Create Bouncy Curls with Cardboard Tubes

Category Styling

If you are looking for a thrifty, no heat, alternative to rollers or a curling iron this tip may just be for you. It is certainly a great temporary fix. You just need bobby pins and some recycled TP or paper towel tubes from your crafting stash. You will be pleased and surprised by the resulting bouncy curls.

Solutions

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Create Bouncy Curls with Cardboard Tubes

By attosa [1,169 Posts, 5,210 Comments]

February 4, 2019

I flew up to visit my parents recently and realized I'd left my curling iron at home. I was a bit bummed as I love to do my hair. Before I got the chance to even contemplate buying a cheap curling iron at one of the local shops, my thrifty mum suggested I make use of a big bag of toilet paper tubes and wrapping paper centers she had put aside for crafting. Admittedly, I laughed at first, but it turned out to be pretty awesome. The cardboard grit is enough to keep it a bit non-slip, and smooth enough that your hair does not get stuck in any teeth (like many curlers have). Using different sizes of tubes gives different types of curls. Also, no electricity was used and no hair was damaged by heat. I'm a big fan of this method!

Create Bouncy Curls with Cardboard Tubes - long curly hair

Supplies:

cardboard tubes from toilet paper and wrapping paper
hairbrush
water
bobby pins
serrated knife

Create Bouncy Curls with Cardboard Tubes - different diameter rolls cut into short lengths and bobby pins

Steps:

Cut the tubes into shorter lengths. Gift wrapping paper tubes are usually much thicker and can be sliced with a serrated knife.

Create Bouncy Curls with Cardboard Tubes - cut the tubes with a serrated knife

Brush your hair then dampen with a very small amount of water. Do not soak.

Create Bouncy Curls with Cardboard Tubes - brush and then slightly dampen hair

Use bigger rolls where you want bigger curls. I use them more at the bottom section of my head.

Create Bouncy Curls with Cardboard Tubes - use bigger rollers where you want larger curls

Secure hair onto roll with a bobby pin.

Continue dampening and rolling all your hair. Allow to air dry while you do something else, or speed up the process with a hair dryer. When fully dry, remove the tubes and love your bouncy curls.

Create Bouncy Curls with Cardboard Tubes - continue rolling and dampening - allow to dry

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 7

Comments

By Jodi Murray H. [14 Posts, 226 Comments]

February 5, 20190 found this helpful

When my hair was long, in the early 70s, I used orange juice cans and TP rolls, and eventually, as it got longer, beer cans.

It took hours for my hair to dry, but I wanted to straighten my curly hair. One day, I stepped outside my apartment door with all those cans, etc., in my hair. One of my neighbors yelled, "You get all the channels, don't you!"

Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By suz1230 [48 Posts, 612 Comments]

February 5, 20190 found this helpful

Those cardboard tubes sure worked great, your hair looks beautiful!

Reply Was this helpful? Yes

By Jess (TF Editor) [232 Posts, 2,297 Comments]

February 5, 20191 found this helpful

My mom used to do the same thing, but to straighten her curly hair. I remember her talking about orange juice cans specifically. :)

Reply Was this helpful? 1

By attosa [1,169 Posts, 5,210 Comments]

February 6, 20191 found this helpful

That is super cool! I've never tried cans-- kinda keen on doing it for fun :) Love the neighbour's comment!!!