How to Straighten Your Hair Overnight

Co-authored by Christine George

Last Updated: May 4, 2023 References

Straightening hair that is naturally curly or wavy can be a fun way to switch up your look. You can straighten your hair with chemicals or flat irons, but to maintain your look, you need to keep your hair flattened overnight. On the other hand, there are several ways to actually straighten wavy hair overnight without ever using damaging methods such as chemicals or flat irons. It is relatively simple to straighten your hair overnight and this can help save you time in the morning, too.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using the Wrapping Method

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1
Start with damp hair. You need to get your hair wet because it is easier to comb your hair out and stretch it straight when it is wet. You can do this in the shower or by simply spritzing water onto your hair. If you do take a shower, make sure you apply conditioner.^{[1]
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- If you are going to wash your hair right before straightening it, consider washing and conditioning your hair with products that contain smoothing agents, such as argan.^{[2]
  X
  Research source} This will help prepare your hair for straightening better than regular shampoo and conditioner. Try to avoid shampoo that contains harsh chemicals such as sulfates or parabens, as these can damage your hair.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Christine George
  Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
  
  Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.}
2
Comb your hair out thoroughly. It is important to make sure your hair is tangle free before you wrap it. Use a wide toothed comb or hairbrush.^{[4]
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- Be patient but gentle. Get any knots out without pulling hard by starting at the bottom of your hair and working up the strands gradually, getting a few inches clear of knots at a time.
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3
Squeeze your hair with a microfiber towel or t-shirt. After you finish combing your hair, squeeze out the excess moisture. It is best to use a microfiber towel or t-shirt to do this since they will reduce the chances of making your hair frizzy.
- Make sure that you only squeeze your hair. Do not wring out or rub your hair with the microfiber towel or t-shirt because this can also lead to frizz.
4
Apply tea tree oil, argan oil, or another hair oil to your hair.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Put a small amount of oil into your palm and then work it into your hair. This will help to lock moisture into your hair.^{[6]
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- Avoid water-based moisturizers, which are also called humectants. They can make your hair become wavy or curly again.
- Be sure to massage the oil into the bottom half of your hair. This part of your hair has less natural oil to protect it.
5
Section out your hair. Begin by giving yourself a middle part. Use a comb or brush to do this.^{[7]
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- Start at the front of your hair and work your way towards the back.
- Brush one half of your hair over to the side and behind your ear.
- Brush the remainder of this section of hair around the back of your neck and over the opposite shoulder.
6
Wrap each section of hair around your head. Begin by taking a section of hair from the top of one side of your head and combing this over your part to the other side.^{[8]
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- Hold the base of this section of hair close to your head using your palm so that it is flat. This will prevent a bump or wave from forming at the base of the comb over.
- Comb the ends of this section around the back of your ear and around the back of the neck.
- Work in small sections until all of your hair is combed over and around your ear and neck.^{[9]
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7
Brush each of the sections to smooth and tighten them. Take a bristle brush and go over each section you just combed over. This will help them stick together and lie flatter on your head.
- This is the key to getting straighter hair. Having the hair lay tight and flat over your head will keep it straight.
- Make sure you hold the top of your hair down with your palm as you do so to prevent bumps from forming.
8
Use a duck bill clip to hold each section in place. This will make it easier to comb over the bottom half of longer hair.^{[10]
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Research source} This process will get easier as you add layers of hair.
- Comb the bottom half of your hair over the top of your head and secure it with the duck bill clip.
- Smooth it continuously with a bristle brush to keep the sections blended.
Do this until it is all combed over and around your head.^{[11]
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Research source} Smooth over all of your combed over hair one final time with the bristle brush and then use bobby pins to pin all of your hair in place.
Place a wig cap or bonnet over the scarf to hold everything together. This will prevent your hair from unwrapping while you sleep.
Unwrap your hair gently, undoing one layer at a time. Your hair should be straight but you may need to gently comb it out a bit to completely straighten and style it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Elastic Bands

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1
Start out with damp hair. Either take a shower or spritz your hair with water. ^{[12]
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Research source} If you do take a shower, be sure to condition your hair well.
- Wet hair is easier to comb out and to straighten.
Remove all tangles and knots. ^{[13]
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Research source} Comb your hair out so that it is as long and straight as possible.
This is easiest if you simply make a middle part. Make sure your part is straight and that both sections are lying flat against your head.
4
Fasten your hair into two low ponytails. Smooth out your hair with a natural-bristle brush going across your scalp and down to your ear. Then, divide your hair into 2 ponytails and secure each 1 with a soft hair elastic, such as a cloth-covered one, to secure each of the ponytails.^{[14]
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Research source} Don't tighten the hair elastics too tight or this will leave noticeable indentations in the hair.
- Don't use regular, uncovered rubber bands to fasten the ponytails. These can get caught in the hair and cause tangles.
- Avoid elastic hair bands that have metal pieces in them because these can pull out your hair.
- Gently comb out the bottom part of each ponytail again.
5
Add additional hair elastics down the length of each ponytail. Add 1 approximately every 1 inch (2.5 cm).^{[15]
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Research source} These will hold the ponytail together and keep your combed hair straight overnight.
- Remember, you don't want any bumps or indentations in the hair when you remove them.
- Once again, make sure the hair elastics aren't tightened too much.
6
Remove the hair elastics in the morning. Comb your hair out with a brush to smooth it. Your hair should be straight.^{[16]
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- Avoid getting your hair damp, as this will cause it to curl again.
- If you need to add moisture to your hair, try an oil such as tea-tree or argan oil.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Straightened Hair Overnight

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1
Prepare your hair for bedtime. Apply a soothing serum or hair oil to make sure your hair stays straightened. This will condition your hair, cut down on frizz, and keep humidity from unstraightening your hair.^{[17]
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- If you use a smoothing serum before blow drying or flat ironing your hair, you can use the same one at bedtime. Just as the serum will protect your hair from the heat of the iron or dryer, it should help protect your hair from the heat and moisture produced on your head while you sleep.
2
Pin your hair flat. You want to maintain the straightness of your hair by wrapping it flat around your head and pinning it down. Depending on how much hair you have, section it into manageable sections. Take each section, comb or brush it out, wrap it flat around your head, and then pin it down.
- You will need to be strategic about which sections to flatten out first, as you want to build around your head, pinning layers flat on top of other layers.
3
Apply a wrap to your head. To keep your hair flattened and to lessen frizz, you will want to purchase a hair wrap and wrap it tightly around your hair. This may be uncomfortable at first but will help you maintain beautifully straightened hair.
- If you don't have a hair wrap, you can use an old pair of nylons instead.^{[18]
  X
  Research source} Slid the waistband around your head gently,
4
Style your hair in the morning. If your hair is damp at all, for instance from sweating a bit at night, use a hair dryer to dry it before your take the pins out. Take your wrap off and your pins out gently. Gradually unwind your hair, making sure to remove any kinks made by the overnight pinning.
- Apply styling products as you normally would, for instance adding hair oil to give your hair a bit of shine.^{[19]
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  Research source}

Expert Q&A

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Question

What should I use to dry my hair if I want to avoid frizz?

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist
Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.

Christine George

Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Answer

I would suggest grabbing an old t shirt or a microfiber towel and scrunching the water out of your hair instead of rubbing your hair with a cotton towel.

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Question

Which method works the best on long hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

The elastic hair band method is the best way to straighten your hair if it is very long.

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Question

I have a shoulder length hair. Which option will work best for me?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

The wrapping method works very well for hair that is shoulder length.

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Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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