By Gennifer Miller, Healthy Textures.com
Roller Setting is considered to be one of the healthiest styling methods for the hair. By using an indirect heat source (a hood dryer), the hair is able to retain more moisture and natural sheen. With this styling method, you will start to see stronger, healthier hair in no time!
This is not the ONLY way to roller set but I find it to be one of the easiest.
Tools:
1) Wide Tooth Comb
2) Rattail
3) Magnetic rollers
4) Duckbill Clip
5) Water Bottle
6) Leave-in Conditioner
7) Serum
Instructions:
1) Wash and Condition hair as usual
2) After rinsing out conditioner, leave hair soaking wet and put a plastic shower cap over wet hair.
3) Apply leave-in and serum concentrating on the ends. Fill your water bottle with the mixture of your choice: 1) plain ole water, 2) water and setting lotion, 3) liquid leave-in or 4) water and oil.
Sidenote - I get the silkiest, bounciest and straightest by using just leave-in, serum and water. I get the firmest curls when I use setting lotion (diluted or not) I get the most hydrated set (but less bounce) when i use a moisturizer with my leave-in and serum.
4) Part hair twice down the middle (imagine a Mohawk) and use an elastic to keep the sides out of the way.
5) Start with the mohawk first. Spray with water. I usually spray 5-7 sprays per 1 inch section.
6) Part a 1 inch horizontal section and comb down. The hair should be hanging in front of your face. Pinch the end and place the roller on TOP of the hair. Roll up (towards the ceiling). Rolling up is the easiest on your arms and creates a lot more space on the head for the rollers. Continue until you finish the mohawk section.
A few things to Remember:
* Keep the section you are working on very wet, especially the ends. They should cling to the roller.
* Experiment with roller size. The smaller the roller, the tighter the curl and the longer the curl will stay. If you have longer hair, you might want a larger roller to shorten drying time and to achieve a straight look.
* Use tension while rolling. I like to roll, pull, roll, pull, etc. This is ensure that your hair will be straight.
* Experiment with the combination of products that work for you. Some use undiluted setting lotion. Some just use leave-in, serum and water. I get the silkiest best set THIS way. I like a cream leave-in, serum (Silken Seal), oil moisturizer and diluted setting lotion. I get super shiny, soft, supple hair and virtually no breakage when removing the rollers this way.
* Use duckbill clips shown in the picture above. They will not move while your hair is drying and will keep the roller tight. DO NOT PIN OR CLIP ROLLERS together. This is asking for breakage.
* Clip the top of the roller to the scalp. They should not feel wobbly or insecure.
7) Move on the right or left side. Make three vertical sections. Use an elastic or scrunchie to keep it out of the way.
8) Start with section furthest from your face. Part a 1 inch section and roll up. <br />Continue until you complete each section. Then move the opposite side of your head and do the same.
9) Air dry or dry under a hood dryer. Anticipate at least 30-90 minutes under the dryer.
*Avoid shoving your head into a small hood dryer. This will cause breakage over time.
10) Make sure your hair is COMPLETELY dry before removing the rollers. I know its hot and uncomfortable BUT your hair will frizz or revert if not completely dry!
11) Remove Rollers and ENJOY
It seems like hard work but with practice it becomes easier and quicker. My first set took 2 hours. It now takes me about 35 mins to set
If you are a visual person and would like to see me set my own hair, check out the Healthy Textures Roller Setting DVD.
Hope this helped:)
1. Did you forget to tell us you need a relaxer for this, or is this done on natural hair? Some hair, no matter how hard you pull it, is not going to smooth out on a roller. When "Dominicans" do this on their clients, do they dry wrap the hair on the head to soften up the curls?
Michelle at 9:19AM on Jan 23rd 2008