Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Get Heatless Spiral Curls with Flexible Curling Rods (No Heat, No Damage)
Learn how to get heatless spiral curls using flexible curling rods for soft, bouncy curls without heat damage. My easy, step-by-step tutorial shows how to prep your hair, wrap flexible rods correctly, and achieve long-lasting spiral curls overnight or using a dryer bonnet. Perfect for all hair types, this no-heat curling method protects hair health while delivering defined, frizz-free curls for glam hair days.
My Heatless Curl Test
If you love voluminous curls but hate heat damage, flexible curling rods are about to become your new best friend. This heatless spiral curl method is gentle on hair, budget-friendly, and gives you soft, bouncy curls without using hot tools and they really work!
I love my dryer bonnet!
Whether you’re going overnight or rocking them for a few hours (think: 1980’s Madonna costume or 1980’s theme party or even 1990’s!), here’s exactly how to get flawless heatless spiral curls every time.
Shop the Post
Don’t feel like reading this article? That’s okay! See my “after” look and the products I used via my Amazon Shop plus get buying links at affordable prices!
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These flexi rods are effective!
More Beauty Loves
You can also get the products and more of my beauty loves via my Target shop here or my CVS Store here (use your ExtraCare card to double up on savings!) or via my shop my store here or below:
My Hair Inspiration
I used flexible curling rods in the 1980’s or perhaps the 1990’s (I lose track of my youth beauty timeline) and remembered them giving me fun, spiral curled hair. With my hair tutorials doing well on YouTube, I grabbed the curling rods that came with my dryer bonnet and decided to give them a try again to see if they were as effective as I remembered. They were, but I had to remember methods to make them work well.
My headband tutorial is on my website and my YouTube
Why Spiral Curls?
Spiral curled hair was very popular in the 1990’s and even before that. I borrowed curly hair inspiration from Madonna and Julia Roberts (her long wavy hair was something I thought was beautiful as a teen and still love it today!) and that’s what my final look reminded me of after the curls loosened.
A fun look at my popular sponge roller tutorial in a 7 second video is below or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Pro Tips for Long-Lasting Spiral Curls
My curls fell a bit looser as the day went on, but I currently live in a high humidity zone (SWFL), so I knew they would, but I still loved the look. Using lots of hairspray and a mousse-like foam really helped them last longer. Here are some more tips to make your heatless curls last:
Always let hair dry 100% before removing rods
Use satin or silk bonnet at night to reduce frizz (I actually wear one every night!)
Don’t over-separate—less touching = longer-lasting curls
Why Flexible Curling Rods Are a Game-Changer
No heat damage (as long as you use an air flow setting with no heat if you use the dryer bonnet as I did)
Affordable and reusable
Great for travel
Works on most hair types
Heatless spiral curls prove you don’t need heat to get gorgeous results.
Heatless Spiral Curls Hair Tutorial
Check out my fun Madonna-themed video for this project on my TikTok now or get the full-length tutorial via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden or below.
Step-by-Step Heatless Spiral Curl Tutorial
Now for the written tutorial. Links go out to either the brand website, Amazon, CVS, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, or Temu (code afe55197 gets you 30% off your first order), where we source our supplies based on discounts, budget and pricing.
What You’ll Need
Flexible curling rods (small for tight spirals, medium for loose curls, you’ll need two or more sets or a giant set like this if you have a lot of hair)
Light styling mousse or foam (optional, I use Beach Waver Braid Balm)
Hair clips or sectioning comb (both are optional)
Satin bonnet or scarf (for overnight, if not, use my dryer bonnet and mine came with the curling rods!)
hair dryer if using the bonnet
How they look all wrapped in my hair
1. Start with slightly damp hair
Hair should be about 70–80% dry. Too wet won’t hold; too dry won’t mold.
2. Apply a lightweight styling product
You can use a leave-in conditioner or curl cream to smooth and hydrate. Add mousse or I add a bit Braid Balm for extra hold (and it smells tropical and yummy!)
I’m almost done!
3. Section your hair
I started with the front of my head, worked through the top and then towards the bottom of my head. Note: Smaller sections = tighter curls. Larger sections = looser spirals.
4. Wrap hair around the flexible rod
Place the rod near the root and spiral hair around it evenly, making sure the ends of your hair are tucked in under hair for curled ends). Bend the ends of the curler inward to secure—no pins needed.
Dry a curler individually if needed
5. Let curls set
Air-dry completely or sleep in them overnight with a satin bonnet if you wish. Optionally (as I do), place a dryer bonnet over your curlers, attach a hair dryer and use a low or NO HEAT setting to dry your hair. Mine took about an hour. Read a book (here are some of my favorite books), watch a show or do your makeup!
6. Gently unravel
Once fully dry, unwind slowly. If any aren’t dry, either use your dryer to individually dry them or put the dryer bonnet back on for a while. Separate curls with fingers or a little oil for softness. I flipped my hair over to loosen the roots of my hair for more volume and bounce. Spray with hairspray if desired.
My finished result!
Take Action
If you try any of my ideas, let me know how it turned out—or tag me when you try them because I LOVE seeing your posts💚 If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.