Rod sets and roller sets may still remind us of Sunday mornings with our grandmothers, but for those with natural hair, we know how handy they are when it comes to styling your curls. For some, they’ve become a way to achieve our desired curl pattern while for others, they’ve become an elegant way to show off your styling skills. Whatever your reason for opting to go with a roller or rod set though, one of the best parts about it is the fact that you can achieve the look with no heat. Not sure how to get the perfect outcome? Here are a few tips to get your heatless curls looking flawless every single time.

Start on fresh hair.

Though you can do a rod set on hair that hasn’t been washed and conditioned, your absolute best results will be achieved if done on fresh, clean hair. This will allow your hair to get the bounce and volume that you desire once you’ve removed the rods or rollers. You can use our Power Wash Intense Moisture Clarifying Shampoo followed by the RESCUED! Thirst Quenching Recovery Conditioner for optimal results.

Choose the right products.

Before you insert your rods and/or rollers, you’ll want to make sure you’ve applied the correct products to your hair. First, you’ll want to apply a good leave-in conditioner (like the Quench — Moisture Intensive Leave-In) followed by an even better foam to help set your hair. The Frizz Patrol Anti-Poof Twist & Curl Setting Mousse is great for this. And, for an extra hold on your curl, a gel to apply to each section before rolling your hair. Our SLICKED! Flexible Styling Glue could work wonders.

Section your hair appropriately.

Depending on the size of your rods or rollers, you’ll want to section your hair to reflect that. Be sure to detangle each section and apply your product evenly before adding in your roller or rod. Remember: the smaller the section, the easier it will be to get your hair to lay along the rod and/or roller when putting them in place.

Roll your rods/rollers and don’t forget to focus on the ends!

Twirl your hair around your roller/rod when installing. For an extra hold around the rod, you can even twist the root a few times before adding your rod/roller. Since the ends of your hair will be the most important when unraveling, you may want to apply a bit more foam for extra moisture and a dab of gel to enforce the hold and eliminate frizz.

Be sure to let your hair dry completely before taking your rods/rollers down.

The most important step in achieving the perfect heatless curls is giving them enough time to dry. Though you also have the option of sitting under a hooded dryer to expedite the drying process, if you really want to do this without any sort of heat, you’ll want to not rush the drying process. This will determine whether you walk away with a head full of luscious curls or find yourself discouraged with the entire process. Removing your rods or rollers before your hair is fully dry creates dull, frizzy curls that won’t last as long.

Unravel and separate.

Before you separate your curls, be sure to ensure they are fully dry. If they are, unravel each curl from the roller before you begin to separate. Once complete, add a light oil to your hands (the Frizz Rebel — Coconut & Sweet Almond oil works wonders!) and separate each curl one or two times, twirling them around your finger as you do.

Now you’re ready to style and slay the day! To achieve bigger hair, take your pick and lift at the root after separating.