Curly hair keeping you up at night? From friction on your pillow rubbing your hair the wrong way to the weight of your head damaging your follicles, it’s not hard to see why falling asleep can cause curly girls to have nightmares. If you’re tossing and turning at the thought of ruining your curls at night, stop what you’re doing and follow these hacks to get your much-needed beauty sleep and wake up with great hair every single morning.
Sleep with Dry Hair
When your hair is wet, the proteins inside your strands form weaker hydrogen bonds than when it is dry. This leaves it prone to damage, but it’s not the only reason why sleeping with wet hair is a no-no. Wet hair can lead to bacteria forming, fungal infections, and even dandruff. Leaving it wet and in a heap on your head can even lead to a musty smell, kind of like when you don’t properly dry your clothes. The easiest remedy for this is switching your wash day to the morning, but if you enjoy nothing better than feeling clean before jumping into bed, then be sure to invest in a microfiber towel and dry your hair thoroughly, or let it air dry before calling it a night.
Go For a Plop
Have you ever tried plopping? It's a question that might sound almost offensive, but you'll soon be glad we asked. For women with loose wavy hair or curly hair, plopping is a no-heat technique that can help shorten drying time while adding volume and definition, leaving your curls looking their very best in the morning. Start with your usual hair care routine, applying your favorite Lu shampoo and conditioner, and finishing up with adding a Lu styling cream carefully into your wet hair. Then, spread a cotton t-shirt on a flat surface and bend over to gradually “plop” your hair onto it. Keep bending until your head touches the surface of the t-shirt. Finally, leave the hair as it is and use the arms of the t-shirt to wrap it around your head and keep it in place overnight.
Nights in White Satin
Limiting the amount of friction in our hair when we sleep can be the difference between waking up to a really good or a really bad hair day. A satin bonnet or silk pillowcase, like the ZIMASILK Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, not only caresses your hair when you roll over at night, but also help retain moisture. On the other hand, regular cotton pillowcases are known to absorb oils from your hair and leave it dry and damaged in the morning. You can also give your bouncy curls the protection they need while you sleep by wrapping it in a silk scarf, like the Inaini Silk Headscarf. Unlike cotton and other synthetic materials, a satin pillowcase or silk wrap slides with your hair to keep it soft, moisturized and tangle-free, no matter how much you move at night.
Experiment With Different Styles
We don’t just need the perfect style when we’re getting our party on. In fact, it’s just as important to choose the right look when you’re staying in and getting an early night's sleep. Loose and protective, curl-friendly hairstyles are a must if you want your curls to survive the night. Check out the following looks for rocking your dreams in style:
- The Pineapple is a loose ponytail on top of your head that will reduce frizz. It's ideal for medium hair or long hair, but a little tricker for short hair. A better pineapple method for shorter hair styles is the multi-pineapple, which consists of two or three pineapples.
- Loose Braids are a simple way to keep your curls in place at night. If you sleep on your stomach, a loose braid will help protect the structure of your strands.
- Twist your hair to keep it curly and fresh for the next day. If you've got short hair or tighter curls, a simple two-strand twist is all you need before bedtime.
Keep it Loose
A loose bun is a curly girl's friend at night, and it also helps reduce frizz. Make sure to apply a leave-in conditioner before securing it into a bun, keeping it loose so you don't stretch and stress your curls.
Use a Styling Cream
The right styling cream protects hair from damage, locks in moisture, and keeps curls looking their very best for longer between washes. When used in conjunction with the plopping method, Lu's Free To Be Styling Cream prevents frizz and keeps your hair looking fine overnight. Or, try the Lock the Look Styling Cream, which provides heat-activated protection and keeps your style looking great for longer. And if your strands need a little TLC, use Lu's Intense Therapy Leave-in Cream to deeply renew your hair by replenishing its proteins and ensuring it goes back to its moisturized, manageable form. Scrunch the cream with your fingers, and avoid brushing it through your hair to give your beautiful, bouncy curls the best chance of surviving the night.
With these easy tips and tricks, there's no need to let your curls keep you from getting a good night's sleep. What's your go-to nighttime routine to keep your locks looking fabulous in the morning? Let us know in the comments!
