Old-Fashioned Hair Styling: The Paper Curl

Do you want lovely curls without the damaging effects of heat and chemicals? Do you find it uncomfortable to sleep in traditional rollers all night to achieve this? Why not try an old-fashioned beauty method? Paper curls might just be your answer. This method is free, gentle on your hair, environmentally friendly, and the results are gorgeous.

Before the days of chemical perms and curling irons, our grandmothers and their peers used the paper curl method to achieve beautiful, soft curls. The method is simple and only requires one main item: a brown paper bag. Start by cutting the brown paper bag into long strips about eight inches long and one and one-half inches wide. Once you have completed this task, you are ready to begin your hair setting. If you are careful with the strips, they can be recycled and reused.

You will need to consider what kind of style you are wanting and set your hair appropriately. If you want tight curls, then you will want to roll the hair in smaller amounts using something small (like a pencil) to mold the hair around. Be sure the hair is a bit damper than normal before you try to roll tight curls to get the best results.

For softer, bouncier curls, use more hair and roll it into bigger curls. A good mold to use would be an empty cardboard toilet paper roller. It can be used at its full size for longer hair or simply slit the cardboard length wise up the middle and adjust the circumference to the desired size. Once you get the size you are looking for, affix a piece of tape to secure it. Be sure that your hair is slightly less damp when rolling a larger curl.

Rolling a paper curl is simple. Comb a section of hair and flatten the lock. Wrap a strip of brown paper around the center of the lock once or twice and then slide the paper down to the end of the hair section. Be sure to keep the lock flat while doing all of this. You will then want to roll the hair into the curl using your mold up to your scalp. Remove the mold and take the ends of the brown paper strip and twist them together twice. This is plenty to hold the curl in place through the night.

You will find that this method will help you get your beauty rest by providing a comfortable way of curling. Unlike store bought rollers, the paper doesn't damage your hair or poke your scalp while sleeping. In the morning, just untwist the ends of each paper and unroll the curl. You will be surprised how nice the ringlet curl will be and all that is left is for you to style your hair as desired. It is the perfect curling method to use on little girls, as well, due to its gentleness.

So the next time you want to add variety to your beauty regimen, don't forget the old-fashioned paper curl method of yesteryear.

SOURCE:

Suzannah S. McDonald. "The Lost Art of the Paper Curl." Mother Earth News Nov/Dec 1971. URL: (http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1971-11-01/The-Lost-Art-of-Paper-Curls.aspx)