The joy of Rag curls

[Dementia1013]

So I admit that I used to use curlers and a curling iron ALOT before I started lurking here then eventually joining. I was convinced that I was never going to be able to have the curls I wanted without heat styling, but was determined to try and find something without heat that would work just as well.

Last night insted of braiding my hair like usual I parted my hair then split the parts into 4 sections. I twisted the sections wraped the ends first with a perm paper (thanks Torrin! :D) then wraped the whole thing around pillow curlers and slept on it. I woke up this morning and removed them indvidually and came up with very Nightmare before christmas-y spirals.

Using a wide toothed bone comb I gently combed through the spirals and I got the best curls and waves I've ever had! They turned out far better then any of my curls with a Curling iron had and I did it without heat! :cheese:

I'm sure many of you ladies already knew about this, I'm just ecstatic, because I didn't think I could have curls like these with just rag curling. Anyway this is how it turned out! :D

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/Dementia1013/IMG_0439.jpg

[Dementia1013]

How about you ladies? Let's see some awesome rag curl pics! :D

[pixiechick]

They look beautiful! I will have to try this.

[dragonfrog]

Wow Dementia1013! Those are some beautiful curls!

I'm a little unclear on exactly what you did to achieve them though... could you explain it again to me? And what are perm papers and pillow curls?
Thanks!

[misstwist]

Very pretty!

I use pincurls rather than rag curls or foam curlers and get far better and longer lasting curls than I ever got with heat.

[Dementia1013]

Wow Dementia1013! Those are some beautiful curls!

I'm a little unclear on exactly what you did to achieve them though... could you explain it again to me? And what are perm papers and pillow curls?
Thanks!

Sorry I'm so bad at explaining things... lol. Ok, so I parted my hair into two parts. One on either side. Then I took one side at a time and seperated it into 4. Then individually twisted them and curled them. This vid showed me what perm papers and pillow curlers are. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0NMLSUICp4

[Quixii]

Oo, that looks lovely! =)

[Elainehali]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/9-1.jpg

I used a different wrapping pattern to get these fun waves.

And there's an article I wrote here:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=82

[Dementia1013]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/9-1.jpg

I used a different wrapping pattern to get these fun waves.

And there's an article I wrote here:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=82

Oh those are BEAUTIFUL! I love it! :cheese:

[Gumball]

I've never rag curled or anything, but my siggie is from what I think are sometimes referred to as magnetic rollers which was done for this last New Year celebration. I didn't comb them out though. :p It ended up being much curlier than normal for me, obviously. Hehe. If I would've have combed them out I'd rather just shower, put aloe gel in, and do a little scrunching as it dries versus something more time consuming like using rollers (which I'd prefer to have help with if they were to be done again). My signature certainly isn't wavy though. I save that for my regular ol' length shots which is usually hair fresh from the shower, air dried, and combed out or from braid waves the next day if I damp bunned.

Your hair turned out beautifully! I love how soft it looks. Very gentle curls.

ETA: I'm no lady though. Maybe bold in some circles? Hardy har har.

[NiAosSi]

Oh, you ladies have some nice rag curls! I love your purple hair, it's so funky (and healthy)!

[lundmir]

Oh, I haven't tried rag curls, but I love pincurls! I wanted a style with waves and lots of volume, and I took some pics on the morning and the evening. They held quite well for my really straight hair :)
I hadn't styled it yet:
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7481/18639107.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/)
And here it is at the end of the day...
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9963/91123467.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/)

Thanks for the video, Dementia1013! I'll be trying this soon. And I love your haircolor, too, it's gorgeous.

And Elainehali, your hair looks amazing!

[Dementia1013]

Oh, I haven't tried rag curls, but I love pincurls! I wanted a style with waves and lots of volume, and I took some pics on the morning and the evening. They held quite well for my really straight hair :)
I hadn't styled it yet:
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7481/18639107.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/)
And here it is at the end of the day...
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9963/91123467.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/)

Thanks for the video, Dementia1013! I'll be trying this soon. And I love your haircolor, too, it's gorgeous.

And Elainehali, your hair looks amazing!
Thank you so much! :D

You ma'am, are cute as a button!

What exactly are pincurls? You're the I think 3rd person to mention them and I just realized I don't know what they are... lol.

[lundmir]

Thank you! As for the pin curls, I think this explains it much better than I ever could: http://www.happynews.com/living/haircare/put-pin-curls.htm
And I liked this, found it very cute http://www.intimelyfashion.com/hair/pincurls.html

[gmdiaz]

I love your curls, Dementia! They are sooooo pretty!

I so enjoy all Torrin Paige's videos! And I've seen this one about using the perm papers but haven't tried it yet.

I'll need to get the perm papers and some rollers but will try this soon!

Oh, and how do you secure the hair wrap around your ponytail? I never get that right. I've been just tucking it into the elastic band but I think I am damaging my hair doing that. Hmmm. I am thinking to try the TopsyTail or whatever it's called and tucking the ends down into the ponytail but I haven't tried that yet either! lol

So much fun to be had. . .sooooo little time. lol

[ColoradoDreamer]

Very pretty! Your hair is absolutely gorgeous!

I've not tried the rag rollers yet, but it's definitely something I'd like to try at some point (when my hair is long enough).

[Dementia1013]

I love your curls, Dementia! They are sooooo pretty!

I so enjoy all Torrin Paige's videos! And I've seen this one about using the perm papers but haven't tried it yet.

I'll need to get the perm papers and some rollers but will try this soon!

Oh, and how do you secure the hair wrap around your ponytail? I never get that right. I've been just tucking it into the elastic band but I think I am damaging my hair doing that. Hmmm. I am thinking to try the TopsyTail or whatever it's called and tucking the ends down into the ponytail but I haven't tried that yet either! lol

So much fun to be had. . .sooooo little time. lol

I actually kinda cheat... lol. I hate having my ponytail holders show, so If i'm making a ponytail or tying off a braid, I always make sure there is enought hair leftover to wrap around the ponytail. Anyway what I use is a Topsy tail. Take a small little piece from the ponytail and wrap around the ponytail holder, stick the topsy tail through the pony tail and feed the piece of hair through the ponytail. Very simple and gives it a little elegance I think. :D

[manderly]

That came out lovely! And I love Torrin Page's tutorial you linked. I'll have to get some perm papers and pillow rollers (been meaning to!).

My signature is from a wet set, same thing (magnetic curlers) as Gumball mentioned :) I use a bonnet dryer when I do this, it's the only time my hair gets heat (and it's not very high heat).

[Dementia1013]

What's a bonnet dryer? is that like the big things you see in salon?

[manderly]

Yes, only smaller and soft. :)

http://www.amazon.com/Conair-SB1X-Soft-Bonnet-Dryer/dp/B0002G214U

[Juneii]

WOAH. and I thought your purple hair couldn't be prettier.

I love rag curling. I actually rag curled my hair for my prom because I didn't wan't to use a curling iron. it worked very well.

[bakertwins2004]

BEAUTIFUL curls ladies



I use foam curlers a lot. I will have to take a photo to show.

[Dementia1013]

WOAH. and I thought your purple hair couldn't be prettier.

I love rag curling. I actually rag curled my hair for my prom because I didn't wan't to use a curling iron. it worked very well.

Thank you so much! Any pics? I love seeing hair pictures. :D

[Moonstruck]

Oh wow, gorgeous! I always loved those nice big loose curls (basically, you got them spot on). I've got a similar hair type...Maybe I'll get the same fantastic results! ::crosses fingers::

[Dementia1013]

Oh wow, gorgeous! I always loved those nice big loose curls (basically, you got them spot on). And hehe, sooo my hair's really similar type, how many braids did you do? Maybe I'll get the same fantastic results! ::crosses fingers::

Oh wow, I can't read. Can't wait to try this though!

I have pretty thick hair, so I used 4 on each side just twisted then wrapped in the pllow curler. No Braid at all. When you try it post a pic please. I'd love to see how it turns out. :D

[dragonfrog]

Sorry I'm so bad at explaining things... lol. Ok, so I parted my hair into two parts. One on either side. Then I took one side at a time and seperated it into 4. Then individually twisted them and curled them. This vid showed me what perm papers and pillow curlers are. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0NMLSUICp4

Thank you! I will have to try this sometime.

[Kristine]

Your curls are beautiful! Did you make them in dry or damp hair? Did you use any products to make them stay? I've tried pin-/ragcurling a few times, but I always miscalculate the time my hair needs for drying. If it is damp in the evening, it will still be damp in the morning...

[Dementia1013]

Your curls are beautiful! Did you make them in dry or damp hair? Did you use any products to make them stay? I've tried pin-/ragcurling a few times, but I always miscalculate the time my hair needs for drying. If it is damp in the evening, it will still be damp in the morning...
I tisted then curled dry hair. Here is a pic of how they look fresh out. Very nightmare before christmas.. lol. Then combed out.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/Dementia1013/IMG_0445.jpg

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/Dementia1013/IMG_0455.jpg

[Nyghtingale]

I have got to get some of those rollers. Those are such beautiful curls.

[eyesofsummer]

I tisted then curled dry hair. Here is a pic of how they look fresh out. Very nightmare before christmas.. lol. Then combed out.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/Dementia1013/IMG_0445.jpg

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/Dementia1013/IMG_0455.jpg

WOW, your hair looks so great! I love the second picture especially, what's that twisted into your hair? It looks beautiful!

[AnneAdeline]

Gorgeous! I love how they looked before you combed them out, too.
Your hair is always so smooth and silky, too!

I've tried rag curls a few times, but I always make them too small and end up with Shirley Temple hair.

[zombi]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/9-1.jpg

I used a different wrapping pattern to get these fun waves.

And there's an article I wrote here:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=82

I am OBSESSED with that style -- I've been plotting doing it since I first got to these fora!!!

I love rag- and pin- curls. My hair's still really short, so if I do anything it's more of a folded-over-and-pinned thing to make the waves behave and be more uniform. I don't really curl it much or anything just now.

I am plotting all kinds of things for when my hair gets long!

And Dementia, I am deathly jealous of your hair. I'd still have bright coloured hair like that if the hospital would let me :(
I showed it to my friend and she let out this long, romantic sigh, followed by "I am so jealous of that" -- and she's not even on LHC!

[plainjanegirl]

I have got to get some of those rollers. Those are such beautiful curls.


I didn't know you could purchase rag curls. I thought they were just scraps of rags or tshirts.

[Charlotte]

Wow - that's a very pretty effect. :) Your hair is beautiful.

[JewelsSparkles]

Those look gorgeous!

And sorry if this is rude (it's not meant to be, I promise!), but your hair is the exact shade of purple I want to dye my hair! What brand & shade of dye do you use? How many packets? What was your starting colour? Do you use any decolourant or bleach with it? My natural colour is dark auburn/chestnut/medium brown (I can't decide which & everyone gives me a different answer) & I was starting to think the shade of purple I wanted was impossible!

[Torrin Paige]

Dementia, it turned out fabulous! I'm glad my tips helped. You ended up doing what I call a soft set. I do mine the same way...four sections on each side (eight in total) twisted away from my face and then rolled up...I stop around collarbone length in the front and little longer in the back just because it makes sleeping on them easier. :) Here's a shot of my soft set since you asked for pics:
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h278/torrinpaige/SANY1177.jpg

Oh, I almost forgot. plainjanegirl, Goody makes soft rollers that act like rag curlers. Here's a link for ya: http://tenderheaded.com/goodpilsofro.html . My mom always used to use them on my hair when I was young (I did pageants and dance competitions ;) ) and they were the only way my hair would hold curl. I went and found some at Sally's. I use them on the ends of my braids when I sleep in them so that my braid waves have pretty curls on the ends instead of that weird spaghetti thing that happens.

[misstwist]

I am OBSESSED with that style -- I've been plotting doing it since I first got to these fora!!!

I love rag- and pin- curls. My hair's still really short, so if I do anything it's more of a folded-over-and-pinned thing to make the waves behave and be more uniform. I don't really curl it much or anything just now.

I am plotting all kinds of things for when my hair gets long!


If your hair is currently shoulder as you show on your profile you are at a great length for pincurls. They are the ideal way to curl very short hair. I'm thinking just a little longer than pixie here. I learned how to do pincurls from from grandmother who used them on the short hair around her face and at her nape when she did a roller set on really short hair.

I think it just gets harder as hair gets longer, just because of the volume of hair that goes into each pincurl. That's why I usually use a standing pincurl rather than a flat one.

Go to youtube and look for pincurl set videos. There are several good ones. You don't have to brush them into retro styles at all, though that's what most of the ones I have looked at are aiming for.

I am a firm believer in doing fun stuff with your hair at all lengths. You don't have to wait for it to be longer. Learning how to do cool stuff at shorter lengths makes it easer at longer lengths because you have developed knowledge and experience to work from.

[Dementia1013]

Dementia, it turned out fabulous! I'm glad my tips helped. You ended up doing what I call a soft set. I do mine the same way...four sections on each side (eight in total) twisted away from my face and then rolled up...I stop around collarbone length in the front and little longer in the back just because it makes sleeping on them easier. :) Here's a shot of my soft set since you asked for pics:
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h278/torrinpaige/SANY1177.jpg

Oh, I almost forgot. plainjanegirl, Goody makes soft rollers that act like rag curlers. Here's a link for ya: http://tenderheaded.com/goodpilsofro.html . My mom always used to use them on my hair when I was young (I did pageants and dance competitions ;) ) and they were the only way my hair would hold curl. I went and found some at Sally's. I use them on the ends of my braids when I sleep in them so that my braid waves have pretty curls on the ends instead of that weird spaghetti thing that happens.

Yes, thank you so much. Your hair is beautiful! I just love it. I hope when mine gets that long it'll look like it just.. you know. Purple. lol.

[JasmineDaisy]

Dementia, your hair is absolutely beautiful. It looks so healthy and shiny.

[RavennaNight]

very pretty!

[mellie]

Gorgeous!! Dementia, your hair always looks so amazing!!

[FallenAngel]

Dementia - I got serious hair envy now. I love your hair!!

[Amara]

Beautiful curls! I love doing this!

[pradabacon]

I love everyone's curls! I'm looking forward to trying both Torrin's and Elainehali's versions. I bought some rag curlers at Sally's the other day...big hair, here I come! http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll23/hootietoot/nuts.gif

I haven't had a single curl since my high school prom. http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll23/hootietoot/crybaby.gif

[Lady Mary]

I love this thread! I can't wait to do rag curls when my hair is longer.

[smilinjenn71]

For those of you that wet-set your curls, either with rags, curlers or pin curls:

I tried Lottabody in my hair last night before pin curling. I W/C and then sprayed Lottabody in my hair and combed it through, then I pin curled as usual. I was worried the setting lotion would make my hair crunchy the next day, but it is very soft this morning.

Lottabody was found at Sally's beauty supply and you dilute to the strength that you want. I did 3 parts water to 1 part lottabody and put it in a spray bottle. It's definitely given the curls more hold and definition.:cheer:

This product is usually used for ethnic hair but I read about it on a vintage hairstyles site blog. The girls there were using it to wet set their 20's, 30's and 40's hairstyles.

[freznow]

I've been meaning to try curls... Maybe I'll get a chance to try this next weekend.

[Laylah]

I did these, using torrin's method, before joining LHC.
http://s515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/Hapagirl_album/?action=view&current=IMG_4589-1.jpg

sorry, I tried to do the image thing, but it always appeared too big, even after resizing. So I'll just add a link.

[marikamt]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/elainehali/9-1.jpg

I used a different wrapping pattern to get these fun waves.

And there's an article I wrote here:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=82

I read your article soon after I joined.... I haven't tried it yet, but really want to- I even have my "strips" cut and ready to go :D

[marikamt]

For those of you that wet-set your curls, either with rags, curlers or pin curls:

I tried Lottabody in my hair last night before pin curling. I W/C and then sprayed lLttabody in my hair and combed it through, then I pin curled as usual. I was worried the setting lotion would make my hair crunchy the next day, but it is very soft this morning.

Lottabody was found at Sally's beauty supply and you dilute to the strength that you want. I did 3 parts water to 1 part lottabody and put it in a spray bottle. It's definitely given the curls more hold and definition.:cheer:

This product is usually used for ethnic hair but I read about it on a vintage hairstyles site blog. The girls there were using it to wet set their 20's, 30's and 40's hairstyles.



oooo- great tip. I know where I am going... I should own stock in Sally's.... :lol:

[plainjanegirl]

I did these, using torrin's method, before joining LHC.
http://s515.photobucket.com/albums/t354/Hapagirl_album/?action=view&current=IMG_4589-1.jpg

sorry, I tried to do the image thing, but it always appeared too big, even after resizing. So I'll just add a link.



Those were from her braiding way to get curls?

[Laylah]

Those were from her braiding way to get curls?


Yes, the way where you braid in six braids and roll them on foam rollers.

[jasper]

I think rags are the only way for me to get curls. :agree: I've got my hair in rags right now.

ETA: ta-da! http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a296/jaspersu/IMG_0361.jpg?t=1252375476

[Elistariel]

I had a pillow curler fail today. At least this time I didn't curl it when it was too damp. Last time I tried my hair was still wet when I took it down. Now to figure out why the very ends are straight, etc....

Curlers in:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c61/Elistariel/Abby/Picture278.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c61/Elistariel/Abby/Picture284.jpg
And curlers out. Notice the face of disapproval and straight ends.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c61/Elistariel/Abby/Picture288.jpg
Solution:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c61/Elistariel/Abby/Picture291.jpg

Dementia, I adore your hair color. I have to wonder, did it affect your getting a job? Assuming you work that is. I'd love to have blue hair, but I don't want to ruin my chances of being hired somewhere.