The Best Ways To Sleep In Your Curls Without Destroying Them

Before I learned how to sleep with curly hair, I had to shower every day that I wanted my curls to look nice. I just couldn’t get the “second day hair” concept down because my ‘do would be totally ruined by morning after sleeping on it.

Once I started using these tricks for sleeping with curls without ruining them, my life pretty much changed! I didn’t have to shower every time I wanted my hair done (which also meant I never had to wake up early), and I could actually wear my hair without doing a bun every day.

So why should you learn the best ways to sleep with your curls? Well, for one, you have many options. It will be easy to find a way that works for you. On top of that, your hair will be thanking you by staying more healthy and moisturized, and it will just be better looking all around with a smoother cuticle and less-frizzy style.

Here are the best techniques for sleeping on your curly hair without ruining it!

1. THE PINEAPPLE

The pineapple is a quick trick for sleeping with curls, where you just flip your head over and stick a scrunchie or other loose, non-stick hairband around the hair. It’s like a ponytail right on the top of your head, but it’s loose and will keep you from laying on your curls.

2. THE SILK SCARF

Wrapping your hair in a silk scarf can be best for thicker hair types since it won’t affect the texture as much, while still protecting the hair against friction as you sleep.

Here is a great video on how to wrap your hair in a silk scarf for sleeping:

3. THE SLEEPING CAP or BONNET

This is the same concept as the silk scarf, but instead of wrapping your hair, it’s simply a bonnet that covers your hair. You can also combine this with a shower cap over a conditioner or oil to really lock that moisture in!

4. THE SILK OR SATIN PILLOWCASE

Normal cotton pillowcases are able to suck the moisture out of your locks, and the friction of movement between your hair and the pillowcase causes frizz by opening your hair’s cuticle.

Fix that mess by getting a silk or satin pillowcase!

You can also combine the satin pillowcase with a nighttime hairdo like the pineapple.

5. GET TO SLEEP WITH A CRUNCH, UNCRUNCH IN THE MORNING

This isn’t a technique I hear of often, but some curly girls like to go to sleep with the crunch from styling still in their hair.

With this technique, your hair will simply un-crunch as you sleep, instead of going from un-crunched to totally frizzed.

This is probably best for curlies who use gels!

6. THE WET BUN

Wondering how to sleep with wet curly hair? This is it! Sleeping with a wet bun is the best technique in this list if you want to go to sleep with wet curly hair.

Sleeping with wet curly hair is no fun if your soaked locks are laying all over your pillow. Instead, you can sleep with a loose, wet bun on top of your head. If you really want to keep the moisture off your pillow, cover this with a shower cap or sleeping bonnet.

In the morning, let your hair down and get to styling as it will still be damp. You can smooth some styling cream or spritz a mixture of water and conditioner over it, and your curls should come back to life, styled and sassy!

7. PLOP IT!

We recently published an article about plopping curly hair, which is yet another way to sleep with your curly do. Plopping also doubles as a drying method that will give you plenty of volume and is low maintenance.

What do you think about all of these natural hair sleeping tips? Let us know your favorite technique in the comments!