Texturizing Product and Hairspray
The Mane Moves
Here’s the four “mane” moves or steps you need to take when using a curling iron and Velcro rollers:
- Heat up your hair with the iron
- Catch the warmed up hair off the iron
- Roll up onto the curler
- Wait for complete cool down before removing
Some find styling products also make a dramatic difference. Helping to enhance the results achieved with the rollers.
Or in the case of light hold hairspray to insure the style has serious staying power.
Oh and just to clarify … there are no magic products. Other than those faves that have proven to produce magical results with your hair.
Although the only way to discover them is by trying those that aren’t so magical.
Anyway, as mentioned earlier volume that lasts from these rollers can be elusive.
So it’s vital the hair you’re guiding around the roller is warm for this approach to work. Otherwise you may not get anywhere near the volume you’re looking for.
Basically, as you can see, a bigger barrel gives a mostly straight look with lots of lift and body with just a bit of bend to it. So nothing crazy curly or even wavy.
Here’s the technique highlights.
- Apply heat protectant to freshly washed hair and brush through
- Section out the hair to be rolled starting with the Mohawk section and working your way down
- Hit each section with a curling iron to heat it up
- Wrap the roller into the warmed locks – over directing generously
- Repeat until all your tresses are rolled up
- Give things ample time to cool down
- Gently remove the rollers in the reverse order you put them in
- Fluff while tilting your head back to loosen up the tresses
- Rake through with your fingers or brush out depending on the look you’re going for
- Finish with light hold hairspray as needed
So what you think?
You’re Really Just 9 Easy Steps From Big, Bouncy, Beautiful Hair
Here a quick step-by-step rough guide for using a curling iron and Velcro rollers to get the voluminous hairstyle of your dreams. That expands on those highlights just a little.
HEAT PROTECTANT: Before touching a single hair on your head with any hot styling tool do this. Make sure to apply a thermal protectant spray or blow out cream to protect from heat damage.
SECTIONING: Begin by sectioning off your hair. Most break it into three parts. Starting with the crown of your head as one. And then two levels on the sides and back. Use hair clips to keep each section separate and out of the way.
Each of those is then broken down to smaller “roller wide” sections. This will help you to achieve a more even curl throughout your hair.
It’s wise to section your hair on purpose rather than just rollering it up randomly.
It’s also good to make sure you’re creating sections that are no wider than the width of your rollers. In fact keeping them a little narrower is better still.
CURLING: Using a 1.5-inch curling iron place the iron at the middle of the hair. Then pull it down to the ends before rolling it towards the head. This will help to create a smooth, consistent, voluminous curl.
Hold the curling iron in place for a few seconds before releasing it to get the best results.
OVER DIRECTION: You want to over direct the hair before rolling up.
That means for the hair on side you don’t want to hold the section down or out horizontally out from your head. But you want to kind of give it an angle upwards because that’s where the volume comes from. Even in some cases holding it straight up off your head.
In 20 seconds stylist and Youtuber Kayley Mellissa sums this all up in a nutshell
Also make sure the ends are tucked nice and snug on the roller so they don’t get crimped.
HOW TO PLACE THE ROLLER TO MAXIMIZE VOLUME: Whether you place the roller under the hair or on top before rollering up is a another difference maker.
Also horizontal roller placement gives you a style with a more pronounced bend and ends with more flip to them.
SECURE IN PLACE: To secure the roller in place, use a hair clip or bobby pin. Make sure to position the clip or pin close to the scalp to prevent the roller from slipping down.
HAIRSPRAY: You can also spritz a bit of hairspray onto the roller to help hold the style. Or not.
COOL DOWN: Once your hair is rolled up, let it cool completely before removing the rollers. This will help to set the curls in place, giving you a long-lasting, voluminous look.
You can always speed up the cooling process by using a cool setting on your blow dryer or by sitting in front of a fan.
ROLLER REMOVAL: To remove the rollers, start from the bottom and gently pull them down as you go. This will help to prevent your hair from getting tangled or frizzy.
Once all the rollers are removed, use your fingers to separate the curls and create more volume. (the second clip you can see how she effortlessly does it)
If it helps here’s our ultimate guide with six video clips showing how to take Velcro rollers out the right way.
FINAL FLUFFING: Once all the rollers are removed, play around with your hair to create the desired look. You can add volume by fluffing your hair with your fingers, or you can use a brush or comb to create a more polished look.
Consider using a bit of dry shampoo at the roots to maintain the volume throughout the day. It will both absorb any excess oil and add texture.
Mushing on to how a smaller barreled curling iron affects what style you get.
Is Smaller Better? See the Diff a One Inch Curling Iron Makes
No sense in going through the same curling iron routine when the only diff is the size of the roller.
So I cued this second clip up to where she’s all rollered up and waiting for the cool down.
And then moving on to see how super easy the rollers are to remove for her.
All before the big reveal.
So Which Do You Like Better?
With the larger barrel you get billowy volume with just a hint of a flip at the ends.
The smaller barrel gives you body plus you definitely get more of a curl.
Obviously what style to go for comes down to personal preference. There is no right or wrong here. It’s just how you want wear your hair any given day.
So what affects the ultimate look the most? Can’t say which is “the most” but these three things play a role.
- Curling iron barrel size, definitely.
- Section size
- Roller size
Once you understand that, and figure out what works best for you, truly amazing hair can be yours. With less effort and stress than you might have imagined.
If you could use more hair safe styling ideas like these check out us out on Pinterest. There you’ll get the hacks you need to glam up your mane that work even for beauty school drop outs!
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