The era of frying our ends is officially over
You can’t scroll Instagram or TikTok for more than ten seconds without spotting someone in their robe, hair twisted up in satin, and captioned with some variation of: “Heatless curls, but make it chic.” If it’s not socks tied around someone’s head, it’s a dressing gown belt, and at this point—we’re honestly wondering where all the hot tools went.
No shade to curling irons (they did their job... kinda), but it’s safe to say the heatless ribbon curls era is here. And this time, it’s giving bouncy, frizz-free, damage-free energy—with actual staying power.
Gone are the days of torching your ends before school picture day or spending 45 minutes in a battle with your flat iron just for your curls to fall by lunch. We’ve grown up, gotten smarter, and discovered a curl hack that doesn’t require heat, a stylist, or more than a few minutes of prep.
So, what is the hype? The heatless ribbon curl method involves wrapping damp (or dry) hair around a soft, usually satin or silk, ribbon that you sleep in—or lounge in if you’re WFH. You wake up, unwrap, and boom: effortless waves with zero damage and all the *shine*.
We’re breaking down how it works, why it’s trending, and how to make it work for your hair type. Because let’s be real—we’re DONE with crispy ends. We want curls, not consequences.
What are heatless ribbon curls?
Okay, so let’s talk about the star of the no-heat hair revolution: heatless ribbon curls. Think soft, shiny, voluminous curls—minus the sizzling sounds of your straightener or the scent of freshly fried ends (we’ve all been there).
Now WHAT exactly are they? The method is simple, but the results are anything but. Heatless ribbon curls involve wrapping sections of your hair around a long, flexible ribbon—usually silk or satin—for several hours (or overnight) to set a curl pattern without applying any heat. No burning. No breakage. Just curls that look like you spent an hour with a curling wand… when really, you were horizontal and catching up on Love Island USA.
The technique gained traction with TikTok’s DIY crowd—first with bathrobe belts, then socks (yep REALLY?), and now elevated with actual curling ribbons that are designed for comfort, hold, and hair health. We’re officially calling it: the claw clip walked, so the heatless hair curling ribbon could run.
And beyond just looking great, these curls are good for your hair. The silk or satin material cuts down on friction, frizz, and tangling. Plus, because you’re not applying heat, your natural moisture stays locked in—meaning you wake up with shiny, bouncy hair that isn’t screaming for a trim.
No matter if you’re trying to rehab heat-damaged strands, extend a blowout, or just want to look effortlessly glam with zero effort, heatless ribbon curls might just be your new go-to.
TikTok made me do it—Why heatless curls are suddenly everywhere
Being truthful, we’re all just trying to keep up with the TikTok girlies at this point. Between lip oil (Dior) dupes, cloud skin, and blush-as-eyeshadow moments, there’s one beauty hack that’s quietly (read: loudly) taking over the For You Page…and that’s heatless curls.
And not just any heatless curls—heatless ribbon curls. Satin-wrapped, claw-clipped, 10-hour-set kind of curls. The ones that say, “I had time,” even if you totally didn’t.
It all started with the bathrobe belt hack (shout out to the early adopters who risked looking unhinged for better hair). Then came the heatless curls with socks wave, where people were literally sleeping in tube socks to wake up looking like they just left Drybar. Now? We’ve levelled up with silk curling ribbons, and it’s a full-blown movement.
Why the obsession? Because it works. It fits the Gen Z vibe of low effort, high reward. It’s rooted in hair health, which—after a decade of bleach, balayage, and 400°F tools—we’re finally prioritizing. And honestly? There’s something wildly satisfying about waking up with perfect curls and not doing a single thing with a hot tool. Rejoice lazy girls!
Even celebs and beauty influencers are ditching their stylists for this trend. One scroll through #heatlesscurls and you’ll see everything from tight spirals to soft beachy waves—created overnight, while sleeping, bingeing a docuseries, or just chilling at home.
If you’ve ever wanted that model-off-duty look without burning your fingerprints off on a curling wand, this one’s for you.
Next: we’re dishing all on how to do heatless ribbon curls (with product recs, obvi). Ready to wrap and roll?
How to do heatless ribbon curls (two easy ways)
The best part about heatless ribbon curls? Once you nail the wrap, you’re basically done. No frying, no styling stress, no random burn marks on your forehead. Just smooth, soft curls that literally style themselves while you sleep (or scroll).
Here’s how to do it two ways: one for when you’re fresh out of the shower, and one for when you’re already on day two hair but still want to serve.
Method 1: the overnight set (damp hair)
This is the classic approach—and it works like a dream.
Step 1: After washing with the Moroccan Oil Curl Enhancing Shampoo and Moroccan Oil Curl Enhancing Conditioner, gently towel dry your hair. You want it 70–80% dry—not dripping, but not crispy.
Step 2: Apply a small amount of Moroccan Oil Intense Curl Cream to add hydration, define your curls, and make sure the style actually holds.
Step 3: Part your hair down the middle and place the curling ribbon across the crown of your head (you can clip it in place if needed). Then, wrap small sections of hair away from your face, one side at a time, looping around the ribbon as you go.
Step 4: Tie the ends with satin scrunchies or soft elastics and leave overnight. Pro tip: sleep on a silk pillowcase to avoid frizz and weird dents.
Step 5: In the morning, gently unravel, shake it out, and fluff. You just woke up with a full-blown blowout look. No heat required.
Method 2: the daytime wrap (dry hair)
Perfect for WFH, errands, or binge-watching while secretly setting curls.
Step 1: Start with dry hair, add a spritz of light mist or curl spray (or just dampen your hands and run them through).
Step 2: Add a little curl cream or styling product to help the curls hold. Then repeat the same ribbon wrapping method as above.
Step 3: Leave in for at least 2–4 hours. The longer, the better—but even a quick set can work if you wrap tight.
Step 4: Unwrap and zhuzh. You’ll get a softer wave with this method—think more beachy, less bouncy.
Stylist tip—tighter wrap = tighter curl
If you want big waves, wrap looser. Want defined spirals? Wrap snug and secure. You can even mix both for that cool, undone look that screams I just have great hair naturally.
How to make heatless ribbon curls work for your hair type
Spoiler: this isn’t just a long-haired girl trend. Heatless ribbon curls are shockingly versatile—you just need to tweak your method based on what you’re working with. No matter if your strands are baby-fine, thick and unruly, or somewhere in between, here’s how to make the curl hack of the moment work for you.
If your hair is short or shoulder-length
Yes, babe, you can still play. The trick is using a shorter ribbon and working with smaller sections. Keep your wrap close to the head, and opt for a mini claw clip or bobby pins to anchor the ribbon in place if it feels loose.
Hack: Start wrapping closer to the ends and gently spiral upward. This helps keep curls uniform and prevents awkward kinks at the crown.
If your hair is fine or flat
You just found your new secret weapon. Because heatless curls don’t weigh your hair down or zap moisture, they give fine strands actual life. Use a volumizing mist or mousse before wrapping, and try the overnight method for maximum bounce.
Pro tip: Blow-dry your roots (just the roots!) for a little lift before you wrap.
If your hair is thick or textured
Girl, your hair holds curls so well—you just need the right setup. Go for a thicker curling ribbon that can handle the volume, and make sure to wrap tighter with more product at the base to control frizz. Satin or silk is a must for reducing friction and preserving curl definition.
Hydration is key here. Layer in the Intense Curl Cream to smooth and set your strands before wrapping. For tighter textures, loosely stretch your curls first to make wrapping easier.
Want beachy waves instead of curls?
No problem. Wrap your hair loosely and use larger sections—aim for that “accidentally hot” effortless texture. Leave the ends out for a more undone, Sienna Miller-in-2006 kind of feel.
Common mistakes with heatless ribbon curls (and how to fix them)
Look, we’ve all been there. You follow the TikTok tutorial to a tee, sleep in the thing, wake up excited—only to unravel your ribbon and find flat waves, weird bends, or curls that last all of 14 minutes. Not the look you want.
The truth? As effortless as heatless ribbon curls look, they still need the right setup. Think of it like baking—skip one key step and you’re left with a sad deflated soufflé situation. Here’s what might be going wrong, and how to fix it like the hair queen you are.
❌ Mistake 1: starting with soaking wet hair
We get it. Fresh out the shower, you want to jump right in—but soaking wet hair is way too heavy to hold a curl. It’ll also stay damp overnight, leading to limp waves or worse... that musty, damp-hair scent (you know the one).
✅ Fix it: Towel dry and let your hair air dry until it’s about 70–80% dry. Slightly damp is the sweet spot—it’s malleable enough to hold the shape, but not wet enough to sabotage your curls.
❌ Mistake 2: using zero product
This is a low-effort curl method, not a no-effort one. If you’re not using any styling product, your curls won’t have hold—and will likely drop by lunch.
✅ Fix it: Use a prep product like Moroccan Oil’s Curl Enhancing Conditioner to soften and prime your strands, then follow with their Intense Curl Cream to define, moisturize, and lock the curl pattern. A light spritz of setting spray in the morning doesn’t hurt either.
❌ Mistake 3: wrapping sections too large (or too messy)
If you’re grabbing random chunky sections, your curls will look uneven or weirdly flat in places. And wrapping too loosely means the ribbon can slip overnight, messing up the whole pattern.
✅ Fix it: Section your hair evenly on both sides, and wrap small-to-medium chunks for consistency. Keep the tension firm—but not too tight—and always wrap away from your face for a natural, face-framing effect.
❌ Mistake 4: removing the ribbon too soon
If you’re unwrapping after an hour or two (we see you, impatient queen), your hair won’t have had time to hold the curl—especially with dry hair.
✅ Fix it: For damp hair, aim for a full overnight set. For dry hair, leave the ribbon in for at least 3–4 hours, and ideally while you move around. The warmth from your head helps set the curl faster than you think.
❌ Mistake 5: skipping the fluff & finish
Unwrapping is only half the game. You’ve got to separate and fluff your curls—or you’ll be stuck with those awkward, stiff-looking ringlets that scream “2004 school dance.”
✅ Fix it: Gently separate the curls with your fingers, flip your head upside down, and shake them out. You can even use a wide-tooth comb to soften the wave. Finish with a bit of lightweight serum or shine spray to seal it all in.
Stylist tip
Wrap direction matters. If you wrap away from your face, you get a blown-out, glam finish. Wrap toward your face for vintage vibes. Mix both if you’re feeling adventurous.
Heatless curls are supposed to feel easy, not frustrating. These quick fixes will save you from sad curls and help you wake up with that effortless, I-totally-woke-up-like-this look.
Ready to swap heat for heal(ing)? Here’s the bottom line
We’ve officially reached the point where grabbing a 400-degree iron feels… outdated. Heatless ribbon curls prove you don’t need sizzling plates or singed ends to live your best bouncy-hair life. Compared with hot tools, the wins stack up fast: healthier cuticles, zero breakage, longer-lasting shine, plus all that glorious extra sleep. And unlike traditional rollers or overnight braids, the satin ribbon sits softly, so you’re not lying on a lumpy hair donut at 2 a.m.
Hot tools still have their cameo moments—think last-minute event or OTT styles, but for everyday waves, the no-heat route keeps strands stronger, colour fresher, and split ends at bay. Pair the ribbon with the OG curl-loving trio—Curl Enhancing Shampoo, Curl Enhancing Conditioner, and ultra-hydrating Intense Curl Cream—and you’ll give your waves a moisture hug that hot tools simply can’t.
Okay, the verdict is clear: heal, don’t heat. Wrap tonight, wake up tomorrow with effortless, glossy curls that look like you spent an hour in the chair. And when you’re ready for even more low-effort glow-ups, dive into our lazy girl’s guide to the claw clip—because good hair days should NEVER be tricky.
Try the trend, tag @thelaurenashtyncollection, and show us how you’re living your best heat-free life.
