A curly hair bun or a curly messy bun is the number one go to curly updo hairstyle for many curly girls.
As the name of my website, Curly Bun Mom, suggests, I love to style my hair in a curly bun almost all the time. I’ve been rocking the cute messy curly hair bun for as long as I can remember.
A messy bun is just so fun, versatile and cute style for curly and way hair! So, allow me to break it down for you.
Instead of reinventing the wheel, I’ll leave links to the easiest and best bun tutorials so that you can easily style create your own curly messy bun.
Affiliate Disclosure: “This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”
Cute Buns For Curly Hair
Before we get into how to make cute buns for curly hair or wavy hair. Let’s take a look at the various curly bun hairstyles:
Messy curly bun
Top knot curly bun
Low curly Bun
Half up half down curly bun
Long curly bun hairstyles
Short Curly Bun Hairstyles
How To Do A messy bun for curly hair
My absolute favorite hairstyle is the messy bun. It’s so quick and easy!
I think you will agree that curly hair routines and even sometimes refreshes can sometimes be long. This makes the curly messy bun a great updo hairstyle for third or fourth day curls.
So, whether you have unruly curly strands or if you’re super busy and crunched for time, in a hurry, or late, then this is your best bet.
The messy bun is pretty foundational for all of the curly messy hairstyles.
How To Do A Messy Bun With Curly Hair
To style, simply follow these steps to get the cutest bun for your ringlets or waves.
Flip your hair over
Gently pull your defined curls to the crown of your head or any position that you’d like to have your messy bun
Loosely wrap your curls once in a satin scrunchy
Wrap your curls once again but this time don’t pull through the length of your hair. You’re basically creating a loop like when you pineapple long hair to sleep.
And that’s it…seriously. That’s how I style my natural curls in a messy bun every single time.
The result is always a natural-looking, gorgeous, soft, tousled messy bun.
Some things to note when styling your curly hair in a bun:
refresh your curls if necessary
always be gentle when styling your curls
loosely wrap your curls to secure your strands. Do not pull your hair tightly as you will experience breakage and damage your natural curls.
leave out some curls to soften the look and get a more elegant look.
How To Do An Easy Top Knot Bun
Another way to do a very easy messy curly bun is the top knot, especially for long curly hair:
Pull your long curls to the top of your head
Secure your curls in a satin scrunchy
Gently gather your curls and put your long curly hair into a ponytail
Then, loosely secure your ringlets with another scrunchy
Optional lay your edges
The top knot is another super easy hairstyle for curly girls and wavy hair. Check out this tutorial.
How To Do A Low curly bun
Instead of flipping your hair over, for the low curly bun, simply:
Gently gather your curls at the nape of your neck
Loosely wrap a satin scrunchy to secure your curls
Optional – gently pull out loose curls, ringlets or tendrils to frame your face
How To Do Half up half down curly bun
To get the cute messy half up half down bun for wavy or curly hair, follow these steps:
Gently separate your curls in half, gathering half at the crown of your head
Wrap your tendrils at the top and loosely secure with your satin scrunchy
For short hair, you can use one scrunch to secure your bun by not pulling the length of your hair through
For long hair, secure your hair in a ponytail first, then gently wrap the length of your curls around and secure with another scrunchy or hair pins.
How To Do Long curly bun styles
The messy, top knot or low bun are all perfect for long curly or wavy hair.
To put long curly hair in a messy bun may take an extra step or two to secure all the long curls. However, you’re still going to follow the basic steps above.
Check out this great tutorial for long hair messy buns.
How To Do Short Bun Hairstyles For Your Ringlets
Just as with long hair, the messy and low buns are perfect for short curly hair. Just follow the steps above and you’ll be looking gorgeous in no time. This short curly bun tutorial can help you create the perfect messy bun.
Is The Bun Good For Curly Hair?
Do buns ruin curly hair? Not if you style your bun the right way.
The key is not to pull your curls too tightly. If you pull your hair too tightly, you will run the risk. Also, use hair ties like a satin scrunchy so that you don’t damage your hair.
There you have it! Some fantastic, quick and easy updo hairstyles for curly or wavy hair. I hope you have fun trying and love all of these curly buns.
Before you go, check out these other curly girl posts:
How To Define Your Curls – Make Your Curls More Defined & Tighter
You’ve landed here because you’re looking for tips to make your curls more defined and tighter? Maybe you’re even looking for ways to make your hair curlier.
In this curly hair post, find out how to define your curls in 7 easy steps. Achieving maximum curl definition is a goal for every curly girl I know and if you’re not getting frizz free, defined curls then it’s time to make that dream a reality.
Affiliate Disclosure: “This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”
Why Your Curls Are Not Defined & Tighter
Maybe you’ve been trying some curly hair routines and you just aren’t getting your desired results. This is probably leaving you to wonder “why are my curls not defined?”
There are a few reasons your curls are not defined, you don’t know:
Try these curly girl tips to get defined, frizz free curls every time!
Cleanse your hair with sulfate free curly girl hair shampoo
Condition and deep condition every week
Use a curl friendly towel or cotton t shirt to dry your curly hair
Style your curly hair wet or damp
Style with curl defining or curl enhancing products
Use curly girl styling techniques that encourage defined curls
Do not touch or manipulate your curls while it’s drying
Cleanse With Sulfate Free Curly Girl Shampoo
Use a shampoo that gently cleanses your hair. Shampoo that is sulfate free will gently cleanse your scalp and clarify your curls from products without damaging or drying out your curls.
This helps with curl definition because your curly hair will be more hydrated which is necessary for defined curls.
For Defined Curls, Condition & Deep Condition Every Week
Condition your curls with a product that is hydrating and provides sufficient slip for detangling.
Regardless of your curly hair type or hair porosity, you should aim to deep condition your curls every week.
Use A Curl Friendly Towel To Dry Curls
After rinsing, gently squeeze out excess water and wrap your curls in a microfiber towel or cotton tshirt. This reduces frizz and breakage which will help with curl definition.
For Curlier Hair, Style Your Hair Damp or Wet
While your hair is still wet or damp, apply curly girl products that are designed to provide curl definition.
While some curly girls get more defined curls by applying curl defining products to damp hair, some get better results by applying to very wet hair – even styling while still in the shower!
Experimenting is the best way to find what will work best to define your curly hair.
I’ve found that I get best results by applying my curl defining products on damp hair for the most part, but my curls near the crown of my head respond better when I apply products when they’re wet.
Style With Curl Defining Products
The curl defining product you use will vary depending on your curly type and health of your hair.
Some curly girls, like me, need to layer products to achieve defined, frizz free curls. While other curl girls can apply one curl defining products to achieve defined curls.
The best tip for getting defined curls is to use products that provide a cast on your hair. Casts are awesome for curl definition and it’s very easy to break the cast so that your end results are soft, frizz free, defined curls.
Again, experimenting is your best option here.
Curly Girl Styling Techniques To Define Your Curls
The styling technique that you use is very important if you want to make your curls more defined and tighter. Let’s briefly talk about them.
Finger coiling
Prayer hands
Denman brush
Scrunching
Plopping
Diffusing
Finger Coil To Make Your Hair Curlier
Finger coiling is my favorite way to train your curls, get more curl definition and make your hair curlier.
To finger coil, with a curl defining product in your hair, take small sections of your hair and twist the section around your finger to encourage your hair to curl and form ringlets.
To encourage volume, try to hold and twist the sections upright.
It takes some time to finger coil all of your hair but the results are worth it!
Over time, you will train your curls to fall into that curl pattern on their own and you may no longer need to do this when styling.
When you’ve finger coiled all of your hair, end with gently scrunching your hair.
Apply products with “Prayer Hands”
Applying hair products with prayer hands is a great way to smooth your curl-defining products in your curls. This helps to minimize frizz and get you more defined curls.
To apply, with product in the palms of your hands gently press and glide your hands over the length of a section of your hair (from top to bottom).
Use the same technique until all of your curls have product.
Style Using A Denman Brush
A curly girl favorite styling technique is using the Denman brush. It ensures the products are distributed evenly and smoothly throughout your hair. It also defines your curls by clumping them together in smaller sections.
Working in sections, after applying your curl defining product, brush each section to smooth the product and achieve curl definition.
To get more volume with your Denman brush, brush your curls away from your scalp.
Scrunch Your Curly Hair
Scrunching has to be the most popular styling technique for any curly girl. I don’t know any curly girl who doesn’t scrunch to style and to scrunch out the crunch. When you scrunch your curls, you encourage them to curl more and become more defined.
Plop your curls
Plopping is also popular with curly girls to get defined curls.
After applying your curly girl products, lay an old cotton t shirt flat on your bed or chair with the neck and sleeves closest to you. Next, flip your hair over so that your curls are upside down.
Gently place your curls and head over the cotton t-shirt. Roll the neck of the t-shirt so that it’s on your forehead.
Then, secure your hair by folding the end of the tshirt to reach your neck and using the sleeves tye it around your head.
Diffuse to get more defined curls
Drying your curly hair with a diffuser is a game-changer when you’re looking for more defined curls. There are many youtube videos to show the best way to diffuse for maximum volume and curl definition.
Don’t Touch Your Defined Curls
If you’re anything like me, you love to play with your curls. I’m obsessed. But it’s a bad habit when you want to maintain your defined curls.
The more your touch your hair, the more your curls will frizz.
This is especially true while your hair is air drying and before the cast is set. It will encourage frizz and your curls may even lose defintion.
Even after you’ve dried your hair, try to touch and manipulate your hair as little as possible to maintain your curly definition.
Curly Girl Products To Make Curls Defined & Tighter
To get defined curls, use curly girl products that are designed to enhance curls.
These products are usually labeled as “curl activating”, curl defining or curl enhancing. They work well by providing slip for curl formation.
They also create a cast on your curls to preserve your frizz free, defined curls longer.
Some key ingredients to look out for in your curly hair products for defined curls are:
Aloe Vera
Flaxseed
Hydrolyzed rice protein
Hydrolyzed wheat protein
To get started, try my favorite curly girl approved drugstore products for definition. You can click on any of these to purchase from Amazon.
I hope you use these tips to make your curls defined, tighter andd get maximum curl definition every time. Bookmark this post so that you can reference it until these curly hair practices become part of your curly hairstyling routine.
Let me know in the comments below if these tips worked and if you have any secrets to getting defined curls. 🙂
Before you go, check out these other curly girl posts:
The Curly Girl Method: Easy Steps & Routine For Beginners
The curly girl method is a process of caring for natural hair types (wavy, curly, coily). It involves healthy hair care practices that work well to repair and improve the health of your curls.
In this post, I’m going to share with you:
the curly girl method steps
affordable curly girl method approved products
an easy, no fuss, curly girl hair routine
If you’ve landed here, you already know that this method may be just what your hair needs.
So, bookmark this page to refer to it as often as you need on your curly hair journey.
Please note, however, that this is not a full or detailed overview of the cg method. If you’d like to know everything, you can get the CGM book written by Lorraine Massey.
Affiliate Disclosure: “This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”
The curly girl method is a simple, but effective method that aims to prevent damage to the hair shaft and to promote healthy natural curls for those with textured hair.
The method focuses on gentle cleansing, conditioning, and styling your hair with products that contain certain ingredients specifically designed to protect and enhance the health of naturally curly and wavy hair.
When you follow the curly girl method, the main change is probably that you’ll be ditching many products that contain harsh and damaging ingredients with better, curly girl method-approved products.
By following these steps (outlined below), you can prevent your hair from becoming dry and frizzy, and achieve the sleek, bouncy texture that you desire.
For reference, the curly girl method is also referred to as cg method or CGM.
Curly Girl Method Steps: How To Start The CG Method
To start the curly girl method, there are a few steps we first need to take:
It’s also important to find out your curly type, porosity, and overall health of your hair. Knowing your curl type and porosity will ultimately drive your curly hair product choice and styling technique.
If you’re not sure if your hair is damaged, perform the following simple test:
Run your fingers through your hair. If it feels dry and straw-like, there’s a good chance that it is damaged.
Another telltale sign of damage is when your hair breaks easily or has split ends.
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s time to start a new hair routine that will help to repair and strengthen your hair.
2. Use Only Curly Girl Method Approved Products
Next, it’s time to get rid of your curly hair products that are not CGM approved and replace them with approved products.
When shopping for curly girl method approved products, it’s important to read the ingredient list to make sure the product is free of harsh chemicals mentioned below in this post.
If you’re unsure that the product you want to use is cg approved, just enter it on a site like Curlscan to check.
Be sure to grab a few of the recommended cg products below to get started as well as check out the links below this article for more curly girl approved product options.
3. Ditch Your Heat Styling Tools
When following the CGM, your flat iron and curling iron are useless!
The high heat from hair dryers, curling irons and straighteners can cause significant damage to your curls, leading to frizz, split ends and even hair loss.
Give your hair a break and let it air dry as often as possible to allow it to regain its natural curl pattern.
If you must use heat styling tools, try to keep the temperature on the low or moderate setting and avoid using them every day.
Also, make sure to use a good quality heat protectant spray or serum to help shield your hair from damage.
4. Trim Straight Or Stringy Ends
Depending on the state of your hair, you can opt to get a trim before you jump into following the cg method. This will help you to start with the healthiest hair possible.
Some girls prefer to do a big chop and cut off the damaged length of their hair.
Of course, this will leave you with pretty short hair but the newer growth will be much healthier and curlier than the damaged parts.
This way you also don’t have to go through a transition phase and you don’t have to train your curls.
Instead, you will be following the cg method to ensure that your new growth is healthy and well defined.
5. Clarify Your Hair To Remove Build Up
It’s important to ensure tht you start off your cgm journey with a clean slate by using a clarifying shampoo to remove heavy product build-up.
This leaves your wavy hair or curly hair looking greasy, lymph, frizzy and can lead to scalp issues like dandruff or dryness.
CG approved clarifying shampoos are gentle enough to remove all the build-up without stripping away our natural oils.
Textured hair is prone to dryness and frizziness, so it’s important to give them a good deep conditioning treatment at least once a week.
After a deep conditioning treatment or mask your curls will get the moisture and protein it needs, resulting in incredibly soft and hydrated waves or curls.
For best resutls, be sure to always leave the product in your hair for the recommended time on the product’s instructions
Some people apply their styling products to soaking wet hair before getting out of the shower. Depending on your hair porosity, this may work well for you.
Personally, it has never worked well for me. Others, like myself, get better results by styling their curls damp.
Experiment to see what’s best for your curls.
Whether you style on soaking wet or damp hair, it’s important to evenly distribute your styling products.
You can achieve this by taking a sufficient amount of products into the palm of your hands and gently raking it through your hair or, smoothing it over your hair.
Lastly, gently scrunch your hair for definition.
Take away:
Styling Techniques To Avoid
When following the cg method you also need to avoid certain styling techniques that will damage your curls and cause frizz.
never brush dry curls
terry cotton towels
heat styling tools
Instead, Style Using CG Method Approved Techniques Like:
finger detangle, use detangling brush or wide tooth comb
After styling, you can plop your hair with a tshirt for about 20 minutes.
Then, air dry or diffuse your hair.
Air drying will take longer and typically results in less volume. The cg method does recommend root clipping to give lift and volume. If you’re starting with damaged hair, this is your best option.
For healthier curly hair, and once done right, diffusing your curly hair will leave you with defined, frizz-free, voluminous curls.
If you choose to diffuse, remember that this method recommends that you don’t use any heat. So don’t put your blow dryer settings on high heat, try cold air.
4. Scrunch Out The Crunch
Once your hair is dry, gently scrunch your curls to get rid of the gel cast.
This step will leave you with soft, defined curls.
Ingredients To Avoid In Your Curly Girl Method Products
If you want a more comprehensivelist of ingredients to avoid in your products, check this list.
One of the most important things you need to do to get started with the CG method is to become aware of the ingredients to avoid and the best products to use.
When you’re following this method, it’s important to avoid harsh ingredients in your hair products.
Harsh ingredients can strip your hair of its natural oils and moisture, leading to dry and damaged hair.
Some common harsh ingredients to avoid include sulfates, silicones, drying alcohols and mineral oils.
harsh sulfates – like Sodium Laureth Sulphate
drying alcohols – for example ethanol or propyl alcohol
non water soluble silicones – like dimethicone
Sulfates are harsh cleansers that strips the natural oils and moisture from your hair. They can leave your hair feeling “squeeky clean” and dry. Instead try any of the sulfate free shampoos below.
Drying alcohols can be found in gels and mousses and will damage your curly hair by causing it to be extra dry, frizzy and of course, brittle.
Silicones are found in conditioners and styling products and don’t damage your hair as the other ingredients do.
However, they can build up over time causing your hair to be frizzy and dry, leading to damage and breakage.
The CG method argues that you need a shampoo with sulfate to clarify your hair after using silicones.
There’s been a bit of discussion on whether all types of silicones require sulfate to wash it out or not – I think it’s best to experiment to see what’s best for your curly hair.
If your hair is damaged and you’re now starting out, it’s probably a great idea to stay away from the recommended ingredients until you’re hair is repaired and healthy.
Other Curly Girl Products You Must Try
To ensure that you’re equipped to give your curly hair the best care, pick up these products as well:
How Long Does It Take For The Curly Girl Method To Work
The length of time it takes for the curly girl method to work depends on the health of your hair when you start. However, most see results within six weeks.
If you’ve been using damaging products and heat styling for a very long time, it may take you longer than someone who had not been.
If you decide to try the CG method, it’s important to note that in the beginning, it’s very possible that your hair will look worse before it gets better.
The reason is that you’ll be trading in products with silicones and other ingredients that coat your hair with products that temporarily make your hair look good, with clean ingredients.
So, stick with it and take progress photos so that you can see the improvements as you go along.
Can Anyone Do The Curly Girl Method
Anyone with a textured hair type will benefit from following the curly girl method.
By giving up on damaging hair products and practices, girls with wavy hair and curly hair can see a remarkable improvement in the health and definition of their hair.
The good thing is that over time I’ve found the best products and practices for my curly hair that leaves me with healthy, defined curls, which is always the desired result.
My best advice to you is to experiment and find the best products and routines for your curly hair care and journey.
What about you? Will you try the curly girl method? If you’ve tried it, I’d love to hear your thoughts below.
Before You Go, You Will Love These Other Posts For Curly Hair:
How To Grow Curly Hair Fast– 8 Tips To Grow Out Short Curly Hair
Do you want to learn how to grow curly hair fast ? In this post, I cover my top 8 tips for curly hair growth.
Growing out short curly hair fast can sometimes be challenging.
But, I’ve got the best tips for you that will help you learn how to make curly hair grow faster.
Whether you’re looking to promote root hair growth or length retention, these curly habits will help you to grow longer curly hair faster.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.
Maintain a healthy dietFor Maximum Curly Hair Growth
As with most things in our lives, maintaining a healthy diet and getting sufficient water daily will help with curly hair growth.
Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, balances your hormones which promote hair growth.
Ensuring that you get sufficient vitamins like A, B, C, D & E through food and supplements will help you to grow long, curly hair.
Pay Attention To Your Curly Hair Ends To Maintain The Length Of Your Hair
I don’t love cutting my hair often, which includes the “regular” trims that my hairdresser would recommend.
Instead, I pay very close attention to my ends and I’m always on the lookout for signs of splitting.
Once my curly hair has split ends, I’ll go in to have a trim.
Another great tip for your curly ends is to moisturize and hydrate them more than the top of your head.
Your ends are the oldest parts of your curls and will be more prone to being dry, frizzy and brittle, which would lead to more breakage and split ends.
This means that even though you’re achieving hair growth from your roots, you’re not retaining your curly length.
This is probably why it feels as though your naturally curly hair isn’t growing.
By taking good care of your curly length, you will realize that your don’t split as quickly as they used to.
Of course, this means, you can go longer without getting a trim so you maintain your curly length.
Give Your Scalp Some Extra LoveFor Curly Hair Growth
Similar to having a skin care routine, it’s essential to have a scalp care routine.
For your normal curly girl routine, dedicate some time before your wash day routine to moisturize and massage your scalp.
For a curly girl hair growth routine, add daily scalp massages with your favorite hair growth oil.
The best time to stimulate your hair follicles with scalp massages for hair growth is at night, right before bedtime.
With a small amount of your hair growth product on your fingertips, gently massage your scalp.
This will stimulate your hair follicles, increase blood flow, and promote curly hair growth.
Follow Curly Girl Tips For Your Hair TypeTo Grow Your Hair
One of the most important aspects of growing long curly hair is maintaining your length.
This means that you have to prioritize minimizing breakage.
One of the most important curly hair growth practices deep conditioning your curls at least once a week.
Deep conditioning hydrates and strengthens your curls, preventing breakage so that you maintain healthy long curls.
Additionally, spend some time researching best practices for your curly hair type and incorporate them into your routines.
If you don’t know where to start, check out these posts:
Use Protective Hairstyles For Your HairTo Promote Curly Hair Growth
One of my best tips to make curly hair grow faster is to use protective styles often.
Styling your hair once a week and only maintaining it throughout the week will help to minimize breakage and therefore, maintain the length of your curls.
The more you style and manipulate your hair, the more likely it will break.
To make your wash and go last longer, try adding a curl cream or curly girl gel to add hold to your defined curls.
This helps reduce frizz, locks in moisture, and reduces the number of times you have to touch and manipulate your hair on refresh days.
Using hairstyles to protect your curls will help to protect the length of your naturally curly hair from breakage.
Examples of protective hairstyles For Curly Hair Growth:
double dutch braids
french braids
twist outs
simple high-top curly bun
Curly Hair Growth Oils
The best hair growth oil products will typically have 2 types of oils at the top of the ingredient list in its formula – a carrier oil and an essential oil.
Essential oils are great for hair growth but it’s not recommended to use them directly on your scalp.
Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, and tea tree are paired with carrier oils like castor, coconut, jojoba and olive.
There are a few preferred oils that are used by many curly and wavy girls to grow their hair – try out any below. You can click to purchase easily on Amazon.
Curly girl hair growth oils and products to try:
Tropic Isle Living The Original Jamaican Black Castor Oil – Buy On Amazon
The Mane Choice Multivitamin Scalp Nourishing Growth Oil – Buy on Amazon
Camille Rose Naturals Cocoa Nibs & Honey Ultimate Growth – Buy on Amazon
Curl Smith Scalp Recipe Full Lengths Density Elixir – Buy on Amazon
Last thoughts On How To Grow Curly Hair fast
Growing out your short curly hair may not be as daunting as you may have once thought.
Remember that caring for your scalp and the length of your curly hair is critical to promoting curly hair growth.
Also, using the right products for your curls, using protective curly hairstyles, and protecting your curls while you sleep all help to strengthen your hair and minimize breakage.
I hope this post will inspire you to continue on your curly hair growth journey to get the long curly hair of your dreams. 🙂
How To Sleep With Curly Hair: 3 Top Easy Ways To Protect Curls Overnight
If you have curly or wavy hair, learn how to sleep with curly hair to wake up with defined curls, hydrated and little to no frizz. As a curly girl, you know that it can be a challenge to keep your curls looking their best when you’re trying to get some shut-eye.
You’ve taken your time and styled your curls to perfection and you want it to last long after you’ve slept on them. This is easy to achieve if you follow good curly girl nighttime practices.
If you don’t, you risk getting up to dry, knotted, messy and frizzy curls or waves that need more than a quick refresh.
When you sleep with your hair unprotected, you’re likely going to wake up to a change in your curl pattern, more frizz, less curl definition, and have more hair breakage from the friction caused by your hair rubbing against your cotton pillows and sheets.
For your curl definition to last beyond wash day, you need to learn the best way to sleep with curly hair to protect your curly hair at night while you sleep.
When it’s bedtime, you may be wondering:
Should I wrap my curls overnight?
How can I protect my short curly hair while sleeping?
What is the best way to protect my long curly hair for bed?
But don’t worry – we’ve got three easy ways for curly girls to sleep with their curly and wavy hair that will help minimize damage and keep your curls healthy, defined and hydrated until the next morning! Keep reading to learn more.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.
3 Best Ways For Sleeping With Curly Hair Without Ruining It
If you have natural curls, it’s important to take extra care of your hair when bedtime rolls around. There are a few things that can help with this and ensure those beautiful waves stay in place all night long!
To protect your curls while you sleep, there are a few things that you can do with your nighttime routine. Textured strands are often more sensitive and need extra care when it comes time for bedtime so try one of these ways to sleep with waves and curls:
Secure your curls in a pineapple
Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase
Put your curls in a silk or satin bonnet, scarf, buff
Protecting your hair while you sleep helps to keep curls defined the next morning so that wash day results last longer and all you need to do is a simple refresh in the morning.
Sleeping with curly hair is easy when you add these to your curly girl nighttime routine and wake up to less frizzy and more defined curls.
Wearing your hair in a pineapple hairstyle or loose bun is a great way to protect your curls while you sleep. This method minimizes friction and keeps your curls from becoming a tangled mess.
In addition, wearing your hair in a pineapple or bun will help keep your curls hydrated and prevent them from drying out overnight.
To pineapple your hair, simply gather your curls into a high ponytail on top of your head. Then, use as, fabric covered hair tie to secure your curls in place. The best soft hair tie to use is one made of satin or silk as they are very gentle on your strands.
If you have shorter hair, you can also put your curls in a loose bun. Simply twist your hair into a bun and secure it with bobby pins.
This is one of the best and easiest ways to sleep with curly hair as your curls will not really be disturbed as you sleep leading to less frizz and hair damage overnight.
There are a few ways to put your curls in a pineapple, depending on your hair length.
How to sleep with short curly hair
Put up your short curly hair in a pineapple ponytail. To do this:
Flip all your hair forward
Place a satin scrunchy once at the very top of your head
You can also pineapple only the top of your hair and leave the bottom out if your hair is too short
How to sleep with long curly hair
To protect textured hair at night, secure long curls in a pineapple. Simply:
Start by flipping all your hair forward
Loosely secure curls in a satin scrunchie at the very top of your head
To do a loose pineapple – pull the length almost all the way through but stopping just before you reach the ends of your hair
If your scrunchie is too big, pull all your hair through the scrunchie once and then again almost all the way through.
If you have curly bangs or shorter front pieces, then leave those out of your pineapple and use a tiny clamp to clip it back.
2. Sleep on a Silk or Satin Pillowcase
If you’re looking for a super easy, no fuss way to protect your curls while you sleep, consider using a satin or silk pillowcase.
Unlike cotton pillowcases, which can absorb your hair’s natural oils and moisture, silk and satin pillowcases don’t strip your hair of its natural oils, which can help minimize frizz and keep your curls looking hydrated.
In addition, silk and satin pillowcases are gentle on your hair and allow your hair to glide over the material creating fewer opportunities for frizz and hair damage.
How to sleep with curly hair on a satin pillowcase:
This is how to prepare your curls to sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase:
if necessary, apply a small amount of sealing oil or leave in conditioner – this will help to keep your curls hydrated as you sleep.
Finger coil or shape pieces for more definition
leave curls loose, secure in a loose bun, or loosel braids
If you leave your curls loose, flip all of your hair forward before you lay down. This will ensure you don’t wake up with flattened curls. Even though you sleep on a satin pillowcase if you leave your hair loose while you sleep you will likely experience frizz the next morning.
While you will experience less frizz than if you slept on a cotton pillowcase, the better way to protect your hair overnight is by securing them in a loose bun and then sleeping on your satin or silk pillowcase.
3. Secure Curly Hair In A Silk Or Satin Scarf, Bonnet Or Hair Buff
Hair accessories like silk or satin scarves, bonnets, and hair buffets can be a great way to protect your locks from damage when you sleep.
They will help keep the moisture in so hair doesn’t get dry overnight which could lead not only do breakage but also tangling hassle! They should also help prevent split ends because they limit movement overnight- preserving curl definition!
How To Sleep With Curly Hair In A Silk Or Satin Bonnet:
Flip your hair over and put on the silk bonnet
Place your curls in the satin bonnet or scarf with your head upright – perfect for short curly hair
For long curly hair, secure your curls in a pineapple hairstyle with a soft satin hair tie, then put on your satin bonnet
To protect your hair from the friction is to sleep with a satin bonnet or scarf. This will create a barrier between your hair and your pillow and restrict your curls from moving too much while you sleep. This will help reduce frizz and preserve your curl shape.
That is if you can keep it on. I’ve tried to keep a bonnet on a few times and it always comes off.
So, if I choose to sleep with a bonnet, I always sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase for added security for my curls.
How To Sleep With Curly & Wavy Hair In A Satin Scarf:
Sleeping with a satin or silk scarf is also one of the best ways to protect your curls at night.
The smooth fabric helps to minimize friction and prevent your hair from tangling or breaking while you sleep. Plus, it helps to keep your hair hydrated and can even help reduce frizz.
Sleeping with your curly hair in a satin or silk scarf is very similar to the bonnet. The main difference is that it can be more secure because you’re tying the scarf.
This is how to put on and secure a scarf on your head:
Fold the scarf in half to create a bandanna.
Flip over your hair if you have short hair or secure long curls in a pineapple
Tie the scarf around your head, making sure that it’s tight enough to stay in place, but not so tight that it gives you a headache.
take the loose ends of the scarf and tie them in a knot at the nape of your neck.
tuck any loose ends into the scarf.
You can also use a headband or bobby pins to secure your scarf. Just make sure that the headband is lined with silk or satin so that it doesn’t damage your hair.
How To Put Curls & Waves In Hair Buff:
Using a buff will restrict hair movement and keep your curl pattern intact.
This is how to put curls in a hair buff:
pull the buff over your head until it’s around your neck
gently pull hair bull over the length of your curls
make sure all of your hair is in the buff, if your hair is too long, scrunch down the ends to fit it into the buff
gently shake out waves and curls in the morning.
Sleeping With Curly Hair – Do’s& Don’ts
To wrap up, let’s recap what you want to do and what you definitely want to avoid when you sleep with curly hair.
Before bed, use protective methods to refrain from disturbing your curls while you sleep
Curly Girl Don’ts:
Sleep without hair protection
Use cotton bedsheets
Secure your hair using hair ties that will damage your hair
SLEEPING WITH CURLY HAIR PRO TIP:When you get up the next morning, give your hair a shake and refresh using your favorite curly products
Bringing It All Together
So, if you’re one of the millions of people with textured hair, learning how to sleep with curly hair can make all the difference in whether you wake up with defined, hydrated curls or a frizzy mess.
But by using the right techniques you won’t wake up to frizzy curls. Be sure to secure your curls in a pineapple, sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase, and put your curls in a bonnet or scarf made from silk or satin – you can wake up with bouncy curls that are defined and hydrated.
Have you tried any of these methods? What works best for you? Let us know in the comments below!
Before You Go, You Will Love These Other Posts For Curly Hair:
3A 3B Curly Hair Routine: How To Care For The Best Defined Curls
This easy, quick curly girl hair routine 3a 3b hair routine leaves me with gorgeous defined curls, every time.
If you’re looking for one of the simplest and best curly hair routines from wash day to refresh days for your 3a hair or 3b hair then you’ve come to the right place!
I have also included some of my favorite curly girl product recommendations that you can easily purchase by just clicking on the links provided.
Girls with 3a hair have loosely defined spiral curls and great volume.
3a hair strands can be fine to medium texture and is more susceptible to frizz than 2b hair or 2c hair.
If you have type 3b hair, your curls and ringlets are tight, well-defined, and voluminous.
3b hair texture can be fine or medium and is prone to dryness and frizz.
So, if you have type 3 hair or a combo of both, like me, let’s look at how to take care and style your curls.
Affiliate Disclosure: “This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”
When washing your curly girl sulfate-free shampoo, concentrate on cleansing your scalp.
Be sure to use your fingertips or shampoo brush to massage your scalp to cleanse.
If you think your scalp needs some extra love, you can use a gentle clarifying shampoo that is specifically for your scalp.
After using my fingertips to massage my scalp, I bring the extra product down the length of my hair.
Don’t apply shampoo directly to the length of your hair. As you rinse, the shampoo that was applied to the scalp is sufficient to cleanse the length of your curls.
Finally, rinse thoroughly, and move on to conditioning your hair.
Conditioning your 3a hair or 3b hair is extremely important for your hair’s health. Curly hair needs hydration and strength and using the best conditioner for your hair is essential.
Depending on the health of your curls you can use a rinse-out conditioner to detangle and then move on to deep conditioning. Try any of these great curly girl conditioners.
If you’re doing a mid-week wash, then my recommendation is still to use a curly girl conditioner that is silicone free, moisturizing and provides enough slip to detangle easily.
Applying your conditioner is the same for both deep conditioning and regular. Apply your preferred curly girl conditioner to the length of your 3a 3b hair and not directly on your scalp.
If your hair is pretty tangled, apply the conditioner in sections and smooth it down the length of your hair. This will ensure better product distribution and easier detangling.
To detangle, you can simply use your fingers or a brush. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Using a brush can also help with product distribution, curl clumping and definition.
Once you’ve detangled, rinse the conditioner thoroughly. Leaving in conditioner can cause moisture overload.
If your hair is already detangled after washing, you can skip the conditioner and deep condition after washing.
The best curly girl deep conditioner for your 3a curls or 3b curls will be silicone-free and will provide enough hydration and strength, depending on the product of choice.
Follow the directions on your product for the best results. Most deep conditioners recommend leaving the product for about 20 mins.
To remove excess water, wrap your hair with a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel.
These are best as they reduce the chance of hair breakage and frizz. After a couple of minutes, remove the towel or cotton t shirt and proceed with styling.
Applying styling products on 3a 3b curly hair that is too dry or too wet gives a horrible end result for my hair type.
I have seen some curly hair tutorials on youtube where products are applied to soaking wet hair and the results look amazing. This is definitely not the case for my hair. I’ve tried this and my hair looked awful!
For my hair type, dampening my 3a 3b hair before styling is the best! Experiment to see what works for you.
3A 3B Hair Curly Styling Routines
There are many curly hair routines and tutorials available for you to try for your 3a 3b hair. Just to name a few:
Over the years one of the biggest mistakes I made was trying various routines and methods that worked with either low porosity hair or a different curly type. This is a fantastic video to explain why different routines are necessary for each type.
The way your 3a hair or 3b hair responds to products largely depends on your hair porosity.
If you’re unsure of your porosity, you can check out these curly hair basics before you continue reading.
Experimenting with routines and curly hair products is the best way to find the best routine for your curls.
What Is The Order Of Products For 3a 3b Curly Hair
Liquid (leave in conditioner)
Curl cream
Gel or mousse
Sealing oil
How much curly Girl product should you use?
The amount of each product you will use will depend on your curly hair texture and the length of your hair. But a good rule of thumb is to use the diameter of your hair when it’s in a ponytail.
Remember, even when using a curly guide, the key to having awesome curly hair is to keep experimenting with different products and routines to find your best fit.
Curly Girl Products For 3a 3b Hair
Leave In Conditioners For 3a 3b Hair
Your liquid of choice can be a leave-in conditioner or simply water, if your hair doesn’t need extra moisture.
I ensure that my hair is damp before applying my styling products.
If your hair has dried out a bit too much when you are ready to style, use water from a spray bottle to dampen it.
Recommended Leave in Conditioners for 3A Curls or 3B Curls
This product is optional. Lots of curly girls don’t like this but my hair loves it. You can apply an oil that penetrates your hair shafts for extra hydration.
These penetrating oils are thin and allow your 3a 3b curly hair to retain moisture.
Your hair strands will soak up as much as it needs. Great options are:
Coconut oil
Almond oil
Olive oil
Avocado Oil
My 3a 3b curls absolutely love coconut oil. Once I’m at home, it’s usually the only hair product I use as it gives my hair enough moisture. Typically, after applying my oil, I let my hair air dry and then I braid or put my hair in a curly bun.
Applying too much oil could cause your hair to feel too oily and it may end up looking lymph. You will learn what’s the right amount by experimenting.
Finally, use your Denman brush to ensure that the product is well distributed. And scrunch or braid, if desired.
For longer lasting curls, move on to applying a curl cream and gel.
Curl Creams For 3a Hair & 3b Curly Hair
Curl creams provide additional moisture, definition, and even some hold for your 3a curls or 3b curls.
Mixed Chicks Leave in Conditioner – I know this is a leave in conditioner but often, I apply a generous amount and it works so good. I get great definition and hold. – Buy on Amazon | Target
How To Apply your Curly Girl curl cream
Apply in small sections of your hair.
Start by smoothing a small amount of your preferred curl cream with the palm of your hands.
Brush smaller sections away from your scalp with your Denman brush. This is essential to get the best curl definition and volume.
For the top of your head, brush each section up and again, away from your scalp to encourage volume. Brushing your hair downwards encourages your hair to lay flatter.
Gently shake the section to help with curl definition.
Scrunch for maximum definition.
Mousse Or Gels For 3a 3b Curly Hair
If you’re looking for more hold and longer-lasting curls, at this point you can apply a mousse or a gel to your 3a 3b curls.
These curly stylers create a cast on your curls. This may result in your hair feeling crunchy as it holds your curl pattern for a longer time.
If you’re going to diffuse your hair, applying these products is beneficial as it will help to reduce frizz in the drying process.
Apply the curly girl gel or mousse by gently glazing the product over your hair and then scrunching it into your curls. This helps to distribute the mousse and defines your curl pattern even more.
How To Sleep With 3A 3B Curly hair Without Ruining It
There are a couple of ways to sleep to preserve your curls. The best way would depend on your circumstances and hair type.
I’ve tried satin bonnets and I honestly dislike it and it never stays on anyway. Instead, I sleep on a satin pillowcase with my hair in a loose pineapple to protect my curls.
To refresh your 3a 3b hair in days following wash day, take your hair down from the pineapple or take off your satin bonnet and gently shake your curls.
Refresh day Option 1:
Take hair down from pineapple or bonnet
Gently shake curls
Smooth curls with serum to tame frizz
Refresh Day Option 2
Take hair down from pineapple or bonnet
Gently shake curls
Spray hair with water
Finger coil any curls that lost their curl pattern
Smooth curls with serum to tame frizz
If you need a little more hair product, you can add more once you’ve dampened your hair. Then finger coil and you’re good to go.
If you’re like most moms, you’re always on the go. You don’t have time to spend hours on your hair every day. That’s why we’ve put together this easy curly hair care routine for busy moms! We’ll give you tips on how to take care of your curls and keep them looking their best, even when you’re short on time. Plus, we’ll show you how to create a simple routine that will fit into your busy schedule. So read on and learn how to take care of your curly hair!
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.
My 3a 3b Curly Hair Care Journey
In my younger days, I hated my curly hair and I longed for the day I could relax it. When I eventually relaxed it, I hated it so I cut it off and grew it back. At that point, I searched for a product to tame my frizz and I found gel. Gel was my best friend. I figured out on my own, without the internet (yes, I’m that old! Lol) how to style my hair with gel. My hair looked awesome once styled and I was absolutely in love with my curls.
My gel routine was my go-to for many years but the flaking drove me insane! Surely there was a better product that I could afford. Eventually, I found mousse.
I became OBSESSED! It had the hold I loved without the flakes and crunch.
But still, it was a lot to have to wash out quite often and my hair was pretty damaged and dry. This wasn’t much of an issue but when I became a mom, I really didn’t have the time to prioritize washing my hair often.
Since becoming a mom, my hair has been in a bun more than ever and I wanted a way to effortlessly and safely rock my curly bun all week if I needed to (ok not if, but when).
Curly Hair Care Tips For Busy Moms
If you have curly hair, then you know that it can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you have gorgeous, natural curls that are the envy of many women.
On the other hand, your hair can be difficult to manage and style, especially if you’re short on time.
Fortunately, there are some easy tips and a routine that you can follow to help take care of your curly hair. For a more indepth look at curly hair care for beginners, please take some time to read this informative article.
Curly hair tends to be on the drier side, so hydration is key for healthy curls and an easy routine.
However, the main thing to keep in mind about curly hair care is that you need to balance protein and moisture in your curls. Basically, if your hair is dyed, use products with some protein. If your hair is natural, then just stick to a mix of protein and moisture rich products.
Easy Curly Hair Routine for Moms
Wash with sulfate free shampoo
Condition & detanlge
Deep condition
Style with one product
Diffuse
Refresh as necessary
wash With Sulfate Free Shampoo
Sulfate free shampoos will cleanse your hair without stripping or damaging your strands.
When washing your hair, only apply shampoo to your scalp and use your fingertips or a shampoo brush to gently scrub.
As you rinse, the shampoo that runs down the length of your hair is sufficient to cleanse your ends.
My favorite shampoo is the Daily Hydration Shampoo by Shea Moisture. You can buy it on Amazon and read my full review here.
Condition & Detangle
Apply enough conditioner to your curls to easily detangle. After applying, use a detangling brush like this Tangle Teezer to gently detangle from ends to root. Rinse thoroughly and move on to deep conditioning.
One of the most important steps in your curly hair routine is deep conditioning. Commit to deep conditioning your curls every week and you will find that styling your hair becomes even easier!
The type of deep conditioner will depend on your hair’s needs so be sure to assess your curls before. You can check this post and this post to determine the type of conditioner you need.
Follow the product’s instructions regarding how to apply and the length of time to leave the deep conditioner in and then rinse thoroughly.
Style Your Curls
Now for the fun part – styling your curls.
If you’re short on time, one styling product would be best for you to use. However, depending on your hair and on the environment, you may need to add in a product with strong hold for your wash day results to last.
Some great products to try for maximum curl definition:
Diffusing your curls is best when you’re short on time. It may take some time to diffuse, but the results will last longer.
Almost any diffuser would work but if you want to splurge on yourself and save yourself some drying time, check out the dyson diffuser. It’s pricey but curly girls swear by the results and the length of time taken to dry your curls will be significantly reduced.
On refresh days, all you need to do is spritz some water and a little extra product (if needed) on the parts of your curls that need a little extra love, finger coil, or scrunch and you’re done!
As a busy curly mom of three, I ensure that I use good curly hair care products for my hair by keeping an updated list of safe brands and products that I’d like to test.
For the most part, I can use the same products for a considerable period. However, depending on the weather and the condition of my hair, I have to switch products and brands from time to time.
Experimenting is the best thing you can do.
To quickly and easily check if a product is curly hair safe, just put the product into a website like, Curlscan.
I hope these curly hair care tips for beginners make you fall in love with your curly hair again. If you’re now starting your curly hair journey and would like to follow the curly girl method, check out this easy guide to get you started with the CG method.
Leave me a comment below to let me know what are some of your curly hair tips and fave hair products.
Before You Go, You Will Love These Other Posts For Curly Hair:
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