There comes a moment every summer—usually right after you spend 45 minutes with a flat iron and half a bottle of anti-frizz serum—when you step outside and realize: the weather just doesn’t care. The heat wilts your waves, the moisture in the air frizzes everything up, and the sleek, polished look you were going for now looks like it lost a fight with a steam room.

So this summer? We’re leaning in. Meet cloud curls: big, soft, fluffy, undone curls that float around your head like you’re a Botticelli painting come to life. 

What Are Cloud Curls?

Imagine if your hair gave up on fighting the weather and decided to thrive instead. Cloud curls are all about texture, volume, and softness. Instead of defined spirals, we’re striving for a dreamy fuzzball. They’re romantic, ethereal, wild, and maybe even a little frizzy. But that’s encouraged here.

These aren’t curls you fight into shape. These are curls that bloom.

 

 

 

Why They’re Perfect for Summer

Let’s be honest: curls and summer don’t always get along. Humidity turns defined coils into limp locks, and all the heat-protectant in the world can’t compete with a swampy July day. But cloud curls flip that on its head. The hotter and more humid it gets? The fluffier and bigger your cloud becomes. In this case, the weather is actually your bestie.

If You’ve Got Naturally Curly or Wavy Hair...

First of all, congrats. You’ve already got a head start.

Here’s how to make your curls go full cloud:

  • After washing, style like usual with your favorite leave-in or curl cream.
  • Diffuse on low speed or air dry if you’ve got the time.
  • Once dry, flip your head and fluff your roots with your fingers or a pick. You’re going for maximum volume, minimal structure.
  • Blast your roots with some texture spray for more puff. The halo effect is part of the charm.
     

Product Picks:

Curl Cream: R+Co BLEU Essential Air Dry Blow Dry Creme

 

Texture Spray: Bumble and bumble. Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray

If You’ve Got Straight Hair, Don’t Fret

You can still live the cloud curl fantasy. You just need a little prep and a willingness to tease:

  • Try heatless curling methods overnight—braids, foam rollers, socks, and robe ties are your friends here
  • When you take them out, don’t brush. Instead, gently separate the curls with your fingers and shake them loose.
  • Spritz in some texture spray or a salt spray, then flip your head and give it a good scrunch and fluff.
  • Use a teasing comb at the roots if you want the volume to hit “lioness in a Lana Del Rey video” levels.
  • Don’t aim for perfection—the fuzzier, the better.
     

Some of the products featured here may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are based on personal use, stylist feedback, or product performance.