8 Different Ways To Define Curls Without Heat

Heat generation tools equal curl definition. How can you define curls if you do not want to use heat tools? Use simple non-heat generation tools. These tools don’t have to be sophisticated. Your clothes and household items are the heroes that come in handy here.

Beach waves and curls do not require heat tools to achieve, and we believe you may not want to experience the results of constant use of heat. The frizziness, dryness, breakage, and damage are no joke. Thankfully, people have gotten creative. Now, there are tons of different ways to define curls without heat. You might be surprised at how many methods you can give a try. From braiding to using socks, etc. There are other creative ways to curl your hair without heat.

8 Heatless Ways To Define Curls

1. Bantu Knots Method

The Bantu Knots hairstyle is a popular protective style. But are you aware you can achieve some heatless curls with them? Yes, you can. Get your hair into some Bantu knots, lose them, and slay some defined bouncy curls. You can try this with your short or long hair. The length does not matter.

1. Start with washing your tresses clean.
2. Dry and apply hair care products to your hair.
3. Section it into different parts and twist each of them.
4. After turning one, wrap it to form a small bun or knot and hold it with a hair elastic.
5. Repeat the knot process for each after twisting them.
6. Wear a hair bonnet to bed and unwrap your knots the following day.
7. You should apply oil to your palms before unraveling them.
8. Then, use your fingers to comb through them. Or you can use a wide-tooth comb on the roots to lift your hair gently.

2. Hair Rollers Method

A tested and trusted method to define curls without heat for decades is hair rollers. We get that you might think it is old-fashioned, but it works! And the result is tremendous.

1. Get a set of hair rollers and part your hair. You will also need a volumizing mousse or leave-in conditioner and bobby pins.
2. Next, apply your products to your hair and comb. From the ends of your hair, roll around the hair rollers till you get to the root of your hair.
3. Move to each section and repeat the same process.
4. Hold the hair rollers with bobby pins and wrap your hair with a silk scarf or a bonnet. Let it stay for a few hours or overnight.
5. Then, remove the pins and undo the rollers. Run your fingers through the curls to break them.

3. The Plopping Method

While the plopping method blew on Tiktok recently, it has been around for some time. The way involves using a T-shirt or microfiber towel to set your hair as it takes moisture from the products you apply.

1. Begin with clean and washed hair.
2. Ensure your shampoo and conditioner are sulfate-free, and massage your hair while you wash.
3. Follow with your leave-in conditioner and detangle your hair properly.
4. Now, while your hair is still damp, apply your curling product. A curl cream or wave spray will do just fine (These products can help with the hydration needed).
5. Next, flip your head upside down and hold your hair with a microfiber towel or T-shirt. Make sure your hair is gathered at the crown of your head. If not, hold it with your hands before using the towel. Allow your hair to dry for two hours. Then, unwrap your hair and let it continue to air dry.
6. Use a nourishing serum from the middle length of your hair to the ends once your hair dried completely. Do this by putting a part of your hair in your hands and squeezing it. The serum will define your curls and further hydrate your hair.

4. Bathrobe Curls

With your robe belts, you can get some heatless curls popping for some time. Grab a silk bathrobe belt so your curls are more defined, tight, and smooth.

1. Dampen your hair and section it into two parts, one on each side of your head.
2. Clip the belt to the top of your head, ensuring that each side has an equal amount.
3. Begin to wrap your hair around the belt. Start from the front side of each section and move your way downwards. If you're wondering how to do it, mimic the way you wrap your hair around a flat iron.
4. Use a scrunchie to hold each side of your hair once completed, and let it stay. You can tie to form knots if you don't want to use scrunchies.
5. Wear your bonnet to sleep and wait to unravel the next day. When you do, make sure to brush it and use a hairspray.

5. Sock Bun

YouTubers like Ellesse Cheale have helped create steps on how to use the sock bun for heatless curls, and this is a method everyone is crazy about now. It has been tried multiple times on various hair textures, and Tokers shows their results. While you can get different results from this method, if done correctly, getting some gorgeous waves won't be a problem.

1. Start by sectioning your hair into two parts, one at the back and the other at the front.
2. Hold the front part with a scrunchie.
3. Then, get a clean sock and pin it at the start of the back section. You are to pin the toe side up.
4. Roll your hair on the sock and spray with your product. Cover the bun with the open part of the sock so it looks like a bun.
5. Do the same thing for the front section and leave overnight. With the clips and socks, your hair should be safe.
6. In the morning, unravel them and use your hands to twist a few sides if needed.

6. Pin Curls

With this method, your curl waves can last longer. You may need some tools: a mirror, styling products, and bobby pins. Gather your tools, and let's get into how to get those waves.

1. Allow your hair to air-dry a little. Please ensure it is not too dry but not too dampen as well.
2. Use your styling products that set your hair for the curls. A curl cream, enhancing gel, or curly serum are a few products to use.
3. Next, comb your hair to ensure there are no tangles.
4. Part it into sections and start pinning them. Roll your hair to the roots and secure it with the bobby pins.
5. Please do this for all the sections and wait for it to air-dry. If you want, you can go to bed with it. In the morning, remove the pins and unwrap your curls.
6. Further, unravel them with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Then, apply hair oil and hairspray to keep the style.

7. Leggings Method

Leggings are multipurpose. You can make them a tool to achieve curls on your hair. With many people trying this method on TikTok and YouTube, this has to be on our list.

1. Moisturize your hair first with a leave-in conditioner.
2. Work from the tip to the root. Part your hair into two, one at the left and the other by the side.
3. Choose an easy-to-use fabric that won't damage your hair texture.
4. Put the leggings on your head and let each leg fall to the sides. The top part of the leggings should be at the back.
5. Now, pick one side of the leggings and wrap your hair around it.
6. Start with your front hair and move till you reach the ends. Do not allow any part to be loose.
7. When done, hold the ends with a scrunchie and do the same thing for the other side. With the rest of the leggings, tuck your hair into them and wear the top of the leggings as a cap. Sleep with it and unravel it the following day.

8. Braids

Braid is easy, but it does the magic. Braid your hair and get nice waves the next day. The number of braids or patterns you choose to follow depends on you. However, they will affect how well your curls will turn out. A simple one-ponytail braid will give you beachy waves. So, increasing the number of braids equates to how tight the curls will be. Let's show you the steps.

1. Start by combing your hair to remove any tangles.
2. Section your hair into the number of braids you want.
3. Braid each part using the French or Dutch pattern.
4. Once you get to the ends of the braid, hold each of them with a hair elastic.
5. Loosen the next day and apply oil to tame frizziness.

Maintain Your Heatless Curls

One thing is to achieve your curls, another is to maintain them.

After a few days, you might notice they are not as alive as the first day. So, try using a revitalizing spray. You can also work on the volume with a volumizing spray or go for more casual loose waves and keep them intact with a hairspray.

At night, wear a satin bonnet to bed or sleep with a silk pillowcase so your strands are protected and there are no chances of frizziness and damage by morning.

Final Words

These eight heatless curl techniques should leave your hair healthy and beautiful. So, why not give it a try and let us know how they turned out?

If there are any other ways to define curls without heat, please drop them in the comment section below. We will be glad to hear from you!