I tried Velcro rollers vs Airwrap to see what really changed my hair
WITH her chic curtain fringe, pop star Sabrina Carpenter has created a new wave of fans eager to recreate her vintage look.
The 25-year-old American singer, who has 37 million followers on Instagram, recently went viral after she posted a photo of herself using a large velcro roller to create bouncy bangs.
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And thanks to her, the humble Velcro roller is experiencing a revival.
One of my earliest memories is of my grandmother putting on lipstick in her pink hair rollers.
Growing up in the 1940s, her generation wore hair rollers as an essential part of their beauty routine.
In the 1960s, Velcro rollers came onto the market. These work by gripping the hair.
Now, a new generation of celebrities, including former Love Island star Olivia Attwood, are embracing this timeless hair curling method, following the return of ’90s hair trends and the rise of curtain fringe.
Like Sabrina, they draw inspiration from nineties icons Cindy Crawford, Denise Richards, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Aniston.
One of the best things about Velcro rollers is their versatility. They come in different sizes to suit different hair lengths and types.
But as electric hair care products became more advanced in the 2000s, curlers fell out of fashion.
Since then, we’ve been spoiled with high-tech styling products, such as the Dyson Airwrap, which costs £399.99.
After having my children, Jude, four, and Eva, two, I started experiencing postpartum hair loss.
My once thick locks became thin and lifeless.
Now I would like to breathe new life into my hair and give my locks some bounce again.
I’ve always loved that vintage curtain fringe look, but it can be quite a challenge to create this style unless you’re blessed with thick, wavy hair.
Unfortunately, I am not.
But are these modern tools REALLY better than the old-fashioned hair rollers?
Here I put them to the test.
Superdrug Velcro Roller Set, £8 for 15
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ADVANTAGES: Cost-effective, no heat damage, versatile.
CONS: A bit tricky and time consuming.
Start with clean, slightly damp hair. Use a volumizing mousse or spray for extra texture and hold.
DIVIDE your hair into sections: Top, sides, and back. Use clips to keep sections separated.
Take a small section of your hair and blow dry it. Place the roller on the end and then roll it towards your scalp.
Make sure the hair wraps smoothly around the roller.
Press gently to hold the roller in place. The velcro will hold it in place, but if you want extra grip, use a clip.
Let your hair dry completely.
You can either let it air dry or use a blow dryer on low. For best results, leave the rollers in for 30-60 minutes.
I let the rollers soak in for an hour before carefully unrolling them, starting at the bottom.
Then I separate the curls with my fingers, but you can also use a wide-toothed comb.
I am amazed at the volume and bounce of my hair.
It looks fuller than ever, although I do have to keep it in check a bit because my bangs look like the golden arches of a certain fast food restaurant, and that’s not what I want.
Once styled, I love the end result.
My curls look strong, sexy and long-lasting – just the way I want my men.
For eight quid I’m hugely impressed.
Although the process is a bit time consuming, the result is definitely worth the wait.
Dyson Airwrap, £399.99
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ADVANTAGES: Fast, easy to use, no heat damage.
CONS: Expensive, curls fall out quickly and are difficult to use at first.
THIS high-tech product is designed for fine and thin hair, with brushes to add volume and shape and cylinders to curl and wave.
You have to use it on damp hair. If the hair is too dry or too wet, it won’t work.
It is important to section your hair so that it is easier to style. It is also important to choose the right size curling iron.
I use the smaller barrel because my hair is medium length.
Influencers make the Airwrap look so easy, but it took me a while to get the hang of it.
Despite initial problems, I eventually get the hang of it and the results are worth the effort.
It worked well for styling my bangs, but it didn’t give me as much volume as the velcro rollers.
Also, the curls fell out quickly, which I find quite disappointing considering the price.
Especially since I used the same volumizing mousse and spray as with the curlers.
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MY JUDGMENT:While the Airwrap is designed with advanced technology to minimize heat damage and provide versatility, it didn’t quite meet my expectations in terms of lasting volume.
The convenience and ease of use are certainly benefits, but for someone looking for lasting curls and a serious lift, Velcro rollers are still the best choice.
They may not be as glamorous or high-tech, but they deliver consistent volume and believe that more modern tools sometimes fall short.
Sabrina uses jumbo rollers, but it depends on the thickness and length of your hair.
The jumbo was a little too big for my hair, so I used the smaller size, which was still quite large.
Despite the hype and impressive engineering behind products like the Airwrap, Velcro rollers prove that when it comes to hair, less is definitely more.
The smaller the roller, the tighter the curl
NICOLE PETTY, hair expert at Milk + Blush, shares her top tips for creating the perfect curl with hook and loop rollers.
If you have shorter hair, smaller rollers work best to create volume at the roots and a nice curl at the ends.
Keep in mind, however, that the smaller the roller, the tighter the curl – and therefore the shorter your hair will look.
People with medium length hair who simply want a classic, voluminous look should use medium sized rollers.
But they can also opt for smaller rollers for a tighter curl.
If you have long hair, choose larger rollers. Don’t select too much when sectioning your hair or it won’t fit around the roller.
Hair should be damp. Blow dry hair and once the roller is in, add a clip.
