'Can socks really give you a better curl than heat tools? I tried it.'

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Beauty Editor trials the sock roller hack.

I've tried many, many beauty hacks. Slathering haemorrhoid cream on my face. Applying 10 pumps of foundation for flawless skin. Using lube as primer. The list goes on...

But hidden amongst the bizarre stuff is some really good stuff that actually works surprisingly well. Like AHAs for peeling nails and the zinc concealer hack.

The recent one to catch my eye? The 'sock roller' hack.

Watch: Speaking of hacks - check out the time we tried the 10-pump foundation trick. Post continues below.

I first came across it on the social feed of New York hairdresser Matthew Newman — aka Matt Loves Hair. As I've said five million times before, not only does he really love hair, but he has the BEST hair. It's offensively long, glossy and just the best hair you've ever seen.

In an Instagram post, he unravelled socks from his hair after sleeping in them overnight, to reveal bouncy, voluminous curls. And the whole thing almost looked too easy to be true.

Ever since then, I've seen the hack popping up everywhere — and I just had to give it a whirl. 

So, here's what happened when I tried the 'sock rollers' hack.

What is the 'sock rollers' hack?

Following Matt's technique, you basically split your hair up into different sections and roll a sock into each one, tying it in a knot and the base and folding the sock over each section. You then sleep with them in overnight (or go about your day for a few hours!) pull out the socks and then... you're blessed with a bunch of magical ringlets.

There's a heap of different versions getting around (just look up #sockcurls) — some people prefer to dampen their hair beforehand and wrap the strands around the socks in a crisscross motion (like braiding you hair but with a sock in the middle).

Anyway, it's hard to explain (what am I, a writer or something?), so here's the version I followed:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Matt Newman (@mattloveshair)

Cool, right?!

How did you go?

Okay but I didn't expect I'd need quite as many socks? I tried to curl them on top of my head (like Matt), but they ended up scattered all around my head and I just *knew* I'd be in for a shit sleep. And I was! I really was.

But guys, it's not as easy as it looks. I basically separated my hair into sections, rolling each part up in a sock, tying it to secure and folding the sock over the top. It took me a few goes because my hair was being uncooperative and annoying and I may have thought about shaving my head once or twice — but it came good! 

Needs more socks x

However, I can totally understand why people wet their hair or use some product beforehand. Much easier to manage that way. I think it takes trial and error to work out what suits your hair best!

ANYWAY, I looked and felt really bloody stupid but I truly don't think there's any way to pull off socks on your head without looking totally ridiculous.

See below:

Socks to be me going to bed with these in my hair!

I woke up the next morning looking like I'd been THROUGH it. 

beautiful x

I gently took out the socks one-by-one and was surprised to see just how curly my hair was. There was a mixture of ringlets and bigger, softer curls.

Here it is, sans product:

The curls are positively CURLING.

The verdict.

As someone with a lotta hair, I think the whole process took longer than expected and was probably a bit too uncomfy for wearing to bed on the regular. Also, I didn't... love the result. As someone with naturally curly hair (it's pretty frizzy so I usually straighten it), it kinda just looked like I just air dried my hair.

I was hoping for softer 'Hollywood' curls as opposed to ringlets — but I think this obviously came down to how tightly I secured the socks. So, if I was to do it again I'd probably do it a little looser.

While it certainly worked, ultimately, I think there was just way too much volume going on for my specific hairstyle (I tried to brush it out a bit, but it was giving Gary Oldman/Sirius Black) and I don't think I got close enough to the roots because there wasn't much volume at the crown (I added some volumising spray here!). 

In saying that, what I love about this hack is how easy (once you get the hang of it!) and accessible it is — especially when it comes to styling your hair without heat damage. 

As someone who regularly uses heat tools and is always looking for new ways to save the health of my hair, I think this is a clever alternative to prevent damage. While I probably prefer the speed and efficiency of my heat tools, I guess it's good to know these are an option if I'm ever stuck without them?!

Would you try the 'sock rollers' hair hack? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied.