5 Effortless Ways To Achieve Mermaid-Worthy Heatless Curls

Whether you’re trying to save on time in the morning getting ready, or you just want to cut down on the amount of heat you use in styling your hair, heatless curls are a lifesaver. They’re super easy, and only require damp hair and a few tools. Sleep on these styles and by morning, you’ll have hair that even a mermaid would envy. Score! Here’s a breakdown of some of the best heatless curls methods.

1. Switch up your braids

By now, everyone knows the “braid your damp hair and let it dry overnight” trick, but oftentimes, it doesn’t give us the results we’re after. You might end up with hair that’s too crimped for your taste, or waves that just look unnatural. So instead, try braiding your hair differently overnight to achieve those mermaid-worthy heatless curls. Instead of French braids, try your hand at a couple of Dutch braids (braiding your hair underneath the middle section as opposed to over), which will allow you more control in creating a looser braid. French fishtail braids are also a fun alternative that’ll give you even softer waves to really help solidify that I just climbed out of the sea this morning vibe.

2. The straw/foam roller method

If a young Carrie Bradshaw look is more what you’re after, this will be the method for you. You’ll need either a pack of bendable foam rollers or a bunch of thicker, smoothie straws (which can be used multiple times!), and some thin elastic bands. With damp hair, take small sections of hair and wrap it around the middle of your straw or foam roller as if you were using a curling wand. Be sure to wrap all the way up to your roots! Fold over the ends of the straw and secure with an elastic band on each end. If you’re using foam rollers, just bend the ends and you’re good to go. Repeat this all over, switching up the sizes of sections and the direction that you’re wrapping in for a more natural look. When your hair is dry, you’ll be left with some Shirley Temple-esque curls, so be sure to break each curl apart and play around with them until they look bouncy and natural. The mermaid envy will be real.

3. Headband heatless curls

This is a tried-and-true method that’ll give you mermaid-worthy waves for sure. Dampen your hair and place a stretchy headband around the crown of your head. Taking sections of your hair, twist it and wrap it around the headband, tucking in the ends. Repeat this process until all of your hair is wrapped up, and then get some beauty sleep! By morning, you’ll look like you spent ages perfecting your beachy, heatless curls. If only they knew you spent five minutes on it…

4. Ultimate lazy girl heatless curls: buns!

To achieve a beachy hair texture with minimal effort (and really, who doesn’t want that?), buns are a girl’s best friend. Play around with how many you make—one on the top of your head, one on either side of your head (Princess Leia, anyone?), or multiple buns all over. The more buns you create, the tighter the curl will be. Make sure you’re twisting your hair in the direction you want your curls to lay, and be sure to use clips or spiral bobby pins to hold your hair in place (elastics will create kinks!). And voilà, effortless mermaid-approved, heatless curls.

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5. Easy pin curls

In a similar vein to the bun idea, this method will help achieve more defined curls. Wrap small sections of hair around your index and middle fingers, and then slide the hair off and pin it to your head while it’s still in a spiral shape. Repeat this all over your head, and let your hair dry. Play around with the sizes of sections you’re taking—remember: the smaller the section, the tighter the curl! After unpinning it all, run your fingers through your hair to loosen the curls, throw in a little sea salt spray, and you’re ready to go!