The Clairol 20 Instant Hairsetter: A Revolution in At-Home Hairstyling

The Clairol 20 Instant Hairsetter: A Revolution in At-Home Hairstyling

Introduction: In the world of beauty and hairstyling, certain tools have become iconic due to their cultural impact and lasting appeal. The Clairol 20 Instant Hairsetter is one such tool. Introduced in the 1960s, this heated roller set changed the way women styled their hair at home, allowing them to achieve salon-quality curls and volume without leaving the house. For many, it was a beloved part of a morning routine and a staple for preparing for special occasions. In this article, we take a look at the history of the Clairol Hairsetter, how it shaped beauty routines, and its legacy in the world of hairstyling.

The Birth of At-Home Heated Rollers: Before the invention of electric hair setters, curling hair was a lengthy and often uncomfortable process. Women typically used traditional rollers, which were either left in overnight or set under a hood dryer at the salon. The Clairol 20 Instant Hairsetter, with its efficient heated rollers, allowed users to achieve curls in a fraction of the time, bringing a touch of luxury to home hair care.

Introduced in the 1960s, the Clairol Hairsetter came in a compact, stylish case and included 20 rollers of various sizes. Each roller was equipped with small prongs to hold the hair in place, and the set included matching color-coded pins to secure them. Users could warm up the entire set, then roll sections of their hair and let the heat set the curls quickly. This innovation became a game-changer, especially for busy women who wanted a polished look without spending hours on their hair.

Cultural Impact and Popularity: The Clairol Hairsetter arrived during a time when beauty standards were shifting, and big, voluminous hairstyles were the trend. Celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor popularized the voluminous, curly looks that many women aspired to achieve. The ability to replicate these styles at home made heated rollers like the Clairol Hairsetter immensely popular.

The convenience of the Hairsetter also aligned with the needs of working women and mothers, who sought efficient beauty solutions. The Clairol 20 Hairsetter allowed them to achieve glamorous, professional-looking hairstyles in the comfort of their homes. Soon, heated rollers became an essential item in beauty routines, and the Clairol brand became synonymous with quality and innovation in hair care.

The Process of Using the Clairol 20 Hairsetter: Using the Clairol Hairsetter was simple and intuitive. Users would:

1. Plug in the Hairsetter to heat up the rollers.
2. Divide hair into sections and roll each section around a heated roller.
3. Secure each roller with a color-coded pin to keep it in place.
4. Let the rollers set for a short period (often just 10-15 minutes), allowing the heat to curl the hair.
5. Carefully remove the rollers and pins to reveal soft, voluminous curls, which could then be styled further as desired.

The result was bouncy, defined curls or waves, depending on the roller size and the duration of the set. Unlike traditional methods, which required much longer drying times, the Clairol Hairsetter allowed for a quick and efficient process, perfect for morning routines or last-minute touch-ups.

The Legacy of the Clairol Hairsetter and Heated Rollers: While hairstyling tools have advanced significantly, the Clairol Hairsetter remains a nostalgic symbol of mid-century beauty culture. Its influence can be seen in modern curling tools, from hot rollers to ceramic curling irons, all of which aim to deliver quick and efficient curls. Although the technology has evolved, the goal remains the same—to provide a simple solution for beautiful, voluminous hairstyles at home.

Many women who grew up in the 60s, 70s, and 80s have fond memories of the Clairol Hairsetter, whether they used it for special occasions, daily routines, or mother-daughter bonding moments. The set’s durability and effectiveness have earned it a special place in the history of hair care.

Modern-Day Heated Rollers and Alternatives: Today, heated rollers have seen a resurgence in popularity, with updated designs and materials that make them gentler on hair and easier to use. Modern sets often feature ceramic or tourmaline technology, which helps to reduce frizz and create long-lasting curls. While brands and designs may differ, the core concept remains true to the original Clairol Hairsetter—providing an easy way to achieve polished curls.

In addition to rollers, the market now offers a variety of curling tools, such as automatic curlers, curling irons, and wands, all of which build on the foundation that Clairol and other early innovators established. These tools offer different techniques and styles, but the influence of the classic heated roller set is undeniable.

Conclusion: The Clairol 20 Instant Hairsetter is more than just a beauty tool; it’s a piece of history that represents a time when at-home hairstyling was becoming more accessible and sophisticated. The Hairsetter empowered women to take control of their beauty routines, offering an efficient solution that combined convenience and glamour. Even today, the legacy of the Clairol Hairsetter lives on in the hairstyling tools we use, reminding us of the timeless appeal of classic curls and the joy of an at-home beauty ritual.

For many, the Clairol Hairsetter is a nostalgic memory of a simpler time, when setting curls was a cherished part of getting ready. As we continue to embrace new hairstyling technologies, we can look back and appreciate the innovations that paved the way, celebrating how tools like the Clairol Hairsetter helped shape beauty routines for generations.