Curlformers: Tips and Tricks on How To Use and Install Them

I got beautiful results from using Curlformers, as you saw yesterday (if not, check out my Curlformers review here!) When I was installing them, I ran into a few issues, as anyone might if it's their first time putting anything like Curlformers into their hair. Here are some tips and tricks for putting Curlformers into your hair.

Twist the hair before sliding it through the Curlformers with the hook. If you're hair is anything like mine (very tightly coiled and thick) then it loves to poof out! Nothing wrong with that, of course, but if your hair expands in the hook, then it will have a difficult time getting through the Curlformer. It will most likely snag on the way down, because some of the hair will be in the hook, and some of it won't be in the hook (it will just poof out and do its own thing outside the hook.) So you've got to twist the hair in order to make the section of hair as "skinny" as possible, so that everything stays in the hook as the hook is pulling the hair through the Curlformers. 

This part is extremely hard to take a picture of on your own. It's the part of the process where you're pulling your hair through the Curlformers. What you do is you hold the Curlformer a few centimeters away from your roots, then use the other hand to pull the hook (which already has your hair in it) through the Curlformer. What I had to do, though, was use the hand that was pulling the hook through to also hold my hair taught to keep it from unwinding in the hook (remember, I want to keep it from poofing!) So I had to both hold the hook and hold my hair against the hook, the way I do it in the third picture. Then, right before my hair enters the Curlformer, I can let go and slide it through!

Sometimes, the hook might get caught in the mesh netting of the Curlformer, while you're trying to pull your hair through it. It doesn't really hurt or anything unless you try to keep pulling of course. You're just stuck until you get the hook uncaught from the Curlformer. It's quite a pain to take out, because of the inward hook shape. The best thing to do is to be conscious of the motion of the hook through the Curlformer. Make a straight path so that it comes through without getting caught.

I went a little bit into detail on this already in the review post. Sometimes you have to reshape the Curlformer after pulling your hair through so that it retains its original shape. What I do is hold the top of the Curlformer at the root of my hair, pinch either side with my thumb and index finger, and slide them down the outside of it to "straighten" the coil shape that it makes. Then, I gently let go of it. It should go back to its shape.

Sleeping in the Curlformers, while doable, can be quite uncomfortable if you have an entire head of Curlformers.  If it makes it easier, let your hair fully dry and set during the day.

Be sure to comb or brush your hair before using the Curlformers if you plan to separate the Curlformer curls out after. If you don't detangle, the ends will mat a little and won't separate easily, and it will leave you with frizzy ends after you struggle to separate them.

Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help out any of you who are thinking of trying out Curlformers. Keep them in mind, and you'll have a very positive experience with them :)