This is so exciting.
Trust me. This is THE new heatless curls method for the 20s!
It was first revealed on Marcela Tumas’s YouTube channel. (Her inspiration was sock curls by the way.) And now this robe belt heatless curls thing is sweeping the web.
So you’re getting cutting edge stuff here. New heatless curling ideas like this don’t come along every day. Especially those that are perfect for fragile heat sensitive fine tresses.
So don’t you dare automatically think you’ve seen this technique before and click away. Unless of course you’re reading this in August of 2023. In that case, yeah, you may have seen something similar.
But if not, this heatless hack is fresh and new and definitely worth a try. Especially if you’ve not ever found a no heat curl hack that has worked for you.
First, brush out the tangles.
Next you’ll want to dampen your hair ever so slightly. She wets her brush and runs that through her hair.
Now you’re ready to drape the belt in the center of your head and secure one side out of the way with a scrunchie or elastic.
Now for the wrapping around or “braiding” with the belt. And relax it looks kind of like French braiding, but it’s not really. If you watch the video you’ll see how simple it is.
- Start with a one inch section from the front of your head.
- Run the section OVER the belt then bring it back UNDER the belt.
- Then much like when braiding ADD another section of hair to the first.
- Run this new “combo” section OVER the belt then bring it UNDER the belt.
- Then much like before ADD another section of hair run this over the belt then bring it under the belt.
That’s it!
Repeat this process of going over then under then adding hair until you run out of hair.
Tip: It’s best to wrap the section of hair somewhat tightly around the belt.
When you run out of hair to add wrap the ends of your hair around the belt, maybe giving it a little final twist. Then secure with an elastic.
Next wrap the belt and hair to fashion a bit of a Princess Leia bun on the side of your head. Secure that bun in place with a scrunchie.
Repeat on the other side.
In the morning remove the elastic and unwrap.
At that point you can shake and rake to loosen the curls as much or as little as you like.
Do take note of the difference in the curls from one side to the other showing how much dampness affects the curls. Clearly the side that was damper definitely had tighter curls.
THE BEST PART: The wrapping around the belt should take a couple two three minutes on each side. Meaning from start to finish you’re looking at 8-10 minutes max before bed.
Easy, peasy, right?
Maybe that’s because unlike straws, flexi rods or pin curlers you’ve only got one “tool”, the belt from your robe, to deal with. With less to keep track of your brain’s convinced this has to be easier. For sure it’s faster.
Oh and if you’re thinking this no heat curls technique only works for long hair think again. Those with medium hair can get in on the fun too. As our step by step look at heatless robe belt curling your medium length hair proves.
Other points to keep in mind. They may be important.
Possible Product Assist: If your hair doesn’t hold a curl apply some leave in conditioner, texturizing spray, hair spray, even dry shampoo FIRST. You want something to dirty up your hair if it’s freshly washed since rumor has it the dirtier your hair the longer the curl with this hack will last.
Warning: Don’t put too much tension on your hair at the scalp level when “braiding” it with the belt. Otherwise there’s increased headache risk for those with sensitive scalps.
Possible Wonky Strand Fix: Next morning you may discover strands that aren’t exactly curl compliant. Two choices. Either do a quick touch with your curling or flat iron. Or just go all lazy girl and hide them in the rest of the lush voluminous curls. No one will know or notice.
LaineyMarieBeauty credits this video by Marcela Tumas for her inspiration. Problem is if you don’t speak Portuguese you’ll have to read the step by step verbal instructions via closed captioning. All the while watching how she does what she does. Awkward!
Oh and the one obvious difference is Marcela fits panty hose on her head as a cap overnight. Presumably this keeps things from falling apart? Which might be something to try if you’re a violent sleeper. Or if the Cafeteria Lady with hair net look is a good one for you. Dunno.
So if you love curly hair but not firing up the curling iron because of how much time it took this should be a big help!
Robe Belt Alternatives
Don’t let the fact you don’t have an old bath robe belt handy stop you from embracing this approach.
Yes this tutorial uses the tie from a robe. And for sure it’s genius and all. But no robe? try the leg from panty hose.
So get creative like that. I mean it won’t kill you to think outside the box a little here. 🙂
Try a long scarf. Simply fold it diagonally and then roll it up into a long tube.
Or maybe you’ve got a stretchy, or stretched out, head band laying around. Use that.
Who doesn’t have old towels? Cut a long strip say two or three inches wide and use that. The fluffier the better.
Worst case just tie two long socks together keeping the knotted part in the middle of your head.
And not to forget frizzy girls use satin rope or pick up some satin fabric and fashion a “belt” of sorts from that like with the scarf. Or grab the belt from a silk robe. Go for anything slippery that won’t aggravate the frizz.
Q&A Robe Belt Curls
Q: How long do these amazing curls typically last? One day? Two days? More?
A: As you’d expect the curls will be most robust the first day. You could pineapple them overnight for the second day. Regardless you should still expect second day curls to loosen up a quite a bit.
Q: Couldn’t help but notice how flat the hair is at the crown. That stands out when compared to how voluminous the rest of the curls are. Suggestions?
A: One fix might be to part your hair on the opposite side you normally wear it before all the wrapping. When you flip the hair back over you’ll induce more crown volume. Much like you do anytime you flip your hair to the opposite side.
Q: Any hints for extremely tight curls?
A: As the video shows the amount of dampness will affect tightness or looseness
Q: Need ideas for making them looser.
A: Other than easing up on wetness, you can space the hair out more on the robe when wrapping, much like you’d do with a curling iron. That might help to get more relaxed spirals right off the bat.
Q: This totally works. Curls were immaculate but didn’t hold. Any tricks can help them last?
A: Some hair is just curl resistant. Make sure your hair is 100% dry before the great unfurling. As suggested above using products might help. A styling cream or tiny bit of mousse focused mid strand down before blow drying can prolong the life of some curls. Or skipping conditioner entirely can also help curls get a grip.
Q: As a side sleeper the Princess Leia buns were annoying.
A: See if positioning the buns more toward the back, or if possible higher up, helps with that.
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