If you’ve spent hours perfecting your curls only to have them fall flat by the end of the day—or worse, damaged your hair from too much heat styling—you might be curious about heatless curling sets. These new trending hair tools promise effortless curls without the risk of frying your strands. But do they really work?
What are heatless curling sets?
Heatless curling sets include a soft, flexible rod or headband along with clips or scrunchies to secure your hair in place. It’s simple to use: wrap your freshly showered damp or dry hair around the rod, leave it in overnight. The next morning you take it out. bam—soft, bouncy curls without the heat damage.
My experience
I’ve been doing heatless curls in my hair for over a year. Trying different methods like a sock but they wouldn’t always come out like I wanted. I decided to try out specifically the silk heatless curling set. A game changer. Once I mastered the simple steps on how to use the rod, my curls came out the way I like every time.
Where to buy
Heatless curling sets are widely available, making it easy to find one that fits your budget and preferences. Most popular brands are Kitsch, Heatless Hair, and Luxy Hair. You can find them at Marshall’s, TJ Max, Ulta, and Target. They are also available to buy online on Amazon. Most come out to be in the $10-$20 price range.
“I bought my heatless curler on Amazon during a Prime deal day for $7,” explained Danielle Allen, English teacher at Colonia High School.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Hair Health: No heat means no damage, which is great for maintaining healthy hair
- Cost-Effective: Most sets are affordable and reusable, making them a budget-friendly alternative to curling irons or salon visits.
- Convenience: Once you get the hang of it, you can set it and forget it—good for busy students.
Cons
- Figuring it out: the wrapping technique can take some tries to get the hang of
- Time: Heatless curls need several hours (or overnight) to set, which isn’t good if you need them right away
- Hair Type: Depending on your hair type, the curls may not always turn out as expected.
- Comfortability: When sleeping it can become really uncomfortable or even fall out
What others think
“I love how easy it is,” says Angie Lozano, a Garage employee. “It’s a game-changer for early mornings when I don’t have time to style my hair. Plus, my curls last all day!”
Isabella Padilla, a high school senior, adds, “It works, but it’s not perfect. Sometimes the curls look uneven, and I wish it worked faster.” Heidi Schmidt agrees by saying “It works but takes a long time and gets uncomfortable in the middle of the night.”
Allen likes the product but “it takes some time to do which isn’t always feasible when you have little children to care for at home. I was concerned that it might be weird to sleep on but it really wasn’t a problem.”
Final thoughts
Heatless curling sets are a great option for anyone looking to achieve curls without damaging their hair. While they may require some patience and practice, the results are worth it—especially for students juggling busy schedules.
Whether you’re heading to class, a holiday party, or anywhere, heatless curling sets are a fun and practical addition to your beauty routine. Give them a try—you might just ditch your curling iron for good!
