How To Make Your Hair Super Curly Without Heat

By: | Last Updated: April 19, 2021

Okay, confession time. I have this fear of curls. It all started when I was 4 years old. My mother curled my hair. I took one look in the mirror and burst out in tears. I promptly brushed out the curls and went to bed.

But as I got older, my straight hair became boring. So I had it permed and it came out super curly. Ouch. Never did that again because I couldn’t get away from the curls. They were always there. The perm grew out eventually. Cautiously I started experimenting with curls again.

Today we are going to look at ways how to make your hair super curly without heat. These methods are a healthier alternative to heat methods. And as we all know, healthy hair is key to maintaining that shine and bounce

1. Using Flexi Rods

Using Flexi rods to curl hair is a tried and tested method. But in the method described below, a fan helps to speed up the process.

What you’ll need:

  • Mousse
  • A comb or brush
  • Flexi rods
  • A fan (if you want to speed up the curling process)

Let’s start. Make sure your hair is clean and dry. Part your hair where you want your parting to be. Tie up half of your hair so that it doesn’t get in the way.

Part your hair in the section you want to curl. Begin at the nape of your neck and work your way up to the crown of your head. Apply mousse that encourages curls to that section.

Choose the Flexi rod. The ¼ inch (0.635cm) or 3/8 inch (0.9cm) will give you tight curls. The 7/16 inch (1.1cm) or ½ inch (1.3cm) will give you medium curls and additional volume. 5/8 inch (1.5cm) or 7/8 inch (2.2cm) is better for voluminous curls, not really right for super-defined curls.

Place the middle part of the hair correct size in the middle of the Flexi rod. Wind the bottom of the hair around the rod, away from your face. Smooth the ends so that they are flat. Use the rod to wind the rest of the hair up, flush to the scalp. Bend the ends of the rod towards each other to hold in place.

Once you have rolled up all your hair, use a fan to dry it quickly. 45 minutes to an hour should be sufficient.

When the hair is ready, unbend the ends of the Flexi rod, and twirl the rod in the opposite direction to release. Once all the rods are out of the hair, separate the curls as desired.

When separating, twist the pieces around your finger in the direction of the curl. This will maintain the integrity of the curl. This way they will keep their shape and it avoids the frizzy effect.

If you want, you can tease your roots for a bit more volume. And now, enjoy your bouncy lovely curls.

2. Using Plastic Straws

Yes, you read right. Plastic straws can be used to give you a super curly style.

What you’ll need:

  • Small rubber bands
  • Spray bottle with water
  • Plastic bendy straws

First, dampen your hair with the spray bottle. Part your hair where you want your parting to be. Tie up half of your hair so that it doesn’t get in the way.

Select a thin section of your hair. Hold the straw where it bends. Wrap the hair around the straw keeping the hair as close together as possible. This will help to get super tight curls at the ends.

When you have wound the hair on the straw, bend the end of the straw towards the hair, and fasten it with a rubber band. Bend the other side, the bendy part, as well, and fasten that end with the rubber band as well.

Leave the straws in for at least 4 hours or until the hair is completely dry. You can also sleep with the straws on your head, but that might be too uncomfortable.

Once all the hair is wrapped around the many straws, release them carefully. Begin by taking off the rubber band at the end of the straw, furthest from the scalp. Release the other rubber band and slide your hair off the straw. This will help to maintain the super curl. Begin at the nape of your neck and work upwards towards the front of the face.

Separate and style the curls as desired. And enjoy your amazing curls. You deserve them after all that twirling.

Check Out: Best Hair Rollers to Sleep In For Heatless Curls

3. Using Cocoon Knots

Cocoon knots give beautiful curls and unlike the name, they do not cause knots that hurt the hair. Let’s see how it works. 

What you’ll need:

  • Spray bottle with water (if your hair is dry)
  • Brush or a comb

Part your hair in the parting that you wear. Take a section of your hair. The bigger the section, the bigger the curl will be. Make sure it is very damp. Use the spray bottle if your hair is dry. Brush the section through.

Place 2 fingers near your scalp under the section of hair. Wrap the remaining hair around the hair nearest to the scalp. This will create a loop. Leave about 5 cm at the end. Place this end in between your 2 fingers, inside the loop. Pull the hair cocoon down over the hair. It kind of reminds me of a slipknot that you create. Leave about 2 cm at the end for the release of the curls later.

Do this to all your hair. Once the hair is dry, release the cocoons by gently tugging them at the end. Separate and define your curls with your fingers and add your favorite curl activator or hair gel/spray.

Jessica Horvath shows you exactly how to create those cocoons.

4. Using a Robe Tie/Belt

This is a fascinating way to create beautiful curls. It might take a try or two, but once you master it, it might just be your go-to for a super curly hairstyle. 

What you’ll need:

  • A robe tie/belt made from soft, fluffy material
  • A Bobby pin
  • Two elastic bands

Shohagh Scott doesn’t wet her hair in her video: heatless curls tutorial. You can do this method with dry or dampish hair.

  1. Part your hair where you want it. Tie up one-half of your hair to keep it out of the way.
  2. Take the robe tie/belt and find the middle. Place this middle of the robe on your parting. Secure the belt with a bobby pin.
  3. With the belt secured, take a section of hair and part the hair. We’ll call this section A for clarity purposes.
  4. Wrap section A over the front of the belt completing one rotation. The section of hair should end up where it started.
  5. Take another section, section B, and do the same but switch direction. Switching direction will give a more natural-looking style. You are basically “braiding” your hair as you would a french braid. Except you need to keep the belt as straight as possible.
  6. Take another section of hair. Add it to section A. Wrap this bigger section around the belt.
  7. Take another section of hair. Add it to section B. Wrap this bigger section around the belt. Continue to do so until there is no more hair to wrap. Wrap or “plat” the hair all the way down to the hair end. Secure with an elastic band.
  8. Take the other side of the parted hair and do the same. Once both sides are wrapped, use the belt and wrap it around on itself and secure it at the top of your head.

Sleep on it and undo it carefully. You don’t want to disturb the curls until the hair is completely loose from the belt. Separate as desired. And enjoy.


There you have four ways to curl your hair without heat. Who would have thought that your kitchen would contain one of the secrets to curly hair?

Try them out. See which one works for your hair. Hope you have great success in getting super curly hair without using heat and have fun while doing it.

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