How to Use Curlers for Extra Volume in Your Hair Overnight

A woman in a yellow blouse and striped apron touching her long dark waves against a pink backdrop

It's easy to write rollers off as being outdated. But the stunning waves and curls they leave you with will never go out of style.

If you want to learn how to use hair curlers to create a gorgeous hairdo, you've clicked on the right article! Today we're going to walk you through everything you need to know about using hair curlers.

We'll also give you a few pointers on how to get a flawless hair roller set every time, so make sure you scroll down to the end.

Here's How to Use Curlers

Curlers, or hair rollers, are one of the best ways to add volume and texture to your locks. And it'll only take you a few minutes to master the technique and create voluminous curls.

There are two ways to use curlers, and we'll walk you through both. Hot rollers go into completely dry hair and usually set in 10 to 30 minutes. Heatless curlers, like foam rollers, flexi rods, and perm rods, go into damp hair. Foam rollers and flexi rods are usually the most comfortable options for sleeping. These curlers can work on every curl type, but the result depends on your starting texture and the curler you choose. We've put together the table below to help you pick the right ones.

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Which curlers should you use?

Hot rollers are the fastest. Foam rollers and flexi rods are usually the most comfortable for sleeping.

Curler	Put them in	Sleep in them?	Best for
Hot rollers	Completely dry hair	No. Take them out after 10 to 30 minutes.	Quick volume and soft curls on straight, wavy, or blown-out hair.
Velcro rollers	Dry or blow-dried hair	No	Volume at the roots on straight or blown-out hair. They can snag curls and coils.
Foam rollers	Damp hair	Yes	Soft, bouncy curls overnight on any curl type.
Flexi rods	Damp hair	Yes	Spiral curls on many hair lengths, including short natural hair.
Perm rods	Damp hair	You can, but they may be uncomfortable.	Small, tight curls, like a perm rod set on natural hair.
Magnetic rollers	Wet hair	Hard to sleep on. Most people dry them under a hooded dryer.	Smooth, full curls, like a classic salon roller set.

If a curler pulls at your scalp, it’s too tight. Unroll it and wrap it again more loosely.

Ready to find out more? Just read on because we'll explain how to use curlers below.

Shampoo and Condition

For this tutorial, we'll be using hot rollers because they're the quickest way to add volume. Self-grip curlers, also called Velcro rollers, are great for volume at the roots on straight or blown-out hair, like in the video above. But they can snag curls and coils and leave you more frustrated than anything else.

Before using hot rollers, you should shampoo and condition your hair. Washing your hair first removes product buildup that could weigh down your curls.

A woman smiling with her arms crossed, long dark waves falling loose over one shoulder

Dry Your Hair

Foam rollers, flexi rods, and perm rods go into damp hair, but hot rollers should only go into hair that's completely dry. Prolonged exposure to high heat while your hair is damp can form tiny air bubbles inside each strand, a type of damage called bubble hair. So, after you wash your hair, dry it thoroughly with a towel.

Next, give your hair a few hours to air dry.

If you're in a rush, you can also dry your strands with a blow dryer on a low or medium setting. Just make sure your hair is completely dry before you move on to rolling it up.

Put in Your Rollers

Hot rollers expose your hair to high temperatures, so start by applying a heat protectant. Separate your hair into four easy-to-manage sections.

Secure all but one with a hair clip or tie to keep your strands from getting in your way. Take your loose section, and separate it into three or more parts. Each section should be roughly the same size as your roller.

A woman laughing as she twirls a section of her waves, her other hand on her hip

So for a 1½-inch roller, you want to separate a 1½-inch section of hair. Spritz your hair with a lightweight, heat-safe setting or holding spray to encourage definition.

Grab the section an inch or two up from your ends and wrap it around the roller. After making two full rotations, go back and wrap the ends. Make sure you wrap your hair backward, away from your face.

Keep your hair smooth and snug so it lies flat against the roller, but don't pull at your roots. If a roller hurts, it's too tight, so unroll it and wrap it again more loosely.

That will help keep your strands smooth and shiny. Once the curler reaches your scalp, place a clip on the roller to secure it.

Repeat the process on the next section of hair until you've completed all of them. Then let your hair set for ten to thirty minutes.

A woman wide-eyed with blue and pink rollers set across her crown, holding a section in each hand

Take Down Your Rollers

Starting with the very back of your head, remove one of the clips and gently slide the roller away from your hair. Check out the definition to determine if you need to leave the rollers in for a few more minutes.

If you're satisfied with the curl, you can continue moving forward. If not, re-roll your hair and wait for an additional ten to fifteen minutes.

After you remove the roller, pin the hair in the same cylindrical shape with a hair clip. Move on to the next roller, and repeat the steps until you've removed them all.

After you finish, let your hair cool for at least twenty minutes before removing the pins. That will help ensure your curls are full and long-lasting.

Here's why the cool-down matters. Heat temporarily loosens the weak bonds that hold your hair's shape, and they settle into the curl as your hair cools. Water loosens them again, which is why steam from a hot shower can make your curls fall flat.

A woman with blue and pink rollers across the top of her head, one hand raised near her chin

Style Your Hair

When you initially take your rollers out, your hair will be stiff. So next, you'll want to break apart the curls, so they fall in a flattering way. Give your hair a good shake to help loosen and separate the curls.

Flip your hair forward, then back, to create a full, lush look.

While that may be enough for some people, others might have to do a little more tweaking. If your hair doesn't look the way you want it to, you can run your fingers or a wide-tooth comb through the curls.

That will help soften them even more and allow you to mold them in your desired shape. Just don't use a hairbrush, as it'll destroy your definition and increase frizz.

Once you're satisfied with the texture, it's time to move on to styling.

Try playing around with the placement of your part or throwing in a few hair accessories. You can even create a gorgeous updo, braid, or messy bun.

After you craft the perfect style, mist your hair with a finishing spray as the final touch. Then, all that's left to do is to enjoy your new, stunning 'do!

A woman resting her chin on her hand, blue and pink rollers clipped across the top of her head

Does Your Hair Have to Be Straight to Use Hot Rollers?

If you're wondering whether your hair has to be perfectly straight to use hot rollers, we're happy to tell you that the answer is no! Hot rollers work great on all different textures and hair types.

But if you're after soft, smooth curls, it's better to start with naturally straight or wavy hair. Hot rollers are also highly beneficial for fine hair since it tends to fall flat quickly.

Although you can use hot rollers on any hair type, they don't do a very good job of smoothing or straightening your hair. So if you have naturally kinky, coarse, or curly hair, you'll probably have to blow dry or flat iron your hair beforehand.

That will help stretch your natural texture, so your hair takes on a softer curl.

Keep in mind that this all depends on what style you're trying to achieve. So experiment with different techniques until you find the one that works.

How to Use Curlers Overnight

If you want to wake up with extra volume, use heatless curlers, like foam rollers, flexi rods, or perm rods. Foam rollers and flexi rods are softer and easier to sleep on than perm rods. Just don't go to bed in hot rollers. Here's how to set your hair at night:

Start with clean, detangled hair that's damp, not dripping.
Smooth a little leave-in conditioner, mousse, or setting lotion through each section.
Roll each section around the curler, starting at the ends and working up toward your scalp. Then close or bend the curler to hold it in place, without pulling at your roots.
Cover your head with a satin or silk scarf or bonnet before bed.
In the morning, check that your hair is completely dry before you take the curlers out. Damp hair won't hold its curl for long, so if it's still damp, leave the curlers in a little longer or dry your hair under a hooded dryer on a low setting.
Unroll each curler gently, then separate your curls with your fingers.

Try not to sleep in curlers every night. The American Academy of Dermatology lists styles that require rollers worn to bed most of the time among those that can cause traction alopecia, which is hair loss from repeated pulling. Keep your curlers loose, and give your hair regular nights off.

A woman in a striped apron holding a curled section in each hand, rollers still set on top

Do's and Don'ts of Using Hair Curlers

While we've already explained how to use hair rollers, there's a lot of information to remember. That's why we've compiled this convenient list of dos and don'ts. Keep them in mind to ensure your curlers always leave your hair looking fabulous.

Do's

Do use high-quality hair curlers that don't snag.
Do give your hair enough time to set before removing your rollers.
Do wrap your roller set with a silk scarf before going to sleep.
Do clean your hot rollers after every use.
Do apply a heat protectant before using hot rollers.
Do loosen stiff curls with your fingers instead of adding more heat.
Do preserve your new curls with bobby pins or hair clips overnight.

A woman turned to one side twirling a length of her dark waves, with no rollers in her hair

Don'ts

Don't apply too much product before using rollers on your hair.
Don't leave hot rollers in your hair for more than thirty minutes at a time.
Don't shower or get your hair wet if you have hot rollers in your hair.
Don't go to sleep with heated rollers in your hair.
Don't make the sections too small if you're after big, soft curls.
Don't use hot rollers every day. Dermatologists suggest using heated tools like curling irons once a week or less.
Don't use hot rollers on wet hair strands.

Hair curlers are an easy and gentle way to add body and texture to your hair. They're also easy to use! Just follow the tips and tricks we've gone over in this article, and your hair will come out amazing each time.

And if you ever want to go off-script, have fun experimenting with your hair.

Try using different types or sizes of hair rollers and switching up the direction in which you roll your hair. We hope the information we've covered today is precisely what you were looking for.