What does your nightly routine look like? Likely, you brush your teeth, run through your skincare routine, and prepare for the next day. But what about your haircare routine? Caring for your hair every night includes more than a few comb throughs. By adding a few simple steps to your nighttime beauty routine, you can keep your hair healthy, strong, and gorgeous for the next day.
Apply an overnight treatment
Want to transform your hair while you sleep? There are tons of options on the market for overnight hair treatment, each designed to suit different hair types. Pick between hair masks, serums, and oils to moisturize your hair follicles, prevent tangles, reduce frizz, and add a glossy shine to your hair. This is especially helpful for those who are too impatient to sit through a deep condition during the day. Simply apply your chosen treatment before you go to sleep and enjoy the benefits when you wake up.
Swap your cotton pillowcase for a silk one
When you move around in your sleep, the friction created by your cotton or polyester blend pillowcase can damage your hair. With a smooth material like silk, however, there is less resistance and little harm. Additionally, cotton absorbs moisture, leaving your hair dry and brittle in the morning. Oil-absorbing cotton can also wreak havoc on your skin, exposing your fresh face to all the dirt and oil trapped in the fabric. Ready to say goodbye to tangled bed head for good? Invest in a silk pillowcase and see the results for yourself.
Wrap it up
For people with curly hair, sleeping with your hair wrapped can protect your curls and reduce frizz. However, all hair types can benefit from a nightly wrap. The key is to avoid overworking it before wrapping; the less you touch your hair, the better. To moisturize your hair, spritz it with water or a leave-in conditioner before wrapping it. However, different hair requires different wrapping techniques, so make sure you’re choosing the best method when wrapping your hair overnight.
Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect keeps as much moisture in your hair as possible, making it ideal for those with very dry hair. First, spritz your head with water or hair product then wrap it in a plastic shower cap. Then, wrap your hair in a silk scarf, and voila! You’ll have healthy, well-conditioned hair in the morning.
Pineapple
The pineapple technique is ideal for those with curly, thick, or voluminous hair that doesn’t wrap easily in a single cap or scarf. Gather your hair in a high ponytail or bun so that if someone was looking at you from above, it would look like your hair is the stem of a pineapple. This ensures that your curls aren’t disturbed or damaged in your sleep. Protect your pineapple with an extra-large bonnet or use two silk scarfs, one to cover your hairline and the other to wrap around the bun.
Scarf wrap
If the pineapple technique doesn’t work, try wrapping up your hair in a scarf. Separate your hair into two halves as if you were going to put it in pigtails. Loosely braid it down or gather one side of your hair on top of your head, using clips to hold it in place. Do the same with the other half. Lay the scarf on top of your head so it covers your hairline and all the clipped up hair. Wrap it around your head to secure all of your hair, and tie it together at the back of your head.
Don’t put wet hair up
While a little bit of moisture is healthy, refrain from pulling your hair back when it’s dripping wet. Doing so stretches it out and can lead to breakage. After washing your hair, towel-dry it to remove as much moisture as possible, but a little bit of dampness is okay. If you must tie back wet hair, use a scrunchie, which won’t pull your hair as much as an elastic band.
Avoid brushing too much
Brushing removes stubborn tangles from your hair, but it can also cause breakage and weaken the definition of your natural curls. Before going to bed, brush your hair just enough to remove the tangles, and be sure to avoid using metal hairbrushes.
Boost volume
Looking to combat limp, flat hair? Sleep with your hair in a high bun which keeps your roots lifted throughout the night, so your mane stays loose and bouncy during the day. Be sure to use a scrunchie which is much gentler on your hair. You can also refresh your hair with dry shampoo for even more volume.
Whether you want to hydrate your strands, protect your curls, or add volume, you can style your hair in your sleep. With these helpful techniques, you can strengthen your hair and wake up in style every morning.
