Hair Rollers Are the Vintage Tool You Should Be Using in Modern Times

f I could go back in time for one day, my first stop would be the hair salon. I’ve always loved the gorgeous hairstyles of stars like Liz Taylor, Ertha Kitt, and Brigette Bardot. Rollers, whether they’re heated or velcro, have been used by women in-salon and at-home since their invention in the 1920s and recently made a comeback thanks to social media apps like Tiktok.

“Hair rollers can give an added volume boost to a normal blowout,” says celebrity hairstylist and brand founder Andrew Fitzsimons. “Both hot and velcro rollers work on every hair type, though I love hot rollers because you can achieve multiple looks beyond a standard blowout.”

Fitzsimons has used rollers on his clients, which include the Kardashians, Jennifer Lopez, and Megan Fox.

My second stop? I’m off with my new hairdo to steal Bob Dylan’s heart, naturally.

Ahead, a step-by-step process on how to use hair rollers.

“Always start by detangling,” Fitzsimons says. Next, you need to prep the hair with a product like a heat protectant. “Then I spritz in the Body Volume Blowdry Hold Spray to help achieve a big, ‘90s-inspired blowout,” says Fitzsimons. “It creates the perfect amount of lift without ever making your hair feel stiff or crunchy.” Sadly, this product is currently sold out (I’ve used it before, it’s that good), but I like the classic L’oréal Paris Elnett, too. “If you’re pressed for time, rough blow dry the hair before putting rollers in, and if you’re using hot rollers, dry completely before adding them in.”

When you think of hot rollers, this set is a luxurious version of what probably comes to mind. “A smooth velvet roller grips the hair more softly and prevents any tangling,” says Fitzsimons. This set from T3 is fantastic for longer hair types or anybody who wants the Old Hollywood look.

When I entered the world of short hair, I was at a loss for what rollers to use—but this exact set of textured rollers are perfect for those with shorter or shaggier styles. “Textured hot rollers give the hair more of a natural, tousled look,” says Fitzsimons. “These curlers can also be beneficial for gripping curlier hair types.”Bonus: This set of hot rollers is also super compact, so they’re easy to travel with.