Preserving your curls overnight makes it easier for curlies to continue on with the week without having to wash and go every morning, which as we know, can be a very long process.
To save yourself this styling time every morning, there are a few things you can do to your hair the night before, to preserve curls overnight. These steps will help you simply fluff and go the next day.
Different hair types may require different techniques or extra product for moisture but the below tips have worked for my hair for years and completely changed the way I look at my hair. It is no longer a nuisance and does not control my decisions for events like staying over at a friends house or prepping my holiday hair.
Step 1. Mix a handful of water to smooth your dry ends.
Most of the time I sleep with my hair completely dry — sleeping with wet hair causes me headaches as well as wet frizzy hair in the morning. Begin preserving for the night-time on dry hair. I don’t usually apply products to my hair overnight as I get product build-up easily which causes scalp irritation. If my ends are extra dry, I may mix a handful of water with shea butter to smooth into the ends as an overnight moisturizing treatment. If your curls love oil, you can also use some oil for extra moisture overnight. The next steps were game changers for me when I began transitioning to natural curls. I couldn’t believe how I was now able to wake up with no frizz, tangles, breakage or dryness. Satin accessories are the number one curly hair hack, they will ensure your hair is protected while you sleep.
Step 2. Put your curls in a pineapple.
This technique is popular for curlies as a way to gather your hair together without causing friction resulting in a loss of definition. I like to use satin scrunchies for this to reduce breakage. Gently gather your curls into a high ponytail, or pineapple, and tie the scrunchie around once. This technique allows your ends to breathe instead of your head resting on them all night.
Step 3. Secure your pineapple with a satin scarf.
This is something I do for extra security; it also keeps my curl definition by creating a boundary between curls and pillow or bed sheets. You want to half the scarf creating a triangle shape and tie around your pineapple with a knot at the front. Then, tuck the rest of the scarf in at the back.
Step 4: Sleep like a baby on your satin pillowcase.
This is going to help keep your hair and skin smooth. It is great for those who wake up in the middle of the night with no headscarf which happens to the best of us. It also covers any curls that escape the scarf (great for those with longer hair”>. Sleep well and watch the magic that happens in the morning! (The satin pillowcase is from O So Curly“>.
Step 5. Wake up and start your morning routine.
Thanks to this preserving curls technique, you should have an easy ride. Simply remove the scarf (be carefully to prevent frizz”> and shake or fluff your curls back into shape. At this point, I still have defined curls just as they were before I went to sleep the night before!
Step 6: Scrunch in a curl refreshing spray to dampen dry curls.
Do this if you see any dry curls instead of completely wetting and conditioning your whole head of hair. Scrunch it in to revive that section.
Here is a list of SHOPNaturallyCurly’s top curl refreshers
Now you know how to preserve curls overnight you are all good to go!
You can see that the majority of my curls are still defined here. Not only that, my hair is bigger and fuller than Day 1 curls — I embrace the puffiness. I make sure I stick to this routine every night and it allows my hair to be tangle-free from wash day to wash day. By Day 3 or 4 I will co-wash my hair in the morning and restyle but again use the same overnight routine for preserving the curls.
For more about preserving fine, type 3 curly hair at night, read this.
Follow Shannon on Instagram @UKcurlygirl
 
