We Tested Drew Barrymore’s Viral Toilet Paper Roll Curls: Do They Actually Work?
By Elena Rostova
Setting uniform hair shapes requires precise structural tension. When a strand lacks uniform tension from roots to ends, curl contraction occurs unevenly, leading directly to frizz. This mechanical reality explains why dedicated styling implements consistently produce better outcomes.
In testing reported by The New York Times on curl definition brushes, researchers demonstrated that dense nylon bristles and smooth edge tracts physically align hair cuticles into uniform ribbons before drying. A cardboard roll cannot produce that directional guidance. You roll the section by hand, leaving interior hairs slack while the perimeter hairs take the brunt of the pressure.
Alternative DIY methods manage this tension far more gracefully. The sock curling method utilizes stretchable cotton tubes that wrap securely around hair sections without crushing under pressure. Similarly, the curling ribbon technique uses long, flexible foam cylinders that sit along the scalp, letting you weave hair into tight, interlocking spirals that remain stable through hours of sleep.
Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.
