How to Sleep With Wet Hair and Have It Still Look Good the Next Day

Just like a great skincare routine, the perfect hair-care routine is simple, effective and tailored to your personal needs and lifestyle. In the same way someone with sensitive skin avoids doubling up on acids, those with thinner, finer hair probably shouldn’t be piling on leave-in treatments. But even if you’ve got your wash routine down and your favorite products stocked, sometimes life happens.

Maybe you took a late-night spin class or ended up finishing your work day at 11 p.m. Whatever the case, sometimes you just have to wash your hair before bedtime. And with every late-night shower comes the inevitable question: How do I sleep with wet hair?

For all our midnight hair worries, we went straight to the experts. Read on for everything you need to know about going to bed with wet hair and still having it look good the next day, according to Nick Stenson, beauty expert and brand ambassador for Matrix, and Nunzio Saviano, expert stylist and salon owner.

Is It Bad to Sleep With Wet Hair?

“Going to sleep with wet hair is not often recommended because it limits your styling options in the morning in most cases,” shares Stenson. “Soaking wet hair can lead to unwanted mold and mildew in your pillows.”

Saviano agrees, adding that sleeping on wet hair can harm the hair cuticle and create lasting damage.

But sometimes life happens, and you find yourself fresh out of the shower at midnight. In those cases, our experts have a few tips. First off, Stenson suggests protecting pillows with a microfiber towel as a precaution. Meanwhile, Saviano follows a helpful rule of thumb: “Your hair shouldn’t be so wet that your pillow gets damp.”

The Best Ways to Sleep With Wet Hair, According to Your Hair Type

Straight Hair

For those with straighter hair, Stenson suggests first towel blotting hair to remove as much water and moisture as possible. If you can, avoid adding any product. If needed, apply a lightweight leave-in treatment from the mid-shaft through the ends to help tame frizz and knots. Then, divide hair into two braids (Stenson favors French braids, but Saviano says any will do) and get some beauty sleep. In the morning, remove the braids and add a texture-building spray to emphasize waves for a more lived-in look. If hair lacks volume, follow with a spritz of dry shampoo.

Wavy Hair

Wavy hair tends to be more prone to frizz, especially when going to bed with wet hair. After blotting with a towel, apply a leave-in conditioner spray, anti-frizz cream or hair oil — whichever you prefer. Saviano notes that it’s important to use the right amount of product depending on the thickness and length of your hair; too much product will leave hair weighed down and greasy, but too little product will make hair difficult to manage. Stenson then suggests creating two loose (but secure!) buns on opposite sides of the nape. Upon waking, simply release hair from the buns and finish with some lightweight hairspray for hold.

Curly Hair

To prep curly hair for wet sleeping, blot to remove as much moisture as possible before applying your leave-in treatment of choice. To follow, rake in hair gel and make sure it’s evenly distributed throughout the hair. Stenson suggests clipping hair up at the crown in three to four large jaw clips and covering it with a silk bonnet or scarf overnight. Meanwhile, Saviano prefers applying a combination of anti-frizz styling cream, oils or leave-in conditioners and skipping the gels and mousses, which he says can make hair stiff, hard and crunchy. Follow by dividing hair into two to four loose braids to soften up the curls, tame frizz, and control volume. The next morning, simply release hair from the clips or braids and shake and shape as needed.

Coily Hair

For coily hair, forget everything Stenson said about towel blotting hair. Instead, he suggests working with fully saturated hair and prepping with a leave-in treatment and curl moisturizing cream. Then, create four to six large, two-strand twists and secure with either clips or silk scrunchies. Cover with a silk scarf or bonnet overnight to avoid any disturbances. The next morning, remove the twists and apply a lightweight oil to ensure a soft definition at the ends.

The Best Products to Apply Before Sleeping on Wet or Damp Hair

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Leave-In Cream

Wake up with moisturized, defined curls with this hard-working leave-in cream. It locks in long-lasting, deep hydration and fights humidity to keep curls bouncy without weighing them down. Make frizzy, greasy, crunchy curls a thing of the past with this blend of hyaluronic acid and fine castor oil.