Keeping your hair healthy while retaining your luscious curls can be a challenging task, as heat damage from curlers can cause your hair to dry out and lead to frizziness. Curling your hair without heat treatment can allow your hair to remain healthy and vibrant while allowing those curls to last longer. Below, we’ll share six different ways to achieve heatless curls overnight, and which method to choose based on your desired style.
Tips for getting perfect heatless curls
- The more securely your hair is wrapped and the longer it's left to set, the more defined your curls will become, and the longer you wait, the more defined your curls will be.
- Use a scrunchy or silky hair tie when securing your hair to prevent indents.
- Wrap hair in a scarf or sleep in a bonnet to reduce frizz if doing these methods overnight.
- Use a hair oil when taking out whatever heatless curl tool you use to prevent adding frizz - consider a hydrating oil for dry strands or a lightweight oil for thinner hair.
1. The sock method
Starting off with the most budget-friendly option, the sock method is perfect for trying out heatless curls with a basic item you already own. This method is essentially braiding your hair using the sock as one section. To get started, grab a clean pair of socks, ideally a longer style if you have longer hair, and follow these steps to get heatless curls with socks.
- Starting on one side of your head, Clip the cuff of a sock, about a quarter of the way down from your part to keep the sock in place.
- Divide your hair into two sections and using the sock as a third section, braid your hair. Use a tighter wrap for more defined curls, or a looser wrap for more relaxed curls.
- Tie off the braid once you get to the end and repeat on the other side.
- If you want gentle waves, take out the braids after your hair is completely dry. For tighter curls leave the braids in for a few hours or overnight.
- Rubbing hair oil between the palms of your hands, gently take out the braids and comb through your hair using your hands.
- Finish with whatever final styling products you prefer!
sock method curls
The definition of your curls is influenced by how long you leave the socks in (e.g., overnight). For tighter curls, wrap your hair more snugly around the sock and use less hair. For looser waves, wrap your hair more loosely around the sock or leave them in for a shorter time period.
2. Robe tie
Another budget-friendly option for getting heatless curls overnight involves using a robe tie, or long pieces of fabric and wrapping sections of your hair around the robe tie, making your way from top to bottom. This method is similar to a french braid motion but is a little easier to do. Here’s how:
- Part your hair into two sections and place the middle of the robe tie on top of your part so it falls evenly on either side of your head. Clip the middle of the robe tie to your hair to keep it in place.
- Grabbing a one-inch section of hair in one hand and holding the tie in the other, wrap the section around the tie going from the front to bringing it back around underneath the wrap.
- Grab another one-to-two section of hair, adding the new section to your first, and repeat the wrap around motion.
- Continue wrapping in this way, making your way to the ends of your hair.
- Once you make it to your ends, secure the wrap in place with a hair tie. Repeat on the other side.
- Keep the ties in overnight for best results.
robe tie curls
The robe tie method typically creates soft, bouncy curls or waves with more definition than the sock method. These types of curls are often more voluminous and polished, perfect for a more glamorous look.
3. Flexi rods
Flexi Rods are a great option for getting tight curls overnight without using heat. This method will give you corkscrew curls, which will take more time to achieve than some of the looser curls on this list. Here’s how to curl your hair using flexi rods:
- Start with damp hair.
- Working with about an inch wide section at a time, brush your strands and grab one bendy rod, leaving a little bit of space near the top of the rod. Begin twisting the section of hair tightly around the rod working from top to bottom.
- To keep the rod in place, pull the rods close to your scalp and bend each end of the rod towards the other.
- Continue throughout your hair, working towards the top of your head.
- Once all of your hair is done, wrap a scarf around your hair to keep it in place while you sleep.
- In the morning take out the rods and smooth your strands with a Hydrating Oil for optimal results. Enjoy your lively and bouncy curls!
flexi rod curls
This method produces a tighter curl pattern, closer to corkscrew curls. These fun, bouncy curls are perfect for a more dramatic effect with lots of volume.
4. Braids
For beachy, loose waves, opt for a tried and true classic: braids. In case you’ve never tried this before, here’s how:
- Start with damp or dry hair.
- For more drastic results try applying a curling cream at this step.
- Braid two Dutch braids on either side of your head.
- Sleep in the braids for best results.
- In the morning take your hair out of the braids.
braided waves
Braiding hair is best for achieving waves rather than curls. You can expect gorgeous beachy waves with movement perfect for a more tousled look.
5. Rope twists
Rope twisting is another easy method, similar to braiding, and all you need is two hair ties to secure the twists! For more defined curls, use a curl cream and use tighter twists. Here’s how to do it:
- Brush hair, removing any knots.
- Split your hair into two equal sections on either side of your head.
- Starting with one section, grab two smaller sections at the crown of your head, like you would if you were to braid your hair.
- Pull one section over the other. Then grab another small section of hair and add it to an existing section. Do this for both of the sections you are twisting together. Again you can think of it like french braiding with two sections instead of three.
- Continue this same pattern all the way down one side and secure with a hair tie.
- Repeat on the other side.
- For best results, wrap your hair in a scarf, and remove the twists in the morning.
Define your curls with Verb
No matter which method you choose, using hair products is always a good idea to encourage, set, and finish your curls. Check out Verb’s Curl Collection for products made for coils and waves of all kinds. Our products help add shape, volume, and shine so you can enjoy carefree curls that look great every day. Whether you're new to curling your hair, or a seasoned stylist, the right product can do wonders for the health and definition of your hair.
