Curly headed girls know that keeping their ringlets intact is a real balancing act. You’ve got to catch sleep, of course, but your nightly Zzz’s can also take a toll on the definition of your curls. Even worse, poor technique can welcome the frizz monster into your bedroom—and that’s really the scariest nighttime boogeymen of all!
If you’re rocking a glorious mane and aren’t sure how to sleep with curly hair to maintain the shape and health of your ringlets, you’re in the right place. We’re showcasing some helpful tips and tricks that’ll preserve your curls and keep frizz at bay. We’re even featuring some of our best curly hair products you can apply before bed or when you wake up for touchably soft, beautiful tresses.
Good hair day by @iamsiannarenee.
Sleeping With Curly Hair 101
Whether you’re trying to figure out how to sleep with short curly hair or how to sleep with long curly hair, there are a few key tricks you should know. One of the first things you can do is swap out your current pillowcase for a silk or satin option. Though a cotton or bamboo pillowcase may feel soft enough, it can actually take a toll on your strands and lead to a major case of frizzy bedhead in the morning.
Another thing you can do is wrap your hair, put it in a satin or silk bonnet, or gently put it into a bun and secure it with a satin or silk scrunchie. This minimizes friction throughout the night and keeps your curls intact and frizzy hair away.
Finally, it’s important to use products that promote hair health through the night to ensure your strands are nourished, strong, and shiny. Products for curly hair are especially preferred since they work overtime to define your curls.
Good hair day by @thenotoriouskia.
How To Sleep With Wet Curly Hair
In addition to heeding all the above advice on how to sleep with curly hair, there’s another trick you can employ if you’re going to bed with a freshly washed mane. Some people love the effect of braiding their wet curly hair or using soft curling rods, which leads to even more defined texture when you wake up in the morning.
Wet hair has “memory,” and while it dries overnight it’ll stay in the position you put it in. Big, loose braids can create more rolling, voluminous texture, while tighter braids or curling roads can create denser waves or more defined ringlets. We recommend applying a curl-defining cream, leave-in conditioner, or hair oil beforehand.
Good hair day by @imaanhammam.
How To Sleep With Dry Curly Hair
While the braiding or curling rod trick won’t work when sleeping with dry curly hair, we still recommend applying a nourishing product to your tresses before hitting the (silk) pillow. Consider it another chance to improve the health and beauty of your curls! And again, all the advice about bonnets, wraps, and buns still applies here.
Good hair day by @alstyling.
How To Preserve Your Curls At Night
The best way to preserve your curls at night is to keep them from getting rubbed or smashed. A very loose bun secured with a satin or silk scrunchie is one of the best ways to do this. Try to keep your hair at the very top of your head so it doesn’t have as much interaction with your pillow as you sleep. You can go one step further by covering the bun with a satin or silk bonnet.
True Textures Twist & Coil Jelly
A curling jelly that enhances natural styles without frizz.
True Textures Curl Enhancing Lotion
A hair lotion for curls that adds definition and enhances texture.
25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner
A lightweight leave-in conditioner with heat protection that detangles, calms frizz, and treats damage and dryness.
Best Overnight Curly Hair Products
Whether you go to sleep with wet or dry curly hair, you’ll want to use a few key products to enhance and preserve the shape and beauty of your ringlets. For damp hair, try Mizani True Textures Twist & Coil Jelly, a bouncy strong-hold jelly that defines your curl shape and coils while also hydrating, smoothing, and strengthening your hair.
Mizani True Textures Curl Enhancing Lotion is another excellent overnight curly hair product option. This conditioning hero promotes soft and natural curls with coconut, olive, and marula oils.
If you’re going to bed with dry curly hair, we recommend spritzing some Mizani 25 Miracle Milk onto your strands. Meant to be used as a leave-in conditioner, this multitasking bestseller delivers lightweight moisture to your strands to improve hydration and strength while taming frizz.
Thermasmooth Smoothguard Serum
An anti-frizz, hair smoothing serum.
Edge Taming Styling Gel
A high-hold hair gel with a dry finish.
Best Morning Curly Hair Products
If you’re a morning shower person, then we recommend applying Redken Curvaceous Ringlet Anti-Frizz Perfecting Hair Lotion to your damp or towel-dried tresses. We love the flexibility of this one! After applying, you can either use a blowdryer with a diffuser attachment, or let your ringlets air dry.
Whether freshly blow dried, air dried, or messy bedhead, a hair serum is a must for curly hair types! Smooth unruly bits and flyaways with Mizani Thermasmooth Smoothguard Serum. In addition to combating frizz, it creates a protective shield on the outer layer of your hair cuticle to repel against humidity and lock in shine.
For extra credit, apply a tiny bit of Mizani Edge Trimming Hair Gel around your hairline. This high-hold gel puts baby hairs in their place and promotes good hair health.
We hope you’re feeling more equipped on the topic of how to sleep with curly hair. Whether long, short, fine, or thick, may your ringlets be forever bouncy and beautiful!
Want more expert hair tips? Use our salon locator to book an appointment at a salon near you.
True Textures Twist & Coil Jelly
A curling jelly that enhances natural styles without frizz.
True Textures Curl Enhancing Lotion
A hair lotion for curls that adds definition and enhances texture.
25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner
A lightweight leave-in conditioner with heat protection that detangles, calms frizz, and treats damage and dryness.
Thermasmooth Smoothguard Serum
An anti-frizz, hair smoothing serum.
Edge Taming Styling Gel
A high-hold hair gel with a dry finish.
