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If you've ever woken up, looked in the mirror, and thought, "What happened to my curls overnight?" you're definitely not alone.
Curly hair has a mind of its own, and mornings can be the toughest. One side ends up flat, the other frizzy, and somehow it always feels drier than it did the night before. For a long time, I thought my only option was to completely wet it down and start fresh. Sound familiar?
The truth is, refreshing curls doesn't need to be complicated. With a few small tweaks, you can bring your hair back to life in minutes, no full wash needed. Here's the routine that's worked for me, and it might just work for you too.
Refreshing curls in the morning often depends on what you do the night before. Because my hair is short, I can't tie it up or do the "pineapple method" that some curlies swear by. Instead, I focus on two things:
Switching to a silk or satin pillowcase: Cotton tends to rough up curls and cause frizz, while satin and silk let them glide more smoothly overnight. It's such a simple change, but it makes a difference!
Applying an overnight serum: I use the Bond Repair Overnight Hair Serum, and honestly, it’s made such a difference for me. I just apply a small amount to my dry curls before bed, and by morning, they’re so much more manageable.
When I wake up, I don't reach for the shower anymore (what a time-saver!). Instead, I follow this easy process:
Mist lightly with water or a hydrating spray - just enough to wake the curls up. I keep a little spray bottle by my mirror so it's right there when I need it.
Scrunch in a small amount of leave-in cream - my go-to is the Curl Defining Leave-In Cream. I find less is more here, just a tiny bit rubbed between my palms and then scrunched into the ends works wonders.
Give it a gentle fluff with my fingers - I lift at the roots and separate any clumped sections. No brushes for me they just create frizz!
If your hair constantly feels dry or frizzy, take a look at your shampoo. Regular shampoos can strip natural oils and make curls even harder to manage. I stick with a shampoo designed for curly hair, which cleans without drying out my curls. It's made a huge difference in how my hair feels and behaves throughout the week.
I used to wash my hair every day, thinking it would help. What a mistake that was! Now I wash just twice a week, and my curls look so much better for it.
Like many women, I've noticed changes in my hair texture as I've got older. It's drier, frizzier, and less predictable than it used to be. If you're experiencing the same thing, you're not imagining it. Our hair does change, and it often needs a little more care than before.
Learning how to refresh curly hair after sleeping has not only given me back easier mornings but also a boost of confidence. Because when my curls look good, I feel better, too. It's one of those small self-care practices that makes a big difference in my day.
So the next time you wake up and wonder, "How do I refresh my curly hair after sleeping on it?" remember: a little prevention, the right products, and a quick morning refresh can go a long way.
Explore my favourites:
Bond Repair Overnight Hair Serum
For more self-care tips and simple routines that make a difference, be sure to check out my other blog posts!
Simple, practical self-care tips for busy women who deserve a moment for themselves.
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