How to Use Heatless Curling Rods on Any Hair Type

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An easy guide to using flexi rods for effortless overnight curls
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If you’re looking for an easy way to create smooth, beautiful curls that last for days—and don’t want to stress over the damaging heat of a curling iron—then flexible curl rods are a great choice! Flexible curl rods have a rubber hold that lets you easily create curls without kinks or breaks. Read on for a simple tutorial on using heatless curling rods, aka flexi rods. We even spoke with professional hair stylist Sarah Kosakowski for expert advice on getting the best no-heat curls!

Curling Your Hair with Flexi Rods: Quick Steps

  1. Wash your hair and wait until it’s about 90 percent dry.
  2. Spray leave-in conditioner, then divide your hair into four equal sections.
  3. Take a small lock of hair and coil it around the end of a flexi rod.
  4. Roll the flexi rod in a spiral around the hair, stopping at the root.
  5. Bend the flexi rod in half at the root to secure it.
  6. Repeat with additional strands until all your hair is in rods.
  7. Let your hair dry completely before removing the flexi rods.
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Preparing Your Hair

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  1. Your curls will look healthier and last longer if your hair is clean before you curl it. [1] Don’t dry it completely, warns Kosakowski, or the curls may not form properly. [2] Leave your hair a little damp—about 90 percent dry.
    • Flexi rods work best on wet or damp hair to create a stronger, lasting curl.
    • If you aren’t going to wash your hair before using flexi rods, use a spray bottle of water to dampen it slightly.
  2. Apply leave-in conditioner or moisturizing cream to hydrate your hair, which will help your heatless curls look more defined and control frizziness. After hydrating, apply a mousse for extra grip—especially if your hair is naturally straight. [3]
    • For thick hair , apply moisture as you section your hair, not before.
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  3. Divide your hair evenly into at least four sections using a hairbrush or wide-toothed comb . Coil each section toward the scalp with your finger and hold it in place with a hair clip . Remember, this is just to keep the rest of your hair out of the way while you’re working with one section. [4]
    • If you have natural hair, detangle each section and apply a moisturizing product as you go.
    • Larger clips work well with longer or thicker hair.
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Part 2
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Putting in Flexi Curl Rods

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  1. The wider the rod, the looser the curl will be! The smallest flexi rod is typically 3 ⁄ 8 inch (0.95 cm) and larger rods can go all the way up to 7 ⁄ 8 inch (2.2 cm).
    • For shorter hair, smaller rods are best. If you feel the rods you have are too long, instead of cutting them, fold them extra times after wrapping your hair around them.
    • To maintain short, very tight coils, use cold-wave perm rods . They will allow you to clip in hair for a firmer hold.
  2. If you have thick hair or want tighter coils, separate smaller locks of hair for each flexi rod. Use larger chunks of hair if you have thin hair or want looser coils, says Kosakowski. [5] Typically, a square inch of hair should work. [6]
    • Apply a small amount of gel to each lock if you have naturally frizzy hair.
  3. Wind the end of the hair tightly around the end of the rod at least once around to secure it. The end of the hair must be tightly looped so that the flexi rod doesn’t come out as your hair dries and becomes more slippery.
    • Make sure to begin at the end of the flexi rod so that you can use the rest of the length to spiral your hair.
  4. Turn the rod vertically and twist to spiral your hair around it in the direction you want the curl to go. Make sure your hair stays smooth and secure as you twist. Do not roll the rod straight up the hair horizontally or let the hair wrap over itself, as this will increase drying time and produce weaker curls.
    • Longer hair will require longer flexi rods.
  5. Bend the top of the flexi rod in half to secure it in place. Bend in the opposite direction of the spiral of hair for a more secure hold. Depending on your hair’s length and thickness, you may be able to bend up the bottom of the flexi rod as well.
  6. 6
    Repeat this process throughout your hair. Continue twisting small pieces of hair from the section around flexi rods. When one section is complete, move on to the next one. Keep going until all sections are complete and all your hair is securely in flexi rods. [7]
    • If you plan to keep your flexi rods in overnight, wrap your hair in a satin wrap, bonnet , or other soft cloth to prevent frizz.
  7. Sleep with your flexi rods overnight to ensure your hair dries completely, recommends Kosakowski. [8] Wear a bonnet to prevent frizz. If you’re not going to bed, sit under a hooded dryer for 30-45 minutes to speed up the process. Longer or thicker hair will take more time to dry.
    • If you begin the process with dry hair and dampen it, the drying time will be shorter.
    Lorraine Massey, Hair Stylist

    Curl rods allow you to set and define your natural texture. The smaller the rod, the tighter the curl. Experiment with rod width and placement to customize your look.

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Part 3
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Removing the Curl Rods

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  1. Unfold one of the curl rods to begin the removal process. Don’t try to remove multiple rods at once—go one at a time.
  2. Use the same twisting movement as you did when putting the rods in, but twist away from the scalp. Gently unravel the hair from the rod completely before moving to another rod.
    • Do not pull the rods straight out of your hair—you could tangle or lose your curl.
  3. Once you have removed all the rods, run your fingers gently through your hair to break up the tight coils. Separate the curls gently and let them naturally come apart. [9]
    • Only separate as much as you need to. If you brush your hair out too much, you’ll lose the curl shape you created with the heatless curling rods.
  4. Lightly spray your hair with hairspray once you’ve achieved your desired look. This will help your curls last longer and reduce frizz, especially on humid days!
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Do you use curling rods on wet or dry hair?
    Sarah Kosakowski
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Sarah Kosakowski is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Alba Salon and Spa based in Cincinnati, Ohio. With a decade of experience, she specializes in bridal and formal hair, blondes, fine hair, and men’s cuts. Sarah received her training at The Aveda Frederic’s Institute and is proud to be a Kevin Murphy Session stylist amongst other accomplishments.
    Sarah Kosakowski
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Damp hair is actually best when it comes to curling rods. Feel free to dampen your hair if it's completely dry, or wait a little while after washing before putting the curling rods in.
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  • Question
    How can I smooth my hair after curling?
    Sarah Kosakowski
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Sarah Kosakowski is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Alba Salon and Spa based in Cincinnati, Ohio. With a decade of experience, she specializes in bridal and formal hair, blondes, fine hair, and men’s cuts. Sarah received her training at The Aveda Frederic’s Institute and is proud to be a Kevin Murphy Session stylist amongst other accomplishments.
    Sarah Kosakowski
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Apply your favorite serum or oil to your hair! That's a great way to smooth out your curls.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    How long do you keep curling rods in?
    Sarah Kosakowski
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Sarah Kosakowski is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Alba Salon and Spa based in Cincinnati, Ohio. With a decade of experience, she specializes in bridal and formal hair, blondes, fine hair, and men’s cuts. Sarah received her training at The Aveda Frederic’s Institute and is proud to be a Kevin Murphy Session stylist amongst other accomplishments.
    Sarah Kosakowski
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    It is important that your hair is completely dry after the process. To ensure that, you should try using the curl rods before sleeping, keeping them overnight.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • Heatless curls are generally less damaging than heat-curling methods. Constantly using heat tools to curl your hair can damage the cuticle and remove your hair’s natural oils. [10]
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      • You might not get the same curl pattern as you would with heat tools, but heatless curling methods are proven to create curls that can last longer than heat-made curls. [11] Experiment with rod placement, the number of rods, and the size of the rods to achieve different effects.
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      Warnings

      • Don’t wrap your hair too tightly around the flexi rods. If there’s tension pulling at your scalp all night, it can lead to breakage and damage.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/hair/all-natural/how-to-use-flexi-rods
      2. ↑ Sarah Kosakowski. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2021.
      3. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/hair/all-natural/how-to-use-flexi-rods
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/2yg5X26NybM?t=460
      5. ↑ Sarah Kosakowski. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2021.
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/u8QshQhMJfs?t=6
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/u8QshQhMJfs?t=20
      8. ↑ Sarah Kosakowski. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2021.
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV7qjZZy7OE&t=17s
      1. ↑ https://www.shape.com/are-heatless-curls-better-for-hair-7560894
      2. ↑ https://www.shape.com/are-heatless-curls-better-for-hair-7560894

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