The secret trick to curling your hair without any heat damage

There have been a number of beauty trends on TikTok that are not worth the hype or that are even dangerous—like suctioning your lips to make them look fuller. But the social media platform is also filled with some pretty smart trends. Case in point: heatless curlers. Perhaps you’ve even seen videos of people with their strands wrapped around these silky tubes. 

Made of a soft material, heatless curlers can give you bouncy waves without exposing your hair to the heat damage you risk with hot tools like traditional curling irons or flat irons. Even better? Experts say they really can. Below, we asked hair stylists and beauty experts to explain what heatless curlers are and how to shop for them — plus, we collected a list of expert- and NBC Select staff-recommended heatless curlers to try. 

SKIP AHEAD What are heatless curlers? | How we picked the best heatless curlers | The best heatless curlers of 2024 | How to use heatless curlers 

Heatless curlers are exactly what they sound like. “They require no heat, no electricity, no hot irons — they are just tools to set hair without heat and create curls,” says Meleesa Luna, a hairstylist and founder of Intuitive Beauty Studio. Most heatless curlers consist of a long foam tube covered in satin or silk that you wrap your hair around and secure with either clips or scrunchies. But this isn’t the only type of heatless curler. There are also individual heatless curlers. These act as more traditional curlers where you wrap sections of hair around a tool, let them set and then take them out.

Hot tools (like curling and flat irons) use heat to style your hair. Heat can damage your hair, dry it out and cause breakage. One of the biggest benefits of heatless curlers is you can achieve bouncy curls without potentially damaging your hair, says hairstylist Valery Joseph, founder of Valery Joseph Salons. Because of this, heatless curlers can be a particularly good option for those who have damaged or chemically treated hair, which can be more prone to breakage. 

When shopping for heatless curlers, the experts we spoke with suggested paying attention to the following factors: 

• Material: Joseph says most heatless curlers are either foam or foam covered in satin. We prioritized satin-covered curlers. Our experts shared that they are more gentle on your hair because there’s less friction. 
• Size: Pay close attention to size. “The longer your hair, the bigger the rod you want, because the hair would wrap more times around the diameter of the rod,” says Luna. “The shorter the hair, the smaller the rod you want.”
• Type: There are a few types of heatless curlers. The most common type involves a long rod on top of your head, with the sides hanging down either side that you can wrap your hair around — almost like pigtails. The other type of heatless curlers are smaller, individual rods that you wrap sections of hair around. 

To help you choose the right heatless curlers, we gathered expert-recommended options, NBC Select staff favorites, and highly rated picks that meet the above criteria.

Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set

This heatless curling set consists of one long satin-covered tube. You put it on like a headband and then wrap your hair (in 2-inch sections) around either end, securing it with the two included satin scrunchies. “This set is the best,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio. “The satin material is soft and easy to use once you get the hang of it.” For curls that last, the brand suggests wrapping damp hair around the foam tube, letting it set overnight and removing it for bouncy curls. 

Silke London Heatless Curler Set

Similar to the set from Kitsch, this option from Silke London includes a foam rod and two scrunchies. It also includes a clip to help you fasten the tube to the top of your head for easier hair wrapping. Joseph notes this rod is longer than most, making it a good option for those with long hair. The rod and scrunchies are covered in 100% silk and can be worn for just a few hours or overnight for curls that will stay longer, according to the brand. 

Halo Hair Labs Heatless Curling Kit

“Rather than a long rod, this option is more of a headband — which may be easier for some to sleep in,” says Joseph. To use, secure the down-filled rod on top of your head with the included claw clip. Wrap your hair in small sections around the silk-covered foam rod on either side of your head and secure each end with the included no-slip hair ties. Then, snap either end of the rod together at the back of your head so it stays in place all night.

HRYYDS Heatless Hair Curler

According to the brand, this heatless curling rod is stuffed with cotton and covered in a combination of cotton and velvet, giving hair something to cling to without causing friction. The top of the rod has a flat design, making it sit on your head more easily. The set comes with two small clips to fasten it as a headband and two scrunches to secure your hair in place. This set has a 4.4-star average rating from over 16,250 reviews on Amazon.

Aimin Soft Overnight Curlers 

Do you prefer individual curlers over one long rod? This set comes with 30 individual satin-covered sponge rollers. To use them, take 2-inch sections of damp hair, wrap them and secure them by typing the two ends of the curlers together. For best results, sleep in them overnight. Unlike the single rod options, this set will give you a fuller, more curly look. It has a 4.2-star average rating from over 10,970 reviews on Amazon. 

One thing to know beforehand: “Heatless curlers take some practice to get uniform curls,” says Joseph. So, it’s a good idea to do a few trial runs when you don’t have somewhere important to be — that way, if you don’t like how they turn out, you’re not left scrambling. To make the process smoother for you, we asked our experts for a step-by-step guide on using them.

Step one: Prep your hair with your favorite products. “If you have fine, straight hair, you would want to spray your hair or prep it with something that will give your hair support as it wraps around the curler,” says Luna. “If you have curly or frizzy hair, you might want to use a serum or a cream to soften it.” 

Step two: Wrap damp hair around your curling rod (or curling rods). You want it to be about 90 percent dry, says Joseph. Regardless of whether you use one long rod or a bunch of smaller rods, take 2-inch sections and wrap them around the rod. Finish by securing hair to the rod.

Step three: If you plan on sleeping in your heatless curlers, Luna suggests wrapping your hair with a silk scarf or bonnet to avoid flyaways and frizz. Another option is to sleep on a silk pillowcase. 

Step four: Mist hair with a light-hold hairspray before taking your hair out. Then, gently unwrap your hair from the curlers and run your fingers through your curls to loosen them. 

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Meleesa Luna is a hairstylist and founder of Intuitive Beauty Studio.
• Valery Joseph is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Valery Joseph Salons. 

Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed two hairstylists.