Go to bed with a perfect head of curls and wake up with a flattened mess. We cannot all simply wake up, shake off our slumber, and leave. But if you put in a little extra work before you hit the sheets, the struggle won’t have to feel quite as real. Here are a few tips to help you wind down before bed so that you wake up feeling happier, bouncy, and less frizzy (and maybe even get a few extra minutes of sleep on weekdays).
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Hands-On Solutions for Maintaining Curls Overnight
Silk Pillowcases
Take this as your cue to switch to silk pillowcases if you haven’t already. Silk pillowcases’ finely woven fibers enable your curls to glide across the material, reducing friction. This is beneficial for your hair because friction is what breaks and frizzes hair.
Silk pillowcases are also excellent for preserving the health of your skin. Since pillowcases are typically made of cotton or other porous materials, your hair’s oil, bacteria, and product will be absorbed by those materials. Your skin and hair will then be affected in subsequent sleep by this. Contrarily, silk pillowcases absorb less oil from your skin and curls so that they can hold onto more of their own inherent moisture. With this choice, you really can’t go wrong.
Bonnets
The addition of silk bonnets to your nightly curl routine is another excellent investment. These serve as a sort of “cap” to your curls. Bonnets are great because they create a barrier between your curls and the bed’s surface. Additionally, they keep the curls on your head in place, which helps them keep their shape. Put it on top of the hairstyle you’ve chosen to sleep with, then get some beauty rest.
Bonnets keep your hair moisturized, lessen frizz, and shield it from possible nighttime harm. They are available in a wide range of hues, and some can be found that conform to the shape of your head so they don’t come off while you’re sleeping. Remember to regularly wash your bonnet to keep it clean!
Pineapple
Due to its simplicity and efficiency, the pineapple method is a favorite among many people with curly hair. It shields your curls from tangling while you sleep and keeps them from flattening.
Flip your hair upside down and gather it at the top of your head to get the most out of this hairstyle. To hold the hair in place, use a scrunchie or loose hair tie. Your hair ought to resemble a pineapple. You don’t need to be concerned about your hair elastic leaving a crimp mark because your hair has been secured loosely.
Multi-pineapple
Even if your hair is too short to pull into a pineapple on top of your head, a pineapple can still work for you. The pineapple has undergone many modifications, such as the multi-pineapple, which combines two or three pineapples. If your hair is still too short for that, stick with a satin bonnet instead.
Braids
Braiding hair and sleeping with it overnight is a common solution for people with curly hair (especially during middle school). For those who want to add loose curls to their hair, this is a great way to avoid knots and add more texture. One way to help the hair take the shape of the braids is to apply a small amount of conditioning product.
For those with coily or tight curls, sleeping with braids is a great option for a long-lasting protective hairstyle. However, if you want to keep your natural curl definition, this is not the best option. Simple overnight hair care routines with twists or other protective styles are probably going to yield better results.
Plop
A popular curl-drying method that helps you avoid hair being weighed down by gravity is “plopping.” This method calls for applying gel to the hair before flipping it over and letting it pile up inside of the microfiber towel. To ensure that the towel stays firmly on your head, tie the sides. The towel will speed up drying time, and the “pile” of curls will set nicely. Visit our guide to plopping for a comprehensive explanation of how to plop using a microfiber towel or a t-shirt.
T-shirt Turban
You can try this t-shirt turban technique instead of pineapple if it damages your hair or makes your curls sag when it’s in a ponytail. The technique, developed by CurlTalker for her short hair, prevents your hair from flattening while you sleep. I personally gave it a try, and it was stable and stayed in place.
Twists and Bantu Knots
Many women with coily curls use twists to keep their curls in place overnight and avoid tangles and knots. Bantu knots take those curls and tightly ball them up on the head, holding the hair in place and preventing frizz and breakage. To achieve this, divide the hair into chunks, cut each chunk into two pieces, and twist the two pieces together. Then, a bobby pin or hair tie is used to hold each section in place. In addition to protecting the hair, these twists also help to define the curls.
The Black community often values Bantu knots for their long cultural history as well as their ability to be an easy, at-home protective hairstyle. This hairstyle has significance for those with coily hair beyond just keeping curls overnight.
Pin Curls for Big Bouncy Curls
The pin curl technique is the best way to guarantee that your curls will still be there when you wake up in the morning if you have soft, fine hair but still enjoy big, bouncy curls. While you are in the bathroom, use this technique while your hair is still damp.
People with straight hair or those who have trouble getting a precise curl even after a professional sitting should use the pin curl technique. Although using the pin curls technique can take some time, it’s important to keep in mind that all of your curls should point in the direction of your crown and that the pin should be properly secured to prevent curls from moving.
Grab each section with one hand, curl it with the other, and fasten it with a bobby pin. After finishing with all of your hair, blow-dry over the curls. Put on a sleep cap, then get into bed. When you wake up in the morning, you’ll have adorable, bouncy ringlets.
Leave-In Products
A small amount of leave-in product applied to dry hair can help curls hold their shape throughout the night and stop hair from becoming frizzy. You want your hair to be moisturized but not wet before bed, unlike when I was younger. Sleeping with wet hair increases the risk of breakage and promotes the growth of bacteria on the scalp.
Finding a moisturizing product that can’t be washed off is crucial to using this method. A tiny bit of Royal Locks Leave-in Conditioner can help maintain curl definition while providing necessary moisture at night. Others take pleasure in applying hair oils designed to add hydration over a prolonged period of time.
Although all hair types can benefit from this technique, people with wavy curls or fine-textured curls may find that it causes greasy hair that needs to be washed more frequently. This can help your curls stay moisturized and avoid breakage if you have tight curls or coils curls that are more prone to getting dry.
Summary
You can see that maintaining your curls overnight really only requires a few basic techniques. There is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to wake up, get ready, and start your day with the right products and styling. Like all of us, curls are perfectly individual. They simply require a little extra tenderness and care to remain authentically wild yet domesticated enough to fit in your hat.
