Curling tools vs braids and twists

For a casual wave: braids. For a polished curl or a repeat routine: a tool.

Braids shape hair into a zigzag; a rod shapes it into a coil. That is the main difference, and it shows in the result.

Here is how that plays out in real life. Say you have a dinner at seven and an hour to spare: braids will get you a relaxed, textured wave with nothing to buy. Say you are preparing for a wedding and want the same polished curl in every photo: a rod or flexi rods give you the consistency to repeat it. And if you want to try heatless styling without spending anything, braids and a sock are the honest place to start. The rest of this page helps you decide when the upgrade is worth it.

	Braids / twists	Rod, ribbon, flexi rods
Cost	Free	Kitsch curling set $18; Kitsch flexi rods $21; The Hair Edit sets $17.99
Result	Crimped, beachy	Smooth spiral or wave
Speed	Fast	Fast (rod) to slower (flexi rods)
Control	Low	Higher
Sleeping	Comfortable	Comfortable if soft
Short hair	Works	Works with small rods

1. Start with slightly damp hair.
2. Part in the middle. Or leave it unparted.
3. Make two to four braids. More braids give tighter crimps.
4. Tie each with a hair tie. Use a satin scrunchie to avoid creasing.
5. Sleep or wait until hair is dry.
6. Undo and shake out. Loosen with fingers.

For a looser wave, braid larger sections.

Take a section, twist it tightly from root to end, and either coil it into a flat bun and pin it, or leave it twisted and clipped. Twists give a stretched, softer wave than braids and are useful for face-framing pieces.

What you'll need: clips, a satin scrunchie or two, and a comb.

1. Start with slightly damp hair and divide it into six or eight sections.
2. Twist one section tightly from the root to the ends, so it coils on itself.
3. Wind the twisted section around your finger into a flat spiral against your head.
4. Pin it flat with a clip, or tuck the end under.
5. Repeat with the rest of the sections, then wait until dry.
6. Unpin, uncoil and shake out.

Twists suit short hair and layers that will not reach a rod, and the waves they give are softer and more stretched than braid waves.

• You want curls, not crimps.
• You do this regularly.
• You want consistent results.
• You want volume at the roots.

See flexi rods vs a curling ribbon.

Tools also win on repeatability. The same rod with the same section size gives similar results each time, so you can adjust one thing and see the difference. Braids vary with how tight you plait and how even your sections are. If you want to learn what your hair does, a tool gives you cleaner feedback.

On cost, the sets compared on this site run from $17.99 to $21 (Kitsch curling set $18, Kitsch flexi rods $21, The Hair Edit sets $17.99), so the upgrade is modest. See best heatless curlers for the full list.

• Fine hair: braids hold a crimp well on fine hair, but the shape may relax quickly. A rod gives a firmer hold with small sections.
• Thick hair: braids work in several smaller braids, which also dry faster than a big bunch around a rod.
• Short hair: braids may not reach; twists and pin curls do.
• Wavy hair: braids can enhance an existing wave with little effort.

A braid forms a zigzag. When you undo it, you get a ripple that runs along the length of each section, with a flatter, crimped feel. A rod forms a coil, and when you undo it you get a rounder, bouncier curl. Braids look lived-in; rods look styled.

Many people like braids for a relaxed look and rods for events. Neither is better, just different. A sock or robe tie sits between the two; see heatless curls with socks.

• Braiding too tightly, which pulls at the scalp.
• Using a rubber band that snags; use a satin or fabric scrunchie.
• Unbraiding while the hair is still damp.
• Brushing the waves out.
• Making braids of different widths, which gives uneven results.