There are plenty of ways to get heatless curls, and many of these methods have gone viral. Socks, robe sashes, and elastic headbands are all at-home options for getting full-bodied waves. But the latest method on the rise for heatless curls is satin rollers. We tapped two celebrity hair stylists to give us the full scoop on why this specific heatless curling method is catching like wildfire. Keep reading for everything you need to know about satin heatless rollers and how to achieve the best heat-free blowout.
Meet the Experts
- Jackie Seabrooke is a New York-based Kristen Ess hair artist and content creator whose clients have included Emily Ratajkowski, Abigail Spencer, and Karlie Kloss.
- Cherilyn Farris is a global hair stylist with over 12 years of experience. Some of her clients include Kendall Jenner, Olivia Munn, and Hailey Bieber
What Are Satin Heatless Rollers?
Satin heatless rollers are soft, flexible, satin-wrapped rods that, depending on how they're applied, can create various wave and curl patterns throughout the hair. Their satin exterior and multi-use application distinguish them from all other heatless curling methods.
"I prefer satin over other material," Farris says. "Because it is so slippery, it doesn't cause friction with your hair, [which] reduces frizz and is more comfortable to sleep on. Generally, heatless rollers will give you a bouncy, blowout look, loose curls, or soft waves."
However, the biggest difference between satin heatless rollers and all other heatless curling methods, according to Farris, is how much easier it is to play around with the sectioning. Therefore, this one tool can help you achieve versatility in curl types.
How to Use
Before using heatless rollers on your hair, follow these prep tips: First and foremost, start with clean, mostly dry hair. "Your hair should be 90% of the way dry when doing heatless rollers," Farris says. "Too wet and the hair probably won't dry all the way, which can cause frizz as it's drying. If your hair is already dry, lightly mist it with water from mid-shaft to ends, then apply an air dry creme or light weight air dry mousse throughout. The moisture and light hold will help control frizz."
From there, you can move onto wrapping your hair. Like anything you do for the first time, using satin heatless rollers can take a moment to get used to (their slipperiness, in particular). But once you've decided what type of curls you want to create, using satin heatless rollers is as easy to use as a curling iron, minus the obvious heat damage. Below, we have expert-approved breakdowns of how to get three different types of curls using satin heatless rollers:
Viral Waves
- Split your hair into a center part with two equal sections.
- Attach the satin rod to the crown of your head with a small claw clip.
- Beginning on one side, at the roots, with the hair closest to your face, wrap your hair around the rod. Direct the hair back, over the top of the rod, and then under so that it wraps away from the face the same way it would on a curling iron. Incorporate more hair into your wrap as you work your way down the length of your section.
- Securethe ends with a satin scrunchie.
- Repeat on the other side.
Soft, Loose Curls
- Create four to six sections, depending on your hair density, from ear to ear and forehead to nape.
- Hold a roller vertical to your head in one hand near the root of the section you’re working on. Wrap the section around the roller until you can tuck the ends under.
- Fasten the roller ends together to secure the hair.
- Repeat on each section.
Classic Blowout Bounce
- Create six to eight sections, depending on your density.
- Starting with the front "bang" section, hold the roller horizontal and wrap the ends of your hair around the roller. Roll the rod to the root and secure by bending the ends of the rod down.
- Roll the crown (or top-center) sections of the hair forward toward your face; roll the side sections down towards your jaw; and the center-back sections down towards your neck.
- Securethe ends with a satin scrunchie.
Byrdie Tip
"If your hair doesn't hold a curl well, try smaller rollers for more longevity," Seabrooke says. "If your hair is long or thick, try smaller sections and bigger rollers for a softer but evenly distributed texture."
How to Remove and Style
Farris recommends misting your hair with a flexible hairspray once it is wrapped and set. Then, after an overnight application (or with at least two hours in tact) Seabrooke advises removing the satin heatless curlers. For seamless removal, "start at the ends and work your way up," she says.
Once you've removed your rollers, you can leave the curls as they are. For a looser finish, you can rake through your hair with your fingers, a wide-tooth comb, or a mixed-bristle brush. "I love to apply a smoothing cream or oil afterwards, and a mixed boar brush to smooth everything together," Seabrooke says.
The Final Takeaway
Satin heatless rollers are versatile tools for achieving voluminous waves and curls in various hair types. Their smooth, satin exterior makes them a gentle option that also helps ward off unwanted frizz. Plus, once you get the hang of wrapping your hair around the rod, they're easy to use. According to experts, you'll achieve the best results if you let the rollers set in your hair overnight (however, two hours minimum should suffice). Applying a bit of hairspray while the rollers are in can help your bouncy, blowout last even longer.
