So you’ve got fine hair with a medium length lob cut that could use a serious volume boost, huh?
Does that leave you more than a little envious of those girls who have thick, full bodied locks?
Solution. Ever thought of adding natural-looking volume with Velcro rollers? Yeah those rollers.
If you’re ready to get over your fear of these body producing gems we’ve got what you need to know about using them.
Fact is these curlers may the perfect way to coax those volume challenged mid-length locks of yours into at least looking kinda lush and voluminous.
As the video that follows shows getting the hang of using these rollers is actually kinda easy. Especially if you avoid the blunders further below.
The video clip is by stylist and YouTuber Kayley Melissa. She’s great at explainer vids like this.
Now she suggests her length is short. I’d put it as more medium length.
And she did something brave. For comparison she reveals what her medium length hair looks like BEFORE the Velcro rollers.
The before shot was, well, it was what I’d charitably call nothing special hair. Rather limp and lifeless. Or just hanging around waiting for something to happen apparently.
Then viola!
Something did happen.
She styled it with her bigger self-grippers.
Kayley offers two ways to do this actually. First with inch and half curlers. Then with what I suspect are two inch curlers.
As you know the real difference is the amount of curling you get.
As you’d expect with the larger rollers you get bigger looser styling. What I’d call more of a round brush blowout effect. Or the bodified look without the work.
So go ahead. Press that play button on this Velcro rollers tutorial and discover how to use them for the classic blowout look with medium hair.
Step by Step Velcro Rollers Tutorial Medium Hair
With her medium length hair her Velcro roller process is:
- Section out the hair to be rolled starting with the Mohawk section and working your way down
- Apply heat protectant
- Hit each section with a curling iron to heat it up
- Wrap the roller into the warmed locks
- Repeat until all your tresses are rolled up
- Give things time to cool down
- Gently remove the rollers in the reverse order they were put in
- Fluff by 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
After watching that in real time five points stuck with me.
#1: HEATING THINGS UP
With each section she hits it first with a curling iron to heat it up.
You can do that.
Or break out your blow dryer and accomplish the same thing after you’ve situated the curlers.
Or go all in and put your round brush and dryer skills to work before placing the curls.
Keeping in mind it’s the cool down that sets the hair. Not the heat up.
Either way be sure to use your heat protectant.
#2: SECTIONING SMART
Now sectioning right goes a long way to avoiding tangles.
She shows how to determine the right width of your Mohawk section. And then for the rollers you’re going to put in horizontally for the hair on the sides and back.
Getting section size right is important. At least when it comes to avoiding tangles. So you’ll you’ll want to pay close attention to what she shares.
If you need more ideas for avoiding getting these rollers stuck we’ve share nine good ones. So if you want to know more about why do Velcro rollers get stuck and how to use them so that doesn’t happen click on over.
Tip: Going larger with the rollers gives a mid-length look that’s less vintage and more modern.
#3: AVOIDING ENTANGLEMENTS
Tip: When time comes to remove them lift each curler up first.
You’re looking to see if any stray strands are stuck to the underside. Clearing those away avoids having several bits of hair stuck to roller.
Common sense really. Yet the most common complaint about these guys is how easy they are to get stuck.
#4 BEST ROLLERS TO BUY
Should you go all one size or get the variety pack?
Getting an assortment of sizes is smart. For three reasons.
- You get the opportunity to experiment and find out the best size for your hair.
- It leaves you flexibility for the future when the length of your cut changes.
- Should one get lost it’s no big deal.
That makes this affordable collection of 31 color coded curlers from Conair a wise investment.
Although even curlers you can pick up at the dollar store would be fine too.
#5 SECOND LAYER OF HORIZONTAL ROLLERS OR NOT
After rolling up the Mohawk most will split the hair on the sides into two sections – upper and lower.
Rollering up the top half is a no brainer. But the second or under hair layer?
Pretty much, if you should do this in curlers depends on how long your medium hair is.
It’s not an absolute must do. (It will be under the rest of the hair after all.) Although going with more rollers will add more fullness and body to your style
Alternatively you can simply flat iron some bend into that lower section.
There is no right or wrong answer other than doing what looks best with your mid-length mane.
That said, let’s move on to common blunders made and ideas for fixing them. These apply to curler usage with shoulder length or longer hair.
Using Velcro Rollers For Volume? | 11 Blunders To Avoid
BLUNDER#1: Using A Roller That’s Too Small.
THE FIX: Never pick a roller that’s going to have to rotate several times to hold all your hair.
You’re just asking for problems when you get beyond wrapping more than two or three times max.
Obviously the ideal diameter will vary by the length of your hair. But save those tiny rollers for your pixie cut.
BLUNDER#2: Sectioning Too Wide For the Width of Your Roller
THE FIX: Taking a section of hair wider than your roller is never a good idea. I just cringe when I see a video where this is done.
You really really really want to avoid over loading your rollers. That hair falling off the sides of your roller is an open invitation to tangling.
So tidiness counts. It limits problems when it comes time to take your rollers out. All the more with thick hair.
BLUNDER#3: Trying To Put Too Much Hair On Your Curler.
THE FIX: Similar to Blunder #2, you want to divide your hair into smaller sections if you have thicker tresses. Avoids overloading the curler.
BLUNDER#4: Unfettered Rollers
THE FIX: And by unfettered I mean counting on the Velcro only to hold your self-gripers in place. It’s far safer to duckbill clip in them in place so they don’t roam around and make contact with other rollers on your head.
Otherwise you’re only asking for trouble. With the possibility of some playing bumper cars with their neighboring roller should they droop and sag.
BLUNDER#5: Not Using a Hair Oil
THE FIX: A hair oil like this one or this one (but probably any highly rated one will work) helps to detangle and make your hair more slippery. And hence easier to remove your rollers without them getting stuck.
BLUNDER#6: Wrapping Too Tight
THE FIX: You want it to be secure but not wound too tight. This can a problem for some as your hair gets too enmeshed with the Velcro. Should that happen the odds of then getting stuck increases.
Some also find going easy on the tension makes for easier roller removal.
BLUNDER#7: Rolling Up Not Down
THE FIX: Lifting the hair off your head can help the roller create a bit more volume at the root level – when rolled down to your scalp. Which is why some feel rolling the curler with your hair elevated rather than hanging down is your best move here.
BLUNDER#8: Not Removing Bottom Rollers First
THE FIX: To avoid getting hair already removed from their roller getting caught up in others remove them from the bottom up.
BLUNDER#9: Trying Too Hard To Make These Work With Thin, Fine Hair
THE FIX: Your hair may simply not be suited to Velcro rollers. And the benefits aren’t worth the risk. Know what I mean?
Still that’s not to say delicate locks can’t benefit hugely from dancing with the Velcro and living to tell about it. Especially if you follow the unbreakable rules for how to use velcro rollers on fine hair we share.
No promises obviously. But they could be the game changers you’ve been looking for but couldn’t find.
BLUNDER#10: Not using any product to induce extra volume and long lasting hold.
THE FIX: Any list of potential products would include a light hair spray, a volumizing spray mousse or a texturizing powder. Some also use a dry shampoo before rolling.
BLUNDER#11: Taking Them Out Wrong
THE FIX: Lift them straight up and gently unroll. If you’re done it right they should pretty much slide out of your hair.
Or use both hands. Clamp your index and middle fingers of one hand under the roller with one hand. Then glide it out with the other.
If you liked these hacks for quickly giving your medium length strands some serious volume here’s a suggestion. Maybe you should follow our popular pins board on Pinterest.
Doing so will help you stay on top of the latest ways to keep your hair looking super flattering at all times.
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