How to Sleep with Curly Hair & Wake Up Without Frizz

The pineapple method is one of my go-to curly hairstyles and an easy option for long hair. This style prevents you from crushing your curls and reduces friction while you snooze. I love that it only takes a second to create the look and there’s no need to make it perfect. When I'm not wearing my hair down, I actually rock the pineapple look all the time. It's a low maintenance natural hairstyle that works for any occasion.

Just lean your head down before you begin to form your hair into a ponytail. The ponytail should be placed between the crown of your head and your forehead. Use a silk or satin scrunchie to hold your hair in place. (Note: Keep the ponytail loose to minimize any breakage, prevent dents and keep curls defined.) Need help doing the pineapple? Here’s a helpful tutorial to get you started.

If you have shorter hair, a multi-pineapple look might be a better alternative to the single pineapple look. The exact number and placement of your mini ponytails will depend on the length and thickness of your hair. To try this look, start by sectioning off your hair into thirds. Next, secure each mini pineapple using satin or silk scrunchies. You can also add some bobby pins for those hard-to-reach flyaways. Here’s a tutorial to learn how to do a modified version.

Have a looser curl pattern or wavy hair? Consider this classic hair bun style. A messy bun keeps hair off your face and neck, while maintaining volume—even if you toss and turn. Just flip your hair over, twist and tuck it into a loose bun, securing it with a silk or satin scrunchie. While you may lose some curl definition, you’re still protecting your hair against breakage or frizz. I have 3C curls and I find that a messy bun is great when I'm a few days out from my last wash day. If you want to perfect the messy bun, check out this step-by-step tutorial.

One of curly hair’s biggest enemies? Cotton, especially when it comes to pillowcases. The material can leave hair feeling dry and looking frizzy. When you use cotton pillowcases, they can actually absorb moisture from your hair and stretch out your curls, leading to the dreadful bird’s nest. I've learned that silk pillowcases are the way to go. I have a few favorites from Slip, Blissy and Kitsch that keep my curls hydrated, protected and tangle-free. I'm constantly tossing and turning in bed, but I worry less now knowing that the silky material helps cut down on friction and frizz. (Oh, and if you want to learn how to wash your silk pillowcases, we have you covered there, too.)

When it comes to figuring out how to sleep with curly hair, you can always count on a silk scarf or bonnet with silk lining for protection. Just wrap the scarf around your curls (psst, here’s a helpful vid) or slip on a bonnet before you turn in. I'm more of a bonnet girlie myself, as I found it never budges or mysteriously comes off at night. I also love the combination of a silk pillowcase and a silk bonnet for double protection against frizz and tangles.

All you need is a scarf, microfiber hair towel or t-shirt for this popular drying technique. Start by flipping your hair over and gathering it at the center of the towel (or preferred material) before twisting the two sides and tying them together. The method is pretty much the same for a t-shirt; just tie the sleeves together and tuck away any extra fabric. I love the plopping method because it only takes a few minutes to do, and it helps reduces frizz and breakage—plus, I never wake up with super wet hair or a wet pillow.

It's time to bring back some core childhood memories with these two-strand twists. Rest assured, you don't have to be a braiding wiz to recreate this quick and simple style. Grab a small section of hair, divide it into two pieces and start twisting from root to end. Once you get to the end of your braid, twirl the ends with some cream or gel to prevent it from unraveling. (Here’s a how-to if you're still confused.) A hair tie can also be used to secure the ends, but be aware that it can leave a dent. FYI: This hairstyle works best if you have long, thick or coily hair.

There are different types of braids you can try to keep your hair secure all night long, from French braids to cornrows to the classic three-strand twist. Similar to the two-strand twist above, you'll want to section off your hair, but this time, divide each section into thirds. Start twisting at the roots and work your way down. Secure the ends with hair ties (though you might not have to with wet hair). You can decide how loose or tight you want your braids, just keep in mind that a tighter weave will change your curl pattern and give it a wavy or crimped look. Aside from keeping my hair in one place, braids are a great heatless alternative. Whether I'm dealing with three-, four- or even five-day curls, braiding my hair before bed is always a great option. And for any beginners out there, here’s a braiding tutorial to get you started.

A traditional African hairstyle, bantu knots have been a protective style for many women of color for years because they help produce tight, bouncy curls. Begin by sectioning off your hair (the bigger the sections, the larger the curls will be) and twist your hair before wrapping it around into knots. You can tuck the ends in to secure the knot or use bobby pins to keep it in place while you sleep. To help you perfect your technique, I found not one, but two helpful videos for bantu knots on varied hair lengths and textures.

What’s the problem with rollers? Personally, they’re way too uncomfortable to sleep on. Thankfully, flex rods have put those painful memories to rest. They’re a much softer, easier and completely heatless tool you can leave on overnight. Just separate your hair and wrap each section around a rod. Use smaller rods on top and larger ones on the bottom for a more voluminous look. The next morning, unravel the rods and marvel at your defined curls. I highly recommend checking out this visual example if you’re still lost.