The hair sponge, which is also marketed as a magic twist sponge, hair sponge brush, curl sponge, and afro curl sponge, is a device that’s used to achieve many different hairstyles, mainly on natural short hair. But with such a wide variety of options, it's hard to know where to start and which hair curlers to use to get the texture you desire. Don't worry — we got you. We hit up a few hairstylists to find out just how to navigate the wonderful world of curlers, so you don't get lost in the sauce when you're at the beauty supply shop, IRL, or online. If you’re in a pinch or don’t have a curly hair sponge, the towel method is an effective substitute. Face cloths may be easier to maneuver around your head than a bath towel, but both work just fine. You can air-dry your hair or use a hair dryer (on low temp) for setting the style and to shorten the drying time.

Generally speaking, sponges that have small holes will work best on really short hair. These sponges produce uniform, tight, small coils and/or loose curls, depending on your individual natural hair texture. Now women and men with tapered, short haircuts are making use of a hair sponge to define their coily, kinky hair. Also, it’s important to note that curl sponges work best on short, naturally curly hair. A hair length of about one or two inches is the most ideal. The majority of hair sponges feature an ergonomic design that fits in your hand comfortably. What Is the Best Hair Sponge?To figure out which type of hair sponge works best on your hair, it’s essential to consider the results that you’re trying to achieve. Like all beauty tools, if you use the curl sponge incorrectly, damage can become a factor. The best way to prevent any damage to your strands is to follow the instructions. When using a curl sponge, it’s essential to rub the sponge on damp hair to prevent hair breakage and damage. After all, damaged hair can be a headache to deal with. Keep in mind, there’s no need for any harsh rubbing. As long as you rub the hair sponge gently over your mane, you should be in the clear. WHAT CURL TYPES CAN THEY BE USED ON?

Some hairstyles that would typically take hours are reduced to just minutes with help from the hair sponge. For hair with lots of volume, use a curl sponge with small holes, and tease the hair tall. Finger style the outer curls so they’re more distinct. A skin fade on the sides draws the eye to the tall hair. Another method lets you sponge your hair using a towel. It is called the towel method. It uses the same general technique that the hair sponge uses. They also come with different-sized holes, which are good if you want to work on just a small area of the hair or your entire head. Essentially, small holes are for tight coils while bigger holes are meant for bigger curls. If you’re totally new to curl sponges, the pros recommend starting with a mini-sized one to gain better control before mastering the technique.

Now that we’ve covered how to use twist sponges, let’s take a few minutes to discuss the primary pros and cons when it comes to using a sponge to style your hair. Pros: The curl sponge does not damage hair, but when used incorrectly, it can cause hair breakage. The success and the failure of it entirely depends on how well you use it. If you’ve been wondering which hair roller is right for you, we’ve got the lowdown on our favorite hair rollers and how they work. Learn more about the different types of hair rollers:

How long your hair is will also play into how well a hair twist sponge works for you.Hair sponges are typically meant for short hair and will be best for those with strands that are around an inch or two long. However, if you don’t have short natural hair, there are some hair sponges with larger holes that are meant for longer hair, so shop around and see if there’s something that can work for you. HOW TO USE A CURL SPONGE IN YOUR NATURAL HAIR ROUTINEWomen that have recently big chopped and those who like to wear short TWA hairstyles may find that a sponge brush is helpful since it is an easy way of adding texture and curl definition to hair. Hot Hair Rollers Rollers give your hair optimal volume. Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for TRESemmé There is no way for your curls to flourish with a tangled mane. Use a wide-tooth comb and gently comb through your hair, starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots. Repeat until your mane is free of tangles and knots. STEP #4: GRAB A CURL SPONGE

Looking for more hair products? Head this way for the best shampoos for all hair types and over here for conditioners to pair with them. We’ve also got hair masks, purple shampoo, soothing shampoo for sensitive scalps, the best shampoo for curly hair, the best shampoo for greasy hair and the best sea salt sprays for helping achieve the perfect beachy waves all year round. Because curl sponges come with both a smooth and ridged side and both sides have holes, it can be confusing as to which one to use. Actually, each side provides a slightly different style that gives your curls a different overall effect. The holes or ridges on the curling sponge gather sections of hair into coils, curls and twists when the sponge is rubbed on your hair in circular motions. Sponges with small holes or ridges work best on short hair, helping to create more defined curls. Sponges with large holes or ridges produce larger loose curls for long hair.

STEP #4: GRAB A CURL SPONGE

Velcro rollers are plastic hair rollers with a velcro pad attached to the top. This structure allows for strong curls that will stay defined and intact for hours. Keep going till you’ve covered your whole head and all the curls cool. When yours are all cooled off, unwrap for the biggest hair of your life. 4. Steam Sponge Hair Rollers Use steam sponge hair rollers to get your style. Static electricity is created when two unlikely objects are rubbed against each other. A curling sponge is a foreign object for hair, and when rubbed together in a continuum, the process causes electrons to be transferred between the sponge and hair. The swapping of electrons between the sponge and hair causes a positive charge to build up on your hair. The positive charge of electrons on your hair causes the hair cuticles to become positively charged and raised. Raised cuticles make the hair shaft prone to breakage, causes hair frizz and makes hair feel ‘rough’. The only primary difference with it is you rub a towel over your hair using circular motions rather than using a sponge.