How to Protect Your Curls & Waves – Five Techniques

Hey you! If you’re started your natural hair journey but feel frustrated on your day 2, 3 results, this post will teach you how to protect your curls whenever you need to lie down/sleep.

The curly hair accessories linked in this post can also be used when you’re driving – basically any activity to prevent your hair from rubbing against a surface which causes frizz.

This is not a hard & fast rule though, for example – I protect my curls specially when I know the next day I need my curls to look well-maintained.

If you’re absolutely new to the world of curly hair care, I recommend you start with this post- Start Here

After I started my curly hair journey, I found that here is a special night time routine for curly hair which helps to reduce frizz and tangles when you wake up the next morning.

It’s very simple & you need only two things –

1. Cloth hair band (without any metal dents) or a satin scrunchies 
2. Silk or satin cap
   or
   Satin or silk scarf
   or
   Satin or silk buff
   or
   Silk or satin pillowcase

Satin or silk fabric is great for your hair and skin! It means lesser frizz and tangles for preserved curls the next morning.

You can also get great #MadeinIndia curly hair accessories from HairLoveIndia and Manetain India.

How to choose whether you should get a cap, a scarf a buff or a pillowcase?

If you have hair long enough to tie into a bun or a loose ponytail, then either cap or a buff will be perfect.

Those of you with shorter curly hair will find better results with a scarf or a buff because those methods don’t require you to use a headband.

If you’re a lazy, no fuss wavy/curly girl- a pillowcase is the one to go for!

Pineapple Method (For mid-length to long hair)

Once you have your rubber band and either the cap or the buff, you will tie your hair loosely with a technique called ‘Pineappling‘.

Bring all the hair in the front like I’ve shown below and tie it once or twice (depending on your hair’s density) so that it hangs in front of your face like a pineapple.

You can also tie your hair into a loose bun in the top front of your head.

Once that’s done, wear the satin/silk cap.

This way your curls will remain defined till the next day.

Still confused? Watch the video below where I’ve shown how.

 

Protect Your Curls & Waves with a Satin Scarf

When I cut my curls short, they became more voluminous and curly. But, I wasn’t able to tie it into a clean bun.

If you are facing the same issue, get a satin scarf and wrap your hair in the way shown in the video below by Honest Liz.

This is a great style to rock on summer days too!

Protect Your Curls & Waves with a Satin Buff

Sometimes using a rubber band to ‘pineapple’ your curls will put pressure on that section of your hair and leave marks.

Some people don’t like this and instead prefer a ‘buff’ which is a tube like stretchy fabric that you can wear as shown in the below video.

I have also seen people pineapple AND use a buff and that works better for them then other accessories. I hope you experiment and learn what suits your waves or curls the most.

Sleep on a Silk/Satin PillowCase

If you’re someone who mostly stays in and doesn’t mind less than perfect waves or curls, then simply get a silk/satin pillowcase.

Tie your hair into a loose bun if its long to prevent knots and voila! Not just your hair but your skin will love you for it.

Protecting Wavy & Curly Hair in Winters

If like me you stay in North India or any place that has a cold winter, you know how annoying it is to wash and style your curls only for the wool cap/beanie leave it very frizzy.

Thankfully we have satin lined beanies available in India now that you can wear when you’re out and about.

If you’re in school or college and can’t afford to buy, get your mom or your tailor to stitch it for you!

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Now, even with this step, as each day passes, your hair will naturally get frizzier. Moving around, handbag straps, playing with your hair, humid weather- all leave our hair frizzy.

Your day 1 and 2 hair will usually have the best results- this is absolutely normal.

You can reduce this frizz slightly if you refresh them the next morning with some water and leave in conditioner/gel.

You can learn more about refreshing in this video or read my in-depth guide here.

Disclaimer

Some of the links above are Amazon Affliate Links which means if you use that link to buy stuff, I get a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. This coffee money keeps the blog going so thank you for your support. 😊

That’s it for this post, I hope you learned how to protect your curls.

If you want to become part of my small community, you can check out my Youtube channel, join my private fb group if you have any doubts.

You can also follow me on Instagram @thecuriousjalebi where I share bts & more day to day tips on taking care of wavy and curly hair. 😊