Using styling tools can damage your hair, especially if those tools apply heat. That can be a tough pill to swallow for those who want to curl their hair, because curling irons are usually the best way to get those bouncy curls.

Whether you want tight, kinky curls or soft curls that frame your face, you can have it without the drying heat. Learning how to curl your hair without heat is a great way to help ensure that your tresses stay healthy for a long time.

How to Curl Hair Without Heat

Here are a few easy ways to add curl to your hair without using damaging heat:

1. Braid Your Hair

Wash your hair as usual, but don’t dry it. Simply pat it with a towel to remove the excess water, then comb through it carefully to remove tangles. Then braid your hair, either in one long plait or in several smaller ones. Let your hair dry overnight, comb out the braids the next morning and enjoy the waves.

Here’s how to achieve wavy hair using French Braids/Plaits:

2. Use a Hairband

Place a headband around the top of your head. Working with one section at a time, pin your hair up over the headband, using the headband as a holder for the hair. When you have it all pinned up, let it dry or sleep in it. The next morning you will have nice curls on the ends of your hair.

Here is a video with more information:

3. Use Socks

You will need several long, clean socks. Draw up a section of hair and wrap it around the sock, working from the tip to the root. Secure the sock by tying the ends. Repeat until you have tied up all your hair, then let it dry.

This video will show you more:

4. Rollers

Old fashioned rollers can create gorgeous curls. Avoid sponge rollers, as they tend to pull the moisture out of the hair, as well as suck away the beneficial oils. Magnetic rollers, sponge types or those covered in satin work better.

Here’s how to use Velcro Rollers for curly hair:

5. Flexi-rods

These flexible rods are meant for your hair to be wrapped around, not inside them, like most rollers. These rods give you control over the size of the curl, and can work well either wet or dry.

This video tells you more:

6. Bantu Knots

These knots can be used on wet or dry hair, and they are a style unto themselves, so you can actually wear these out in public! Then you can take them out when you want a different look.

Here’s a video for Bantu knots curls with no heat:

7. Curlformers

These rollers come in many different sizes, so you can create the look you want, from very tight curls to big waves. This video tells you more: