7 Sleep Hairstyles to Wake Up With Better Hair

You've probably heard of the curly-girl method; consider this our lazy-girl method. Effortless, relaxed, perfectly imperfect, intentionally undone—these are the hairstyles we're reaching for daily and it seems we're not alone. Hard truth? These labels are often misleading, concealing very effort-full methods and techniques to achieving that model-off-duty look. No more. In an act of rebellion, we decided messy-but-chic should be so easy to achieve you can do it in your sleep. Literally.

We tapped to the pros for the best pre-slumber styles to wake up with that coveted tousled definition. So go ahead and sleep in.

Read on for seven sleep hairstyles that will have you waking up with better hair by morning.

Pigtail Braids

According to Nunzio Saviano, owner of Nunzio Saviano hair salon, two braids will result in pretty, soft bends in the hair. He says the braids "keep the hair from getting all over the place and are a good way to maintain your hair if you already have waves." He also recommends this style for those with naturally tight curls because they "relax the curls and make them less frizzy."

Twisted Topknots

According to celebrity hairstylist Sam DiVine, "for a soft, tousled beach wave and lived-in look, go for the twisted topknots." To achieve this updo, she suggests applying Shu Uemura Ample Angora Volumizing Hair Mousse ($42) on damp, towel-dried hair, and then loosely twisting the hair in your hand "like a rope, and then twist it again, as if you are forming a bun, to create the topknot." All you have to do once you wake up is give your hair a good tousle.

Soft Bun

Saviano also suggests doing one single high bun with a scrunchie (to avoid forming a dent in the hair). "Wavy or curly hair can be maintained by sleeping with a loose bun or braid to preserve the texture," notes Abby Haliti, founder of Abby Haliti Color Studio. The hair isn't messy come morning; rather, it's full of body when you take it out. For more defined waves and extra bounce, consider fashioning the hair into a sock bun.

French Braid

"If you want more of a rock 'n' roll look, you can braid instead of twist your hair,” says celebrity stylist Creighton Bowman. "I recommend a loose french braid starting just behind the front layers of your head." Remember, you're going to be sleeping in this style, so the looser and more comfortable it is, the better. Keep the elastics loose, too, to avoid hair dents.

Pineapple

For girls with naturally coily strands, pineapple your hair by loosely gathering the hair at the very top of the head with a scrunchie so curls don't get crushed while you sleep. You might also want to wrap your hair, which entails beginning at the nape of the neck and wrapping in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Pin any falling strands before ultimately tying a scarf around the hairline. "For natural hair, a satin scarf or cap can protect both hair and bangs," adds Haliti. To help curls maintain their integrity and stay moisturized, try the LOC Method.

Heatless Curls

If you're on social media (ahem, TikTok) you're undoubtedly already familiar with this viral (though not particularly new) technique. To start, you need a heatless curling ribbon, or any piece of fabric to wrap the hair around. You can purchase silky variations pretty much anywhere or reach for the belt of your bathrobe. Divide your hair down the middle and drape the tool over your head like a headband. Wrap each side of hair around the ribbon (away from the face) and secure the final product in place with a hair clip (preferably at the top of your head so it doesn't hurt while sleeping). Prepare for lush curls by morning.

Pin Curls

The pin-curl method is about as tried-and-true as it gets, having been a staple beauty technique in our grandmothers' arsenal and even long before that. In fact, once assembled you may be feeling yourself for the retro-glam vibes you're giving. Before we start, we should mention that this technique is probably the most labor-intensive on the list. Using your curling iron size of choice, begin by creating curls from the top of the head down. As you release each curl, try to maintain its shape (rather than letting it drop) or wind it back up into a neat spiral. Pin into place without crushing the rounded curve. Repeat for the rest of the hair.