8 Best Hair Rollers and How to Use Them

Velcro rollers are self-gripping, so you don't need pins or clips to keep them in place — the velcro holds onto hair and stays in place on your head. Don't be fooled — these rollers are not for big, bouncy curls as much as they are made for hair with tons of volume. Think of a flawless blowout that leaves your hair with movement and a soft bend. 

How to use velcro rollers: When hair is almost dry, roll these into your crown and hit your tresses with some heat from a blowdryer, and you'll have salon-worthy hair without having to worry about if you're holding your round brush the right way. 

An old-school classic, these hair rollers might look familiar. Steam rollers have stood the test of time — and for good reason. "The best part of these rollers is that they actually improve the quality of my hair," one reviewer notes. "Gently infusing steam lets my leave-in penetrate better and gives my hair awesome shine and bounce, something I thought not possible because my hair was damaged." Keep in mind they might take longer than some of the options since they heat individually, but the end result is 100 percent worth it. 

How to use steam rollers: Once the roller is heated from the steam, place these rollers into the ends of your hair and roll up, securing with the clip. Pop the next roller on the steam before you roll to save time.

"Flexi rods come in assorted sizes so styles can be easily customized depending on the look that you want," Riley explains. "Additionally, they are quite comfortable and very versatile for all texture types." Flexi rods are one of her favorite hair tools: "I’m currently obsessed with smaller flexi rods and old-school perm rods — primarily due to the versatility and accessibility."

How to use flexi rollers: Flexi rods "can be used wet or dry, and the flexible body of the rollers provides for stability without the use of clips and pins," says Riley. When you're finished rolling flexi rods up, just bend the sides to secure them in your hair. 

If your end goal is bouncy, voluminous curls in under 20 minutes, these are the rollers for you. Recommended by Riley and perfect to pop into your hair as you're getting ready, these rollers give you tons of lift. With four jumbo (1.75") and four large (1.5") rollers included, you can create different sized curls. If you have thick hair, these will only cover the top layers — but for lift and bounce, that's more than enough. 

Pro tip for hot rollers: "Always use a setting product," Riley advises. When using hot rollers, she recommends using something to moisturize the hair, like a leave-in conditioner. 

"Heat rollers are amazing for refreshing a style," Riley says. "The heat allows hair to reform without causing any type of heat damage. They’re also great for multi-tasking – throw them in for a quick touchup and let them set while getting dressed." These rollers are 1.5 inches in diameter "so the result is lots of volume and smooth, loose curls," says one reviewer. "The rollers heat up fast and are gentle enough on my hair to use every day."

Pro tip for hot rollers: "They’re great for multi-tasking," shares Riley. "Throw them in for a quick touchup and let them set while getting dressed."

For a full head of bouncy curls, you can't go wrong with these rollers. They come in three different sizes, so you can really control your waves. "These are definitely the easiest-to-use rollers I've ever owned," one reviewer raves. "They heat quickly, secure firmly without effort, and create a lovely curl. They're also designed in such a way that you can handle without burning yourself."

How to use hot rollers: When taking them out, in the back of the hair and work your way forward. This will reduce the risk of tangling hair and messing up your curls!