Beauty hacks test: can you create bouncy curls with a bathrobe belt? | Anita Bhagwandas

The hack
Creating overnight curls using everyday items, while minimising the damage from heated hair appliances.

The promise
Producing “rag” ringlets with fabric strips has been done for centuries. But TikTok beauty fans are now using anything from socks to dressing gown ties. I’ve tried many heatless curl-creation methods (Curlettes crochet rollers from Etsy are my staple), so can a bathrobe tie have the same effect?

The test
The first night, I washed my hair, air-dried it (with a smidgen of L’Oreal Professionnel Techni.Art Bouncy And Tender, £16.50, for hold) and centre-parted it. Dividing my hair into two sections – as if I was plaiting it either side of my head – I put the bathrobe tie across my head and used each end as the third strand of a pair of plaits, securing the ends with hair bands. I barely noticed them in the night and woke with plaits intact. But after I removed the belt, my fine, frizzy hair had fuzzy, haphazard waves. The next night, I tried using a sock (YouTube has a lot of techniques). This made a tighter curl, but flat on top with volume on the sides. I looked like Krusty the Clown.

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The verdict
Most of those lauding this trend have straight, thick, Caucasian hair, though a pal with afro-textured hair swears by drinking straws for her tight ringlets. There will be something that works for your hair out there. But for now, my bathrobe is best kept in the bathroom.