Caring for your hair at night is just as important as protecting it from the harsh elements with which it comes in contact during daytime styling and wear. The proper nighttime prepping can help your hair to retain moisture and minimize breakage. Plus, grooming your mane at night can make styling in the morning a breeze.
If your hair is . . .
Natural
Using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers, divide your hair into four sections and secure each section with a hair clip. Work in a leave-in moisturizer (from the ends to roots) one section at the time. Next, seal the moisture into the hair with natural oil like coconut or olive oil. Use sparingly. Repeat the same steps on your edges and the nape of your hair. Next, depending on your hair length, create secure but not too tight jumbo braids, two-strand twists or bantu knots. Finally, cover your hair with a satin or silk scarf or bonnet.
Relaxed
Follow the same above steps to separate and moisturize your hair. Skip the natural oil so that you don’t weigh down your strands. If you usually wear it sleek and straight in the morning, wrap your hair in a doobie at night. First, part your hair from crown down to the nape of the neck. Comb the left half forward, smoothing as you go. Using large bobby pins, place the first pin at the nape, then place one at the crown. Comb or brush the hair clockwise as you work, adding a bobby pin along the way about 2 inches from previous pin. Repeat until you work your way all the way back around to the first bobby pin.
If you opt for curls or a more wavy look, try pin curling your hair after you moisturize. Take a small section of hair and wind the entire portion around your forefinger (wrap it around more fingers if you want larger curls). Use your thumb to help hold the curl in place at the scalp. Tuck the ends of your hair in the middle of the curl. Secure with a bobby pin. Repeat until you’ve covered the entire head. (In the morning, just unclip and finger comb lightly.)
Whether you decide to wrap or pin curl your hair, always cover with a satin or silk scarf or bonnet.
A Weave
There’s no need to apply product to your weave at night. You should, however, moisturize your edges with a natural oil or moisturizer. How you secure your weave at night depends on the texture. But, regardless of the texture, you should treat your weave as you would your actual hair. For a straight or wavy weave, you can create a loose bun or chignon at the nape of your neck. Secure with a large bobby pin (an elastic band will leave unflattering dents). You can also wrap or pin curl a straight weave the same way you would wrap relaxed or straightened strands. Curly-textured weaves should be braided or twisted overnight to reduce tangling. And, of course, be sure to protect your weave with a satin or silk scarf or bonnet.
What’s your night-time hair regimen?
