Creating Curls: The Sock Method For Beautiful Waves

If you want to create curls without damaging your hair with hot styling tools, you can use socks to create curls while you sleep. This technique has been around for a while, but it has recently gone viral on TikTok. To create curls using socks, start with damp, towel-dried hair. Then, divide your hair into sections and wrap each section around a sock. Leave the socks in your hair until it is completely dry. Finally, remove the socks and gently tousle your hair to reveal your curls.

How to prepare your hair for sock curls

Using socks to curl your hair is a great, heat-free way to get beautiful curls or waves without damaging your hair. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your hair for sock curls:

Wash and Dry Your Hair

Start by washing your hair and ensuring it is clean. Then, towel-dry your hair until it is damp but not dripping wet. You can also use a spray bottle to dampen your hair if you prefer. It is important that your hair is slightly damp as this will allow it to dry and set the curls while you sleep.

Brush Your Hair

Before styling your hair, make sure to brush it thoroughly to remove any tangles. This will make it easier to work with and prevent any tangles from getting caught in your curls.

Apply Styling Products (Optional)

If desired, you can apply styling products such as curl cream, styling spray, or mousse to your damp hair before curling. This step is optional, but it can help enhance and prolong your curls, especially if you have straight hair.

Divide Your Hair into Sections

Divide your hair into sections to make it easier to work with. The number of sections will depend on the thickness of your hair and the desired style. For ringlet curls, create 2-inch sections. For voluminous waves, a high ponytail works best. Secure each section with a hair clip or elastic to keep them separate.

Prepare Your Socks

For best results, use long, thin socks that are similar in length to your hair. The number of socks you need will depend on the thickness of your hair and the number of sections you created. For thicker hair, you may need more socks. Place the socks perpendicular to your hair, about halfway between the roots and ends.

Now that your hair is prepared, you are ready to start creating your sock curls! Follow the steps for your desired style, and enjoy your beautiful, heatless curls.

How to section your hair for sock curls

To get beautiful curls or waves without damaging your hair with hot styling tools, you can use socks to curl your hair. The number of socks you will need depends on the thickness of your hair. If you have very thick hair, you might need 4-6 or even 10-12 socks. Make sure the socks are clean and long enough to span the length between your roots and ends.

Here's how to section your hair for sock curls:

Start with damp hair

Give your hair a good wash and towel dry it until it's no longer dripping wet but just nicely damp. You can also use a spray bottle to dampen your hair if you don't want to go through the whole washing routine.

Brush your hair

Brush your hair to remove any tangles, knots, or snarls. This step is important because it will make your hair easier to work with and help prevent breakage when you wrap your hair around the socks.

Divide your hair into sections

The number of sections you create will depend on the thickness of your hair. If you have fine to medium hair, you can probably divide it into at least four sections (front, back, and two sides). For thicker hair, you'll need more sections, and therefore more socks. Use hair clips to keep these sections in place until you're ready to weave in your socks.

Attach a sock to the first section

Choose one of your sections and use a hair clip to attach a sock at the top, as close as possible to your scalp. Don't worry too much about placement here; you're just trying to keep the sock secure so you can weave your hair around it.

Weave your hair around the sock

You have a few options for this step:

• Option 1: Crisscross your hair around the sock. Divide the hair in the section into two halves and weave them around the sock, one strand going over the top and the other going underneath. It should look like a bunch of Xs down the sides of the sock.
• Option 2: Wrap your hair around the sock French-braid style. Start with a 1-inch section of hair and wrap it around the sock away from your face. As you wrap and move down the sock, grab additional small sections of hair, similar to a French braid.

Secure the hair

Once you've reached the bottom of your hair, you can secure it in one of two ways:

• Option 1: Wrap the curl up in the sock. If your sock is long enough, pull the open end over the entire curl to secure it. You can also use a hair tie to be extra secure.
• Option 2: Secure it with a hair tie. Simply use a hair tie to secure the end of your hair to the sock.

Repeat with the remaining sections

Repeat the above steps for each of the remaining sections of your hair. If you're having trouble with the back sections, you can grab someone to help you. Remember to start the weave as close to your scalp as possible, unless you're going for curls that start further down the length of your hair.

Now that you know how to section your hair for sock curls, let your hair dry completely, then carefully remove the socks and admire your gorgeous curls!

How to tie your hair with socks

Preparation

Firstly, gather 4 to 8 long, thin socks. The exact number will depend on the thickness of your hair. If you have very thick hair, you may need up to 12 socks. You will also need hair ties or clips to keep the socks in place.

Wash your hair and towel-dry it until it is damp but not dripping wet. You can also use a spray bottle to dampen your hair. Brush your hair to remove any tangles.

Tying your hair

Divide your hair into sections. The number of sections will depend on the number of socks you are using. For example, if you are using four socks, you can make a center part and then a front and back section on each side.

Take one section of hair and place a sock across it, perpendicular to the hair, about halfway down the hair length. Wrap the end of the hair around the sock, leaving about one or two inches loose at the end.

Roll the sock up towards your roots, and once you reach them, tie the ends of the sock together. Repeat this process for each section of hair.

Finishing up

Allow your hair to dry. You can either sleep with the socks in or sit out in the sun until your hair is completely dry.

Once your hair is dry, carefully remove the socks. Gently tousle your hair to release the curls and spritz with hairspray to make the curls last.

How to sleep with sock curls

Preparation

Start with clean, damp hair. Wash your hair and towel dry it until it's no longer dripping wet but just nicely damp. You can also spritz dry hair with water using a spray bottle.

Brush your hair to get rid of any tangles and make it easier to work with. Divide your hair into sections—at least four, but you can use more if you have thick hair. The number of sections will also depend on how tight or loose you want your curls to be.

Curling

Take one section of hair and attach a sock to it at the top of your head with a claw clip or bobby pin. The sock should be about the same length as your hair. Divide this section in half and wrap each half around the sock, crisscrossing to form an 'X' shape. Secure the hair at the bottom with a hair tie. Repeat this process for the rest of your hair, tying the ends of the socks into a knot to make sure they stay in place overnight.

Sleeping

If you sleep on your side, position the socks on the crown of your head so they're not uncomfortable. If you sleep on your back, place the socks at the back of your head so you're not lying on them.

Removing the Socks

In the morning, gently remove the socks. You can start by untying the knot and then pulling the sock upwards so the curls slide out naturally. Loosen the curls with your fingers and spritz with hairspray to make the curls last.

How to remove socks from hair

Removing socks from your hair after curling it is a simple process. Firstly, make sure your hair is completely dry before attempting to remove the socks. Then, gently release the socks from your hair one by one, section by section. You can do this by carefully unwinding each section of hair from the sock. Once all the socks have been removed, gently tousle your hair to release the curls. Finish by spritzing your hair with hairspray to set the curls in place.

Frequently asked questions