How To Do The Sock Hair Curls Method For Perfect Heatless Curls

As someone who simply does not have the patience to use hot tools daily (plus, that’s so damaging to hair!) I’ve spent basically my whole life trying out different heatless curls methods.

Which is why I was surprised I’ve never heard of the sock curls method until it showed up on my TikTok feed. (I’m going to blame the 90’s Seventeen Magazine for never writing an article on it.)

After trying the sock hair curls a few times (and failing the first round) I’ve finally nailed this method down to create perfect heatless curls that last multiple days.

How To Do The Overnight Sock Hair Curls Tiktok Method

I love french braiding my hair for tight curls that make my red hair look like Brave hair but I’m not trying to rock a perm look every day. I’ve been using this viral heatless curl rod and also these rollers for days I want bouncy waves, but they’re hard to sleep on so they’re not my favorite.

Enter: sock curls. They look just as ridiculous as the heatless rod does (maybe even more, princess Leia anyone?) but socks are way easier to sleep on at night for side sleepers like myself.

And, you don’t need to buy anything special to start curling. It’s easy!

This is how to curl your hair with a sock. Well, two socks.

Step 1: Ensure You Have Lightly Damp Hair

The first time I tried this I started with hair that was too damp. You really have to dry it out until it’s almost dry.

Or, start with dry hair and use a hair bottle spritzer to make your hair slightly damp. If it’s too wet, it can’t dry out overnight so you’ll wake up with half-curled floppy hair.

Step 2: Add Curl Cream To Damp Hair To Help Hold The Curls

Optional, but I find curl cream or styling spray helps the curls stick better for a few days, especially if you have straight hair.

My two favorite products night now are Kristin Ess curl cream and Playa Beauty Endless Summer Spray. Work the product in damp hair before the socks.

Step 3: When Wrapping The Sock Curls Make Sure To Be Even And Tight

Now it’s time to start curling hair with socks! You need a long sock, ideally, one that goes mid-calf or up to your knees like this pair of tube socks. 

Short ankle socks will not work. The sock should also be thin as thick wool ones will make it harder for your hair to dry at night, and thus make it almost impossible for no heat curls.

I went with my silly Halloween socks since they are long and thin – perfect for this! If you’re using sock curls for long hair, you need to really make sure your socks are long enough or your won’t have enough space to wrap your hair. 

Sock Curling Steps:

1.  Section your hair in half (you’ll use two socks). Make sure it’s slightly moist hair. 
2.  Place the sock top UP near the top of your head.
3. Take sections of your hair and wrap it around the sock, pulling tight.
4. Work your way down the sock until all your hair is wrapped around the sock tightly.
5. Flip your sock inside out around your hair and secure the sock bun at the top of your head with a scrunchie or hair tie. If you don’t look like a low-budget Princess Leia after this, you did it wrong.

These should hold all night as you sleep!

4. Unwrap & Style Your Heatless Curls With Socks

I like to do these at night and sleep in them so my hair has plenty of time to do a natural hair dry and curl, but you could also do this in the morning and wear them all day before a night out.

If you have super thick hair, you may need to let them dry longer in the morning (or do them earlier in the evening so they can set longer!) 

When you do take your heatless sock curls out, do so by gently pulling the sock upwards so the curls can naturally slide out. 

Run your fingers through the curls to break them up and get nice, bouncy curls! Heatless sock styling takes a slightly different approach than hot tools. 

Top off with a mist of hair spray that you already use in your hair care routine, and shake your head a bit to loosen them up even more. BOOM – you got pretty curls without any hot tools! As an update to my sock curl routine, sometimes I will brush my hair out with a wide brush to get them more relaxed and bouncy. 

Etiher way, it’s fun! 

What’s The Best Hair Sock For Sleeping?

It’s best to curl hair with socks that are long and thin. You can also use curling rags or grab these socks from Amazon if you don’t have any.

If you are really worried about frizz you can try a silk rag! 

In theory you can use thinner socks for tighter curls but I love the look of a standard sock for heatless curling. 

Are Sock Curls Bad For Your Hair?

Yes and no. Any sort of pulling your hair back can cause stress to your scalp, but sock curls are a much healthier way to curl your hair compared to hot tools.

Your hot curl iron does way more damage than hair curls with socks ever can, so in the grand scheme of things they’re fine to do nightly. It’s a great thing to do if you want to break from your curling iron entirely or a few days a week. 

How To Do Sock Curls Without Frizz

The only annoying thing about heatless sock curls is they can sometimes end up frizzy. I’ve found that wrapping my hair in a scarf or wearing a bonnet can help combat frizz. I also use a little hair oil after styling my heatless curls to help reduce frizz and that get a healthy shine to my hair. 

How Long Do Sock Curls Last?

I’ve been using sock curls for 2 years now and in the sock curls vs heatless curling rod debate, I find that they act better than a hot rod does. If I do overnight sock curls on clean hair, my hair will continue to have volume and curls until I wash it again.

Though, your curls will last the longest if you apply them on day 2 or day 3 hair. When you hair is a little dirtier, it’ll hold onto the shape better and longer. This is especially key if you are looking to do sock curls for volume. I love my Day 3 curls since they always retian shape the longest (I’m taking days, if I let it go that long) and require minium upkeep beyond hair spray and some hair oil. 

What are the Benefits of Sock Curls?

Unlike hot tools and rods, sock curls are heatless which means they apply volume and shape to your hair without the application of heat, which is damaging to your hair health. I fried my hair as a teenager straightening it and it took years for my hair to regrow and be soft again. 

That’s why I love using overnight sock curls since I wake up with amazing styled hair without spending hours curling it in front of a mirror. Plus, my hair is soft and healthy since I don’t use heat!

How Long To Leave Sock Curls In Overnight?

I find it’s best to wear sock curls for at least 9 hours overnight. That’s why it’s important to style them with slightly damp hair so your hair has time to fully dry in the curl shape inside the socks. If you don’t give your hair enough time to dry, the curls won’t stick well. 

Personally, I’ll pop my sock curls in around 9pm when I got to bed and wear them in the morning until around 8am when I get ready for the day. 

Products you’ll need for sock curls

I hope my sock curl tutorial helps you make beautiful curly hair with socks!! Robin always giggles at me when I put these in (to be fair, so do I) but I love how these curls are turning out.

Ways comfier to sleep compared to the heat rods and a nice way to get bounce to my hair when I don’t want to do the french braid method. 

Let me know if you have sock curls out! I would love to hear what you think of how sock curls work. Here’s to amazing hair this year!