How I keep my hair from tangling is really thanks to my night routine. I detangle my hair after washing and then will style and go about my day, when it gets to night-time I must make sure I take the following steps to ensure my hair won’t get tangled or matted throughout the week.
Pineapple
When I have worn my hair in a wash and go that day, before bed I will put my hair into a pineapple (high loose ponytail”>. This keeps your hair out of the way whilst sleeping and is great for keeping your curls defined as they won’t be squashed whilst you sleep.
Satin
Sleeping with your hair in a pineapple is pointless if you don’t pair this with either a satin or silk scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase. This has been the best thing I have ever done to my hair. It prevents the dryness and tangles you naturally get whilst sleeping. I use my satin pillowcase and satin scrunchie for my pineapple.
Moisture
Another essential tip for preventing tangles is moisture! I make sure my hair stays moisturised at night-time. I add some coconut oil (shea butter in the winter months”> to my ends whilst my hair is in the pineapple. This keeps the hair moisturised and helps to make your curls even fresher in the morning.
Protective Styling
Throughout the week (usually on day 3 hair”> I’ll feel that I can no long wear my wash and go. At night, I braid my hair in 4 plaits (or twists”> then add coconut oil. This is a great way to lightly detangle your hair so that it is manageable for the rest of the week. I then cover the braids in a satin bonnet whilst still sleeping on my satin pillowcase. This is just to protect the braids from frizz and keep the protective style super moisturised and defined.
Products
Along with these techniques I also have a few products that help with tangles.
- Satin pillowcase: I love my satin pillowcase as it protects my curls as I move around a lot in my sleep, which means I would usually wake up in horror finding my scarf or bonnet not on my head! With the pillowcase you won’t have this problem.
- Satin bonnet: This a great way to protect your hair even further than the pillowcase. You can purchase these at most beauty and hair supply stores. They are great for holding in moisture throughout the night.
- Coconut oil: I like to make sure I moisturise and detangle my ends with some coconut oil at nights.
- Shea butter: In the really cold months I like to apply this also to my ends at night as it is thicker and works as an intensive moisturiser throughout the night leaving the hair so soft.
- Kinky Curly Knot Today: My favorite detangler due to its amazing slip. If you have a lot of tangles you may want to refresh your hair. This is great to use before doing your braids or twists if you find the coconut oil isn’t helping to tangle just spritz your hair lightly with water and apply some of the detangler to your fingers and finger detangle any knots.
These steps are crucial to keeping my hair under control throughout the night shift! I would recommend satin or silk accessories for everyone, as they will keep your hair from knotting, drying out and frizzing in the night.