Getting voluminous, bouncy curls without using heat is easier than you think. The cold method of styling is gentle on your hair and can give you beautiful results without the risk of damage from curling irons or curlers. This technique is perfect for anyone looking to create stunning curls while keeping their hair healthy.
One of the key aspects of this method is moisturizing the hair. Proper hydration not only helps in forming soft curls but also adds a natural shine to your strands. With the right products and techniques, you can even achieve a "memory effect," meaning your curls will hold their shape for longer, even without constant restyling.
We’ll walk you through a step-by-step tutorial in this post to help you become an expert in this heat-free styling technique. You’ll discover how to achieve the desired volume and shine while maintaining the health of your hair, from selecting the best moisturizing products to using easy curling techniques.
Step | Description |
1 | Wash your hair with a moisturizing shampoo, followed by a conditioner for shine. |
2 | Gently towel-dry your hair to remove excess moisture without rubbing. |
3 | Apply a leave-in conditioner or a lightweight styling cream to damp hair. |
4 | Divide your hair into sections and twist each one loosely into a bun or braid. |
5 | Allow the hair to air dry completely, preferably overnight for best results. |
6 | Once dry, carefully unravel the twists or braids to reveal natural, voluminous curls. |
7 | Finish with a light mist of shine spray or a few drops of hair oil for added gloss. |
8 | Enjoy long-lasting volume and shine thanks to the memory effect of the styling. |
Preface
Like many others, I believe I have repeatedly seen quick videos explaining how to create big curls on a satin roll or a belt made from a robe. Curious, I tried to replicate. To be completely honest, it was really uncomfortable to sleep with a satin roll, and I couldn’t do it with a belt from a robe.
Surprisingly, a plain scarf came to the rescue, offering warm sleep, a charming "home" hairstyle, and cute curls for the morning.
Additionally, I dislike coming up with complex plans to combine products. By coincidence, multiple jars came together to provide a glossy, moisturizing effect and styling memory. It seems criminal to me not to share.
Cold method and memory of styling
To help you stay clear in the community and to refresh your memory, let me briefly explain the differences between memory styling and cold styling.
Cold styling: 70–80% dry hair wrapped in satin rolls or gently curled, or braided into a variety of braids. Usually for a few hours or the entire night before heading out. After fully drying in a specific shape, hair becomes more loose.
The following are the key benefits of using cold styling:
- No special fixing agents are required: hairsprays, gels or foams;
- The flexibility of styling is higher than with the use of fixing agents;
- Saving time. Cold styling can be done at night or in the morning, while doing your own things or sleeping;
- The durability of the result may be lower than if fixing agents were used;
- Low-porosity hair may not take shape after the cold styling method.
In the community, styling memory is defined as hair’s improved ability to take on and hold a specific shape following a rinse-off or leave-in treatment. The results of cold styling are more noticeable because of care with a memory effect; defined waves or curls maintain their shape better, are elastic, and feel moisturised to the touch.
Both a leave-in cream and a wash-off mask can possess style memory. Additionally, anything that generally gives you the outcome mentioned above and that you can utilize frequently. I’ll list a few factors that are important to consider when looking for styling memory products:
- Proteins and amino acids;
- Wax;
- Aloe;
- Various polymers;
- Silicone, but the effect depends on the direction of the product and accompanying components.
I will discuss different plant-based fixatives separately, such as pectin and flax seed extract. These ingredients are more frequently seen in light-fixing hairstylers designed for curly hair that follow the CGM method; they might not be appropriate for regular use on straight hair.
Accessories for creating curls
Any scarf will work for cold-weather hairstyles, but one made of smooth, non-conductive material is ideal. Silk would, of course, be the best choice. I still only want to find a gorgeous silk scarf for the fall and winter months because I’m not into hats or chilly looks.
A few elastic bands and a tiny crab will come in handy for convenience. Additionally, use any of your leave-in creams with styling memory, moisturizing masks, and shine products. I’ll let you know what I use a little later.
I create a triangle fold in the scarf and begin twisting from the center, going all the way forward to the point where it becomes sharp. Usually, the scarf’s ends curl into a tube by themselves.
Completed!
The fabric roll comes out a little thick, but it usually holds together. To make storage between uses easier, I always add an extra little crab to secure it.
Scheme for moisturizing and shine, with a memory effect of styling
Cleansing
Will be responsible for cleansing my little novelty – Matrix Keep Me Vivid shampoo.
The composition of the shampoo on olefin sulfate includes moisturizing ingredients and polyquaternium. The shampoo is a great buy; it cleans the hair effectively and gives it a light conditioning.
Composition
Aqua, water, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, cocamide mea, glycerin, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycol distearate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, exylene glycol, parfum, fragrance, citric acid, sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride, sodium benzoate, peg-55 propylene glycol oleate, propylene glycol, coco-betaine, hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, salicylic acid, carbomer, sodium citrate, polyquaternium-7, benzoic acid, tetrasodium edta, benzyl salicylate, pearl powder, and benzyl alcoho
The shampoo has a lovely scent of creamy toffee mixed with salt and palo santo, which I can’t help but notice.
Though it sounds simplistic and unduly romantic, the description is not! This is something richer, cozier, and more encompassing. A faint but noticeable train stays in the hair, and the use of the scent entirely transforms into a relaxing spa.
Washed away
For the purpose of moisturizing the hair, a nutrient mask containing Vieso and honey is effective.
I prefer the outcome of cold styling after moisturizing washing care over using masks or air conditioners containing proteins or oils.
Compound
The ingredients are: Aqua, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Cetearith-10, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Mel Extract, PEG-4 SORBITAN STERATE, HYALURONIC ACID, PERSEA GRATISIMA OIL, ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER FLECERY, GlyCERY L Stearate, Citrus aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Hydroxypropyl Guar, and Phenoxyethanol
As the owner of thin, medium-porous hair, I really appreciate the volume, lightness, and antennes into space that come with the branded honey moisturizing Vieso. Of course, the aroma leaves a lasting impression. I find it very difficult to dissect it into individual notes—only associations, really.
Leave-in care
The Alfaparf Milano Nutritive leave-in conditioner’s duties include controlling moisture levels, conditioning hair, and producing a styling memory effect.
My adorable pink, functional novelty star for the fall marathon. I absolutely adore it, but I also detest the runny consistency and the fragile dispenser, which ruined the whole experience of the purchase.
With moderate use, Alfaparf leave-in conditioner doesn’t overdo it on fine hair, delicately conditions it, helps it retain moisture, and leaves it shining brilliantly! The ends are silky, smooth, and elastic. Additionally, the product has a styling memory because of the protein, silicones, and flax seed extract in its formulation.
Composition
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Amodimethicone, Parfum (Fragrance), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Trideceth-10, Phenoxyethanol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone Meadowfoamate, Peg-8 Citric acid, glucose, fructose, dextrin, sucrose, and urea Alanine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Glycerin, Carnosine, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract (Linseed), Calcium Sorbate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, and Biosaccharide Gum-4.
I was apprehensive about the strong, strongly feminine scent before I bought. a waste! I’m always searching for "where did something nice" now that I’m opening bundles. And it comes from me, too! Alfaparf subtly evokes the taste of a light cocktail, cream, and a hint of sourness through the aroma of powder.
For myself The air conditioner is a ubiquitous device. Straight hair is simple to achieve when combined with smoothing, flushing care, and elastic waves applied with a cold laying technique. Following the primary care, I apply wet hair like an irreversible cream. About one tonsil is the portion for my thin hay hair.
Alfaparf Milano Nutritive Leave-in Conditioner is a great multitasking partner for air conditioning and making a weightless movie if overall hair care is balanced! Conditioner can be applied arbitrarily as a leave-in treatment if moisturizing or nutrition are the primary goals.
Finishing oil
I feel like the Vieso Ylang-Ylang protective serum gives me a gorgeous golden shine!
A drugstore bottle with an amazing filling and a bitter but ringingly moist green aroma that is both adorable and cunning.
Why insidious?
I don’t have a special pipette, and I purchased the serum separately. It is inconvenient that the rubber cap doesn’t always click into place the first time. I could have avoided a dramatic outcome by storing it in a box under the lid, but even that wouldn’t have prevented me from touching the ampoule by accident and spilling some of its contents.
Without silicones, I couldn’t get along with leave-in oils, but as a finishing oil, Vieso Ylang-Ylang serum works wonders in multi-layered care for thin and medium-porous hair types. The serum softens, smoothes, and leaves skin with a radiant, golden sheen.
Composition
Ilang-Ylang leaf oil from Cananga Odorata, orange peel oil from Citrus aurantium Dulcis, butyrospermum Parkii oil (Shi), lavender oil from Lavandula Angustifolia, pelargonium gravfolens flower oil (Pelargonia), and phenoxyetanol.
I use a tiny bit on 60–70% dry hair and use a hairdryer to slightly warm it up. Regretfully, I’m not a fan of serum applied as a top layer before leave-in cream.
I don’t think my hair’s Vieso and Alfaparf incompatibilities! They combine beautifully with the honey mask, Ilang-Ylang serum, and other jars of Vieso. Perhaps the way it was used and the characteristics of each individual contributed.
Using a cold styling technique that brings out the natural texture of hair, you can achieve voluminous curls without the use of curlers or heat tools. This method is as easy as moisturizing and shining your hair, which creates a memory effect that keeps the style in place all day. Gain mastery over this technique to maintain healthy, glossy hair with little effort.
How to make cold styling
I split my dried hair into two sections, leaving it slightly damp to the touch. I secure the scarf’s roll along the parting with a tiny hair clip. Then I begin braiding from the face using the first strand.
I catch the hair strands at their roots with every turn until I get to the main, lengthy mass of hair. Additionally, I wrap around the scarf rather than the other way around, tying the end with an elastic band to secure.
It is preferable to tie an elastic band a little higher to keep a few centimeters of hair straight if the ends of your hair, like mine, are sticking out. In this manner, there will be less mechanical friction, less wrinkling of the hair ends, and a neater end product.
I tuck the scarf’s ends behind my head and fasten it with an even bigger elastic band after the hair has been curled in both directions and secured with bands. My entire collection of elastic bands is made of silk, which is essential for protecting the ends and taking general care of my hair.
The scarf and hair slide down in many photos because I curl the strands by hand to show the process. Such weaving will cause all waves to completely disappear from the back of the head and any surrounding hair. I always try to arrange the scarf like a crown, as high as possible and closest to the parting, when I style in front of the mirror. This causes the wave to start earlier, adds volume, and distorts the appearance of the back of the head.
I prefer the fabric quality best in a large elastic band, but it stretched out quickly. In spite of this, I still find the "cold" styling to be adorable and cozy. You can choose to take a shorter scarf so as not to bother, or you can tie the ends in a bun or leave them loose. This is, as they say, a complete fantasy.
The density and degree of strand tension, where the scarf is placed on the head, and other elements all have a direct impact on the result.
In order to make the weaving easier to understand, I’ll provide a gif that shows you how I weave.
Completed!
It will take some time to get the hang of it for a stable outcome. However, there are a few reasons why the weaving breaks down:
- Hair is not damp enough;
- Looseness of the weave;
- You wrap the scarf around the hair, and not the hair around the scarf;
- Have not gotten the hang of it yet.
After a while, I carefully untangle the elastic bands and then lift the scarf out in a single motion. Because of the fabric’s slickness, "unpacking" styling is painless and meticulous, and finger untangling does not cause the curls to wrinkle. My hair takes shape very quickly; for light waves, 30 minutes is plenty of time; however, I style my hair at night, right before bed, to ensure the curls last.
That’s it!
A gentler option to using heat tools to style voluminous curls is the cold method. It keeps your hair robust and healthy while enabling you to achieve waves that look natural. Without harming your hair, you can improve the texture and add shine by utilizing easy techniques and moisturizing products.
Because of the memory effect, maintaining a regular regimen of hydration and shine-enhancing treatments not only helps your curls stay more defined, but it also helps them stay that way longer. This guarantees that your hair will remain lovely, bouncy, and silky all day.
You can create voluminous curls without worrying about heat damage if you adopt this method. The right products combined with patience will allow you to have gorgeous, healthy curls that feel and look fantastic.