For most, hoarding conjures images of pandemic toilet paper shortages or frantic stockpiling during crises. But for one longtime devotee of a classic hair tool, the anxiety stems from something far more personal: the threat of her beloved hot rollers falling out of fashion—and off the shelves.
“I never considered myself a hoarder,” she reflects. “Even during the pandemic, I rationed Charmin Ultra Soft without panic. But now, I’m caught in a different kind of hoarding crisis—one born from the reality that I’m going out of style.”
This realization struck her unexpectedly in the hair care aisle of a local Target. Once stocked with the familiar sets of hot rollers she’s relied on since the 1970s, the shelves now prominently feature curling irons marketed as “hot tools,” sophisticated blow dryers, and volumizing hot air brushes. The iconic hot roller set was nowhere to be found.
“For nearly 50 years, my hair routine has centered on plugging in hot rollers, waiting for them to heat up until they’re scorching, then setting six rollers in my hair,” she says. “Sure, I could have switched to curling irons, but I don’t have the patience or dexterity for that. I like the simplicity of hot rollers—you just put them in and go about your day.”
Her reluctance to embrace the latest high-tech styling gadgets is understandable. Modern devices, often priced in the hundreds, come with complex instructions and require watching multiple tutorials just to master. “My daughter owns one of these advanced tools, and honestly, I don’t get the appeal. It seems unnecessarily complicated.”
Yet, her daughter’s dismissive eye roll when she suggests using hot rollers speaks volumes about their fading status. Once a styling essential, hot rollers have largely fallen out of favor with younger generations, raising fears that production may cease altogether.
In response, she has begun quietly stockpiling. “I’ve bought two sets already and plan to get more,” she admits. However, the surge in price—partly due to attempts to rebrand hot rollers as premium “salon blowout” devices featuring ceramic rollers for “less frizz and added shine”—gives her pause. Some models now retail for over $100.
Despite the cost, she sees value beyond mere functionality. “Hot rollers might not be high-tech, but nothing creates a bouncy, voluminous look quite like them. I have nearly five decades of photos to prove it.”
For her, hot rollers aren’t just a styling tool—they’re a legacy, a symbol of a style that may be out of vogue but is far from obsolete. “Maybe hot rollers aren’t out of style. They’re just underappreciated.”
Related topics:
- How to Sleep with Long Curly Hair?
- How to Protect Your Hair in Winter?
- Jennifer Aniston Fronts LolaVie’s First TV Ad: “No Gimmicks Needed”
