Heatless Curls: how to curl your hair without heat
Heatless curls are created on damp hair using gentle curling methods such as a bathrobe belt, loose braids, or sock curls. Put on a satin pillowcase and go to sleep. In the morning, you’ll have soft, shiny curls without heat damage.
There’s a type of curl that looks as though it took hours to create. Soft, shiny, natural. They aren’t made with a curling iron. They’re created overnight, with moisture and patience. That’s what heatless curls are, and it’s easier than you think.
Why choose heatless curls?
Heat opens the hair cuticle and dries it out from the inside. If you do it often enough, your hair becomes brittle, dull, and difficult to style. Heatless curls do the opposite: they use your hair’s natural moisture and elasticity to shape the curls without taking anything away from it.
| Method | Damage | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Heatless curls | None, preserves moisture | Shiny, soft, natural-looking waves |
| Curling iron / straightener | High risk of drying | Defined, but can feel brittle |
How to do it
Start with clean, damp hair. Scrunch in DREAMY hair conditioner bar as a leave-in. It gives your hair the elasticity and shine it needs to keep the curls together without frizz.
Then choose your method: a soft bathrobe belt placed across the top of your head, around which you twist the hair sections away from your face; loose braids for classic waves; or sock curls for tighter curls. Put on a silk pillowcase and go to sleep. In the morning, gently undo the curls, lightly run your fingers through your hair, and shake out the roots.
The Editor's Note: Do you have naturally curly or wavy hair? Skip the curling method altogether. Scrunch DREAMY hair into damp hair and let your own natural curls do the work.
Protect the result
Read about silk bonnet vs silk pillowcase to choose the right nighttime protection for your curls. Learn more about the full curl routine in our complete guide to curly hair.