What’s the biggest problem when doing overnight heatless robe belt curls?
You can wake up to still damp hair. Yep your hair doesn’t always dry overnight.
If your hair isn’t dry the curls don’t last much beyond lunch – if then.
If the curls don’t last, well, you end up looking kinda like a dork. And how embarrassing is that? You know, to walk in with gorgeous curls only to have them pull a disappearing act?
There’s an alternative. Use a little heat to make your undone glamour look easy to achieve.
Hey, don’t judge. Not everyone finds no heat overnight curls work for them.
This is where the not exactly heatless alternative comes in.
Yeah it’s cheating.
And I understand not everyone is okay with that – which is fine.
But if you haven’t yet clicked away in a huff here’s how to get heatless curls with a little assist from your blow dryer.
Part 1: Heatless Robe Curls On Short Fine Hair
This is a good look at someone doing this for the first time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a thing or two.
The process she follows basically comes down to SEVEN easy steps.
- She applies L’ange Hair Glazé Hair Lotion for volume and texture. But really any texturizing product should work. That is followed up with mousse and sea salt spray. All are worked into the strands well.
- Blow dry your mane so it’s dampish at best.
- Position the belt about 2 inches back from your forehead.
- Don’t forget to twist the hair as you wrap guiding the belt backwards more so than down the side of your head.
- Unleash the blow dryer on the wrapped hair
- Remove the belt
- Fluff then admire your curls
Tip: When blow drying use your fingers to push the hair up and off your scalp a bit. This works like clips to create a bit more volume.
Tip: After blow drying give the hair time to cool down before unwrapping. 15 minutes is about right. Otherwise the heat can work against you. It can keep the curls from setting and prevent you from ending up with long lasting curls.
Okay we’re going to fast forward to the great unveiling because after the blow drying she got a little chatty. But wanted you to see the finished product. Because except for the back it totally rocks. (You’ll find some suggestions for fixing that further on down.)
Part 2: The Great Heatless Curls Unveiling
So what do you think?
I’d have to say the front and sides of her hair were just super cute. But again there’s the problem of the hair in the back. But given how cute the rest looks it’s one I could live with.
Now I suspect you could flexi-rod the back and then blow dry them while you’re at it. Or use some squishy pink rollers perhaps. Styler’s choice.
Oh and if you’re not familiar with them our tutorial on using flexirods can fill in the gaps.
A few other points worth making. They may be important.
Tip: Make sure you get some heat on the ends. It didn’t appear she did that enough or much at all. And that was confirmed after she took the belt out and the ends in the back were still damp.
Tip: If you do this make sure you use the dryer long enough to actually dry your hair. Need a clue? Your hair should probably be warm to the touch.
Tip: DO NOT remove the belt the way she did. Yanking it is NOT the preferred approach. You’re kinda stressing the curls big time. Instead it’s better to patiently unwrap your hair from the belt.
Okay so we just saw how to use a blow dryer to speed up dry time. Another option? Use a hooded dryer.
Hooded Dryer Options
This is yet another way to skin the cat of robe belt curls that don’t dry fast enough.
PROS
- Bathe your hair in gentle evenly distributed heat
- Hands free operation
- Possibly less frizz
CONS
- Another tool to buy
- Still not heatless
There are basically two type of hooded dryers with three options.
You can get a hard hat dryer like this one.
PROS:
- Often offers plenty of headspace
- Collapses for compact storage
- Hands free operation
- Some are ionic
CONS:
- Another styling tool to store
- Generally costs more than soft hooded dryers
Expected price range: $40-$65
This is more like a styling appliance that some feel gives them the salon experience.
You can also get a soft hooded dryer like this one.
PROS:
- Adjustable enough for most sized rollers
- Soft bonnet is often replaceable
- Lower price than hard hat dryers
CONS:
- Hoods can be too small to accommodate your hair and the belt
- Cords and hoses leading to the bonnet can be rather short
- Sometimes questionable soft bonnet durability
- May take a bit longer than using the blow dryer directly
Expected price range: $15-$45
Do your homework. From reading through various user comments quality seems to vary.
Or you can get a hooded hair dryer attachment like this one and use with blow dryer you’ve already got.
PROS:
- Lower cost alternative
- Convenient – hood is easily stashed
- No need to buy an additional styling tool – works with your blow dryer
- Lower price than hard hat or soft hooded dryer units
CONS:
- Can get very hot so avoid high heat setting
- Sometimes questionable soft bonnet durability
- May take a bit longer than using the blow dryer directly
Expected Price range $10-$15
If you want a bonnet you attach to your hand held blow dryer there are some highly rated options to choose from.
While usually used for giving your deep conditioning routine a heat boost they can also work to help your belt wrapped hair dry faster.
How To Use Soft Hooded Dryers
Most have an adjustable draw string. Some come with a chin strap. You want to get one with a big enough bonnet so your wrapped hair fits.
- Typically you’ll want to place the hose in the back for more even heat distribution
- Since the hose tends to heat up a towel on the back of your neck can keep it off your neck
- Tighten the drawstring
- Set to the desired heat setting and fire it up
How long this will take obviously depends on your hair, how long or thick it is, how damp it was when you started, or how much if any product you applied. Plus the drying power of the dryer.
Typically soft hoods are adjustable and can be snugged up to fit your head. You obviously want to get one with a large enough bonnet so you can fit your hair and the belt inside without being too tight.
If you found this take on heatless curls helpful, even if it cheats some, then I hope you’ll follow our boards on Pinterest. That way you can get in on even more how-to ideas as soon as they become available.
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