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Clip your roots while air-drying

Try a few root clips if your waves or curls dry flatter at the part or crown than you want. Small clips hold selected damp roots slightly raised while the rest of the hair hangs loose.

Step by step

  1. A woman lifts one small damp root clump at her crown while lightweight root clips rest on the bathroom counter.
    STEP 1 OF 8

    Lift one small root group

    • Start with damp, loose hair after washing and any label-directed styling products suited to air-drying. Put clean, lightweight root clips within reach and note how many you use.
    • Choose a small group beside the part or at a reachable crown area. Lift it gently with one hand, keeping the scalp relaxed.
  2. A woman supports a damp root clump upright with one hand and positions an open small root clip with the other.
    STEP 2 OF 8

    Bring an open clip around the roots

    • Keep holding the group with one hand. With the other, squeeze the clip fully open.
    • Bring the open jaws around the hair near its base, leaving the skin clear. Do not push closed teeth through the hair.

    The photo shows the approach. Move the open clip down near the base before closing it; it should support the roots, not hang from the tips.

  3. A woman holds both hands clear while one closed clip supports a small root group near her crown.
    STEP 3 OF 8

    Let the clip hold the lifted group

    • Release the clip handles slowly so its jaws close around the hair. Then let go with the hand holding the group.
    • Move both hands away. The small root area should stay raised without needing your hand to hold it up.

    If the clip slides or tips, support the hair, open it and take it out. Try a smaller, lighter clip or leave the area alone; do not tighten the grip.

  4. A woman rests her fingertips lightly beside a clipped root group while her other hand stays clear.
    STEP 4 OF 8

    Check before adding another clip

    • Feel lightly beside the clipped roots without pressing the clip. The scalp should feel relaxed, with no pulling, pinching, pain or stinging.
    • Remove an uncomfortable clip straight away. Repeat the same placement and check only at other areas where you want lift.
  5. Four small lightweight clips lift selected crown roots while loose wavy-curly hair air-dries indoors.
    STEP 5 OF 8

    Leave the lengths loose while they dry

    • Let the clipped roots and loose lengths air-dry indoors. Keep your hands away rather than repeatedly adjusting the clips.
    • Stay upright while the clips are in. Take all clips out before sleep, a hair covering or an activity where they could catch.

    The photo shows four clips as one example, not a required number. One or two may be enough for the areas you want to lift.

  6. A woman lifts loose outer hair and feels the inner hair below four root clips.
    STEP 6 OF 8

    Feel the roots and inner hair

    • When the surface seems dry, lift a little loose hair below the clips and feel the inner lengths and near the roots. Avoid tugging the clipped groups.
    • Check each clipped area, not just the front. Give damp areas more time, provided the clips remain comfortable.

    A dry-looking surface does not prove the roots are dry. If you need to stop before drying is complete, remove all clips and let the hair finish drying loose.

  7. A woman supports dry hair with one hand while lifting a fully opened root clip clear with the other.
    STEP 7 OF 8

    Open each clip before lifting it away

    • Support the hair beside a clip with one hand. Squeeze the clip fully open with the other.
    • Free any caught strands, then lift the open clip away from the roots. Keep it open until the teeth are clear; never pull a closed clip down the lengths.
  8. A woman gathers four removed root clips in a tray, with no clips left in her loose hair.
    STEP 8 OF 8

    Account for every clip and finish

    • Put the removed clips together and check that you have the number you put in. Feel around the crown for any clip still hidden in the hair.
    • Once the hair is dry, arrange it lightly. Clean the clips as their care directions say, then let them dry before storing them.

About 2–5 minutes of handling for a few clips, including placement, comfort and dryness checks, removal and cleanup. Add air-drying time; washing and styling come first.

Practical estimate, not measured. More clips, unfamiliar placement or difficult reach can take longer. The drying wait is not hands-on work.

You’re done when…

Every clip is out and accounted for, the roots and inner lengths feel dry, and the hair hangs freely. If you removed clips early, let damp areas finish drying loose.