The BEST Heatless Curls Tutorial ❤️ Criss-Cross Method

The BEST Heatless Curls Tutorial – Criss-Cross Method for Long-Lasting Curls

If you’ve ever tried heatless curls tutorial only to wake up with frizz or curls that fall flat, this Criss-Cross method is for you! In this step-by-step heatless curls tutorial, I’ll show you how to use a heatless hair curler headband to get overnight curls that actually hold – with zero heat damage.

This is the best method I’ve found for achieving voluminous long-lasting curls. And the cherry on top? You can multitask while they set. On this day, I had errands to run and still felt beautiful wearing my heatless curling headband. It’s especially helpful if you have layered hair, short hair, thin or fine hair, straight hair that doesn’t curl easily, and of course, for long hair too.

What You’ll Need

• A heatless curling headband (I use the original RobeCurls Curling Headband)

• Optional: scrunchies or claw clip

• A Water mister bottle

• Optional: light mousse for extra hold

• Optional: shine oil or hair oil to finish.

You can also try this method with a robe tie, scarf, or socks. The criss-cross technique works with all of them, but the RobeCurls Curling Headband is designed not only for comfort, and long-lasting curl shape – it also secures your hair in away that looks like a pretty hairstyle, so you can multitask, run errands, and curl your hair on the go.

Step-by-Step Heatless Curls Tutorial: How to Do the Criss-Cross Method

1. Lightly Dampen Your Hair

Start with dry hair and mist it lightly with water – just enough for it to feel cool to the touch and slightly damp, not wet. You can also begin with air-dried hair that’s about 80%-90% dry, especially if you’ve just washed it and want to skip restyling.

If your hair has a hard time holding a curl, apply a small amount of mousse from roots to ends and brush it through evenly.

Tip: Less is more. If your hair is too wet, it may not dry fully overnight, which can lead to frizz and curls that fall flat.

2. Place The Headband

Place a scrunchie onto each wrist and fold your curling headband in half so both sides are even. Place the headband on your head where you’d normally wear a headband, with the wire facing forward.

This next part is specific to the RobeCurls Curling Headband, which is designed to hold its shape as you wrap. If you’re using a robe tie or scarf instead, just clip it in place at the top of your head with a claw clip before wrapping.

Hold the top of the headband in place with your left hand. Then, using your right hand, swoop along your jawline – keeping your fingers close to your neck – to gather all your hair toward the front of the curler.

Once gathered, use your thumb to push the curler upward and around, creating a pigtail shape to hold the section in place.

3. Start The Criss-Cross Wrap

Starting on the left, grab a 1-2” section from just in front of your headband – not too deep or your headband might slide back. 

Hold it with one hand and wrap it away from your face, around the curler, then bring it back to the front, holding it in that same hand.

Next, take a small piece from behind the headband wrap it over in the same way, crossing under the first section, and bring it to the back. That creates your first cross. 

Continue this Criss-Cross pattern, picking up more hair as you go – similar to a French braid but using the headband instead. Secure the end with a scrunchie once you’ve wrapped all the hair on that side.

Repeat this on the other side.

Tip: The Criss-Cross wrap creates curls in both directions, resulting in defined, voluminous curls that begin higher on the head.

4. Sleep On It (or Leave In for 3+ Hours)

For best results, sleep in your heatless curls overnight. If you’re short on time, or prefer a softer curl, leave the headband in for at least 3 hours to allow the curls to set.

You can either leave the ends of the headband hanging in front, or cross them behind your head and tuck them in – whichever feels most comfortable. I usually wear mine down in front to sleep.

5. Unwrap and style

In the morning, gently unwrap each section one by one. Letting the curls fall naturally to prevent frizz.

Add a bit of hair oil, and use your fingers to separate and shape them, avoid brushing if you want to maintain definition.

To finish, smooth any flyaways with a bit more hair oil, and finish with gloss oil for shine.

Watch the Tutorial

If you’d like to follow along step-by-step, I walk through every step in this video: Watch the Criss-Cross Heatless Curls Tutorial on YouTube

Why I Love This Method

What I love most about the Criss-Cross method is how the alternating direction of the wrap creates more volume, definition, and a more natural looking curl pattern. It also feels very secure, which can help the curls last even longer – especially for those whose curls tend to fall flat.

I also love that this technique to work across different hair types – from fine, straight hair that doesn’t hold curl easily, to thick, layered styles that often slip out of other curling headbands. And because it’s completely heat-free, there’s no damage to worry about.

I’m always grateful when I RobeCurl the night before – it saves so much time and effort in the morning. It’s really lovely waking up with your hair already styled.

Try My Other Heatless Curl Tutorials

Looking for more ways to style your hair without heat?

• Original RobeCurls Heatless Curls Tutorial – 5.8M+ views
  My most-watched video featuring the classic RobeCurls method.
  

• How to Do Robe Tie Heatless Curls – The video that started it all
  The original tutorial that inspired it all, using just a robe belt.
  

Each technique creates a slightly different curl pattern depending on your texture and length. I recommend trying them all out and seeing what works best for you!

Shop the Products

RobeCurls Curling Headband (Official Site):
https://www.robecurls.com/products/curling-headband-black

Amazon (US):
https://amzn.to/3YEGHzM

Target:
https://bit.ly/44eNl1K

You can also use a robe tie, scarf, leggings, or socks as a DIY option.

Final Thoughts

This Criss-Cross method has become my favourite way to style my hair overnight. It’s simple, gentle, and creates the kind of curls that look defined yet natural. I hope it helps you, and if this is your first time trying it, don’t worry about getting it perfect. It gets easier every time

If you give it a try, tag me on Instagram @alexgaboury or leave a comment on the video – I’d love to see how it turns out for you.

This product is from a brand I’ve been involved with since the very beginning. Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my content and the tutorials I create.