Heatless Curls or Heated Curls: Which One is Worth the Time and Effort?

Heatless curls are currently all over TikTok, with countless videos demonstrating how to achieve a flawlessly bouncy mane without the use of any heat whatsoever. Unsurprisingly, people are loving the idea. After all, it’s no secret that regularly using heated styling tools on your locks can end up damaging your strands. If there’s a way to ditch the heat while still being able to create perfect curls, then surely that’s a win-win, right?

Not necessarily. While there’s no denying that minimizing the use of heat on your hair can be beneficial, are heatless curls really worth the time and effort that they require? How do the resulting curls actually compare to those created by a curling wand or iron? Join Nubi as we explore the pros and cons of both heatless curls and heated curls.

But First…What Are Heatless Curls?

While heated curls are created with a heated styling tool, what, exactly, are heatless curls? 

As the name implies, these curls are achieved without the use of heat. There are a variety of methods out there that you can turn to for heatless curls, each one providing a slightly different result. Some of the most popular methods for creating heatless curls are:

• Braiding
• Sock curls
• A headband curler
• Flexi rods
• Foam rollers

While each method differs, they’re all best carried out on damp hair. Whichever tool you use is usually left in the hair overnight, giving you bouncy curls when you wake up. 

The Benefits of Heatless Curls vs. Heated Curls

Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why heatless curls have become so popular:

No Heat Damage

The most obvious benefit of heatless curls is that you don’t need to use any heat! If your hair is quite thin and delicate or is already showing signs of heat damage, heatless curls tend to be the safest option for adding some bounce and movement to your mane. 

This also means that you won’t need to use a heat protectant on your locks before you start curling them. Fewer products mean less buildup, saving you from having to wash your hair quite so often. In the end, this will give you healthier-looking locks.

Inexpensive

Better yet, heatless curling tools are usually much cheaper than heated styling tools. From headband curlers to foam rollers, you won’t end up spending much, no matter your chosen method. If you’re on a tight budget, you could even create your heatless curls for absolutely no cost – the braiding and sock curl methods make use of items that you’ll already have lying around your home. 

Ease and Convenience

People also find that heatless curls are easier and more convenient to create. Yes, there may be a bit of a learning curve depending on your chosen method, but the fact that you can sort your hair in the evening, go to bed, and then wake up to gorgeous curls makes life much simpler, especially if mornings are usually a busy time for you.

Versatility

Heatless curls are also surprisingly versatile. While they won’t give you the same amount of control over your finished look as a curling wand would, you can still adjust the size and intensity of your curls by trying different methods/variations of each method. 

Less of an Environmental Impact

Of course, those of you who are trying to do your part for the environment will also recognize that heatless curls are more eco-friendly. You won’t be relying on electricity to style your hair and you also won’t be generating any heat emissions. 

The Downsides of Heatless Curls vs. Heated Curls

So far, it would seem as though heatless curls are the way to go! However, there are also a few downsides to consider…

Speed

The first is speed or, rather, a lack of it! As mentioned above, heatless curls usually need all night to form and set. If you’re in a hurry and need to curl your hair straight away, this won’t be much use to you. A curling wand or iron will bring you results much sooner.

Flexibility

As you probably know, curling wands can and should be used on dry hair, whereas heatless curls usually need to be created on damp hair. If you wash and dry your hair and only then decide that you want to curl it, your only option would be to use heat. 

Hair Type

As we mentioned above, heatless curls can be pretty versatile in terms of creating different types of curls. However, this only applies to certain hair types. Those with super thick or coarse hair often struggle to create defined curls without the use of heat. Yes, you can experiment with using smaller sections of hair and applying more styling product, but you’re still unlikely to achieve the same level of perfection that a heated curling tool would provide. 

Longevity

What about when it comes to longevity? After all, if you’re going to put all of that effort into curling your hair, you’ll want those waves to last for as long as possible! This is usually a given with heated curls. Thanks to the thermal impact that they have, the curls that a heated tool creates will usually have a fair bit of staying power. 

With that said, many swear by certain heatless curling methods because they supposedly last for longer than heated curls. In the end, how long your curls last will come down to a few different factors, in addition to your curling method, such as your hair type, the hair care products that you use, and your lifestyle habits.

Hair Damage

It’s also worth mentioning that heatless curls aren’t necessarily damage-free. Wind your locks around your curling tool of choice too tightly and you’ll only end up placing unnecessary tension on your roots. This can be disastrous when you’re sleeping because not only does your hair have to deal with this extra pressure for several hours, but tossing and turning in bed could then exacerbate breakages. 

Comfort

Whichever heatless curling method you choose, you’ll end up having to go to bed with something in your hair. Be it braids, rollers, or anything else, there’s no getting away from the fact that some heatless curling methods can be uncomfortable! If sleep is something that you already struggle with, making bedtime more uncomfortable could lead to some sleepless nights. 

Can Heated Curls Be Created Without Damaging the Hair?

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As you can see, there are a number of pros and cons for both heated and heatless curls. However, when it comes down to it, the lack of heat damage is usually the biggest persuading factor in terms of whether or not to give heated curls a try.

While that may be the case, it’s important to recognize that heated styling tools have come a long way over the years. Yes, there are still plenty of tools out there that will fry your strands, but there are also a number of devices that won’t have this effect.

Case in point; Nubi’s Sleek Curl Clipless Curling Wand, which can be found in The Set Up. Its lightweight, ergonomic design combined with a Teflon-coated barrel enables you to curl your hair to perfection without having to worry about the appearance of heat damage. This set also comes with a hot brush, which makes it easy to straighten your hair when needed too. 

The Nubi Soft N’ Straight 1.25” Ceramic Purple Styler is another tool worth having in your arsenal. Yes, it’s a hair straightener, but its curved edges lend themselves perfectly to being used to curl the hair too. With ceramic plates, an adjustable temperature dial, and negative ion technology, it will keep your locks feeling safe and protected while allowing you to create flawless curls.

Extending the Lifespan of Your Curls

Whether you opt for heated curls or heatless curls, it goes without saying that you’ll want your efforts to last for as long as possible! Here are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure that happens:

• Once your hair is curled, use a setting spray to lock those waves in place. 
• Don’t apply too much product. While there are plenty of creams, gels, mousses, and more out there that promise to help keep curls looking vibrant, applying these products with a heavy hand will only weigh your curls down. They’ll end up feeling limp rather than light and bouncy.
• Avoid touching your hair. The more you do so, the more the oils from your hands will transfer over onto your locks. This will weigh your strands down, causing your curls to lose their shape.
• Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. This will help to prevent friction overnight, which would have only caused your curls to frizz and unravel. Another option would be to wrap your curls in a silk scarf or bonnet while you sleep. This will encourage them to hold their shape and pattern.
• Avoid brushing your curls. This will break them up too much. Instead, after curling your locks, run your fingers through them a few times to separate them but keep them defined. If this isn’t enough, a wide-toothed comb can be used instead of a hairbrush. This will still soften your curls, but not to the extent that a brush would.
• Take your time. While you may be in a hurry to curl your hair, slow down and put some effort in. Taking an extra ten minutes to curl your locks could help to extend their lifespan by several hours.

Heatless Curls vs. Heated Curls: Which to Choose?

So, if you want to curl your hair, should you go for heatless curls or heated curls? 

As you can see, both methods have their pros and cons, so there isn’t a set answer to that question. The best option for you will depend on a number of different factors, from how much time you have to the type of curl you want to create. To figure out which works best for you, give all of your options a try and see how your locks respond.

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