1. Prep With Slightly Damp Hair
Start with clean, slightly damp hair - towel-dried after washing or dry hair misted with water until evenly damp, not dripping. Detangle thoroughly so it wraps smoothly around the scrunchie.
Common mistake: Soaking-wet hair will not dry by morning and the wave will drop - keep it lightly damp.
Pro tip: Work a little mousse through your hair first for extra hold and a more defined wave.
2. Choose a Large Scrunchie
Use a large, soft, fluffy scrunchie - the bigger it is, the looser and more natural your waves. A big scrunchie acts like a large barrel, giving soft beachy waves rather than tight curls.
Pro tip: For more defined waves, use two smaller scrunchies and split your hair into two sections.
3. Gather Into a High Ponytail
Gather all your hair into a high ponytail and secure the base with the large scrunchie. Keep the ponytail smooth and detangled. For a two-section version, make two high ponytails instead, one on each side.
Common mistake: A messy, bumpy ponytail base gives uneven waves - smooth it before securing.
4. Wrap the Hair Around the Scrunchie
Take the length of the ponytail and wrap it around and through the scrunchie, tucking sections into it as you go, until all the hair is wound around the scrunchie in a loose bun. The hair should spiral around the scrunchie like a doughnut.
Pro tip: Wrapping in one consistent direction gives the most uniform waves.
5. Secure Any Loose Ends
Tuck any loose ends into the scrunchie or pin them gently so nothing hangs free - loose ends dry straight. The finished look should be a neat, soft bun wrapped around the scrunchie, comfortable enough to sleep on.
Common mistake: Leaving the ends out means straight, kinked tips in the morning - tuck them all in.
6. Sleep and Dry Overnight
Go to sleep with the scrunchie bun in - it is soft and comfortable to lie on. Give your hair the full night to dry completely in the wrapped shape. Slip a loose satin bonnet over the top to reduce frizz if you like.
Pro tip: If your hair is thick, set it a few hours before bed so it dries all the way through.
7. Unwrap in the Morning
Check your hair is completely dry, then gently unwind it from the scrunchie and slide the scrunchie out. Let the waves fall and cool for a moment. If any section is still damp, its wave will drop, so confirm it is fully dry first.
Common mistake: Unwrapping while damp is the top reason waves fall flat - always make sure it is bone-dry.
8. Separate and Finish
Gently separate the waves with your fingers for a soft, natural finish - avoid brushing, which loosens them. Shake out for volume, add a drop of oil to the ends if you like, and set with a light, flexible hairspray.
What Kind of Waves the Scrunchie Gives
The scrunchie method gives soft, loose, beachy waves rather than tight, defined curls. Because a large scrunchie acts like a big barrel, the hair sets into a gentle, natural S-wave with lots of movement - the kind of effortless, undone texture that looks great every day. If you want more definition, use two smaller scrunchies with your hair split into two sections, or combine the method with a light mousse. It is the ideal choice when you want easy, natural waves rather than a polished, ringlet-style curl.
Scrunchie vs Sock vs Robe-Tie
All three are gentle, no-heat methods, but they suit different looks. The scrunchie is the easiest and comfiest, giving the loosest, most natural beachy waves in one simple bun. The sock method gives more defined curls because each section is wrapped individually, and the robe-tie method gives the most uniform, bouncy curls of all. If you want quick, effortless waves, reach for the scrunchie; if you want more definition and bounce, the sock or robe-tie method is worth the extra few minutes.
Making Scrunchie Waves Last
The same rules apply as any heatless curl. Start with slightly damp hair and a little mousse for grip, tuck all the ends in so they set, and let your hair dry completely before unwrapping. Separate with your fingers, not a brush, and finish with a flexible hairspray. Because scrunchie waves are soft to begin with, they are easy to refresh on day two - just mist with a little water and mousse and scrunch. A satin bonnet over the bun overnight keeps everything sleek and reduces frizz.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you do scrunchie curls overnight?
Gather slightly damp hair into a high ponytail secured with a large scrunchie, then wrap the length around and through the scrunchie into a loose bun, tucking in the ends. Sleep on it, let it dry completely, then unwrap soft waves in the morning.
What kind of curls does the scrunchie method give?
Soft, loose, beachy waves rather than tight curls. A large scrunchie acts like a big barrel for a gentle, natural S-wave. For more definition, use two smaller scrunchies with your hair split into two sections.
Is the scrunchie method better than sock curls?
It depends on the look. The scrunchie is easier and comfier and gives looser, more natural waves, while the sock method gives more defined curls because each section is wrapped separately. Choose based on whether you want soft waves or bounce.
Why did my scrunchie curls fall out?
Usually because your hair was still damp when you unwrapped, or the ends were left loose and dried straight. Start with damp - not soaking - hair, tuck all the ends in, use a little mousse, and confirm it is bone-dry before unwrapping.
Can you do scrunchie curls on short hair?
It works best on medium to long hair, since you need enough length to wrap around the scrunchie. Short hair or bobs may not reach into a high ponytail - for those lengths, thin rods, small socks or braids give better results.
Which heatless curls overnight look are you saving?
Scrunchie curls are proof that heatless waves can be genuinely effortless - a large scrunchie, slightly damp hair, and a night's sleep is all it takes. The result is a soft, natural, beachy wave that suits almost everyone. Remember the basics: damp not soaking, a little mousse, and fully dry before you unwrap. Save this tutorial and adjust how you wrap to get your perfect wave.
