It’s no secret that rest and relaxation is one of the most important weapons in a woman’s arsenal. Even well-known brands like Aveeno won’t work unless you are well-rested and your body has properly rejuvenated itself from the day. When it comes to waking up to soft and gorgeous hair, sleep is also an important consideration.

Fortunately, several hair stylists have shared the secrets to achieving gorgeous looking hair first thing in the morning so you can significantly cut your prep time in half. To start, here are the key steps you need to follow the night before:

Wash your hair properly

Washing your hair seems like a no-brainer. After all, removing dirt and grime that our strands accumulated during the day only seems like the most logical thing to do. However, there are a few crucial steps we need to remember to help keep our hair stronger:

-First, brush your hair before showering to detangle some strands, this makes shampooing less difficult while also distributing your scalp’s natural oils down your hair, making it softer.

-Next, hop in the shower. Use shampoo that is specifically designed for your hair type. People who have normal hair may use any type of shampoo with gentle formulation while people with rough or coarse hair may need shampoos with extra hydrating ingredients like coconut or Argan oil. Massage your scalp with the shampoo and rinse. Make sure to get rid of any residue.

-Next, dry your hair with a microfiber towel or a t-shirt. The reason for this is because slightly damp hair absorbs conditioner faster than sopping wet hair. When drying your hair, use gentle pats instead of rubbing to avoid tangles. It also helps to use a special towel with microfibers or a clean t-shirt since it won’t cause damage to wet hair.

-Apply conditioner on slightly damp hair by evenly distributing them down the middle of your strands until the ends. Leave them on for a minute or two before rinsing them off. You can also use this time to wash your body while waiting for the conditioner to set.

-Pat dry with a microfiber towel or t-shirt. Avoid wrapping your hair in a turban as it can also cause significant damage.

Detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb

Wet hair is very sensitive and requires extra care to let it dry. Use a wide-toothed comb and start combing gently from the ends of your hair and work slowly to the scalp. Allow your hair to dry naturally once you are finished.

Smooth out your hair

Once your hair is dry, use a boar-bristle hair brush to distribute your scalp’s natural oils while also providing your hair with a much-needed boost. Start with short gentle strokes at the ends of your hair before working your way towards the scalp for softer and shinier hair.

Add serum

Apply a serum at night before sleeping to give your hair that extra nourishment. Brush it through to evenly distribute a product.

Use silk sheets

Unlike cotton sheets, silk bed sheets and pillowcases cause less friction which can often lead to hair damage. Another perk is that silk sheets also help keep your skin smooth since it doesn’t draw out moisture like cotton.

Avoid sleeping with damp hair

Some people believe that sleeping with damp hair may result to them waking up to wavy hair in the morning. The truth is that this only happens to a few people. For most, sleeping with damp hair can actually lead to added frizz which doubles your prep time in the morning. If you want to wake up to wavy hair, tie your hair in a loose single braid and secure it with a scrunchie instead.

The Morning After: Quick Morning Routine

You may notice your hair looking significantly softer and bouncier in the morning. While there may be some tangles here and there, you can still have time to properly style your hair anyway you want before going to work.

-First, detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb. Start combing from the ends to the roots.

-Next, use a boar-bristle brush. Start by gently brushing the ends of your hair and work your way towards the scalp. Massage your scalp with your fingers while turning on the blow dryer for added volume.

-Finally, add a spritz of hairspray to lock in the style you want before heading out.

Waking up to gorgeous hair in the morning requires significant prep time on the night before. While many may view this as a chore, learning how to take time to care for your hair can actually cut your preparation time the next morning so you don’t have to rush to get to work. Plus, it also gives you some “me time” while you destress from working hard all day.

About the guest writer

This article was written by Cindy, she is a ghostwriter and researcher since 2014, but she is currently worked as a community manager for two brands.