Roller Setting is considered to be one of the healthiest styling methods for the hair. By using an indirect heat source (a hood dryer), the hair is able to retain more moisture and natural sheen. With this styling method, you will start to see stronger, healthier hair in no time!
This is not the ONLY way to roller set but I find it to be one of the easiest.
Tools:
1) Wide Tooth Comb
2) Rattail
3) Magnetic rollers
4) Duckbill Clip
5) Water Bottle
6) Leave-in Conditioner
7) Serum
Instructions:
1) Wash and Condition hair as usual
2) After rinsing out conditioner, leave hair soaking wet and put a plastic shower cap over wet hair.
3) Apply leave-in and serum concentrating on the ends. Fill your water bottle with the mixture of your choice: 1) plain ole water, 2) water and setting lotion, 3) liquid leave-in or 4) water and oil.
Sidenote - I get the silkiest, bounciest and straightest by using just leave-in, serum and water. I get the firmest curls when I use setting lotion (diluted or not) I get the most hydrated set (but less bounce) when i use a moisturizer with my leave-in and serum.

4) Part hair twice down the middle (imagine a Mohawk) and use an elastic to keep the sides out of the way.
5) Start with the mohawk first. Spray with water. I usually spray 5-7 sprays per 1 inch section.
6) Part a 1 inch horizontal section and comb down. The hair should be hanging in front of your face. Pinch the end and place the roller on TOP of the hair. Roll up (towards the ceiling). Rolling up is the easiest on your arms and creates a lot more space on the head for the rollers. Continue until you finish the mohawk section.
A few things to Remember:
* Keep the section you are working on very wet, especially the ends. They should cling to the roller.
* Experiment with roller size. The smaller the roller, the tighter the curl and the longer the curl will stay. If you have longer hair, you might want a larger roller to shorten drying time and to achieve a straight look.
* Use tension while rolling. I like to roll, pull, roll, pull, etc. This is ensure that your hair will be straight.
* Experiment with the combination of products that work for you. Some use undiluted setting lotion. Some just use leave-in, serum and water. I get the silkiest best set THIS way. I like a cream leave-in, serum (Silken Seal), oil moisturizer and diluted setting lotion. I get super shiny, soft, supple hair and virtually no breakage when removing the rollers this way.
* Use duckbill clips shown in the picture above. They will not move while your hair is drying and will keep the roller tight. DO NOT PIN OR CLIP ROLLERS together. This is asking for breakage.
* Clip the top of the roller to the scalp. They should not feel wobbly or insecure.
7) Move on the right or left side. Make three vertical sections. Use an elastic or scrunchie to keep it out of the way.
8) Start with section furthest from your face. Part a 1 inch section and roll up. <br />Continue until you complete each section. Then move the opposite side of your head and do the same.
9) Air dry or dry under a hood dryer. Anticipate at least 30-90 minutes under the dryer.
*Avoid shoving your head into a small hood dryer. This will cause breakage over time.
10) Make sure your hair is COMPLETELY dry before removing the rollers. I know its hot and uncomfortable BUT your hair will frizz or revert if not completely dry!
11) Remove Rollers and ENJOY
It seems like hard work but with practice it becomes easier and quicker. My first set took 2 hours. It now takes me about 35 mins to set
If you are a visual person and would like to see me set my own hair, check out the Healthy Textures Roller Setting DVD.
Hope this helped:)


Comments: (48)
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By: Ms. Walton on 3/02/2008 3:44AM
I have heard quite a bit about going to the Dominicans, and I would like to know do they know how to style your hair, and not only that but keep it healthy, and growing?
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By: Donnie on 3/09/2008 4:47PM
this blog is really nice. to the author, your hair is really long and beautiful. have you ever dyed or relaxed your hair?
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By: Lavinia on 3/31/2008 5:12AM
The lady in the pictures is a very well known hair blogger. She uses the name Macherieamour but I think her real name is Gennifer. I hope these pics are used with her permission.
This is a link to her hair site: http://healthytextures.typepad.com/
Thats her picture right there.
A post about her on the Long Hair Care Forum: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81060
Both are good sites for the lady who posted earlier asking how to grow her hair long.
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By: Lavinia on 3/31/2008 5:22AM
I am very glad that the article has been attributed to Gennifer. Her site is a great resource and she is a wonderful teacher.
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By: Tamiko on 4/17/2008 10:42PM
Will your hair come out straight if you don't have a relaxer, but follow the above steps for a wet set?
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By: Miss Phillips on 1/23/2008 10:25AM
This blog is really helpful to me because I am a Beauty Advisor, and I like to give my customers the best advise, and a personal testimony is always important that's like having science to back the information. Thanks for the blog. Goody just came out with some new start, style, and finish products. The right beauty tools are always important.
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By: Michelle on 1/23/2008 9:19AM
Did you forget to tell us you need a relaxer for this, or is this done on natural hair? Some hair, no matter how hard you pull it, is not going to smooth out on a roller. When "Dominicans" do this on their clients, do they dry wrap the hair on the head to soften up the curls?
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By: MONAE on 1/23/2008 9:33AM
No the dominicans never wrap the hair they always roller set. They will use a setting lotion to soften it up if needed and you don't need a relaxer it can be used on natural hair
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