What you’ll need
Direct product links. No commissions earned. Alternatives are grouped under their primary item.1. Part and detangle slightly damp hair
Wash and condition your hair. Make the part where you want it to sit tomorrow, then let your hair become mostly dry. Kayley describes it as about 80% dry. Gently detangle before you begin; damp, knotted sections are harder to wrap smoothly.
Part your hair before setting the curls.
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2. Twist the T-shirt into a roller
Gather the shirt lengthwise and twist it into a thick rope. Keep the thickness reasonably even so the curls have a similar shape. Kayley uses a full T-shirt for loose waves; she explains that a smaller piece of fabric makes a tighter curl.
The twisted shirt acts as a large, soft roller.
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3. Join the ends to make the halo
To make the fabric ring for halo curls, bring the two ends of the twisted shirt together and fasten them with a hair elastic. You should have a ring that can rest on top of your head. Set it aside while you arrange your hair.
Use the elastic to close the ring.
4. Brush one side forward
Starting on one side of your part, bring that side’s hair forward over your forehead. Keep the other side separate so you can see. Place the fabric ring on top of your head, with its joined ends toward the back.
Brush the first side forward before wrapping.
5. Wrap the first section around the ring
Take a broad section nearest your part. Lift it over the fabric, bring the lengths through the center of the ring, and continue winding around the same section of fabric until you reach the ends. Smooth the hair as you go; avoid twisting the hair into its own rope.
Lift the section up and over the fabric.
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6. Pin the ends and finish that side
Pin the end of the wrapped section against the ring. Take the next section and repeat, working outward from your part. Keep the first loop smooth without slack, but loosen it if it pulls at your scalp. Kayley uses three sections on this side.
Pin the end so the section cannot unwind.
7. Wrap the other side and let it set
Brush the remaining hair forward. Again, start nearest the part and work outward, wrapping and pinning each section. Leave the completed halo in overnight. The key to curls without heat is letting the hair dry fully before you take it down; damp sections will not hold the set as well.
Repeat the same wrapping direction on the other side.
8. Open the ring and release each curl
Remove the elastic joining the shirt ends, then remove the bobby pins. Gently unwind one curl at a time instead of dragging the whole shirt through your hair. Support each section as you release it so it does not snag.
Open the halo before unwrapping.
9. Separate with your fingers
Lightly run your fingers through the curls to arrange them around your part. If you want a smoother finish, spread a small amount of finishing oil between your palms and skim the lengths. These overnight T-shirt curls are a styling result, not a permanent change to your hair.
Separate the curls without brushing out the whole set.
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Source & notes
Frames and sequence checked against Kayley Melissa’s original tutorial. The video was sponsored by Herbal Essences. Shopping links are optional tools and product-type alternatives, not a claim that those products were tested by Glow Upped.
Shopping options for the method; these are not all the creator’s exact items. Use what you own.
HEATLESS Soft Curls Inspired by the Grammys!! | KMHaloCurls ↗
Video stills are credited to the original creator at each timestamp. Glow Upped is not affiliated with the creators.
