by
Black Girl With Long Hair
Roller setting is typically done on permed/straight hair, but it can also be done on natural hair! J breaks it down in this tutorial.
Products to set the hair: Fantasia IC leave-in treatment and Fantasia IC straightening gel
First wash and deep condition the hair. Apply generous amount of leave-in treatment using a large tooth comb and detangle well. Section off the hair by parting a large column in the middle of head. Hold the sides back with clips.
Starting in the middle, section off as you move down the column. Grab hair to be put on the roller and make it smooth using gel and brushing several times with boar bristle brush. Hold hair very taut and wrap around roller. When the middle column is finished start on each side and follow the same pattern.
Here’s another roller set pic from the BGLH archives…
Have you attempted a roller set? What are your steps? Feel free to submit photos of your roller set/wet set results to bl***************@***il.com.
J is on a one-month trip to India so she won’t be able to answer questions immediately. But please leave your thoughts!
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26 Responses
This is an interesting technique! Think I will try it with smaller rollers though
I really like this hairstyle and I’m happy too that you went back to show the hair dresser. What did she say or what was her reaction? She probably either still wasn’t satisfied with the look or gave you a back handed compliment. I hope it was neither one of those and that she actually took a lesson well taught and use it to her advantage the next time some natuaral hair comes her way. No offense to her…after all natural hair isn’t for everyone but still… respect it.This makes me want to take this weave out today!LOL Usually when I’ve worn my hair natural I just leave it as a blow out or I curl it and pin it in an updo hoping for no humidity LOL, but now I have a new idea.( still going to have the same hope though) Thanx.
@ MissLondon the key is pulling it very taunt to get that tension.
I love that look so many times i’ve had hair dressers tell me they couln’t wet set my hair bc it’s natural and i’m like i dn’t want my hair to be straight, that defeats the purpose of being natural!
I have always been natural and love this website!!! I often wear kinky twist or long long Pocahontis braids in the winter months!
BUT I really want to try this with my hair since its summer, but both the ladies look as though their hair is quite long past the shoulders. Also the hair looks like it has been blow dried or is slightly straightened already? Maybe I can try smaller rollers? Suggestions please my hair is should neck length when straightened.
Also where to I find out what my hair type is when it is natural?
I too would love to know what hair color and brand that is.
Great!
the last picture is hot. that is a very fly look.
I love the look of roller sets on natural hair, the volume, the bounce. It’s unmistakable, really. It’s just another thing that makes our hair unique. Great styles. Thanks for the tutorial. I can’t wait to try this when my hair gets longer.
JC that does help a bit, I really like J in the first picture. I still need more details though, lol!
I love how her hair looks. Can someone please tell me what hair color she has in. Im determined to get that color in my hair
I have rollers and have wanted to try this but I needed detailed instructions. Thanks J!
@Gem – You can
1. Run your fingers through and separate each curl into 3-4 pieces depending on how much body you want (tesult looks like a bantu knot out – top pic in this post)
2. Lightly comb through your hair to give it an s shaped wave instead of a curl (Result looks like 5th pic in this post)
In my experience, the curlier your hair, the more patient you have to be about sectioning in small parts and ensuring that you do pull the hair taut (not painfully, just make sure it is actually rolling on straight).
Hope this helps!
@Gem… *sigh* I guess we will have to wait for J to get back for that break down (unless anyone else wants to chime in…) I’ll be sure to bring it up again once she returns from India.
Yes you must have a desire to take the time to do it!
This is perfect! I have been wanting to try a roller set and even bought some rollers last week. Now I will give it a go!
I would looooove to try this, but I’m so basic when it comes to hair. I wouldn’t know what to do after the rollers are out. Wear it down? Wouldn’t it be too “bumpy” at the top/roots? I need a breakdown for the style-challenged, lol.
This is so cute. Maybe this is how Tracee Ellis Ross gets those big, retro, fluffy curls she does sometimes. I can’t way to try this!
@NapturallyHappy… Let us kno how it goes!!
Dannnggg. That looks GREAT! Can’t wait to try when my hair gets longer
Love this. Trying it this weekend.
How can the stylist not know how to roller set natural hair? When I was a little girl my mom would roller set my head full of type 4 coils all the time.
The rollersets on both ladies are pretty! Makes me want to go do one.
I sooooo want to do this buy my laziness just won’t let me!!
i’m so glad she went back and showed that hairdresser! those chicks [and dudes] be on that stuff sometimes. i mean if you’re a stylist for BLACK people, shouldn’t you know the techniques to do all BLACK hair?
I’ve noticed that rollersets on natural hair kind of have a fuzzy/woolly look to them. But I like the effect!