Take a quick scroll through TikTok or Instagram and you’ll likely find a video of someone waking up with a bouncy salon-worthy blowdry – all thanks to using overnight heatless curlers.

Available in a few different formats, heatless curlers usually consist of a piece of foam – which hair is then wrapped around and secured using a scrunchie or hair clips, left overnight and voila – a bouncy blowdry result, without using any heat.

“Heatless curling hacks are going viral as more people look for ways to style their hair without heat damage and although heatless curls aren’t the best option for last-minute events, they come in handy if you’re looking to reduce your morning routine and wake up with glossy, mermaid-like waves,” says Laura Elliott, head stylist at haircare specialists Neäl & Wølf.

“Those who curl their hair every morning with a curling wand or iron will know how long it can take, so the ability to wake up and undo your heatless curls is a game changer and allows extra time for that all-important beauty sleep.”

But do heatless rollers really work and how can you ensure a professional-looking finish? If you’re looking to try out heatless curlers, here’s everything you need to know… 

First up, it’s all in the technique. While heatless curlers are simple to use once you’ve got the knack, it can take some trial and error to find the technique that’s right for you. Some people use a Velcro roller to secure the front section of hair, while others wrap their entire hair around the heatless roller. Below, Laura Elliott shares her top tips for using heatless curlers at home…

Prep your hair

“I often find that heatless curls work best on hair that isn’t freshly washed,” explains Elliott. “Hair that is too clean and freshly washed might be too slippery and resistant to holding a curl without heat styling. I would recommend trying out heatless curls on hair that is almost dry, which means you may have to dampen your hair a little before using them. Once your hair is around 80% dry, I like to use Neäl & Wølf’s Velvet Nourishing Hair Oil to nourish hair overnight.”

Secure your heatless curl kit

If you’re using a foam heatless curler, pop this onto your head (like a headband) and secure it in place with a claw clip. Then, take a small section from the front of your hair and wrap it around the curler, away from your face.

Repeat

“Continue this same technique, pulling pieces of hair and adding to the front piece until you run out of new sections to add. Then twist the two sections of hair around each other until you get to the end. Secure with a bobble. Once you let go of your hair it will loosen slightly, but this just creates loose waves without looking tight and crimped. I recommend leaving heatless curls in overnight to get the desired result.”

Unravel the twists

“Once you’re ready to take on the day, carefully unravel each twist to reveal your heatless beach waves. Brush through with a wide-tooth comb to separate the waves and add a texture spray to enhance waves, giving gentle hold and volume.”

Images: courtesy of brands