So you want some style in your short hair but without the heat right? I’m not even sure I can count on one hand how many times I’ve chopped my hair off because it was damaged. I’m one of those gals whose hair isn’t necessarily curly and definitely isn’t straight. It’s wavy. And not that “I just got back from the beach wavy.” Nope. It means that if I want my hair to look decent, I pretty much have two choices: style it or throw it up in a messy bun.
Well, if you recently chopped your hair off because it was damaged or you did it because it’s freeing or you did it just for a change…you might be looking for ways to add some curls to your short hair. I have an entire article dedicated to how to curl short hair, but today we’ll go into more depth on heatless curls for short hair. Okay, get ready to have some fun because you’re about to learn how to curl your short hair with everything from a headband to pins. Some of these are done overnight and some instantly.
When my daughter had long hair, she tried the headband curls technique a few times. But can this technique be done with short hair? She left hers in for 2.5 hours instead of leaving it in overnight. You can leave it in overnight if you don’t have 2.5 hours to wait in the morning for curls. One thing I noticed in her tutorial and she commented on it too, was the line the headband left on her forehead. In this video from Camille Collazo, she put the headband farther up on her forehead and I didn’t see a line. She recommends starting with damp hair because if it’s too dry, the style won’t stay.
Another way to get curls for short hair without heat is with certain types of curlers. Have you heard of these? Just know that there are different sizes for different lengths of hair. Are you looking for a classic and inexpensive way to curl your hair with curlers? Pink foam rollers to the rescue! The size of pink foam rollers you want to purchase depends on how tight you want the curls and how long your hair is. There are sizes ranging from 5/8 to 2 inches.
Do you need some inspiration for your short hair? I tried out the no heat method of curling my hair a couple of months ago. I put the headband around my head, like a crown and proceeded by taking a one inch section of hair from the front of my face and twisted it tightly. Then I moved to the next one inch section away from my face and twisted it tightly. I combined this piece of hair with the inch leftover from the first section and continued to wrap it around the headband. The next morning I pulled the head band upwards and shook it gently to loosen the hair from it. I ran my fingers through it to separate the curls. As someone who has literally no time for doing anything with my hair in the morning I really like this method of curling.
We all know hot tools are not great for your hair, especially if you want stronger and longer hair. We have been trying heatless curl methods for years and are breaking down which were a success and which failed. For this method you cut strips from a sock and use the strips to roll up a section of your hair and tie the strip at the top. This method was super comfortable, fast and easy. Unfortunately the result was not my favorite, some curls came out super tight, some loose and some going in weird directions (like straight out).
The robe belt curls have been tried and true for me every time! If you have a robe belt this method is for you! You drape the belt over the top of your head and wrap your damp hair around it one section at a time. Tie off the ends and twist each side into a low bun so you have space buns. I don’t like sleeping with the buns in so when it’s time for bed I take out the buns which does result in looser curls but I don’t mind that. If you want tighter curls you’ll need to keep that Princess Leia look for the night. Make sure your hair is 100% dry when you take the robe belt out, and carefully unwrap your hair away from the belt. This trending heatless curl method is all over tictok and it’s so fun to see the results!
The silk tube is draped over your head and you basically are using the same method of the robe belt curls. The tube is thicker than a robe belt so you’ll get bigger/looser curls with this method. It was so quick and easy to wrap my hair around the tube, and it comes with a hair claw so the tube stays in place. It also comes with silk scrunchies to tie off the ends to prevent breakage on your ends which is genius. This was surprisingly comfortable, but I’m a side sleeper so I didn’t sleep in it. I did keep it in for 7 hours and the results were pretty good!
The Octocurl has been by far the best heatless method we’ve tried! We were constantly getting requests to try this product so we finally tried them and although we were excited to try, we tend to keep our expectations low when it comes to heatless curls. The Octocurl is a headband halo that you pull on the crown of your head. The thick strips hang down all around your head so that you can wrap sections of your hair around each strip from front to back. There is a bit of a learning curve at first but once you get going it’s really fast and easy! The strips are soft and comfortable enough to sleep on and the longer you keep it in the better your results. The curls last for days and the curls look like you used a curling iron! This is the first method I ever tried over a decade ago and it really is a good option if you want tight and bouncy curls. You start with damp hair and twist and pin up a section of your hair all around your head. This method is a bit time consuming and you have to use a lot of bobby pins, plus it is uncomfortable to sleep on a lot of little buns around my head. It is also a little time consuming to take out each pin the next day and carefully unwrap each section. The curls do usually turn out voluminous, bouncy and last a long time!
We got a lot of requests to try these heatless curlers. Here are some of the pros: they come in two sizes, they are really easy and even kind of fun to put in-fast application. You pop open the curler and roll your hair onto it then pop it closed at your roots. The curlers are hard to get as close to my roots as I’d like and the curls came out too loose for my liking. I just wasn’t impressed with the overall result and the curls didn’t last. These were a fail for me BUT I do think they may work better if you have shorter hair. I think my long hair was the problem. Out of these 6 heatless ways to curl your hair, what method has worked best for you? You can also check out these hair tips that will make your hairstyles last longer!
Infographic: Quick guide to heatless curling options for short hair
Practical step-by-step options
Headband curls (overnight or a few hours) start with damp hair and a comfortable headband placed around the head. Take one-inch sections, twist tightly, and wrap around the headband. In the morning, loosen and separate the curls with your fingers for a natural finish.
Curlers and foam rollers come in various sizes. Choose 5/8 to 2 inches depending on how tight you want the curl and your hair length. Pink foam rollers are a classic inexpensive option for quick, soft waves on short hair.
Sock strips method uses cut strips from a sock to roll sections of hair and tie at the top. It’s fast and comfortable, though results can vary in curl tightness and direction.
Robe belt method involves draping a belt over the head and wrapping damp hair around it, then tying and forming space buns. Dry hair is crucial before unwrapping to avoid frizz and keep curls defined.
Silk tube method follows a similar principle to the robe belt. The tube is thicker, yielding bigger, looser curls with the added benefit of a hair claw and silk scrunchies to reduce breakage. Sleeping in this setup is possible for side sleepers, with seven hours giving good results.
Octocurl headband halo offers a quick, comfortable option with multiple strips around the crown. The longer you keep it in, the better the result, with curls lasting for days and resembling the effect of a curling iron.
Twisting and pinning approach uses damp hair and sections twisted and pinned around the head. It can be time-consuming and requires many bobby pins, but often delivers voluminous and long-lasting curls.
Heatless curlers provide a fast, two-size option, easy to use and enjoyable to apply. Some results may be looser at the roots, and outcomes can vary with hair length and technique.
From a practical standpoint, the best method depends on your hair length, desired curl tightness, and how much time you’re willing to invest. Short hair often benefits from methods that create soft, lasting texture without heat damage.
Heatless Waves.. this method WORKS! Elanna Pecherle Hair Tutorial
Heatless Waves.. this method WORKS! Elanna Pecherle Hair Tutorial
| Method | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headband curls | Can be overnight; adjustable tightness | Potential forehead mark if placed low | Soft waves for short to medium hair |
| Sock strips | Very quick; inexpensive | Inconsistent results | Short hair, urgent styling |
| Robe belt" | Space buns; comfortable to wear | Requires dry hair; sleep-restricted | Lustrous, defined waves |
| Silk tube | Big, loose curls; comfortable | Need tube accessory; pricier | Soft, voluminous texture |
| Octocurl headband | Lasts days; easy to use | Learning curve | Tight, bouncy curls |
| Pin-and-twist | Voluminous; long-lasting | Time-consuming; many pins | Glamorous beachy texture |
In summary, you can achieve a variety of heatless curls for short hair using a headband and simple household items. The key is dampness, one-inch sections, and a method that matches your comfort with sleeping on or wearing the tool overnight. Try multiple methods to see which yields the most flattering texture for your hair type and length.