Tips for a Successful Flex-Rod Set

For years I have tried, with little success, to set my hair on flex rods. Each time I tried I was usually armed with a new product or more flex rods hoping that the results would be something like Tracee Ellis Ross, but what I usually ended up with was more of a Chaka Kha- thing. Don't get me wrong, Chaka Khan had some banging hair days, but that look was vastly different from what I was aiming for. I wanted smooth defined, bouncy curls like the women on Youtube, but I could never seem to get my hair to come out like theirs. 

After years of trying and failing I finally figured out how to get the perfect flex rod set using the following techniques and tips:

1. Start on soaking wet hair and keep a spray bottle handy. When hair is wet it is easier to smooth and the smoother the hair goes onto the flex rod the smoother the end result of the set. If the hair starts to dry out spritz it with water using a spray bottle until it is wet, then proceed to roll.
2. Size does matter! The reason my flex rod sets came out so frizzy and puffy was because I was using  a rod that was too small. I had been using the 11/16 inch (or blue) flex rods not knowing that these rollers were not suitable for my hair texture or length. My hair is extremely thick and BSL and based upon my experience using them I would say these are best suited for ladies with thin and short hair. In favor of the blue rods I opted for the purple and grey rods (I am not sure of the diameter), these rods are much thicker and definitely more suited for my hair type.
3. Sectioning is important. Over the years I have tried everything from rodding tiny 1 inch sections to huge sections and the end result was always the same: Flex Rod FAIL. This time around I sectioned my hair based upon the diameter of the flex rods, meaning the section of hair I placed on the rod was no larger than the actual rod itself.
4. Technique, Technique, Technique! The method used to set the hair on the rod will determine the shape of the curl. Slanting the rod at a 45 degree angle and pulling the roller down slightly to create space between each section of hair on the rod will create a spiral effect.
5. Tension. Tension is possibly the most important part of achieving flex rod success because the results you receive all hinge on whether or not you used the right amount of tension. The size of the rod also comes into play here as I have found that larger rods allow you to create more tension on the hair, creating a smoother end result. When rolling the hair onto the flex rod hold it as taut as you can without hurting yourself or damaging your strands; holding the hair taut will help it lie smoothly on the rod and eliminate frizz and bulk.
6. Use heat to dry. I have tried letting my rod sets air dry and because my hair is so thick I would either have to walk around all day with rods in my hair or risk damp hair during take down after a few hours. This time I sat beneath my hooded dryer for about one hour first, then let it air dry for another hour. The use of heat not only sped up the drying time but I believe it contributes to the smoothness of the end result as well.

By following the method above I finally achieved a beautiful flex rod set that I am hoping will last one week. If this proves to be successful and I am able to achieve at least five day curls I may go back to roller setting after washing instead of heat styling with every wash, at least every-other wash.

What tips do you have for a successful flex rod set?