Heatless Hair Curler

Who? Dilan Günaçtı
For how long? Almost three months

I’ve been loyal to heat tools since high school—my thick, wavy hair practically lived under my straightener. More recently, my go-to has been the Dyson Airstrait, which protects my strands while delivering a sleek finish in seconds.

Still, after seeing countless videos of creators wrapping their hair in satin and velvet heatless curlers overnight and unveiling effortlessly voluminous waves, I was intrigued. It seemed counterintuitive to straighten only to reheat for curls, so I decided to try a different approach.

I ordered a three-piece velvet set (though looking back, I’ll likely upgrade to satin for an even gentler experience). Before bed, I brush through my hair, smooth a drop of oil on the ends, and wrap my bangs around one curler, securing it with a clip. I divide the rest into two sections, roll each around a curler, and secure them in place before heading to bed.

Full disclosure: being a side-sleeper and using velvet curlers isn’t the most comfortable combination. Finding the right sleeping position can be a challenge. But waking up to full, bouncy waves makes it worthwhile. The waves are especially voluminous when first unwrapped, and even as they loosen throughout the day, the ends hold a soft, effortless curve. I find this method especially ideal for styling bangs.

When I’m short on time—say, with just an hour before heading out—I still use this trick. I wrap my hair as usual and release the curlers right before leaving, resulting in natural, voluminous waves without any heat damage or tangles.

For extra comfort, I’ve adapted the technique: I gather my hair into a high ponytail with a satin scrunchie and wrap only the ponytail into a “donut” using one curler. It mainly waves the ends—but it’s far more sleep-friendly. I now save the full set for when I want a more polished look.

For added hold and definition, I apply a volumizing mousse before wrapping, then finish with a light mist of hairspray or a touch of hair oil to tame frizz and lock in movement. The result? Long-lasting, soft waves every time.