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 kind of curl that looks like it took hours to create. Soft, glossy, natural. It wasn’t made with a curling iron. It was made overnight, with moisture and patience. That’s what heatless curls are, and it’s easier than you think.
Why go heatless?
Heat opens the hair cuticle and dries it out from the inside. Do it often enough, and your hair becomes brittle, dull, and hard to manage. 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, helps retain moisture | Glossy, soft, natural-looking waves |
| Curling iron / flat iron | High risk of drying out your hair | Defined curls, but hair can feel brittle |
How to do it
Start with clean, damp hair. Work in DREAMY hair conditioner bar as a leave-in. It gives your hair the elasticity and shine it needs to hold the curls together without frizz.
Then choose your method: a soft bathrobe belt placed over the crown of your head, with sections of hair twisted 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 fluff the roots.
The Editor's Note: Do you have naturally curly or wavy hair? Skip the curling method altogether. Work DREAMY hair into damp hair and let your own natural curls do the work.
Protect your results
Read about silk bonnets vs. silk pillowcases to choose the right nighttime protection for your curls. Learn more about the full curl routine in our complete guide to curly hair.