Hello Gorgeous,
Let’s talk heatless curls! ✨ Want to wake up with gorgeous, bouncy curls—no heat, no damage, just effortless waves? Sounds like a dream, right? Well, I’m here to tell you it’s totally possible! With the right technique (and a little patience), you can achieve salon-worthy curls while you sleep.
Back in 2021, I set out to create a heatless curler that was not only soft, pretty, and super comfortable to sleep in but also actually worked on my fine, naturally straight hair. My hair has never held curls well—I’d leave the salon with bouncy curls and show up to the party with pin-straight hair, no matter how much hairspray we used. It was that bad!
After a year of testing countless heatless curler samples, I knew I wanted to make it from silk—not only for the comfort but also because silk is amazing for your hair. It helps reduce frizz, prevent breakage, and lock in moisture, all while giving you gorgeous curls. Fast forward over three years of testing and perfecting, and I truly believe I’ve mastered the art of long-lasting, heatless curls.
So now, I’m here to spill all my best tips—what works, what doesn’t, and how to get curls, waves, and volume that actually last. Let’s dive in! 💕
Choosing Your Perfect Curler
At My Lily, we offer three heatless curler sizes, each designed to create different styles:
✨ Skinny Curler – Best for tight curls and beach waves. Short, straight, or fine hair will benefit a lot from this size.
💖 Regular Curler – The most versatile! Ideal for soft curls and defined waves on all hair types.
🌟 Jumbo Curler – Perfect for achieving voluminous waves and a blowout look. Best suited for medium to long and thick hair, but not ideal for very short or fine hair.
Prepping Your Hair for Maximum Hold
The secret to long-lasting curls starts with the right prep!
✔ Damp Hair is Key – Always start with hair that’s about 90-95% dry—damp, not wet! Trust me, silk heatless curlers won’t work on wet hair. Silk doesn’t absorb moisture like cotton ( which is a great thing for your hair health), so if you wrap your hair while it’s too wet, it won’t fully dry. So, damp hair only, okay? 😉
✔ Apply a Styling Product – A curl defining mousse or a lightweight styling serum (like Wella Deluxe Pre-Styling Serum) enhances curl definition and longevity. I like to apply it to towel-dried hair, then let my hair dry almost completely before wrapping it with the curler.
Mastering the Crossover Technique
For curls that truly last, I recommend using the Crossover Technique.
The Crossover Technique may feel tricky at first, but with a little practice, it becomes second nature—and trust me, the results are absolutely worth it! Keep going, and you'll master it in no time. 💕 Watch my tutorial [here]!
- Position the Curler Place the curler on your head and secure it with the clip on the opposite side of where you're curling. Begin by wrapping your fringe, around the curler.
- Take small sections of hair from both the front and back and wrap them in a crisscross pattern, forming an "X" shape on top and around the curler.
- Secure the Ends Tie the ends of your hair with the silk scrunchies.
💡 Thin Sections = Tighter Curls – For more defined, long-lasting curls, wrap small (1cm) sections of hair. Gently pull after each crossover to keep the hair snug around the curler.
🌊 Thicker Sections = Beach Waves – For a relaxed, effortless wave effect, use thicker sections of about 3cm for a soft, natural finish.
📸 Top Photos – Skinny Heatless Curler with very thin sections
📸 Bottom Photos – Regular Heatless Curler with thin sections
My hair is naturally very straight, so I’ve found that using thin sections and tighter curls is the only way to achieve long-lasting results. If I wrap my hair in thicker sections—like many girls with thick hair do—my curls fall out within just a few hours.
I also struggle with the Jumbo Curler since my fine, straight hair just doesn’t hold its shape well with larger waves. So if you're like me—straight and fine-haired—stick with the Skinny and Regular curlers for the best results. Trust me, you can achieve so many different looks with just these two sizes!
But if you’re one of the lucky ones with naturally wavy hair, all three sizes will work wonders for you. Each one will give you a completely different result, so you can switch it up depending on your mood! ✨
With the right prep and at least 8 hours of wear, my curls last all day—sometimes even into the next day, if I wear the skinny curler! ✨
The Finishing Touches
🔹 Lock It In with Hairspray – A flexible-hold spray keeps curls intact without stiffness. I apply a light mist while my hair is wrapped and another once I remove the curler.
🔹 Adjust Your Set Time – The key to long-lasting heatless curls is finding the perfect setting time for your hair type!
For my fine, naturally VERY straight hair, here’s what works best:
✨ Skinny Curler – 4 hours for soft waves, 7+ hours for tighter curls.
✨ Regular Curler – 6 hours for soft waves, 8+ hours for defined, long-lasting curls.
✨ Jumbo Curler – Works best for soft, voluminous waves (similar to a blowout), but not ideal for my super straight, fine hair.
🔹 Every hair type is different! Some of my customers with naturally wavy or curly hair see results in as little as 30 minutes, while others (like me) need an overnight set for best results.
✨ Experiment, test, and find what works for you! With the right timing, you’ll wake up to gorgeous, heat-free curls that last all day.
xx,
Geany 💕
