How to sleep with heatless curls
Quick answer
To sleep with heatless curls, choose soft, fabric-covered rods or a ribbon, wrap firmly but not tightly, cover your hair with a satin bonnet or sleep on a satin pillowcase, and lie on your back or side. Avoid hard clips, and loosen anything that pulls. Comfort matters: a tool that hurts will wake you up and change the shape.
Key takeaways
- Soft, fabric-covered tools are the most comfortable; hard clips and plastic pins are not.
- Wrap firmly enough to hold, but never tight enough to tug at your scalp.
- A satin bonnet or pillowcase protects the set from friction.
- Back or side sleeping is easier on the set than stomach sleeping.
- Brands describe their tools as comfortable for day or night, including Kitsch, invisibobble and The Hair Edit.
Is it comfortable to sleep in heatless curlers?
It depends on the tool.
Soft rods and ribbons are designed for it. Kitsch says its flexi rods are comfortable to sleep in, its curling sets are soft and comfortable to sleep on, and The Hair Edit describes its pillow rollers as comfortable enough for day or night. invisibobble describes its curling ribbon as comfortable enough to sleep in.
Hard rollers with metal or plastic clips tend to dig in. If you cannot find a comfortable position, switch tools rather than lose sleep.
Which tools are easiest to sleep in?
| Tool | Why it works for sleeping | Brand source |
|---|---|---|
| Soft curling rod or ribbon | One continuous soft piece on top of your head | Kitsch, The Hair Edit, invisibobble |
| Fabric flexi rods | Bendy and light; Kitsch says no pins or clips are needed | Kitsch |
| Pillow rollers | Lightweight pillow shape; The Hair Edit says they will not pull | The Hair Edit |
| Curling band | invisibobble says there is no metal inside | invisibobble |
See best heatless curlers to sleep in for brand comparisons.
How do you cover them for the night?
What you'll need: a satin bonnet or a large satin scrunchie, or a satin pillowcase.
- Finish wrapping and secure the ends.
- Smooth a satin bonnet over the top. Make sure it is not tight against your forehead.
- Or tie a satin scarf loosely.
- If you prefer, skip the bonnet and sleep on a satin pillowcase.
Satin reduces friction against fabric, so the surface of your hair stays smoother. Cotton pillowcases can rough it up.
What position should you sleep in?
- On your back: best for a rod across the top.
- On your side: fine; rods may press, so shift if it hurts.
- On your stomach: hard on rods and ribbons, and can flatten the curl.
A thin pillow helps. A thick one pushes the rods toward your neck.
What if it hurts or slips?
- Hurts: loosen the wrap, adjust the rod, or switch to a softer tool.
- Slips: wrap more firmly or add a satin scrunchie at the ends. Kitsch sells a 5-pack of satin sleep scrunchies for $8, and its sets include scrunchies.
- Dents: use a looser tie.
How do you wake up to good curls?
Check that the hair is dry before unwrapping. Then unwind slowly and finger-comb. If your curls look flat, see why heatless curls fall out.
Check that the hair is dry before unwrapping. Then unwind slowly and finger-comb. If your curls look flat, see why heatless curls fall out. If they look frizzy, see why heatless curls frizz. Give yourself five minutes before you judge the result; curls relax a little as they settle.
What are the best sleeping setups for different tools?
A long rod or ribbon. Wrap the tails around the back of your head and tie them with a satin scrunchie. Put a bonnet over the top. Kitsch's heatless curling sets include two scrunchies.
Flexi rods. Rods at the back of your head press against the pillow. Place fewer rods at the nape if that bothers you, or sleep on your side.
Pillow rollers. The Hair Edit describes its pillow rollers as lightweight and designed not to pull on hair. If you wake with a dent, try smaller or fewer rollers at the back.
A curling band. invisibobble says there is no metal inside its PILLOW CURL band. It is extra long so it can tie around your head.
What mistakes make you wake up with flat or messy curls?
- Rolling over onto a bulky set at the back of your head.
- Wearing a tight bonnet that squashes the curls.
- Going to bed with hair that is too wet.
- Using a rough pillowcase.
None of these require special gear to fix. A satin scrunchie, a thinner pillow and drier hair at bedtime go a long way.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sleep in flexi rods?
Fabric-covered flexi rods are designed for it; Kitsch says its jumbo flexi rods are comfortable to sleep in.
Should I use a bonnet or a pillowcase?
Either. A bonnet keeps the set contained; a pillowcase is simpler. Many people use both.
Will heatless curlers damage my hair overnight?
Brands describe soft tools as designed for sleep. Avoid tight wraps that pull, and use a loose tie if you notice tugging.
What if the rod is too long?
Fold or wrap the extra length and tie it with a scrunchie.
Can I sleep in a headband curler?
Kitsch describes its Set & Flow headband as an active headband for dry or slightly damp hair; it does not say it is meant for sleep.