At this point in quarantine, I have spent so much time on Instagram it could be considered my side hustle (minus, you know, getting paid for it). Everything is starting to blur together between the fluffy coffee, pillow challenges, and loaf after loaf of banana bread, that it takes something seriously different to get me to stop scrolling and actually double tap. A few days ago I stumbled upon a video from hairstylist Justine Marjan that stopped me in my tracks. It looked a little absurd, but the results were gorgeous. The method is easy enough. Take a pair of tights, and drape it on your head like a headband, using an alligator clip to keep it in place. In the comments Marjan mentions you can prep your hair with a little texture spray or hairspray for extra hold, but as long as your hair is damp, you should be fine. On each side of your head, divide your hair into two sections, and French-braid the tights into your hair, using the leg of the stockings as the third section of hair. Secure with hair ties, and go to sleep. In the morning, undo your braids and shake out the waves. I was hooked. It looked mesmerizingly easy-like the "rag curls" I used to do when I was little, except, instead, of tight Shirley Temple ringlets, it produces those elusive perfectly undone waves that I'm always trying to get right. And the fact that it doesn't use any heat is perfect for zhuzhing up my hair for Zoom calls, without adding any damage.
Still, I hold a lot of skepticism for these kinds of "universal" hair hacks. What works on fine, flat hair rarely does the same for someone with thick waves or frizz. So I enlisted a few Glamour editors-all with varying hair types-to give TiktTok's famous no-heat curls technique a try. Here's how it went.
Personal trials from different hair types
Talia Gutierrez, beauty assistant: The only way I can French-braid with ease is straight out of the shower. Otherwise, I pull apart my natural curl pattern and create a puffy, knotted disaster, so my hair was pretty wet when I tried this. I prepped my hair with a few sprays of Drunk Elephant’s Tangle Spray, and then separated two sections with a wide-tooth comb. I highly recommend using a hair clip to hold the stockings in place while tugging and tightening your braids; otherwise it slips and slides around. It was a little tricky to French-braid without adding hair to the stocking section, but once I got the hang of it, it felt natural. When I woke up, my hair was still damp (I have a lot of it), but I had pretty, symmetrical waves. I tried it again that night on dry hair, and my waves were even fuller, fluffier, and really pretty. I'm shockingly convinced.
Bella Cacciatore, beauty associate: Did this work? Technically, yes. Was it any different that sleeping in regular braids? Not...really? I had to attempt it twice to get the technique down. The first night I started my braid too far down (I lack the skills to French-braid), so it was weirdly poufy on the ends. The second night was much better, though, and the end result was pretty. The idea is that the stockings are supposed to give you a bigger, looser wave instead of the tight crimps you get from a classic braid. But I just don't see a huge difference compared with sleeping in loose braids, which I did every single night in high school until I got a perm. That said, there's more of a difference on second-day hair, when the waves have had a chance to open up, and it's a little fluffier (in a good way) than plain braids. I'd be willing to try it again; plus, I think I look kinda cute with the tights headband on.
Macaela Mackenzie, senior health editor: I'm always skeptical of these do-something-with-your-damp-hair-and-wake-up-looking-like-Blake-Lively hacks. And I must say, after trying these tights braids, I continue to be skeptical! The braids themselves actually looked really cute (though I'm not sure I'll be stepping out of my house with tights on my head once this is all over), but the resulting waves were too crimpy for my taste. It did make my hair super voluminous though, which left me with a nice fluffy bun.
Khaliha Hawkins, producer: I had very low expectations when I saw this trick on Instagram, since my hair is thick and frizzy. I sprayed some styling spray on to add shine and moisture to my hair before I braided the stockings in, and I think that helped define the waves. Overall, my hair didn’t look terrible after I took the stockings out. I felt and looked more put together, and I didn’t use any heat tools to do it. However, I think it would be easier to just braid your hair into four sections; that way, the waves would be even everywhere.
Jenny Singer, staff writer: I will put any household item in my hair right now, especially if an influencer tells me to. This was very easy (I don’t know how to French-braid, but it was easy once I accepted that), and I really enjoyed walking around with my mom’s pantyhose on my head. I do prefer these slightly fuller waves to the normal waves my hair would have made if I’d just braided it before bed, but I felt like this was fighting my natural curl pattern, which is the road to frizz for me. What I really took away from this hair tutorial is that I want to start braiding shit into my hair. I’ll look for a satin ribbon or scarf or something, but this is quar! I’ll settle for knee socks if I have to.
The consensus across varied hair types is mixed but hopeful: the tights method can create soft, voluminous waves without heat, but outcomes depend on hair texture, dampness, and braiding technique. Some found the waves too crimpy or preferred looser results, while others appreciated the extra body and the convenience for remote work. For those tempted to try, a few practical notes emerged: keep the tights in place with clips, prep damp hair with a light styling product for hold, and consider four-section braiding for more even distribution.
Practical guidelines to maximize success
- Begin with damp hair for the most lift and natural wave formation.
- Use a light texturizing spray or hairspray to improve hold, especially if you have fine hair.
- Divide hair into two sections per side and braid the tights into the hair, using the stockings as the third strand.
- Secure braids with hair ties and sleep with braids in place; sleep posture can affect wave formation, so a gentle pillow setup helps.
- In the morning, undo braids and tousle to natural texture; second-day hair often looks fuller.
To address a broader audience, this technique offers a no-heat alternative that can save time before Zoom calls, while reducing heat damage compared to curling irons or flat irons. However, outcomes will vary, and trial with small sections can help refine the method for different hair textures and volumes. If tights or stockings feel uncomfortable, experimenting with four- or three-section braids or alternative soft headbands may yield similar loose-wave results.
[tagimg>No-Heat Wave Diagram with Tights HeadbandFor a visual overview, a diagram showing the tights headband setup, the two side sections, and the third strand formed by the leg of the stocking clarifies the braid structure and where to secure the clips.Best Heatless Curls for Side Sleepers | No Damage, No Heat, Just Healthy Curls!
A short video demonstration can help readers see the braiding steps, the placement of the stockings, and the morning shake-out technique to reveal the waves.
Overall, tights-based heatless curls provide an approachable, low-damage option for creating polished waves with minimal styling time. The method’s appeal lies in its simplicity and real-world practicality for at-home routines and remote work scenarios.
