The Best Heatless Curl Hacks, According to Editors

By Jessica Harrington
POPSUGAR Photography | Renee Rodriquez
POPSUGAR Photography | Renee Rodriquez
Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

We're in an era of heatless curls. Social media — namely TikTok and Instagram — are filled with people attempting to learn how to style their hair at home and trialing heatless methods in the process. We can see the appeal: who wouldn't want to wake up with perfectly curled hair with little effort? But if you've yet to find a technique that works for you, you're probably wondering how to do heartless curls on yourself. And we have your answer — or answers, seeing as there are a handful of different ways to go about it.

There are countless heatless curl tutorials online, ranging from the viral curling ribbon to pin curls. The success of certain hacks can vary depending on the length of your hair as well as your hair type, and may take some trial and error to get right, but once you find the best technique for you, you'll be off to the races. Getting heatless curls overnight can help you cut down on time spent heat styling — not to mention the damage that comes with constantly running a blow dryer or curling iron through your hair.

So if you're ready to break up with your hot tools (or at least give them a little bit of a break), keep scrolling for a list of the best heatless curl tutorials out there, tested and rated by our editors.

Best Bouncy Heatless Curls

GelCurler Express Curl Kit ($40)

The GelCurler Express Curl Kit doesn't require any hot tools, but it does technically use some heat from the microwave. Simply pop the kit in for a few seconds, wrap it around your hair, and when it's cool, you'll have bouncy, silky curls. We know, that sounds a little out there but take a look at our GelCurler Express Curl Kit review for the 411.

Best No-Tools Heatless Curls

You don't need any fancy tools or gadgets to try this twisted heatless curling method. Simply wrap your hair around itself to create loose waves. Our twisted-curl editor experiment is concrete evidence that it works.

Best Crimped Heatless Curls

No Heat Wave Hair Spiral Curlers Styling Kit ($16)

These colorful contraptions don't just look cool — they also leave you with voluminous, crimped waves. Need proof? Read our spiral-curls editor experiment to see how it works.

Best Loose Heatless Curls

Have an old pair of leggings that you don't need anymore? You can use them to curl your hair, similar to the curling ribbon. Check out our heatless curls with leggings editor experiment to see how it works.

Best Air-Dried Heatless Curls

All you need are a couple of small claw clips to try this twist-and-clip curling method. It's by far the easiest hair hack out there. Click this twist-and-clip method editor experiment to see how it works.

Best Tight Heatless Curls

This heatless-curl tutorial involves putting your hair up into a ponytail, sectioning it into four parts, and rolling the hair in on itself. Once you have four hair rolls, secure with bobby pins, and go to sleep.See our review of the rolled-bun method here.

Best Overall Heatless Curls

Heatless Hair Curling Ribbon Kit ($35, originally $54)

This curling ribbon is what started it all. The trend of heatless curls overnight quickly grew after people discovered the magic of this gadget. Check out our full Heatless Hair Curling Ribbon review.

Best Heatless Blowout

Sleepy Tie ($30)

The Sleepy Tie was designed to preserve your blowout while you sleep, but it also works wonders at creating loose heatless curls overnight. Check out our full Sleepy Tie review.

Best Heatless Curls For Layered Hair

Bun Bon Heatless Curl Set ($15)

One of our editors has layered hair, and she loved using the Bun Bons set to get loose waves. The kit also comes with bonnets to go over each bun so your hair is protected through the night. Read the full review here.

Best Overnight Heatless Curls

Satin Flower Curl ($44)

Not all heatless curl hacks are created equal. Some are better for sleeping, while others are better for wearing during the day. One of our editors said using this hair tool made sleeping a breeze, and she woke up with great results. See the full review here.

Best Messy Heatless Curls

The unicorn heatless curls hack has been all over TikTok, and the results are one of our favorites. You'll need either a hair rod or a rolled up shirt to test it out, as well as a scrunchie or hair tie to secure everything in place. Read our unicorn heatless curl hack editor experiment here.

— Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez

Jessica Harrington is the senior beauty editor at PS, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for POPSUGAR's TikTok and Instagram accounts.