The 10 Best Hot Rollers and How to Use Them

If you feel like suddenly hot rollers are making a comeback, you’re not alone. The retro hair tools are a go-to for creating big, voluminous curls that look perfect every single time. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to use. The rollers are heated via the case, so once they are on your head they begin to cool—making it virtually impossible to burn your hair off. Even better, "Most hot rollers are made of ceramic so there won’t be too much heat damage,” says Shelly Aguirre, Stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. Ready to (hot) roll? Read on for everything you need to know.

When to Use Hot Rollers vs. a Curling Iron

You may be wondering: Why should I invest in hot rollers if I already have a curling iron or curling wand? “I would say that rollers will give you more of a ‘set’ look with big and bouncy curls where an iron can be used for a loose wave or tighter curl and everything in between,” explains Aguirre. “If it’s a bouncy style you’re going after, I would recommend the hot roller set. You can also get more volume with a roller set.” Meanwhile, says the stylist, “If you’re wanting a beachy wave, use a curling iron.”

How to Use Hot Rollers

Don’t worry if you’ve never tried them before. “Hot rollers are pretty straight forward,” according to Aguirre.

Section hair. “With your hair completely dry, start at the top of the head and take section by section as wide as the roller,” says Aguirre.

Start rolling. “Roll the hair to the ends and wrap the roller to the base of the head, starting at the crown and moving forward,” says the stylist. “Then, using horizontal sections, continue on with the sides, then the back.” Remember, the rollers are hot, so be careful!

Top with hairspray. Once the curlers are in place, “You can finish with a light hold spray and let them cool off.”

Remove the rollers. It may take some trial-and-error to figure out how long to leave in the rollers. “Depending on what type of hair you have, you can remove them right away once they’ve cooled, or wait a little while longer if your hair is thicker and coarse.”

Tousle and style. Once the rollers are out, “Lightly brush with your fingers to separate the curls and add bounce.”Now, find out which hot rollers are right for you and your hair.