My hair has been an endless source of frustration for me lately. It’s not really a cut issue or a color issue – though I could certainly use help in both of those areas, but we’ll save that discussion for another day when I have access to a licensed counseling professional who can help me Express My Hair-Related Feelings and Evaluate My Unreasonable Hair Expectations – it’s mostly a texture issue. I feel like my hair has gotten very fine and very flyaway and very no-I-will-not-behave-for-longer-than-ten-minutes-no-matter-how-much-hairspray-you-use.
Unfortunately, I cannot put my hair in time out.
But OH, IF I COULD.
Anyway, I’ve been frustrated by my hair’s general lack of purpose. It’s a weird length right now – longer than normal but not as long as I want it to be – and I don’t really know what to do with it while I’m waiting for it to (hopefully) reach its style destination. Drying it with the round brush just makes it super flat, and using Velcro rollers gives me spectacular results for a full 30 to 45 seconds.
So.
Yesterday I was in Walmart, and as I made my way to the hair spray aisle, an old friend caught my eye. And in a moment of inspiration or desperation – I’m not sure which – I picked up that old friend and threw it in my cart and $15 later, we’re BFFs again.
TOTAL. BFFs.
LYLAS!
This morning I used every single one of those hot rollers. Everysingleone. And after I took out the rollers and fixed my hair, it took me RIGHT BACK to 1988. Quite frankly the volume was unprecedented. All that was missing was an oversized (detachable) lace collar and some pastel Connie flats. And shoulder pads. And acid-washed jeans.
And Paul Mitchell Freeze-n-Shine.
This morning’s volume was so uncharacteristic that I felt a little bit like I needed to tame the curls before I went out in public. After all, I didn’t want people to feel like they’d been transported back in time to the set of “Designing Women.” But after I worked with it a little bit, I felt like the hot rollers really helped. My hair had way more body than it has the last few months, and it’s actually still a little bit curly right now. I don’t know what to make of this phenomenon.
And you know what else? I always think of the 80s as being a fairly tragic time for hair, but now I’m thinking that the 80s actually taught us some valuable hair lessons. I mean, obviously we’re supposed to discard the part of our 80s hair history where we wore banana clips that matched our outfits and teased our bangs into nests and tied large pieces of tulle into gigantor hairbows. But maybe – just maybe – it’s time for us to embrace our Hot Roller Heritage.
Maybe – just maybe – it’s time for us to admit that hot rollers can take us to places that round brushes cannot.
That’s a hard word, I know. But I speak the truth in love.
And regardless of your hair styling preferences, I hope with all my heart that today brings you big hair and big dreams.
Big hair and big dreams.
Amen.
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Amen!! Been using hot rollers since my childhood, and I just laugh at any hairstylist that tries to convince me to use a roundbrush. Rollers are so quick and easy and give my hair more shine and volume than anything else. So roll on!!
Welcome to my (secret) world! I’ve been using the same set of Clairol Big Curl curlers for at least 13 years. Most of them are somehow damaged due to being dropped or chewed up by our new puppy, but oh, the results for my hair are the same. They take the edge off my stick straight hair and let it fall in just the right place every time. Welcome home!
Oh back in the day I was queen of the hot rollers. I need to give them another chance. My hair may be too short right now which could result in a little old lady style if I’m not careful!
Hot rollers are the only way to go for stick straight hair like mine. Root booster, rollers and hair spray. It will stay all day with low humidity, which is rare in Houston. Somedays it only lasts about 15 minutes outside, but at least it looks fabulous til the humidity droops it.
Oh, sister! Being a child of the 80′s as well, I love my hot rollers. Use them every morning in combination with my straight iron. Perfection indeed! Been loving your blog for years and rarely comment – keep of the fantastic commentary
Love me some hot rollers. My hair wouldn’t know what to do without them.
I’ve had hot rollers on my wish list for quite some time now.
My hair is always fine and volume-less and the rollers are the easiest way to remedy that.
Oh, have MERCY, Sophie! You really took me down memory lane this morning! Hair volume, shoulder pads, detachable lace collar, acid washed jeans.. I feel like I’m in a Molly Ringwald movie. Here’s wishing you a bouyant hair day!
WOOOO HOOOO for BIG HAIR!!
It’s a Word like this that makes me pause and think, “WHAT WAS I THINKING SHARING MY ROUND HAIR BRUSH AS A WFMW TIP?” Next time, sister, I’ll just point them to you.
Because. Surely. You have heard from On High.
LYLAS! Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
I feel your hair pain, except in the opposite direction. The Keratin complex has revolutionized my morning routine (and apparently my look, as my kids think I look like Hannah Montana, which I think is good). Add extensions and it’s a whole new me. Thanks for devoting a whole post to hair. Love it!
Ah, the memories hot rollers bring back. I may have to invest in a set just for kicks. With my short hair now I fear I’d look rather Bozo-like if I used them.
Listen…I was but a child in the 80′s, so the hot rollers were not a part of my life in the 80′s. But I’ll have you know that I bought my first set in college (2003) and love them when I need volume – or a quick fix for an “updo” for a wedding.
I’ve been debating tossing my hot rollers. I definitely won’t since this post is going to cause a “big hair” revolution!!
Amen. And I think you finally found you blog salutation. Big hair and big dreams is classic!
this made me smile so big! I just lost my sweet Mamaw a month ago. Her big thing to all of her daughters and granddaughters was “did you roll your hair?” If I called her to tell her about any event, that is what she asked me first. It was such a trademark of hers, my sweet cousin who is in college (way too young to truly understand hot rollers) rolled her hair for Mamaw’s funeral. It was awesome. She always thought any hair looked better with some rolling going on. And she was always right. She bought me every detachable lace collar I’ve ever worn…and I’ve worn a few. Thanks for this post, and I hope you have a great hair day!
Bringing back some great memories… I remember hotrolling my hair in the 5th grade. 5TH GRADE!? Did you go so far as to tuck little tissue squares under the ones by your ears so as to not burn them? Classy.
Oh Boo.
I love those journeys down the 80s Memory Lane.
In fact, I added a facebook group with a picture of my 17-year-old wearing my blue lame’ (lame’, not lame, though you may consider it lame) assymetrical prom dress from the 80s.
It’s title: Help Courtney bring back the 80s prom!
She is NOT for this. *sheepish grin*
BUT, I’ll tell you what she is for–those rollers! Her bff bought her some for Christmas.
And I’ll tell you, for someone who also has very fine hair (MOI), they most definitely pump up the volume!
The only problem is, my hair is not so long right now. Only slightly grown out from an inverted cut. Long enough that the back has caught up with the front length, but not so long that those rollers don’t make me scream: HELLLO! I’M FROM 1987!
Just today I broke out my curling iron and am bopping around with those free and easy curls! Makes me pause for a moment and think “should I get a perm??”. Then the moment passes! I miss those big-haired, Jersey Girl days!!!
Girlfriend, my hair wizard won’t let me claim ny hot roller heritage anymore. I made a mistake of getting my hair cut before I went to Houston last weekend. However, I did find a product called IT..or Freeze It something like that. In a gold can, that will give you height and poof like you can’t imagine. As Beth Moore says, the higher the poof the closer to God!
Roll on sister!
Well, you know what Beth Moore says? The bigger your hair, the closer you are to God. Just consider it you getting closer with every roller. Ha!
I never quit using my hot rollers. Who knew they were out of style?
Not me.
SOPHIE! Can you hear me screaming all the way from Jawja? Girl…my roommate had these EXACT SAME ROLLERS in her suitcase at the Siesta Scripture Party we just had in Houston (and BTW, I missed you something terrible, but Big Mama told me it was your husband’s birthday and…well…I MISSED YOU)!
And guess what? I USED my roomies curlers for a “volume test”…and I was taken back and had a “spell” as my old preacher used to say.
I.lie.not. THESE VERY “CURLERS” ARE ON MY WAL-MARK :) LIST IN MY PURSE EVEN AS I TYPE THIS…
This has been an annointed moment for my full fine hair. Oh God is in my lunchhour trip to Wal-Mart – I know.
YOU ARE MY NEW BFF. You and Beth Moore. :)
I love you,
Georgia Jan
You think you have hair issues. I just had surgery on Friday and can’t wash my hair for 10 days, haha!!!!! By Monday, I will not be able to be seen by the general public :)
My hot rollers and I have been BFFs since 1981. Actually, I am on my second set that I purchased some time in the early nineties. The case is so battle worn that I’ve lamented the day when I must say good-bye to them. But you have given me new hope! I had no idea they still made hot rollers with the color-coordinated pins to hold them. The last time I looked all I could find were the velour-covered rollers with plastic clips – they are just not the same. Not the same at all! Thank you for taking away my hot roller worries. At $15, a new set just might be mine this weekend!
Pictures of this hot roller hair wonder????
I used them this morning – nothing like it!
Missy
I’m in the process of growing my hair out {don’t even get my started on how much hair therapy THAT is taking} but oh, how I miss the hot rollers!
Also, I know a girl with a pink polka dotted blog who will be absolutely DElighted with this post. In fact, I pretty much guarantee that Miss Amy Beth will be citing you sometime in the near future :)
I’m a huge fan of hot rollers!
I had put my hot rollers in the “Goodwill” box, but I am pretty sure I am going to have to retrieve them after this post!
AMEN!
You’re hilarious.
I’m a big fan of hot rollers~ the only time I take issue with them is traveling…the whole weight thing…so these Remington ones look like they just might be what I need!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one. I love hot rollers! I tried for years to be hip and use the round brush and then the flat iron.
My hair has NEVER looked better. Not even in the 80′s!
Oh! I LOVE the 80′s. I had a great pair of pink and blue “marbelized” and ripped Guess jeans that I wish I could bring back and still fit my big butt into. SIGH! The hair, oh the memories. I would get up and blow dry my naturally curly hair and then roll it on my Clairol hot rollers every morning. Then I’d spray my bangs up at least 3 inches. Weren’t the 80′s the best? SIGH! My hot rollers ROCKED! They made my curly, slightly frizzy hair fall into big ole smooth curls.
I’m TOTALLY going to Wal-Mart to buy some new ones.
Ahhhh….I can smell the Salon Selectives right now. What a trip down memory lane!
I was just lamenting my ineptitude with a round brush and hair dryer. I cannot for the life of me work them both at once.
I totally know how to do hot rollers though! Hmmmm…
Oh I love me some big hair! I am secretly waiting for the 80′s to come back around. Not the Nest O’ Bangs but good volume, yes! I loved your post.
Where did UR2SWEET2B4GOT10 go? I was coming to ask how long you have been waiting to use that as your closer!!
Big hair. Big dreams. Priceless!
And…I’m off to plug in the hot rollers :)
The 80s were awesome.
Amen.
Again I say, Amen.
Do what you have to do Sister…claim those curls in the name of Jesus! Ha! The higher the hair the closer to God! :o) But you must use some Freeze-it! hairspray. See “the poof video” as posted @ kellyskorner…you won’t regret it!
LYLAS!!!….now that was a throw back
if I’ve ever read one, and written throughout the autograph pages of my elementary yearbooks!!! ;) loved it! As well as hot rollers once the late years of the80′s arrived! The velvet rollers?…my all
time favorite! Still use them today even with all the gunk
built up on that metal base from the rave hairspray
that wad involved from 1989–1993
Hahaha, I love it! “Big hair and big dreams”. I think there is a sign in that.
I almost spit my tea when you said the 80s taught us some valuable hair lessons. Indeed it did. I was graduating high school in 1988, so all this talk is leading me to believe you’re heading for a perm. Say it ain’t so. Say it ain’t so!!
I secretly, on occasion, use my hot rollers and you have me questioning this morning why it’s a secret. I’m going to climb out of that pit and proclaim victory over the body they give my hair.
I feel strangely empowered this morning :)
I totally have been wanting to get hot rollers but I’m scared. Your triumph is my hope :)
Hollee – please share about the keratin complex. The last thing this curly hair needs is more body, or curl. But I always love a good post about hair. And the 80s, well, so i can pretend I didn’t live that long ago. I love you blog – you make me laugh and I needed that!
I still have my Caruso hot steam rollers – use them too on occasion, when my hair is long enough not to look like Orphan Annie. Hot rollers are just the BOMB!!
Pictures…pretty please?
Lo I have often mourned the loss of rot rollers. I know it felt good. I can almost feel them in my hair now. I miss those days too.
$15 you say? Hmmm……
After all, I didn’t want people to feel like they’d been transported back in time to the set of “Designing Women.”
MAD ME LAUGH OUT LOUD AT WORK!! You are hilarious. Thanks for the Wednesday morning chuckles!
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