Setting Hair

Which Products Work Best?

Setting hair is most effective when each section of hair that is wrapped is given a quick dose of setting spray.

This way, you can do roller sets on dry hair which means that you're waiting for the product to dry, not the entire head of hair.

Much faster.

Setting hair this way also creates a much softer, more natural looking curl and eliminates the obvious partings that result on the scalp when setting wet hair.

The products below are separated by function. Setting products for use with velcro or rag rollers and those used for thermal hair setting, involving heat styling tools. Get the most effective product for the method you're using.

Hair Setting Products

Biolage by Matrix Thermal-Active Setting Spray

This is a liquid, pump-action spray ideal for setting hair with velcro rollers, or rags. Use on dry hair, spraying each section just before wrapping.

Apply heat just long enough for the product to dry all the way through, then cool and unwrap. Beautiful, bouncy, soft curls.

Setting Hair With Hot Rollers, Curling Irons, or Flat Irons

These two products are working hair sprays. Very effective when setting hair with hot rollers or reshaping with a flat iron or curling iron. Use on dry hair, coating each section before wrapping or thermal styling.

When setting hair in hot rollers you can control the shape of your curl by concentrating more spray in the areas you want more curl or volume. For example, spray the ends only for a looser shape in the top and crown and more tight coils toward the ends. Or increase volume by holding the hair straight up and concentrating the spray underneath the section right at the roots, then wrapping down from there with your roller.