Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Prepare your hair
• Method 2 of 3: Give yourself tight curls
• Method 3 of 3: Taking a big '80s style perm
• Tips

Curling irons can be difficult to work with and can damage your hair. Hair rollers are a heat-free alternative. Simple drinking straws can surprisingly be used as hair rollers to effectively style all hair types. Depending on the method used, a "set of straws" can create either tightly twisted curls or a voluminous 80s "perm".

To step

Method 1 of 3: Prepare your hair

1. Find your materials together. Before you start with your set of straws, make sure you have all your supplies. You'll need the same things for both methods: drinking straws, bobby pins, scissors, and a water spray bottle. You will also need a wide tooth comb and a few pins to divide your hair.
   • Cut the bendable part of each straw you plan to use. If your straws are already straight without a bent piece, you can use them like this. If you have straight straws, scissors are no longer necessary.
   • If your hair takes a long time to dry, you also need a silk headscarf for sleeping.
2. Let your hair dry. Your hair doesn't need to be clean when you style it, but if you do pre-wash it, let it dry first. To avoid heat damage, do not use a hair dryer.
   • This method of curling hair can prevent hair from drying completely. If your hair type retains moisture and styles your corkscrew curls, try to get your hair as dry as possible before styling. This is not so important for the voluminous look, as you are removing the straws before your hair is completely dry.
   • If you have hair with a natural texture, there is no need to dry it completely before styling. You can start with your straws when your hair is damp or wet if you wish.
3. Use moisturizing and setting products. This step will make your hair bouncy and last longer, especially if it tends to dry out. First, use a moisturizing product, such as a leave-in conditioner. Combine it with one or more of the setting products below, depending on your hair type.
   • If you have fine hair, use a mousse or spray.
   • If you have medium to thick hair with a natural wave, choose a gel or cream.
   • With relaxed hair, try a trio of leave-in conditioner, wrapping lotion, and castor oil.
4. Detangle your hair. Run a wide-tooth comb through your hair to get rid of knots. Knots ruin the sleek look of corkscrew curls but don't stand out in the messy 80s style. However, tousled hair can lead to knots that are even more difficult to remove with either method.
5. Divide your hair into sections. Separate a 7-8 cm "mohawk" section in the center of your scalp, all the way to the back of your head. This will divide your hair into thirds, which is generally good for hair rollers. Comb your hair out and away from your scalp, securing each section with clips. Let go of the first part you plan to style.
   • How many sections you want to divide your hair into depends on the length and thickness of your hair as well as how much you like to work with at a time. You can do some more sections if your hair is very thick or long.

Method 2 of 3: Give yourself tight curls

1. Select and wet a strand of hair at the back of your head. Using your fingers, part a small section of your hair at the back of one of your side sections. This way you can work towards your face, becoming easier. Slightly moisten the strand with the water spray bottle.
   • Remember that the thicker the strand, the bigger each curl will grow. Use a lot of hair per roller if you only want a few curls.
   • For thin coils, use sections that are about 2-3 cm wide. These are later divided into smaller pieces.
2. Roll your hair tightly around a straw. Start with the bottom of your hair and wrap around the end of the first straw. Roll the straw into your hair until the entire strand is rolled up or until you run out of space on your straw. Make sure the strand is tight around the straw without pulling your hair so hard that it becomes uncomfortable.
   • For the tightest curls, roll your hair flat around the straw.
   • If you're going for long, thin spirals, wrap the strand around the straw. Instead of flattening your hair against the straw, keep the section round.
3. Secure the straw with a pin. Grab a pin and tie the string wrapped around the straw by the roots. Slide the pin over the center of the straw and through the hair you are attaching it to. Later on, you may run out of space and you may have to tie it to another strand.
4. Wrap the next strand around a new straw. Secure each strand that is finished with a pin. Go around your head until all of your hair is done. Keep the sections in a consistent size and wrap pattern.
   • While this method works with curls of different size and style, it is best to keep each strand as even as possible. Multiple types of curls can be used by an experienced stylist to create more adventurous hairstyles, but it is a difficult look to achieve.
5. Leave the straws in your hair until it all the way is dry. Depending on your hair type, this can be from three hours to all night.
   • If you let it dry overnight, wrap your hair in a silk scarf or a swim cap.
   • Taking the straws out while your hair is still damp will make your hair look more like a messy 80s perm. While this is also a great look, it is very different from the corkscrew curls you probably wanted. Don't waste all the time you spent rolling and waiting by being too hasty at the end.
6. Remove the straws carefully. Untie each curl one by one. Start by loosening the pin. Then simply unwrap your hair by rolling the straw in the opposite direction. Depending on your hair type, the strand can unwind itself by loosening the pin.
7. Style your hair as desired. After removing the straws, your hair will likely be a single layer with relatively few strands. To give your hair depth and volume, use your fingers to gently divide each large curl into several small curls. Slide your hands under your hair and gently toss the strands to loosen up the curls.
   • Remember that the hair structure you start with will affect how your hair ultimately looks. However, it is not always possible to predict how this style will look on your hair until you try it.
   • If your hair is naturally straight and doesn't hold its shape, a little hairspray will help keep your curls longer. You should also be careful not to brush out your new curls when styling it.

Method 3 of 3: Taking a big '80s style perm

1. Select and moisten the first strand of hair. Spray some water on the part you want to start with.
   • The smaller the parts, the more volume your style will have.
   • Keep in mind that this method works best for long, straight hair that naturally lacks volume.
2. Wrap your hair around the first straw. Starting at the end, twist your hair around the straw several times until you get to the roots. Keep these loops loose and irregular. However, don't wrap them so loosely that the curl comes off.
3. Secure the curl. Use a pin to secure the straw and your hair to your scalp. Spray a little hairspray on each rolled up strand. This will help keep your curls in place once you are done.
4. Repeat the process until you have rolled up all or most of your hair. Unlike corkscrew curls, you don't have to make every strand the same size or roll it up in the same way.
   • Due to the chaotic and messy nature of this look, it is fine if you miss a few strands and loose hair.
5. Remove the straws while your hair is still slightly damp. First, wait about two to three hours for the curls to take effect. Untie the pins and then pull the strands apart by hand. Use your fingers to gently fluff your corkscrew curls into "big hair." Add a little bit of hair oil to soften your hair and make it easier to work with.
   • Keep in mind that this method deliberately creates mess and frizz to create volume. Combing will be difficult. Use your fingers to style your hair for final styling.

Tips

• Separating tight curls with your fingers can give you natural looking voluminous curls depending on your hair type.
• The tight curling method is a great way to style your hair when transitioning from chemically relaxed to natural hair. The curls help to blend the two structures for as long as your hair grows out. Heat-free methods like the straws are also the safest way to style altered hair without damaging your natural curl pattern.
• If you want bigger curls or waves in your hair, use thick straws instead of thin ones when doing the corkscrew method.
• While drinking straws are the cheapest way to achieve this, thin hair rollers are also available. These products promise the same style in a fraction of the drying time.
• If your hair is straight and you normally wear it loose, remember that it will look much shorter with corkscrew curls.