hair

SETTING YOUR CURLS WITH SPONGE ROLLERS

photos/post/graphic design: Kristin Ess

How can you not love big bouncy curls… at least for those epic 20 minutes they typically last!? I know we all swoon and pin the hair we see in old photographs of Brigitte Bardot + Rita Hayworth, and even more modern manes via Victoria’s Secret and Gucci runways. They all share one voluminous secret– a good set. It’s something we rarely do anymore because we just can’t seem to find the time. The thing is, just like anything else in life, if you want that hair you’re gonna have to work for it. Here’s my favorite way to incorporate an old-fashioned roller set into a 2012 way of life:

Prep your hair with your favorite setting product. I would clearly love to reach my head through the screen, take a personal peek at your hair + tell you what works for setting your hair type but you really should ask the person who knows your hair best– your hairstylist! (Feel free to leave your product recs for others in the comments below!)

1. For this look, you’ll want to curl your hair from the ends up. No fancy twisting, no wrapping it around the iron, just the way your momma taught you– rolling the hair up from the ends.
2. Once you take the curling iron out, wrap the curled (still hot) hair around a jumbo sponge roller. I found these at RiteAid or CVS, they’re made by Conair. They’re huge and I’m obsessed! SIDE NOTE: some of you may use or be wondering about using velcro rollers. I used to love them but the truth is, they break up that beautiful curl when you pull them out and tend to create frizz or static. I’ve never had that problem with these sponge rollers.
3. Curl the next piece and put a sponge roller in right away.
4. Continue until you’ve finished your whole head. Take a break to do your makeup, get dressed, make some coffee, read or go to bed if you’re doing this at night time. The longer you can leave them in, the better.
5. Release all of the rollers gently.
6. Brushing is optional but that’s how I get that soft glamourous wave. If you don’t brush it, you’re going to get more “locks” of big curl which can be just as beautiful. But either way, your curl will definitely last longer.