How to Tame Messy Morning Hair

Last Updated: July 1, 2021 References

Sleeping on hair all night tends to create a bit of a mess by morning, especially if you've tossed and turned. And for those who have hair that tangles and knots with great ease, the overnight sleep can truly cause hair disaster. Never fear, taming messy morning hair is definitely doable, both before sleep and after.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Before Bedtime

1
Try taming your hair before sleeping. For those with medium to long hair, this might mean braiding your hair or tying it back so that it doesn't have a chance to travel around your head during sleep. You could also consider adding some leave-in conditioner for keeping the hair in better shape.^{[1]
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- Hair can be braided damp or dry. If you braid it when damp, you will have wavy hair in the morning.^{[2]
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2
Sleep on satin pillowcases. These can help to keep your hair smooth and less frizzed up. It's not essential but a nice touch if you like satin.^{[3]
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3
Wrap the head before sleeping. If you don't like braiding or wearing the hair in a ponytail, wrapping is another option. Use a thin summer weight scarf or a bandanna to wind your hair into place. Ensure that the hair does not move before tying a knot at the front of your head. Don't tie the knot on the back or side, as you don't want to lie on the knot.
- Using a toweling cap is another option in place of a scarf. The cap should have firm but not tight elastic.
4
Select a sleeping position that is most comfortable. With some luck, this can help to minimize overnight movement but there are no guarantees, as moving about during the night is normal.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Upon Getting Up

1
Brush or comb your hair when you get up in the morning. While self-evident, it's an important start to taming the mess. If you have problems getting the hair brushed or combed, use spray-in conditioner to ease the knots and tangles out.
- Give each section of hair five to ten brushstrokes.
- If you plan on wearing your hair down, finish up with a little hair gel or a touch of hairspray.^{[4]
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  Research source} That will keep the flyaways at bay.
2
Avoid using heat where possible. It's a vicious cycle––you add heat to try to get the hair into good condition, only to find it dries and gets flyaway, then add more heat to tame that, and so on. If you must use heat, always use heat protectant on your hair as well.
3
Go with the flow. If the hair likes messy, then use messy updos to keep things looking fashionable while staying natural to your hair's preferred appearance. Some possibilities include:
- Messy braids or plaits
- Messy buns
- Beach waves
- Hipster bedhead look plus glasses (with the added bonus you don't need to try, it already is messy)
- Messy updos.
4
Buy or make a t-shirt with a logo to reflect your acceptance of messy hair. This logo could say something like: "Messy hair, don't care." That's acceptance.

Community Q&A

Question

At school, my hair always looks so messy. I don't know how to control it without a comb. Should I wear it up?

Community Answer

Absolutely -- just stick it in a messy bun or a ponytail. You could also twist it and clip it up.
Question

When I wash my hair, it dries, but it tangles too much and its painful to brush. I put on conditioner in the mornings, but it still won't work. What should I do?

SwirlingStars

Community Answer

When you finish washing your hair, brush it to your best ability while it is wet. To prevent it from tangling as it dries, tie it in a ponytail or hold a towel to it. When it dries, section your hair (it doesn't have to be perfect sections), and comb out each section. Once your hair is combed, tie it back until you are ready to style it. If you are wearing your hair down, spray some water or hairspray on it to keep it from tangling.
Question

My hair always dries frizzy. I even use Frizz Ease hairspray, and that doesn't work. I've tried masks and everything. What do I do?

Community Answer

Embrace your hair frizziness, be loud and proud and show it off. Or, you could try some different products -- perhaps something else will work better.