If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent a lot of time and money trying to find the right products and styling techniques to make your curls look their best.
But what happens when you go to bed? Curls become frizzy, undefined, and just plain messy when you wake up the next morning.
It’s not simple to sleep on curly hair. Curls can be crushed, flattened, and just generally ruined when you sleep on them the wrong way.
The fact that curls are structured in a way that makes them more prone to tangles and damage means that they require a different kind of hair care at night.
But don’t worry, I’m here to help!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to preserve curls overnight using simple tips and tricks. We’ll also recommend some of our favorite curl-preserving accessories and products!
If you’re curious or in a hurry, here’s a list of products to consider buying:
How to Preserve Curls Overnight
There are a few things you can do to make sure your curls stay defined and frizz-free while you sleep.
First things first, try sleeping on a satin pillowcase or wrap your curls in a satin or silk scarf.
When you move your head during the night, it puts a strain on your hair follicles and makes breakage more likely, especially, while sleeping on a cotton pillowcase.
Cotton fabric tends to pull moisture from the hair and skin, leading to dryness and frizz. Cotton material can also cause friction and damage to your curls.
Satin and silk is much smoother and won’t pull at your locks the way cotton does. This will help to preserve your hairstyle and keep your curls from getting frizzy.
If you don’t have a satin pillowcase or scarf, you can also try using a bonnet, satin wrap, satin-lined slouchy beanie, or buff to preserve and secure your curls while asleep. They are great for keeping your curls intact.
Best Accessories for Curly Hair
There are a few curly hair accessories that can help you preserve your curls and keep them looking their best.
One of our favorites is the Head Wrap. It’s a great way to keep your hair from tangling while you sleep. The back opening of this hair cover allows you to have a relaxing, but secure hairstyle while sleeping. You will be able to maintain your curls with this one.
We also love the Satin Lined Sleep Cap Bonnet! It’s perfect for keeping your curls frizz-free during the night. The satin lining helps to protect your hair from damage and keep it moisturized.
- Simply put your hair into a high ponytail (or pineapple)
- Slip the bonnet over your head
- Then adjust the strap to ensure a comfortable, secure fit.
Another great option for preserving your curls is to buy a Silk Pillowcase. I mentioned a satin pillowcase above, but a silk pillowcase is just as good. It’s smooth soft surface helps to reduce frizz and keep your curls looking defined.
It also helps to prevent bed head and keeps your hair from snagging on the pillowcase. I’ve tried both the satin and silk pillowcase, but personally prefer the silk pillowcase.
Pro tip – please don’t use bleach on silk when washing! I made that mistake and ruined my beautiful pillowcase.
We also love the Invisibobble. The invisibobble holds all strands of hair together due to its strong and comfortable hold without leaving any marks or bends in your hair. Some curlies like to use these to pineapple their hair.
These are just a few of our favorite curl-preserving accessories. If you want to keep your curls defined and frizz-free during the night, we recommend trying one of these genius products!
Nighttime Products for Curly Hair
There are a few nighttime products that can help you preserve your curls and keep them looking their best.
If you’re one of those who doesn’t have time to deep condition during the day, or you feel like your hair could use a little boost, you might want to try an overnight hair mask!
For others, overnight masks are ideal since it allows them to give their hair some extra TLC in their busy lives.
By incorporating an overnight hair mask into your haircare routine, you can hydrate and nourish your locks while you sleep.
Benefits of an overnight hair mask
Hair masks that are left on overnight can be used for a variety of hair problems.
It can help:
✔︎ reduce frizz
✔︎ restore moisture
✔︎ reduce breakage
✔︎add shine and luster
Are overnight hair masks safe?
Hair masks are generally safe for most individuals, with a few exceptions:
- Protein-containing hair masks should not be applied overnight! Protein treatments are fantastic if you only use them on your hair for 20 minutes or so, but keeping protein in your hair for several hours can make your hair too heavy. It’s also possible that it will induce breakage.
- Some clay-based masks, like the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Mask should also not be used overnight. These types of masks can dry out your hair and scalp if left on for too long.
- Another ingredient to avoid in an overnight mask is apple cider vinegar. If exposed to your hair for too long, it can strip your hair’s protein.
- Otherwise, most other hair masks are generally safe to use overnight as long as you’re okay with washing them out in the morning.
Our Top 5 Picks:
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Strength + Moisture Leave-In Mask
Aveeno Farm-Fresh Oat Milk Overnight Hair Mask with Oat Extract & Almond Milk
Bumble and Bumble While You Sleep Damage Repair Masque
Klorane Nourishing 2-in-1 Mask with Mango
Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep-Conditioning Hair Mask
How to Style Curly Hair Overnight
For each person, the way to sleep with curly hair will not be the same. You’ll want to pick a sleep style that ends up reflecting the way you want your curls to look when you wake up.
There are a few different ways you can style your curly hair overnight. If you want to keep your hair off your face, you can try putting your hair in a loose bun on top of your head.
Another way to keep your curls looking their best overnight is to pineapple them! This simply means to gather your hair into a high ponytail on top of your head and secure it with a soft satin scrunchie (I have this one and love it! I always keep one in my hair while sleeping).
If you have longer hair, you can also put it into a high loose bun and secure it with a scrunchie. This will keep your hair from tangling during the night and help preserve your curl pattern.
If you have long hair, you can try putting it into a high ponytail on top of your head.
Another way to style your curly hair overnight is to braid or twist it. This will help to keep your curls from getting frizzy and preserve their shape overnight. Make sure the braids or twists are loose enough so that it doesn’t get too tangled overnight.
Moisturizing Curls
One of the things I used to do early on in my healthy hair journey is to moisturize my hair before putting it in a pineapple, so that they didn’t dry out while I slept.
All you will need is a spray bottle and your favorite conditioner or leave in conditioner.
- Mix the water and conditioner in a spray bottle and shake well.
- Lightly spritz your hair with the mixture then put your hair in the curly hairstyle of your choice.
- After you’ve finished, put on your satin bonnet or scarf and crawl into bed.
- The slight moisture and your body heat will create a conditioning treatment for your hair while you sleep.
- In the morning, all you have to do is take out your hairstyle, fluff, and go!
How to Plop Curly Hair
If you like to go to sleep with wet hair, try plopping. Plopping is a curly hair technique where you gather all your curls at the top of your head then wrap them up to keep your curl pattern intact while your hair dries.
This will help your hair dry overnight and keep your curls from getting frizzy.
- After cleansing your hair, while it is still wet, apply your usual styling products.
- Lay a cotton T-shirt on a flat surface, then flip your wet hair forward and gather your hair into a high ponytail and pile it onto the T-shirt (the sleeves of the T-shirt should be facing you).
- Next, pull the back flap of the T-shirt behind your neck over your head and pull the T-shirt sleeves to the back of your head and tie them in a knot.
- And that’s all she wrote!
How to Style Curly Hair in the Morning
Even if you use our best curly-hair sleeping methods, your locks may require a little boost after sleeping on them all night. What are your options?
If you’re removing a protective style, ensure your hair is completely dry before untwisting.
If you put your hair up in a pineapple and remove the satin scrunchie or invisibobble, start by gently shaking your hair at the roots to allow your curls to settle in its natural state.
Apply a tiny amount of light moisturizer, curl refresher spray, or gel to your hair and scrunch in with your hands. You can also use a tiny amount of natural oils to seal in the moisture.
Avoid too much touch and manipulation with your fingers, as this will only lead to frizzy curls.
Conclusion
You’ll never have to wake up with messy curls again with these overnight curl-saving methods! By using one of the methods listed above, you can keep your curls defined and frizz-free all night long.
If you’re looking for more tips on how to style curly hair in the morning, check out our post on how to refresh curls the next day. With a little bit of know-how, you can keep your curly hair looking its best all week long!
We hope these tips have helped you learn how to style curly hair overnight and in the morning. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. We love hearing from you.
What’s your favorite way to sleep on curly hair? Let us know in the comments below!
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