There’s a common quip that one ends up resembling their mother, but for countless Southern women, this is the ultimate praise. The core of their beauty regimen, those time-honored hair strategies that have weathered the test of time, remain the epitome of the perfect ‘do. And at the heart of this timeless beauty, the classic hair tool: the roller.
Through the years, countless methods and gadgets have been tried to achieve the most bouncy, voluminous look, but none have matched the efficacy of a set of velcro rollers, reminiscent of the ones our grandmothers once wielded. I recall, with fondness, two of my Southern grandmas meticulously applying these rollers on countless mornings of my youth, and I have since applied their wisdom to my own hair.
Embrace these grandmother-endorsed tricks to achieve the most stunning blowout-inspired, curly look with velcro rollers.
The key to success lies in the timing: when you’re drying or curling your hair, apply the velcro rollers while your hair is still warm. This is when the “setting” process takes place.
One of the most common blunders with rollers, whether hot or velcro, is not giving them enough time to do their job. It may sound like a cliche, but you need to let those hot rollers sit while you apply makeup, change into your outfit, or grab a quick bite before heading out. For a lasting volume, my grandmas suggest a minimum of 30 minutes to an hour of “setting.” I’ve found that 30 minutes is typically sufficient.
Rollers can create various looks depending on the direction of the roll. The most seasoned roller experts know the secret to achieving maximum volume and long-lasting curls is to alternate the direction of the rollers. Some hair will be rolled downwards, the most common technique, while others will be rolled upwards, creating depth and fullness in your blowout.
When you need a fresh-looking hairstyle but are pressed for time, there’s no shame in taking shortcuts. The hair around your face and at the top of your head are the focal points. “The back of my hair is not my concern,” one of my grandmas would say.
Use a curling iron or blow-dryer to style these areas, and with around five rollers, set the top and face-framing pieces. These areas make the most impact and can be achieved quickly. (I’ve done this during vacations or destination weddings when I only want to bring a few rollers along.)
Even though it’s a tough pill to swallow, there’s such a thing as too much hairspray. My grandmas are all about a few strategic spritzes but warn against overuse. Stick to one application and choose the right moment, usually while the rollers are in place or just after removing them.
According to my grandmas’ advice, I’ve found that spraying your hair while it’s in the rollers is the most effective way to ensure they set well. It might make them a bit harder to remove, but they seem to last longer.
While velcro rollers are ideal for achieving a bouncy blowout look, second-day hair can actually hold volume and curls better. To achieve this, use a curling iron on each piece before rolling, or blast each section with a blow-dryer before applying the roller.
There are many more grandmother beauty wisdoms to remember.
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