- Avarna Jain,
Chairperson RPSG Lifestyle Media
Do Heatless Curls Really Work? I Tried Five Viral Methods to Find Out
I traded my curling wand for satin rods, scrunchies, and sheer optimism. The results ranged from glossy blowout energy to complete chaos.
It all started with a YouTube spiral. One moment, I was mindlessly scrolling Kayli Boyli, Brad Mondo and Sahana’s YT videos, the next I was knee-deep in ‘heatless curls’ tutorials promising “perfect salon waves overnight.” As someone with poker-straight, fine hair that falls flatter than a pancake and loses a curl faster than my morning motivation, I was intrigued. Could I actually wake up looking like I owned a Dyson Airwrap—minus the actual Dyson?
I’ve always been fascinated by curls. As a child, I’d watch my mother braid her hair into tiny plaits before bed. By morning, she’d undo them to reveal perfectly crimped waves, no curling wand in sight. It felt like magic then. Now, as an adult with a head of fine, straight hair that refuses to hold shape, I wanted in on that kind of sorcery.
So, I spent a week trying out five of the most viral heatless curling methods: the headband, socks, scrunchies, braids, and satin curling rods. Here’s what happened when I swapped my curling rod for sleep.
The Headband Curls
Jersey HandbandsH&M
Buy it here.
If Instagram had a mascot for heatless curls, this would be it. The viral satin headband method looked deceptively easy: just wrap, twist, sleep, and wake up a mermaid. I slipped one on, divided my hair into two sections, and started wrapping, feeling weirdly confident. Ten minutes later, I looked like I was auditioning for a Regency-era drama.
Sleeping in it wasn’t too bad, though finding the “sweet spot” mattered. Too loose, and it slips off. Too tight, and you wake up with forehead imprints. The next morning, I had soft, defined curls that lasted about four hours before relaxing into beachy waves and still a major upgrade for me.
Results: Defined curls that softened over time
Sleep comfort: 7/10
Final verdict: A crowd-pleaser, easy, effective, slightly goofy-looking while you sleep.
The Sock Method
SocksUniqlo
Buy it here.
The DIY queen of the bunch. All you need is a pair of (clean!) fuzzy socks and mild optimism. I wrapped my slightly damp hair around them, tied the ends, and hoped for magic. The next morning? Let’s just say it was giving “bedhead with a side of static.” My hair had texture, yes, but not the cute, bouncy kind. It was limp, uneven, and not worth the hype. If you’ve got thicker or coarser hair, this might work. For fine, slippery hair like mine, it was a fail.
Results: Uneven, flat curls that disappeared by lunch
Sleep comfort: 9/10
Final verdict: Cosy to sleep in, tragic to wake up to.
The Braiding Method
The OG of heatless curls. You can play with endless variations: Dutch, French, milkmaid braids, or multiple tiny sections for tighter texture. I went with two French braids on damp hair, tied them up, and called it a night. The results? Soft, effortless waves that looked natural and lasted almost the entire day. If you have layers, some pieces will rebel and stick out, but for a casual, tousled finish, this one’s reliable.
Results: Soft waves, minimal frizz, easy to control
Sleep comfort: 8/10
Final verdict: Reliable and low-effort—a no-fuss beauty staple
The Scrunchie / Bun Method
Buy it here.
This one was unexpectedly brilliant. I sectioned my hair into four parts, twisted each into a bun, and secured them with scrunchies. It was comfortable, didn’t poke into my scalp, and took under ten minutes.
When I took them out the next morning, I was shocked. Tight curls, soft volume, and a touch of 90s glam. It was giving Madhuri Dixit in Hum Aapke Hain Koun—bouncy, shiny, and dramatic in the best way. I pulled it back into a half-up style, misted a little hairspray, and left the house grinning.
Results: Voluminous, defined curls that lasted
Sleep comfort: 10/10
Final verdict: The surprise winner, easy, comfortable, and full of life.
The Satin Curling Rods
Zebra Heatless Hair CurlersAccessorize London
Buy it here.
The most ‘influencer-approved’ of them all. I used a proper heatless curl kit: satin rod, claw clip, matching scrunchies, the whole thing. Wrapping was easy enough, but figuring out how to sleep without crushing one side of my head took effort. When I woke up, though, I got it. Soft, shiny, long-lasting curls that looked almost blow-dried. I added a spritz of shine spray, and they held through the entire day.
Results: Polished, glossy curls that last
Sleep comfort: 6/10
Final verdict: High-maintenance but worth it, perfect for everyday glam
The Aftermath
After a week of looking like five different people, here’s what I learned: not all heatless curls are created equal. Some are comfy but underwhelming, some are fussy but fantastic, and some are pure trial and error. But if you’re patient (and willing to look mildly ridiculous in your sleep), it’s worth it.
Bonus learning points:
Always start with 80% dry hair.
A satin pillowcase helps curls hold longer.
Sleep position matters, so side sleepers beware.
Add a few drops of hair oil before wrapping for extra shine.
Final verdict? Heatless curls might not give you “I woke up like this” perfection, but they get you close enough to pretend you did.
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