The Return of Self-Gripping Curlers

If you think hair rollers are a vintage styling accessory relegated to your grandmother's beauty routine, think again. With more than 40 million views on TikTok and fans such as Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Kate Middleton, self-gripping rollers are now a damage-free way to get supermodel style and volume.

Priscilla Valles, a favorite of Hailey Bieber and Kim Kardashian, uses self-gripping rollers to get a “soft 90s glam” look. So does hairstylist Chris Appleton, who applies them to Jennifer Lopez's hair to achieve the “JLo Barbie” look.

If you're looking for volume, there's one thing to keep in mind—bigger is better, at least that's what stylist Dominic Keller, owner in Berlin of Blow Dry Bar, says. “Curlers really never went out of fashion,” he says. “Hair stylists have always continued to use them, especially backstage at fashion shows. They are practical and low-cost, and you get fantastic results without putting too much stress on your hair.”

The advantages of self-gripping curlers

• They don't require much heat (which damages hair)
• They do not pull on the hair like a brush during a blow out, which can cause hair fall or breakage.
• Can be used on dry or damp hair, while getting ready, and remove them before going out, and end up with voluminous hair effortlessly.

Who are self-gripping curlers suitable for?

“Anyone who wants to add volume to their hair, but especially those who have fine, delicate hair and want to get body and volume without damaging their hair,” Keller tells us.

Exactly how to use self-gripping rollers

• Start with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner
• After towel drying, add a volumizing spray or mousse that gives texture to the hair. Some people use a sea salt spray, but if you have fine or damaged hair it may make the ends feel dry or stiff
• Dry the hair using a round brush with a wide diameter
• Once the hair is dry, while it is still warm, place the self-gripping rollers by dividing the hair into sections, and starting at the front, if that's where you want the most volume. The sections of hair should be as wide as the curlers themselves. Apply the curlers by pulling up the strand at 90 degrees, and rolling the hair back, to get more volume
• Having applied the curlers all over the hair, I let it cool for about 15 minutes
• To finish, gently remove the curlers, brush through the hair, and secure it with a spray of hairspray

“When you have an event in the evening, and you have a few free hours at home to get ready, you can also apply self-gripping curlers to towel-dried hair only,” suggests Keller. “Give the entire head a quick heat stroke with the blow dryer, and then let the hair air dry completely for about an hour. If you don't feel like waiting at home, wrap a scarf around your head, over the curlers, and go out on the street to shop for example, like the Hadid sisters. Come home, remove the curlers, and you will be ready for your evening.”