Sam's curls were easy to do!
First I did a Downey Dunk and then washed it in warm water a LOT! her hair is very thick!

Then I let her hair dry for a day or two

I sprizted her hair and rolled with the SOFT AG rollers from the old hair care kit (you can get them anywhere-they are small foam rollers) following the original curls. They only curl up about halfway up her head and hang loose. I kept spritzing throughout the day and left the curlers in overnight and then took them out the next day, spritzed, finger combed and fluffed. Good as new!

These directions are for pre-Mattel Sam. I don't know if Mattel Sam's curls are different. If you want spiral curls like in the book, use the hard plastic rollers with end papers.