It all started when my boss asked me if I'd seen Justine Marjan's no-heat curls tutorial, which was blowing up on on TikTok. Who What Wear has been on TikTok for months, but I had yet to adopt the platform myself. No, I admitted with chagrin, while quickly googling said video. After locating the DIY hair video, I could immediately see why it was a hit. Justine Marjan, celebrity hairstylist to stars such as Khloé Kardashian, Chrissy Teigen, and Kerry Washington, created the loveliest mermaid waves with no hot tools and only a pair of tights. Yes, as in the regular black tights you wear under dresses, skirts, and even pants when it gets especially cold. Intrigued, I immediately volunteered to try the tutorial myself. Could a civilian pull off the DIY as well as a professional hairstylist? It turns out almost. It did take me two tries, but after a DM consultation with the hair guru herself, I landed with something pretty close to Marjan's inspiration.
In case you're interested in trying the tutorial yourself, I have a few nuggets of advice. On me, a pair of tights created a much tighter curl than Marjan's soft waves. I suspect part of this is because I have finer hair. When I asked Marjan what gives, she advised, "Think about the tights as the form (or the hypothetical curling iron barrel) for wrapping the hair around. You could also do the same technique using a scarf or a thick sash like the tie on a bathrobe for a bigger curl." Aha! She also counseled, "The looser the braid, the more relaxed the wave." For round two, I swapped the tights for the belt on a bathrobe, and the result was much closer to Marjan's. I also think if I were more highly skilled at French braiding, I would have more of a uniform wave like Marjan's. Something to work on with my quarantine time!
@justinemarjan heat free waves using an old pair of tights or stockings! Works best if hair is a little damp when braiding ##tiktokhairstylist ##healthheroes
♬ original sound - justinemarjan
Justine created the perfect bite-size tutorial for TikTok, but if you're a hair novice like me, I made an additional video that talks through the process (I filmed the bathrobe belt round) and provided step-by-step images of the tights round, too. For reference, it takes about six minutes to put your hair in the tights or bathrobe belt. Way faster than blow-drying and curling your hair with hot tools!
I folded it over three times. If you're going the bathrobe belt route, just plop that thing on your head as shown in the video.
Put the tights or bathrobe belt on top of your head an inch or two back from your hairline. Secure with clips so it stays in place while you're braiding.
Apologies for the odd face. In my defense, this was a self-timer situation.
Starting with one side of your head, grab a small section of hair at the top of your head. Separate that section into two sections. Those two sections plus the tights leg/bathrobe belt are your three parts of the braid.
Important: As you are French-braiding, don't add any hair to the tights/bathrobe belt section, only add hair to the two "hair sections."
Marjan mentions you can also use the tights to tie the end. Secure with hair ties if you're using a bathrobe belt.
Here's a peek at how the tights are braided into the hair. Remember, this tight of a braid resulted in tighter curls than Marjan's.
Don't forget to take out the clips to go to bed! Your tights/bathrobe belt will stay in place overnight without them.
Shop the goods:
A bathrobe kind of feels like a great purchase for right now, anyway.
In case you're going the tights route.
These are chic! All the better to make sure your hair is damp.
This hairbrush is a splurge, but it brings me a bit of joy every day.
Clips for your tights or bathrobe belt securing.
Don't let your hard work unravel. Secure the braid!
Marjan didn't use products for her styling but mentioned you could try Ouai Wave Spray for more texture.
"You could also try prepping the hair with mousse for more hold like Tresemmé extra-hold mouse in damp hair," says Marjan.
Want more DIY hair content? Here's how to get Bella Hadid's lived-in waves just by braiding your hair.
