Our Best Tips For Keeping Your Curly Hair Intact Overnight
If you have naturally curly hair, you probably know all too well about the various problems that can accompany curly hair. And one of the biggest has to be the difficulty of trying to keep your curls properly intact overnight. It's way too easy for curls to go flat, frizzy, or even get drier while you're taking a slumber. But it doesn't have to be that way.
Thankfully, no matter how long, thick, or tight your curls are, there are several ways to keep your gorgeous textured locks at their best while you're sleeping. There's something for everyone, from the very best products and overnight styles, to the best sleeping positions for short and long styles. That means less time working on your locks in the morning, which can lead to more time doing the things you actually want to spend your time on. After all, isn't that what we're all looking for?
Try the pineapple method
One of the most common ways to protect your curls overnight is a hairstyle known as the pineapple. This method is exactly as it sounds, and involves bundling your hair on top of your head and securing it with a scrunchie (so it looks kinda like a pineapple). You want your scrunchie to be just tight enough to hold your hair, but loose enough that it won't create kinks or be uncomfortable to sleep in. And don't worry if you think your hair is too short for this. If you can't create one pineapple, create a few! The idea is that all your hair is up on top of your head, no matter how many pineapples it takes. You may also want to try multiple pineapples if you have particularly thick or super long hair. This way, your hair will be out of the way while you're sleeping, minimizing friction with your pillowcase and the chances of accidentally flattening your curls.
You can try this method wet or dry, so you may want to play around to see what suits your curls better. Sleeping with wet hair will allow moisture to set your curls, but could result in kinks. Doing it dry will pretty much keep your curls in the state they're at when you go to sleep. Another thing to keep in mind is the scrunchie you're using, as silk or satin is less likely to result in frizz or leave creases in your hair.
Cover your hair in silk or get a silk pillowcase
A silk bonnet or a silk scarf (though they're similar, you'll want silk over satin, if you can) will also keep your curls looking their best while you sleep. This is a great addition to the pineapple method too, as it will add an extra layer of curl protection once you've pulled your tresses up.
The reason this works so well is because curly hair can get dry. As celebrity hairstylist, Justine Marjan told Martha Stewart, a cotton pillowcase can potentially soak up some of your hair's much-needed moisture. "Friction from cotton can disrupt the cuticle layer, leading to frizz, breakage, sleep crease, and dry strands," she explained. Silk won't do that in the way cotton will, so that will not only keep your hair healthier, it will also help keep frizz at bay. Silk bonnets and scarves will also allow your hair to glide more smoothly as you sleep, helping keep your curls intact if you're an active sleeper.
Similarly, a silk pillowcase can also work wonders for curly hair. If you don't want to (or can't) use a bonnet or silk scarf, then this can have a similar effect. A silk pillowcase will also allow your hair to glide smoothly in your sleep, preventing snags that can come with traditional pillowcases. And, just like a scarf or bonnet, it can also help to protect your hair's moisture.
Secure your curls in braids or twists
There's another way you can keep your curls intact during bedtime, too. Sleeping with your locks in a braid or twists can make your tresses more secure, which can help with frizziness. Twists can be created by literally taking two pieces of hair and twisting them around one another, while braids use three pieces of hair to create a plaited effect. These can be as loose or tight as you like (the looser your hair, the more likely your natural curl is to shine through), so you may want to experiment with what works best for you. No matter which you try though, both should be fastened with an elastic-free hair tie or satin scrunchie to stop pulling, hair kinks, and friction. If you don't have hair long enough for twists or braids, you may want to try one or multiple bantu knots to keep your curls at their best.
The reason these methods are so useful for those with curly locks is if your hair is more fixed in one place, the strands are less likely to rub against things like your pillow, bed, pajamas, or even itself. It's this rubbing that creates frizz and even undoes your curls. It will also help to keep the structure of your hair intact. These are also solid methods for heatless curls, and you may find they even add more curls to your hair while you sleep. What a win-win!
Try changing up your sleeping position
One of the biggest reasons why your curls could be looking flat when you wake up is because they're getting crushed while you sleep. Sleeping on your back could be causing your hair to lose its bounciness, look a little lackluster, and even get tangled. That's because no matter how long your hair is, sleeping on your back means your head (and potentially your shoulders and back, depending on the length of your hair) may be crushing your curls and creating too much friction. Particularly if you don't do much to secure your hair before bed. To remedy this, one of the best sleeping positions for those with curly hair is actually on your side, or your stomach so your hair isn't getting crushed between your body and the bed all night. Hair under your body may also get sweaty, which could make it dirty, weigh it down, and encourage frizz, knots, and breakage.
Of course, this one can be a tough one to monitor while you're asleep, but starting in the sleeping position you hope to have all night is a good way to start. You may also want to try propping yourself up on your side using pillows to try and stop yourself from turning onto your back while you're asleep. If you tend to sleep alongside another person, you could even try asking them to gently wake you if they notice you've moved onto your back.
Get ready for bed a little earlier
Okay, so the exact time you go to bed won't exactly make much of a difference to how well your curls stay intact overnight. However, getting ready for bed a few minutes earlier than usual allows you enough time to prep your hair without being overly tired (because we never do our best work when we're super sleepy). No matter which overnight curly hair tips you're planning on following, making sure you have the ideal amount of time to try different methods properly is the best way to ensure you're not dealing with a flat, matted mess of hair when you wake up.
To begin with, try setting aside around 15 minutes to focus on getting your hair prepped, then you can always cut this down as you see fit. That way, you'll give yourself plenty of time to give a proper go to your chosen method and also do any extra research you may need on the spot. This will be particularly useful if you're trying out something new and will make sure you're giving your stunning curls the best shot at making it through the night.