Flexi-Rod Guide and How-to for Natural Hair

Flexi-rods have been around for quite some time. With newer roller set options taking center stage, you may be wondering if Flexi-rods are still worth using. With this guide, we hope to restore your faith, while giving some advice on our longtime friend, the Flexi-rod!

What Are Flexi-Rods?

Flexi-rods are bendable rollers that are very plush. They have a tube-like appearance and are wrapped in a pliable foam material. Their structure allows for them to be bent and moved around into any shape; hence their name, “Flexi” rods, speaking to their Flexible nature.

How To: Perfect Flexi Rod Set on Natural Hair

Why You Should Use Flexi-Rods on Your Natural Hair?

By CurlDaze

By CurlDaze

Besides Flexi-rods being a heatless way of curling your hair, several factors go into why Flexi-rods are a great choice. There are many choices when it comes to roller sets and even heatless roller sets.

One thing that makes Flexi-rods stand out, however, is their soft material. This makes them slightly more comfortable than most roller set options. Also, Flexi-rods bend into place to lock your hair in opposed to many other roller set options that require you to use a clamp or fastener.

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What Hair Type Are Flexi-Rods Best Used On?

One great thing about Flexi-rods is that they can be used on all hair types and still produce great results. From looser to coarser hair types, Flexi-rods yield phenomenal curls.

The better question is how Flexi rods are best used per hair type. Although the rods can be used on various hair textures and types, the way you use them might differ to produce good results.

Flexi-rods will give the best results on wet or damp hair, but your hair type and density could have different effects on how long you need to leave the rods in your hair.

Flexi Rod Set on Wet Natural Hair

For example, thicker hair densities might want to install the rods on damp hair, use a blow dryer to set the style, or just wait a while longer than finer hair densities before you remove the Flexi-rods. Also, for natural hair that tends to be coarser, to ensure a stretched out and smooth result, consider blow-drying your hair beforehand.

You can slightly dampen your hair with water, mouse, or a moisturizer when placing the Flexi-rods to ensure that they form a nice curl.

Also, when considering whether Flexi-rods are the way to go for your hair, take into account the length of your hair. Flexi-rods unfortunately will not work well on short hair. Medium to long hair is recommended for this hairstyle.

Quick & easy Flexi-rods hack

What Final Look Can You Expect from Flexi-Rods?

Flexi-rods are versatile in the types of curls they can produce. The overall result they produce is bouncy, spiral curls, however, depending on the rod size you choose will change your Flexi-rod curl.

As a rule of thumb, small rods will produce tighter curls, while larger rods will give you more voluminous curls.

A great thing about Flexi-rods is the variety of sizes they come in. Flexi rods are like perm rods in the way that they color-code their sizes. They come in colors such as orange, blue, purple, yellow, etc. and each usually is a sign of it being a certain size. Although different companies will mark their color-coding system differently so, it’s important to pay attention to that when purchasing the rods.

How Long Does A Flexi-Rod Set Last?

With proper care and maintenance, a Flexi-rod set can last for at least a week. At night and when showering, you’ll want to sleep with some sort of head covering whether it be a silk scarf or a bonnet. This will provide longevity to your hairstyle and prevent your curls from frizzing up.

How to Do A Flexi-Rod Set on Natural Hair?

Natural Hair Flexi Rod Set

As previously stated, doing a Flexi-rod set on all hair types can easily be done, however, for natural hair, there may be a few extra steps and precautions you’ll want to take note of before taking on your own Flexi-rod set.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• Blow dryer (optional)
• Hooded dryer (optional)
• Moisturizer and/or setting product (foam/hairspray)
• Comb or detangling brush
• Flexi-rods of course (These can typically be found in your local beauty supply store in a plethora of sizes as well.)

Let’s get started!

1. Make sure your hair is fully prepped. This means, washed and conditioned. During the prepping process, as mentioned earlier, if you want to ensure you have an ultra-stretched Flexi-rod set, then you can blow dry your hair in this step. This will also aid in a smooth and frizz-free result, but you can obtain great results without doing so. Also, blow-drying would be a good step if you have very dense hair and would prefer to not spend hours during the drying process.

2. Make sure you know your desired curl. Choose the Flexi-rod size you will be using according to this.

3. Begin to take sections of your hair and apply a moisturizer, foam, hairspray, or a bit of water to the section. If your hair is completely dry, a water-based moisturizer and foam will help with the setting of the style. If your hair is completely wet, no need to add in more water, just proceed with either a moisturizer, foam, or hairspray.

Also, note that your sections don’t need to be perfect and them being irregular may help in the end when you’re separating your curls. The size of your sections will once again depend on the size of the curl you’re hoping to receive.

4. Leave your Flexi-rods in until they are completely dry. To speed the process along you can choose to sit underneath a hooded dryer or just dry using your handheld blow dryer.

5. Carefully and gently remove your Flexi-rods. You can separate and fluff your hair to the desired look.

Just that easily, you’ve completed your Flexi-rod set!

Pros and Cons of Flexi-Rods?

Flexi-rods have many good qualities about them, however, comparing the pros and cons is vital in deciding whether the style is a good choice for you.

Pros

• Flexi-rods come in a variety of sizes, so you can create different sizes of curls.
• They don’t use clamps or fasteners to keep your hair in place. All you must do is simply bend them into place for your hair to stay.
• They have a soft, pliable material, which may produce more comfort than other roller set options.
• They can be commonly found in many local beauty supply stores.
• They can be used on a variety of hair types and textures.
• They are a heatless curling method.

Cons

• Flexi-rods are not a good roller set option for short hair.
• Flexi-rods may take a while to dry for denser hair.

Flexi-rods have been around for several years but one thing that remains is the beautiful, bouncy curls you’ll receive after every application! Have you never tried Flexi-rods before? There’s a first time for everything, and we hope these tips and tricks can help you along the way!

By Traneah Ford

Traneah is a content writer based in St.louis, MO. She also writes for the Arkansawyer newspaper, a campus-based newspaper for The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Bio