Classic WIre Brush Rollers

Even though I don’t use them very often, I have been using them for the last few nights and  always had a fondness for classic black brush rollers because they really seem to be the typical curlers that housewives and teenagers routinely wore in the 60s (correct me if I'm wrong on this). The are the curlers made from a spiral wire covered with a wire of fabric mesh to form the roller, with a circular brush on the inside with the bristles poking through the mesh just slightly to help secure the rollers. The rollers were usually black (at least based on what mostly shows up on ebay) but occasionally available in colors as well as the (unfortunately) black and white ad shows.

The traditional way of securing these rollers was with plastic piks that were usually white or pink.  The rollers are about the easiest to set and great for beginners.  A well done set would have the piks form neat rows that are quite obvious on darker in hair in black rollers. Here a great picture from my friend Frannie (although its not her in the picture) of classic 1960s set in brush rollers.

I always like seeing such neat sets. A well done set like that is almost a work of art, and it takes some skill to do it so well which is rarely appreciated. Particularly for styles use the set for well defined form rather than more general waviness, a neat set really improves the final outcome.

One thing I have never understood is that if you do a quick web search, so many women from that period have bad memories of being uncomfortable in way-to-tight curlers. Its never good for the hair to have curlers in that tight since that will do more damage than good. You do need some tension. I always find the best tension for brush curlers is just enough so that you can barley notice them when you hair is wet. As hair dries, it shrinks slightly which is why you don’t want the curlers too tight to start. It does take a bit of practice, but done properly and once you have done it a few times, well set brush rollers are  quite comfortable and you really really do feel nicely set (nothing worse than a poorly done set where you always feel like you curlers are going to fall out!).

Drying was typically done by wearing curlers all day or overnight (or both) because dryers were relativity expensive at least at the beginning of the 60s, hence the classic housewife in curlers stereotype. Usually a pretty scarf was worn over the curlers during the day, or an equally pretty curler cap at night.Or sometimes just a net was worn:

Here is a classic scene: a lady wearing curlers all day in this 1960s ad:

Sleeping in wire brush rollers can be a challenge at first but unless you have a very sensitive scalp, one quickly gets used it. Do it for a while and it actually feels funny not sleeping in curlers. One bit of advice here. Use down (feather) pillows instead of the foam ones. They are much more comfortable because you can scrunch them into any desired shape and they will stay that way.

When dryers did come along, the first ones to appear were the soft bonnet dryers (subject to a future posting!) and they would certainly have made wetsets easier and more enjoyable. They didn’t actually eliminate sleeping in curlers (which is the perfect way to have a great hairdo in the morning) but by partially or completely drying before bed you can be sure your hair will be dry in the morning (remember, a wetset will not work if there is any dampness left in the hair before removing rollers). Its also so relaxing and enjoyable to spend half an hour under the dryer before bed. 

Here's a classic Sunbeam dryer commercial from the 60s: 

What type of results do wire brush rollers produce? The hairdo is a little fluffier and less defined than with either smooth or brush plastic rollers, yet more defined that velcros. Great for wavy hairstyles that you brush out a little. For more defined style, use plastic rollers. Highly recommend them if you like vintage hairdos and have never tried them before, or for a first attempt at a wetset. They are so easy to use!