If you’ve ever fallen down a late-night TikTok scroll, you know the algorithm loves a good hair hack. From heatless curls made with bathrobe belts to slicked-back buns using literal toothbrushes, the beauty side of the internet swears it has cracked the code to perfect hair.

So, for the sake of curiosity (and content), I tried seven of the most viral hair hacks to see what actually works — and what should’ve stayed in drafts.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. The Heatless Robe Tie Curls

The Hack: Wrap damp hair around a store bought hair rod or socks overnight for effortless, bouncy curls.

The Result: Absolutely amazing!

Though it took me a couple times to get the wrap method down, I sectioned my hair, wrapped it tightly, and slept on it. In the morning? Soft, voluminous curls that looked like I used a large-barrel curling iron.

What works:

• Best on slightly damp (not wet) hair
• Add a light mousse or hair spray beforehand for best results
• Secure tightly at the top to avoid flat roots

Verdict: 8/10. Worth the hype.

2. Slick-Back Bun with a Toothbrush

The Hack: Use a toothbrush and hairspray to smooth flyaways for that sleek “model-off-duty” vibe.

The Result: Effective… but stressful.

It smooths edges perfectly  but you probably don’t need a dedicated toothbrush in your beauty bag unless you’re doing this daily (which we don’t recommend due to stress on hair roots).

Verdict: 7/10. Works, but a small bristle brush does the same thing. 

3. Claw Clip French Twist

The Hack: Twist hair upward and secure with a claw clip or hair stick for an effortless 90s look.

The Result: Gets the job done!

It’s chic, takes under 30 seconds, and works on second- or third-day hair. It also works for a variety of hair types. 

Pro Tip: Slightly tease the crown for extra volume.

Verdict: 9/10. You might need to play around with size and material for best results and targeted style.

4. Hair Oil Before Heat Styling

The Hack: Apply hair oil before curling or straightening to “protect” heat damage on hair and make it shinier.

The Result: Absolutely not.

Oil + direct heat = frying pan grease. While lightweight serums can add shine after styling, oil before heat can cause damage if it’s not formulated as a heat protectant.

Verdict: 2/10. Use an actual heat protectant. Not all hair oils work for every hair type due to formula and consistency.

5. Blowout with Velcro Rollers

The Hack: Blow dry, then set hair in large Velcro rollers for 20 minutes for a salon-style blowout.

The Result: Beautiful results — but requires patience.

The volume? Unreal. The shine? Chef’s kiss. The effort? Slightly inconvinent.

If you have an event, this is worth it. For everyday? Maybe not.

Verdict: 9/10 for special occasions.

6. Rice Water Rinse for Growth

The Hack: Fermented rice water strengthens hair and promotes growth.

The Result: Meh.

After a week, my hair felt slightly stronger but also a bit dry. It’s not a miracle growth serum. Protein treatments work similarly — without the kitchen chemistry experiment. 

Verdict: 5/10. Not harmful, just overhyped. More research is required as results may vary on hair type.

7. Overnight Braids for Beach Waves

The Hack: Braid damp hair before bed for effortless waves.

The Result: Classic for a reason.

This isn’t new, but it’s reliable. The smaller the braid, the tighter the wave. The trick is making sure hair is almost drybefore braiding to avoid frizz.

Verdict: 8/10. Simple and effective.

So… What Actually Works?

If we’re separating viral from valuable, here’s the final ranking:

Actually Worth It:

• Claw clip twist
• Velcro rollers
• Heatless robe curls
• Overnight braids

Skip or Modify:

• Oil before heat (hard no)
• Rice water (optional at best)
• Toothbrush hack (replace with edge brush)

Final Thoughts

Not every viral hack deserves your time — or your strands. The best hair routines aren’t about doing the most; they’re about doing what works consistently for your texture, density, and lifestyle.

The internet will always find a new “miracle” trick. But sometimes? The classics (braids, rollers, claw clips) win for a reason.

Want me to test viral makeup hacks next?