Why heatless curls fall out

Work through this list in order; the first causes are the most common.

1. The hair was too wet. It did not dry in the shape.
2. The sections were too big. Wide sections make loose waves that relax fast.
3. The wrap was loose. It slipped in the night.
4. You took it down too early. The roots were still damp.
5. You brushed it. Brushing breaks curl clumps apart.
6. Heavy product weighed it down.
7. Friction in the night. A rough pillowcase rubbed the shape out.

Which one is it? Run through the checks below.

A handy way to think about it: a curl is a shape that hair holds while it dries. Anything that stops the hair from drying in that shape, or that disturbs it afterwards, makes the curl fall out. Water in the hair is the biggest culprit. A loose wrap and big sections are next. Everything after that is about what you do once the set is down.

Touch the roots and the middle of each section before you unwrap. If they feel cool or damp, wait. If you cannot tell, press a rod against your wrist: cool means damp inside.

Next time, start less wet: towel-dry well and let the hair air-dry until it is only slightly damp.

Yes, very much. A one-inch section on a rod holds a firmer curl than a three-inch section. The wrap should sit snug against your hair, with no slack, but not so tight that it tugs.

Both the size of a tool and its fit matter too. Kitsch's jumbo flexi rods are 1.2 inches in diameter and make loose curls by design, so do not expect tight ringlets from them. See how to use flexi rods.

1. Wait for a minute, so the hair settles.
2. Separate with your fingers.
3. Do not brush.
4. Mist a light hold spray.

Brushing is the quickest way to lose a curl.

1. Wait for a minute, so the hair settles.
2. Separate with your fingers.
3. Do not brush.
4. Mist a light hold spray from a distance.
5. Avoid running your hands through it all day.

Brushing is the quickest way to lose a curl. If you need to tidy, finger-comb gently from the ends upward.

• Fine or straight hair: use smaller sections and light product. See fine hair.
• Thick hair: more sections and more time. See thick hair.
• Short hair: curls spring up; use small sections. See short hair.

• Humidity can loosen curls.
• Heavy conditioner can weigh the hair down.
• A tool that slides, such as a ribbon that is too short for your hair.

For prevention, see how to make heatless curls last.

• Humidity can loosen curls. A light-hold spray may help.
• Heavy conditioner can weigh the hair down.
• A tool that slides, such as a ribbon that is too short for your hair.
• Very smooth, slippery hair. Add a little light product before wrapping for grip.
• Washing too recently. Super-clean hair can be slippery; some people find curls hold better on day-two hair. Try it and see.

For prevention, see how to make heatless curls last.

If you only want to change one thing at a time, try them in this order. Each takes one set to test.

1. Dryness. Make sure the roots are completely dry before you unwrap.
2. Section size. Halve your section width.
3. Wrap tension. Wrap a little firmer.
4. Finishing. Stop brushing; finger-comb only.
5. Product. Switch to a lighter product.
6. Night cover. Add a satin bonnet.
7. Tool. If nothing helps, try a different tool.

Keep notes. Two or three sets will show you which change worked for your hair.

Brands describe locking features, which reduce slip: Kitsch says its flexi rods bend to hold without pins or clips, The Hair Edit's rods lock with clasps, and its pillow rollers twist to lock. A long rod or ribbon is held with a scrunchie at each end; Kitsch's and The Hair Edit's sets include two.