Want bouncy curls without frying your hair with a curling iron? Heatless curls are the easiest upgrade to your night routine: you wrap your hair before bed, sleep, and wake up with soft curls. Here's how to get them right the first time.
What you need
- A Heatless Curl Rod (ours comes with 2 scrunchies)
- A Quick-Dry Hair Towel to get your hair to the right dampness
- A Satin Sleep Bonnet to keep everything in place overnight
Step 1: Get the dampness right
This is the secret most people miss. Hair should be damp, not wet, about 80% dry. Soaking wet hair won't dry overnight, and fully dry hair won't hold the curl as well. Wrap freshly washed hair in a microfiber towel for 15–20 minutes to soak up extra water gently. (You can also lightly mist dry hair with water.)
Step 2: Place the rod
Brush out any tangles. Set the middle of the curl rod on top of your head, with the ends hanging down on each side like headphones.
Step 3: Wrap your hair
Starting near your face on one side, take a section of hair and wrap it around the rod, adding a bit more hair with each twist as you work down (like a French braid around the rod). Always wrap away from your face for the most flattering curls. Repeat on the other side.
Step 4: Secure the ends
Use the scrunchies to hold the ends of your hair to the bottom of the rod on each side.
Step 5: Sleep in it
Slip on a satin bonnet to keep the rod in place and your hair smooth while you sleep. Satin creates less friction than cotton, which helps your curls look polished in the morning.
Step 6: Unwrap and style
In the morning, remove the scrunchies and gently unwrap your hair. Shake out the curls with your fingers. For looser waves, brush through gently. For defined curls, just separate them with your fingers.
Tips for curls that last
- Use bigger sections for loose waves, smaller sections for tighter curls.
- Add a little mousse or curl cream before wrapping if your hair doesn't hold curls easily.
- No time overnight? Leave it in for a few hours while you get ready.
- Finish with a light hairspray if you need your curls to last all day.