Types of Hair Rollers
One of the most-uttered sentences when it comes to women’s hairstyles is “I wish I had curly hair”. (The other being “I wish I had straight hair” – there’s always a different side to every story!)
As you probably know if you have ever wanted to purchase something that helps you get those glorious waves and curls you’re dreaming of, there is a wealth of different types of hair rollers on the market.
While each and every one of them basically does the same – that is, curl your hair – there still are quite a lot of differences between the individual types, as well as between the results they bring about.
Below you find a short introduction to the most common types of hair rollers available, their individual benefits, and which types of curls they create.
Velcro Rollers
Velcro rollers are most likely the kind of rollers you’re most familiar with.
Just as their name suggests, this kind of roller is covered with a layer of velcro, that holds your hair in place.
Velcro rollers are incredibly practical since they don’t need any further methods of fixing either hair or roller in place. They are, therefore, easy to use and even the bloodiest beginner can create beautiful curls without any difficulties.
This kind of rollers creates soft, beautiful waves that look both spectacular and natural.
Flexi Rods
Flexi rods are the way to go if you’re looking for rollers that create corkscrew curls.
Flexi rods, or bendy rollers, are made out of a very flexible material that basically allows to fix them on your head by twisting them closed.
This type of rollers has been around for what seems like eternity, and they work just as well for you as they did for your grandmother.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to create springy spiral curls on the fly, and don’t have flexi rods on hand, you can improvise by using paper towels instead. Just twist individual strands of (wet) hair around a rolled-up paper towel, and tie them up close to your head.
Heated Rollers
Heated, or hot, rollers are the perfect (and more pricy) option if you plan on curling your hair at a regular basis. Or if you’re a particularly impatient person who just doesn’t want to waste time blow drying your rolled up locks.
Typically, hot rollers come in various sizes, ranging from very smallish to quite large in one box. This variety allows for a very natural look.
Generally speaking, you will achieve the best results by using the smallest rollers for the bottom layers of hair, and going for the biggest ones for the top layers. This way, you create a stable, springy base and soft, wavy locks on top that will easily last the day and night.
Ribbon Curlers
Ribbon curlers are the more modern, and -frankly- easier to use variation of flexi rods, and create beautifully springy corkscrew curls.
While this cross between a crotched set and fancy wrapping ribbons might at first glance look complicated beyond belief, their usage is actually quite simply once you get the hang of it.
Simply feed the hook through the centre of the ribbon, latch a strand of wet hair near the root, and pull. Repeat the process until all of your hair is wrapped up in colourful ribbons, and then – wait.
Once your hair is completely dry, simply pull out the individual ribbons carefully, and you’re ready.
Steam Hair Rollers
Steam rollers use the same idea as heated rollers do to create curls. However, with steam rollers you get additional moisture alongside the heat, which helps your curls to set even stronger and last longer.
Another benefit of this type of rollers is, again, the moisture, that literally moisturises your hair during the styling process, making these curlers a lot friendlier for your hair than just plain heat.
Just as hot rollers, steam rollers create wonderfully soft, natural locks that just look great!
Brush Hair Rollers
Brush rollers, as the name reveals, come equipped with tiny, tiny bristles that take over the job of a brush while your curls set.
Brush rollers are used the same way as regular rollers are, but once you take them out after a few hours, you’ll notice the difference. Your curls will be soft and wavy, just as if you have got your hair brushed and blow dried at a salon.
Foam Rollers
Foam rollers are the way to go if you’re too impatient to curl your hair while awake, or if you need a full head of beautiful waves in the morning.
Basically, this type of rollers is made up of soft foam that allows for you to comfortably sleep on.
In terms of usage, you simply roll up your slightly damp hair, pin the individual rollers in place with the clip, and hit the bed. In the morning, you simply have to uncurl the rollers, rake your fingers through your hair, and are set for the day.
And if you don’t want to look like your own grandmother going to bed, we suggest hitting Google and look for the unbelievably cute strawberry foam rollers by Etude House!
Pillow Soft/Satin Rollers
Now if you find you get a crick in the neck by just imagining to have to sleep on foam rollers with their plastic clasp, pillow soft, or satin rollers are just your thing.
Basically they are a cross between foam roller and flexi roller in that they create waves, not corkscrew curls, but are made out of a flexible material that can be tied up, or fixed without some type of clip.
Soft rollers are by far the most comfortable way to create beautiful waves literally over night.
Magnetic Rollers
Magnetic rollers are the perfect solution for those of us who do not have the best coordination and/or fine motor skills.
As the name suggests, magnetic rollers come with a magnetic snap closure that does a lot of the nitty-gritty work of fixing the rollers up to your head for you.
Other than that, they work just as regular rollers do. Depending on the size of rollers used they create everything from tight, springy curls to soft, loose waves, or any combination thereof.
Cold Wave Rods
Cold wave rods are similar to flexi rods and work nearly the same way.
This type of rollers is best for creating tight, springy corkscrew curls in hair that is naturally texturised to begin with.
Treat your hair with curl cream, wet it slightly, and curl individual strands around cold wave rods. Secure the hair to the rod by snapping the elastic in place and settle in to wait for your hair to dry thoroughly.
We highly suggest using a blowdryer to speed proceedings along if you don’t have all day or night.
Once your hair is completely dry, uncurl the rods and maybe loosen the curls up a bit with your fingers, and you’re done.
Peco Hair Rollers
You may not have heard of them before, but peco rollers have been around for a very long time.
In the 50s they have been known as spoolies or button curlers, the current blogosphere sometimes refers to them as nipple curlers, and in Japan they are widely known as peco rollers.
So what’s the deal with them? Of all rollers, they are the most flexible. You can create beautifully soft waves by wrapping just around the ends, or incredibly defined curls by wrapping your hair from root to tip.
And since they are made out of silicone, they easily withstand being blasted with hot air to speed things along.
