How to Get Heatless Curls for Long Hair
Whether it’s long luscious curls or beachy waves I love curled hair. Mins is stick straight so I’m always looking for ways to curl my hair but not damage it. Is that possible? I didn’t think so until I was introduced to heatless curls and I’m hooked! I really thought getting curls or waves without a curling iron or curling wand sounded too good to be true. Over that last couple years I have experimented with how to get doing heatless curls for long hair and I’m going to share it all here! While my daughter and I have longer hair these methods will work for short hair types as well. My hair was much shorter a couple years ago when I started using this method.
What tools to use
- socks
- robe tie
- silk scarf
- Octocurl
All of these tools essentially do the same thing, some are more user friendly. My favorite of all these options is the Octocurl. It is a strap that has fabric tubes attached that hang down. The adjustable strap goes around the head and the hair is wrapped around the fabric. It comes in different materials and lengths.
A robe tie and silk scarf work the same way. The best socks to use are tube socks that are fluffy. You can customize the type of curls based on the sock size.
Prep your hair
There are many different ways to get heatless curls and I’ve tried most of them on my hair. The process is basically the same regardless of what method you use.
After washing I apply a mouse to my hair to help hold the curl. Start with dry hair. If you begin with wet hair your hair will not dry and you may look like you stuck your finger in an electric outlet 😉 Brush you hair really well. I then use a mister spray bottle to get slightly damp hair. A mister provides an even spray. Mist only around the ears and below. Do NOT get the crown of your head wet or you’ll have a crease from however you secure your curls. You do not want your hair to be wet, just softly misted and damp. I then apply an airy dry cream (optional). Now you’re ready to being wrapping your hair.
Process with the Octocurl
I’m going to start with the Octocurl. I have found this is the easiest way of all the methods. Place it on your head and adjust the strap to fit. The beauty of the Octocurl is the ability to get loose waves, soft curls or tight ringlets. It all depends on how many sections you use and how tight you wrap your hair around it. I take 2 sections of the Octocurl and about a 1-2 inch section of hair and beginning by my face I wrap my section of hair going away from my face. I wrap in a downward angle for looser curls. If you want a tighter curl wrap your hair closer together.
Once you get to the end pull then end up and wrap the elastic around to secure your hair. Try to keep the elastic on the fabric and not your hair to avoid a crease. I prefer the look of my ends being a little straighter so I leave 1 inch of hair out from being wrapped. Move on to the next sections of your hair and do the same. I wrap the first two sections away from my face and then I alternate the direction I wrap. For example the third section I will wrap towards my face.
Continue until all your hair is wrapped. At this point I loosen the strap on my forehead and slide it back. That is just the way it’s more comfortable for me to sleep in. I always do this before bed and the next morning I wake up with gorgeous curls!
Sock, robe tie or scarf for heatless curls
Sock curls were the first way I experimented with going heatless. Well if you don’t count the velcro rollers, foam rollers or sponge rollers my mom used on me as a kid 🙂 We all have socks so this is is great way to give heatless curls a try on your hair. Prep your hair exactly the same. Take a sock and lay it against the side of your head, secure it with bobby pins and the top. Begin to wrap your hair exactly as with the Octocurl securing at the end with hair ties. Remember to leave the ends out if that is the look you want. Continue around your head. I use 6 socks for my head but that will depend on your hair and what type of curls or waves you want.
The next morning
They will be ready to be taken out in the morning. Untie the elastic and gently unwind the curl. Continue around your head until all the curls are out. Depending on how you twisted your hair you’ll either be left with bouncy curls, natural waves, or tight curls. From here style as you like. I will gently finger comb mine and use a little hair spray. If you’re like me you’ll be shocked at how good hair can look with heatless curls!
Tips for getting the best heatless curls
I have found what works best for me but trust me it took plenty of trial and error. I have pretty thin hair and my daughter’s is medium to thick hair but very fine. These are the best techniques that work well on both our hair types and I have found helpful that give the beautiful curls. As you are wrapping your hair lift up and make sure the curls can flip up so you can push them up to sleep on (not on your cheek). I have found this is just more comfortable. If your hair is long enough pull it back gently in a silk scrunchie before you go to bed. Giving them a blast of heat from the blow dryer also sets them right off that bat. I don’t do this because I’m trying to prevent heat damage, although a minute of heat is way less that any hot tools will give.
Braids
French braids are another simple way to get heatless waves with no equipment required. The outcome is more soft waves and less curls. Getting the best results with braids is making sure you are braiding close to the top of your head so there isn’t an area of straight and the the waves begin. You will also need to keep in mind where your part is going to be.
Go heatless!
I hope this was a helpful tutorial and you’ll give heatless curls a try on your hair! It saves so much time once you get the hang of it! Using less heat will decrease damage and help promote healthy hair. There are different techniques that will get you a variety of sizes and types of curls and waves. I love how mine look on day two when they are more loose curls. If you have a favorite heatless technique let me know so I can give it a try!
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