Do you ever wake up after styling your curls, look in the mirror, and wonder how all that hard work disappeared overnight? You’re not alone. How you sleep will ultimately determine how long your curls last, sometimes even more than the products you use.

If your curls still fall flat even on day one, buildup might also be playing a role. I explain how clarifying helps refresh and reset your curls in my Curl Reset post.
Here are three simple ways to maintain your curls while you sleep:
1.Use a Silk Pillowcase
if you have curly hair and don’t own a silk pillowcase yet, you’re honestly doing your curls a disservice. Regular cotton pillowcases create friction while you sleep, which leads to frizz, breakage, and a flattened curl pattern by morning. Silk and satin allow your hair to glide smoothly across the surface, helping your curls stay intact and preventing the dryness that cotton can cause.
2. Sleep With a Bonnet
A bonnet adds an extra layer of protection around your curls. It prevents them from rubbing against your pillow, helps preserve moisture, and reduces frizz. This is especially helpful for tighter curl patterns or anyone who moves a lot while sleeping. A good bonnet can make your curls look almost the same in the morning as when you went to bed. I personally buy my bonnets from BraidaGyalRin, a Black owned-brand known for its high quality and affordable satin bonnets.
3. The Pineapple Method
The pineapple method is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your curls, according to Garnier. You start off by gathering your hair loosely at the top of your head and secure it with a soft scrunchie. This keeps the length of your curls lifted and prevents them from getting crushed during the night. The scrunchie also avoids the dents and breakage that regular hair ties can cause.
Here is a tutorial that I followed to prep my curls overnight:
What’s your favourite way to maintain your curls while you sleep? Let me know in the comments!

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