5 easy ways to get waves and curls in your hair without any heating tools

Whether you're intentionally skipping hot tools during the quarantine to boost hair health, or you just can't make the effort right now, there are enough ways to get easy waves in your hair without resorting to a straightener or curling wand. If you want to add a little drama to your AM zoom call look, or want to look put-together for your video call games night, we asked celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan (who works with Kim Kardashian West and Ashley Graham), as well as Maleeha Jafferbhoy, Style Director at Jean Claude Biguine Salon and Spa for their tricks to braiding and scrunching your strands into perfect beach waves.

Improvise with socks 

“I love this technique to add a voluminous curl to the hair,” says Marjan. “Mist hair with a little water so it feels damp, and then add a mousse for volume if you have. Split your hair into four or more sections. Clip a sock to the top of your section then split the hair to either side of it and criss cross the strands around the front then criss cross in the back until you’ve reached the ends. Place a scrunchie at the ends to hold then repeat until you’ve done the entire head,” she says. In the AM, open it up and put a little dry shampoo at the roots to boost volume.

Put your hair in braids before you sleep

“You will get more of a wave with french braids, and more of a crimped effect with regular 3 strand braids,” warns Marjan. “Put in a foundation product like a mousse of sea salt spray, but stay away from serum,” says Jafferbhoy. For tighter curls, you can start the braids closer to the scalp,  and maintain tension while you do so. Leave the braids in for 2-3 hours till your hair is completely dry, and then use your fingertips to open it up. “Make sure not to use a brush because it'll cause it do frizz up,” she says. 

Use a T-shirt to create bouncy curls

“Roll up your t-shirt so it is one long piece. Make sure hair is slightly wet but not soaking," says Marjan about the prep. “If your hair doesn't hold curls, use a mousse like the Tresemme Extra Hold Mousse or Gisou Wave Spray and brush through with a brush like the The Wet Brush Original Detangler," she says. “Place the shirt on the top of your head and clip one side down. On the other side, gently twist the front piece of hair around the shirt, then continue wrapping hair around the t-shirt and adding more hair. At the end, secure with an elastic or scrunchie, then repeat on the other side,” she says. 

Simply scrunch your strands

“I love this technique for naturally curly and wavy hair,” says Marjan. For this one, you can tilt your head to the side, then use a microfiber towel over your hands to scrunch the hair. Then, tilt to the other side and repeat. “Don't use your hands without the towel as that can cause frizz,” she says. Then, continue scrunching until the towel has absorbed most of the moisture, and then let hair air dry.

Use a bandana or a hair band

“While your hair is damp, apply a hair spray or mousse to improve hold. Wrap a bandana around your hair like a halo, and then start rolling the hair into the hairband on one side. If you need, secure it with pins, and then continue with the other side," says Jafferbhoy. Once dry, open it up with your fingers to break them up. 

Also read:

The best celebrity beach wave hairstyles of all times

10 budget-friendly heat protectant hairsprays you need in your kit

10 hair products that will save you the trip to the blow-dry bar