After I went natural I pretty much had zero plans to ever use heat on my hair again. I was traumatized by years of chemical treatments and flat ironing on repeat and just wanted to give my precious strands the break they deserved.

However, the day inevitably came when I felt I needed to switch things up. While I love my tightly coiled tresses, I really enjoy the volume and the bounce of loose curls and wanted to find a way to achieve this style without adding heat.

Originally reported on Refinery29, here are seven ways to achieve the easiest and most effective hair perfection without using heat.

1. Flexi Rod Set

Photo: Pinterest

The flexi rod set is great because it offers a lot of bang for your buck. The curls you get from a flexi-rod set are bouncy and shiny, and the rods provide great grip during styling. Make sure that your hair is completely dry before taking your curls down to avoid frizz.

2. Braid-Out

Photo: Pinterest

Braid outs provide a beautiful, natural curl with more texture than flexi-rods, for example. When braiding, make sure your hair is properly hydrated, and again, let your hair dry completely before unbraiding, sis!

3. Bantu Knot-Out

Photo: Pinterest

Bantu knot outs provide a soft, gentle curl or wave that is elegant, and perfect for a special occasion or gathering. Mastering this technique may take some time, but the payout is absolutely worth it.

4. Finger Coils

Photo: Pinterest

Finger coils offer a unique look with a lot of definition that closely mimics the curl of natural hair. Having the right product on deck is key when finger coiling, so make sure to do your research before you get started.

5. Perm Rod Set

Photo: Pinterest

Perm rods provide curl definition similar to that of a flexi-rod set, but differ in their application. If you are in a rush and need to dry your hair quickly, you can pop under a very low heat dryer for 10-15 minutes to set this style before you take it out.

6. Two Strand Twist-Out

Photo: Pinterest

Twist outs are one of the easiest ways to curl natural hair without heat, as they require no other tools than your own two hands. Experiment with different sized sections to get smaller or bigger curls, with less, or more volume. It’s up to you!

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Elle McKenzie

Writing since October 2025 · 4 stories contributed