How to Get Heatless Curls in 12 Easy Ways

Want curls without the curler? While curling irons are a must for many of our styling needs, they can leave our locks looking like a hot mess (i.e., dry, damaged and in serious need of some TLC). Yes, constant heat styling, while a quick fix, is bad for our hair. So how can we get salon worthy curls without the curling iron? Read on for how to get heatless curls that’ll leave you hotter than Olivia Newton John singing You’re the One that I Want.

Can’t I Just Use a Heat Protectant for Curly Hair Styling?

First up, lets banish a little myth. Using a heat protecting spray does NOT make you immune to heat damage. While applying a heat protectant prior to styling can help reduce the effects of hot tools, your hair is still at risk. Every time you wrap your hair around that curling wand, you’re instantly dehydrating your delicate strands and making them far more susceptible to breakage. 

How to Get Heatless Curls in 12 Easy Ways

Pin Up Curls

Pin curls, as the name suggests, are heat-free curls created with a hairpin. They’re usually left in overnight while you sleep to set, so you can wake up with Vintage Hollywood-worthy hair. Admittedly, this Flapper Girl DIY hair curling technique is more time consuming (and fiddly) than modern curling methods, but with red-carpet worthy curls at the end of the tunnel, it’s definitely worth a go!

Curly Clip In Hair Extensions

If you have naturally curly hair, or just love to style your hair this way, curly hair extensions can give you a boost of volume or give you extra length. Cliphair offer a wide range of curly clip in hair extensions which come in many lengths and colours, as well as in natural curl and tighter deep wave styles. Remy Hair Extensions blend in perfectly with your natural locks and gives your style a natural finish

Braid Your Hair at Night

This quick and easy technique can replace quality time with your curling iron in the morning, giving you one more chance to hit the snooze button. If you have wavy hair, a basic two-strand braid will help maintain that bombshell beachy texture. "Loosely braid or twist your hair and apply a wave spray or sea-salt spray to help it set," says celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen. "When you wake up, take the braids out and you should still have your original curl pattern."

Scrunch Your Hair

Credit: justcurly.com | Scrunching your hair 

Scrunched hair is a classic look for those with curls, and it’s also one of the easiest, no-fuss ways to style your spirals. This technique will leave you with a head full of beautifully defined curls without the heat damage. Apply a hair mousse before scrunching your damp hair and blow-drying towards your scalp. Repeat until your locks are beautifully scrunched, styled and salon-fresh.

Velcro Rollers 

Hair rollers are among the easiest tools for rendering gorgeous curls every time. The traditional hair roller dates to the 19th century, since then countless beauty brands have revolutionised the technology and design of these tools, with heated ceramic rollers, steam-powered rollers, satin rollers—and even rollers you can sleep in.

Heatless Headband Curls

The headband curling method is one that requires no heat whatsoever, does not damage your hair in the slightest, and only takes a few minutes before bed to orchestrate. After washing and blow-drying your locks, simply parted in the middle and comb out. Then, with a headband in place, work your locks around the band in small sections, working towards the back. Prepare to awaken with gorgeously perfected curls, and no heat damage!

Halo Method (T-Shirt)

This ingenious YouTube video will teach you how to create soft heatless curls using a simple plain old t-shirt. Creative, simple and VERY effective, this method guarantees the most gorgeous bombshell curls. Props to Kayley!

Create A Sock Bun

The sock curling technique resurfaced as a TikTok trend recently, and ever since then we’ve been OBSESSED. You can use socks to curl your hair in two different ways, by sock bun curling – turning your sock into a donut bun; or sock curling – using your socks as is. 

Twist Your Hair

This French twist technique is a simple and effective route to curly hair without the heat. Simply twist sections of your hair over each other and gather the twists into little buns. Most advice online says you should leave the twist braids in for at least six hours before gently removing them for salon-worthy curls. You can thank us later!

Try Spoolies

Credit: Hype Hair | Pure Estrogen | Spoolies Silicone Hair Curlers

Spoolies® are a type of silicone hair curlers retailing in the U.S.A. They have the magical ability to create a variety of hairstyles including soft beach waves, spiral ringlets, or classic pin curls – all heat-free

Plop Your Hair

Plopping is a heat-free styling technique that minimises drying time, without damaging your hair. Instead of letting your curls dry naturally, plopping usually uses a cotton T-shirt to dry your wet hair in a curling mould on top of your head. Always use a soft fabric, such as a cotton t-shirt, microfibre towel or hydrophilic cloth to help retain moisture.

Use Waveformers ®

Waveformers® are an easy-to-use tool for heat-free, damage-free waves which last and last. A type of hair curler for wavy styles; the product comes in two sizes, Ocean Flair® and Beach Flair® to suit your specific wave requirements. Want wavy hair extensions to match your newly waved locks? Check out our Wavy collection in a range of colours to suit you.

You might be interested in....

How to Revive Dry Hair Extensions

How Do You Blend Hair Extensions That Don’t Match?