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How to Style Hair Without Applying Heat

heatless hair styling techniques

Microgen – istockphoto.com

If you want to change how you look with minimal effort, styling your hair is one great way to do it. However, most styling processes use heat to style the hair. While heat styling is absolutely a great option that can result in more defined, quicker styles, hot tools can also cause more damage to the hair. That means if you’re trying to grow your hair or if you’re dealing with damaged hair that you’re trying to return to health, you might be interested in trying to avoid heat on your hair from sources like blow dryers.

The good news is there are many ways that you can style your hair without heat. Whether you’re trying to straighten curly hair, curl straight hair, or even embrace your natural curls, there are lots of styling options available to you. Here are just a few of the styling options available to you that don’t use hot tools like curling irons.

Hair styling with braids

Heatless curls are extremely popular right now, and braids are a great way to style hair this way. Braid styling will generally result in loose waves rather than tighter curls, which means it’s a great way to add curls to straighter hair or to slightly straighten curly hair. Here’s how to use this hair-styling method.

  • Start this hair styling option the night before; you’ll want to set the braids at night. Use towel-dried hair for the most successful results; damp hair that isn’t dripping wet will offer the best results.
  • Use a leave-in conditioner and apply conditioning gel for the best hold.
  • Separate the hair into sections, braiding your sections of hair into two three-strand braids. Keep the braid fairly loose; a very tight braid can result in damage.
  • Feel free to play around with braiding options; try a single French braid or Dutch braid for a looser hold, or consider a fishtail braid for more of a subtle wave.
  • Especially if you have straight hair, you can add a heatless curler to the ends of the hair.
  • In the morning, after you’ve let your hair air dry all night, remove the end curlers and unbraid your hair. You should see beautiful beachy waves.
  • It’s important to style your wavy hair with only your fingers. If you comb it, you can end up with frizzy hair.

Hair styling with a bun

Bun styling is a great way to turn damp hair into overnight curls. Here’s how to use buns to create beautiful waves.

  • Start by detangling your damp hair with a wide-tooth comb. You may also want to apply whatever hair products you prefer here before you start styling.
  • You can either style your hair with a single bun, which will create extremely loose curls, or multiple buns, which may create more bouncy curls across your hair.
  • For each bun you want to create, separate the hair, then take the piece of hair for your bun and wind it around itself. Secure it in place with bobby pins.
  • Wrap your hair with a silk scarf before you go to bed; this reduces the risk of damage during the night and keeps you from having a bad hair day in the morning.
  • When you wake up, take out your buns and style your heatless waves with your fingers and potentially a bit of hair product, like sea salt spray, to reduce hair frizz.

Straighten your hair with a wrap

If you already have curly hair or coily hair, you may be looking for ways to get straight, smooth hair without a heated hair straightener. Here’s how to use a simple wrap to turn natural waves straight.

  • Start by dividing your hair into two sections, then apply setting lotion and a leave-in conditioner.
  • Wrap hair around your head, smoothing it down in sections. Make sure you’re wrapping in the direction of hair growth. Pin the hair against your head using clips or bobby pins.
  • In the morning, unpin your hair and style as desired. Try to avoid doing too much hands-on styling to reduce hair frizz.

Learn more ways to style hair at Evergreen Beauty College

Getting curls and waves without heat isn’t all that difficult, and if you’re looking for new heatless hairstyles, these should definitely be at the top of your list. Whether you’re looking for extra volume, a reduction in heat hair damage, or help in taming your natural hair texture, heatless waves and straightening can help you protect your hair from heat damage while providing you with the same great styling options you’re used to.

If you want to learn more about styling hair and keeping hair healthy, including with heat-styling tools like flat irons as well as options for quick hairstyles that don’t incorporate heat, you might want to look into Evergreen Beauty College’s options for cosmetology education. If you’re interested in becoming a cosmetologist and bringing these styling options to others, consider checking out these cosmetology options to start offering cosmetology to the world. You may even discover a love for new skills, like facial hair removal and skin care, that you never would have considered otherwise.

Author’s Story

Frank Trieu is a cosmetology industry leader, and despite his accomplishments and accolades, he still prioritizes students on the Evergreen campus. Through building relationships within the community and local salons, retail stores, and spas, he helps facilitate job placements for aspiring beauty professionals using his expansive network.

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