I tested Velcro rollers against Dyson’s £400 Airwrap to see what transformed my hair into Sabrina Carpenter-worthy locks
WITH her chic curtain fringe, pop princess Sabrina Carpenter has sparked a new wave of fans eager to recreate her vintage look.
The 25-year-old US singer, who has 37million Instagram followers, went viral recently after posting a photo of herself using a jumbo Velcro roller to achieve her bouncy bangs.
And thanks to her, the humble Velcro roller is enjoying a resurgence.
One of my earliest memories is of my nanna, with her pink hair rollers in, applying lipstick.
Growing up in the 1940s, rollers were a staple in her generation’s beauty routine.
Then, in the 1960s, came Velcro rollers, which work by gripping the hair.
Now a new generation of celebrities, including former Love Island star Olivia Attwood, is embracing this timeless hair-curling method following the return of Nineties hair trends and the rise of curtain fringes.
Like Sabrina, they are drawing inspiration from Nineties icons Cindy Crawford, Denise Richards, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Aniston.
One of the best things about Velcro rollers is their versatility. They come in various sizes, so suit different hair lengths and types.
But as electric hair tools became more advanced in the 2000s, rollers fell out of fashion.
We’ve since been spoiled with high-tech styling products, such as the Dyson Airwrap, which costs £399.99.
After having my kids, Jude, four, and Eva, two, I suffered from post-natal hair loss.
My once-thick locks became thin and lifeless.
I’m now desperate to revive my hair and bring some bounce back into my locks.
I’ve always loved that vintage curtain fringe look, but achieving the style can be quite challenging — unless you’re blessed with thick, wavy tresses.
Unfortunately, I’m not.
But are these modern tools REALLY superior to the old-fashioned hair roller?
Here, I put them to the test.
Superdrug Velcro Roller Set, £8 for 15
PROS: Cost-effective, no heat damage, versatile.
CONS: A bit fiddly, time-consuming.
Start with clean, slightly damp hair. Use a volumising mousse or spray for added texture and hold.
DIVIDE your hair into sections: Top, sides and back. Use clips to keep sections separate.
Take a small section of hair and blow-dry before placing the roller at the end, then roll towards your scalp.
Ensure the hair wraps smoothly around the roller.
Press gently to secure the roller in place. The Velcro will hold it, but if you want extra grip, use a clip.
Allow your hair to dry completely.
You can air-dry or use a blow dryer on a low setting. For best results, keep the rollers in for 30 to 60 minutes.
I leave the rollers in for an hour before carefully unrolling each one, starting from the bottom.
Then I separate the curls with my fingers – but you can use a wide-tooth comb.
I’m amazed by the volume and bounce of my hair.
It looks fuller than ever, although I have to tame it a bit, as my fringe ends up looking like the golden arches of a certain fast-food restaurant, which isn’t what I am aiming for.
Once styled, I love the final result.
My curls look strong, sexy, and long-lasting – just how I like my men.
For eight quid, I’m incredibly impressed.
While the process is a bit time-consuming, the results are definitely worth the wait.
Dyson Airwrap, £399.99
PROS: Quick, easy to use, no heat damage.
CONS: Expensive, curls drop out quickly and hard to use at first.
THIS high-tech product is engineered for fine and thin hair, with brushes to add body and shape, and barrels to curl and wave.
You have to use it on damp hair. If hair is too dry or too wet, it won’t take.
It’s important to section your hair, to make it easier to style, and to choose the right size barrel.
I’m using the smaller barrel as my hair is mid-length.
Influencers make the Airwrap look so easy, but it took a while for me to master it.
Despite initial struggles, I eventually get the hang of it and the results are worth the effort.
It worked well on styling my fringe, but it didn’t give me as much volume as the Velcro rollers.
What’s more, I found that the curls fell out quickly, which is rather disappointing considering the price tag.
Especially as I used the same volumnising mousse and spray I used with the curlers.
MY VERDICT: WHILE the Airwrap is designed with advanced technology to minimise any heat damage and offer versatility, it didn’t quite meet my expectations for lasting volume.
The convenience and ease of use are definite advantages but, for someone looking for enduring curls and significant lift, Velcro rollers still hold their ground.
They might not be as glamorous or high-tech but they consistently deliver volume and hold that more modern tools sometimes fail to achieve.
Sabrina is using jumbo hair rollers, but it depends on the thickness and length of your hair.
The jumbo was a bit too big for my hair, so I used the size down which was still pretty large.
Despite the hype and the impressive engineering behind products like the Airwrap, Velcro rollers prove that when it comes to hair, less is definitely more.
Smaller the roller, tighter the curl
NICOLE PETTY, hair expert for Milk + Blush, shares her top tips to create the perfect curl with Velcro rollers.
If you have shorter hair, smaller rollers will work best for injecting volume at the roots, with a blowout curl at the ends.
However, keep in mind that the smaller the roller, the tighter the curl – so the shorter your hair will look.
Those with medium-length hair who just want a classic volumized look will best suit medium-sized rollers.
But they can also opt for smaller rollers for a tighter curl.
If you have long locks, opt for larger rollers. When sectioning hair, don’t select too much, or else it won’t fit around the roller.
Hair needs to be damp. Blow-dry hair and once the roller is in, add a clip.