In an ideal world, we would all be able to wake up in the morning with perfectly styled hair that doesn’t require work. But the universe manages to work against us, causing us to wake up with a bedhead that’ll take up way too much time to work around. Luckily for you, there are a few tricks that you can pull out of your hat right before you hit sheets to wake up with amazing hair, no effort required. Be lazy, look good.
For a wavy look
We all love beach waves, but thanks to this thing called college, not all of us have the time or the resources to take a trip to an actual beach. But the beauty of beach waves is that you can get them without kicking it in the sand.
The technique is simple. Shampoo and condition your hair in the shower before you go to bed. Once that’s done, part your hair into at least four sections and form a loose braid from every section. Let this dry overnight and wake up with beachy waves that are to die for.
For natural curls
A twist out is such an easy style that can be performed on natural hair of any length. For any of you naturalistas out there, all this style requires you to do is wash your hair at night and your regular LOC method. LOC is just an abbreviation for “Liquid, Oil, Cream,” the technique that natural-haired women use to moisturize their hair.
All you have to do is hydrate your hair with a liquid, normally water or any water-based product, seal in the moisture with an oil of your choice (think coconut or olive), and a cream (like SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, $14) that will help prevent moisture loss.
Once you’ve completed that, divide your damp hair into sections. Divide those sections into even smaller sections and twist away until your entire head is covered. Sleep on it and, once you wake up and unravel the twists, you should have flawless curls that not only look natural but will also last you about two to three days. If you need more of a visual, take a look at this tutorial from Mini Marley.
For a more hands-off approach
Are you more of a get-up-and-go type of girl? Then you’ll love the pineapple. Realistically speaking, we don’t always have the time to complete twist outs every single night for great hair in the morning, which is why pineapples are so convenient.
The pineapple is a styling method that many natural-haired women of all hair lengths use to protect their curls overnight. To get the look, all you need is a satin scrunchie and a satin scarf to hold your hair in place while you sleep. Gather all of your hair at the top of your head and place it in a high (and loose) ponytail. Wrap the satin scarf around your head to protect the sides and the edges of your hair while you sleep. Once you wake up in the morning, you can remove the scarf and fluff your pineapple any way that you desire.
This style is a great way to protect your natural hair in between wash days and it can also reduce breakage and tangling.
For the naturally curly girls
The plopping method is used as a way to prevent breakage and frizz from occurring while the hair is drying. It’s as simple as sleeping with your hair in a plop. Wash and condition your hair how you normally would, then grab a soft, cotton t-shirt to wrap around your head.
Do this by bending over so that all of your hair is at the front of your head and wrapping the t-shirt around your head. Then just twist the shirt like an accordion and fold it up at the top of your head. All you have to do the next morning is remove the t-shirt as gently as you can and style it however you desire.
Believe it or not, there is a way to literally wake up like this. The secret to waking up with a flawless head of hair is all in how you style it before getting your beauty sleep.