The 10 Best Hot Rollers for Perfect Curls and More Volume in 5 Minutes

“You can’t leave hot rollers in long enough to damage your hair. In terms of heat damage, it’s fool-proof,” Lopez says. “It takes an average of 12 minutes to cool down, although I have seen results after 5 minutes. For style longevity, leave in the hair for about 15 minutes to get the style retention you’re looking for.”

Rough drying your hair to start is key, Lopez suggests. “I like to use the T3 Cura Luxe on low speed and high heat while rough drying in order to keep the elasticity of the hair,” he says. “Once dry, prep the hair with a medium styling mousse. The heat from the rollers will activate this mousse and give the look a stronger memory. Finally, before I wrap each section around the hot rollers, I spray with hairspray and brush through.” His go-to duo includes Kenra’s Medium Hold Mousse and IGK’s Intern Flexible hairspray.

“Yes! Although for curly and natural hair types, you want to smooth hair first and then use the hot rollers,” Lopez insists. “The hot rollers won’t straighten or completely smooth out naturally curly hair.”

“Sometimes I wrap the hair around the rollers like I would an iron because it can give you more of a loose wave look,” Lopez says. “If you have long hair, pick up a 1-inch roller and wrap a section around the roller like a curling iron and clip it vertically. Once cool, release the roller and you will achieve a long, loose curl.”

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add curl and volume to your hair, hot rollers are a great choice. While curling irons can require a little more skill, you do get more versatility with a curling iron. As for which one is better, it all depends on your personal preference! “With hot rollers, I have greater control of style longevity and bounce of the hair. It’s also extremely gentle on the hair, so it’s great if you’re worried about hair damage: color- treated hair, over-processed hair, etc.,” says Lopez. “Although they are extremely gentle, you still get a big result!”