Whenever I wash my curls I receive tonnes of compliments about how amazing my curls look and how they enhance my personality. But then as night came, I used to get worried, because I knew these beautiful curls would be gone the next day as soon as I woke up.
Yes, the nightcare struggle of the curls was real. For many years I struggled for the perfect curls even after sleeping on it, but nothing really worked much. Until one day, I decided to do a lot of research and understand the concept of curly hair- how do they work? What are their weakness? And the best thing is how to care for them.
Just like we protect our curls in the daytime by putting on a hat to avoid direct UV rays, we need to protect the curls at night to avoid friction in the curls. So, how to sleep on curly hair.
Well, let’s see in the blog-
How to Protect My Curly Hair at Night
Curls are delicate and beautiful in its own way. It requires extra care and love to keep them healthy, and defined. Curls getting tangled and frizzy is a widespread issue that you can face. Therefore, protecting the curls at night is a must, as it can save a lot of time of yours to refresh curls.
Taking care of curls is all about choosing the right product for curls, and using them in the right way. If you take care of your curls, it saves a lot of your precious time as your curls will always be defined and healthy.
Let’s see how to keep curls healthy during nighttime-
Best Sleep Position
Ever thought that to protect your curls, you will have to even decide your sleep position? Yes, first I thought that I would have to just take care of my sleep position while I am pregnant, but taking care of curls also requires being mindful of how you sleep. My pregnancy ended in nine months, but curl care is a lifetime commitment.
So, how to sleep at night, that will protect your curls and keep them defined.
- Lying on Stomach- If you are comfortable sleeping on your stomach, then this is the best thing as your curls will not be rubbed and will be saved from friction.
- Side Sleeping- Sleeping on the side also helps to keep your curls soft and smooth. But if still your curls are big, you will have to tie them in a protective hairstyle.
Pro Tip- If you are none of the above people for sleeping, then it is mandatory for you to tie your hair in a bun and protect it with a silk bonnet to avoid friction and dryness in the curls.
Like I like to sleep on my back, as I know the importance of sleeping on my back when I couldn’t sleep due to pregnancy. So, I always tie my hair in a pineapple bun and wear a satin bonnet. Also, I sleep in a satin pillowcase.
Best 5 Tips and Tricks to Keep Hair Curly Overnight
Above you have seen the best way to sleep, in order to protect your curls. Now, let’s see the best tips and tricks on how to protect curly hair at night-
1. Silk Pillowcase-
Not many understand the importance of silk pillowcases. Since childhood, I too used regular cotton pillowcases which came with bedsheets. And those damaged my hair strands. Until I became mature enough to make my own decisions and also to understand how to protect curls, I kept harming them unknowingly.
Later, when I came to know about silk pillowcases, there was no going back. Silk pillowcases not only feel good to sleep on, but it also help our curls to be healthy and soft. The material which it is made of helps to reduce frizz and maintain the curl hydration.
2. Protective Hairstyle-
All the above methods to keep curls healthy and sleep on silk pillowcases are fine until you have small-length curls. But if your curls are of medium to long length, then it is necessary to tie your curls in a protective hairstyle for the night routine.
Tieing your long curls in a braid or bun helps to protect the curls from getting squashed and damaging the hair cuticles.
3. Pineapple Method-

One of the best methods to protect your curls while sleeping in night. You can even try this hairstyle or this method when you sleep in the afternoon too. The main motive is to protect the curls from friction and getting dry.
The pineapple method for curls helps to keep the curls on the crown of your head and protect them from getting frizzy.
4. Hydration-
What else a curly hair need? Hydration. Hydration and lots of hydration. This is all a curl crave for. Immense hydration and moisturization in the curls help to keep them soft and smooth.
Before sleeping in the night, it is good to apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner or argan oil to your hair, this helps to seal the moisture in the curls and keep them soft and smooth.
5. Wrap your Hair-
Wrapping your hair in a silk scarf or buff to protect them at night, is like an extra protection that you can give your curls. This step is perfect for all those, who like to protect their curls from friction and also keep the moisture locked in the curls.
How to get curls while you sleep
After understanding the 5 best tips and tricks on how to keep hair curly overnight, let’s see how to sleep on curly hair i.e. hairstyles for curly hair during the night.
1. Silk Scarf-
If you have long hair and do not really like silk bonnets, then you can cover your curls with a silk scarf. A silk scarf helps to protect your long curls and reduce frizz.
How to do it:
- Fold your scarf into a triangle.
- Flip your hair forward and place the scarf above your head.
- Tie the scarf securely over your head.
2. Plopping-

This technique many of you might be using to dry your curls. But you can also use this technique to keep your curls safe and defined during the night.
How to do it:
- Apply a leave-in cream or argan oil on your curls.
- After applying scrunch your curls.
- Now, protect the curls by covering them in a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel.
- Sleep on a satin pillowcase.
3. French Braid-
If you have long curls, then this is the hairstyle for you. French Braid helps to secure the curls and reduce the frizz and dryness.
How to do it:
- Divide your hair into sections.
- Braid the hair into a French braid.
- Secure the braid with an elastic band.
4. Bantu Knots-
This is a hairstyle, which focuses on protecting the curls in small sections. Mainly a hairstyle for type 4 hair type. Bantu knots are small coiled buns that are perfect for tighter curls.
How to do it:
- Divide your hair into small sections.
- Now, twist each section and tie them up in a bun.
- Secure the buns with an elastic or clip.
5. Medusa Clipping-

A new technique to protect your curls from getting frizzy and dry. This hairstyle involves using claw clips to hold the section of your hair on the crown of your head.
How to do it:
- Divide your hair into 4-6 sections.
- Clip each section near the roots.
- Sleep on a satin pillowcase or you can also cover the curls in a satin bonnet.
Final Thoughts-
So, now we understand the tips and tricks to follow to keep the curls healthy and defined for a long.
- Never use cotton pillowcases. Give your curls a queen treatment by using satin pillowcases.
- If you have long curls, always tie them into a protective hairstyle to avoid tangles.
- Never ignore the weather, as weather can disrupt the curls and create havoc on them.
Protecting your curls overnight is much needed for the health of your curls. Not many understand the importance of a nightcare routine for curls until it gets too late. Therefore, always follow the right technique and use good products to keep your curls healthy and defined for a long time.
Remember to be patient, experiment with different methods, and find what works best for your hair type. Embrace your natural curls and enjoy the journey to healthy, beautiful hair!
FAQs on How to keep hair Curly overnight
1. How does hair type affect preserving curls overnight?
Well, hair type plays a significant role in preserving curls overnight. Because if you have short curls, your strategy will be different. For thick coarse hair, the hairstyle will be different. So, every hair care starts with hair type.
- Thick coarse hair– If you have tighter curls, try bantu knots as a hairstyle.
- Long curly hair- You need a good protective hairstyle like French braid, or bun to tie your curls and preserve it.
Therefore, first, understand your hair type and then decide on your nightcare routine.
2. How to preserve wand curls overnight?
Wand curls need extra care because you took time actually to make your curls curlier. So, what should be done-
- Use a lightweight spray to lock in the moisture.
- Cover your curls with a silk bonnet.
- Wrap each bunch of curl around two fingers and secure it with bobby pins.
3. How does moisture impact curl preservation overnight?
Curl and moisture always go together, curls cannot survive without good moisturization. Let’s see how moisture actually impacts curl preservation-
- Dry curls tend to be frizzier. So, always apply leave-in conditioner on curls.
- If you live in humid weather, it can affect the curl retention. So, always use anti-humid spray.