The best way to protect your hair overnight after a blowout is to keep your hair dry. Before going to bed, secure it loosely to prevent friction while you sleep. A silk or satin pillowcase or scarf is a great choice to protect the style overnight. If possible, keep your hair above your shoulders and avoid tight hair ties. In the morning, you don’t need to do a lot to your hair; only touch up the areas that you think need it.
How to protect a blowout overnight at a glance
Here are some best practices to protect your blowout:
Before bed: Make sure your hair is completely dry and cool.
Long hair: Secure it loosely in a high ponytail, soft bun, or gentle wrap, depending on your style.
Short hair: Leave it down and sleep on a smooth pillowcase.
Pillowcase: You can use either silk or satin.
Hair tie: A loose silk or satin scrunchie, or another covered hair tie.
Sleep position: Try sleeping on your back or side with your hair above your shoulders, not trapped underneath you.
Dry shampoo: Use it only where oil builds up. Avoid spraying the lengths and ends.
Morning refresh: Shake out your hair, reshape it with your fingers or a brush, and touch up any flat sections.
Heat tools: Use them only when needed and keep the heat setting as low as possible.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing your hair loosely instead of pulling it into tight ponytails or buns. Too much tension can lead to breakage over time.
What is the best way to sleep with a blowout?
The best way to sleep with a blowout is to keep your hair dry, reduce friction, and avoid flattening the styled sections overnight. If you have long hair, gather it loosely at the top of your head. If your hair is shorter, you can usually leave it down and sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase.
Keep in mind that a loose style does more than protect volume. Tight ponytails and buns increase the risk of breakage, as they put stress on the hair.
Tie your hair as securely as you need, without making it tight. If your scalp feels pulled or uncomfortable, loosen your hairstyle before bed.
How should you put your hair up to sleep with a blowout?
The best overnight hairstyle depends on the type of blowout you want to maintain. Refer to the list below to check blowout style and what is the best way to sleep so you can protect your blowout.
- Bouncy blowout: Loosely gather hair high on the head with a soft scrunchie. Why: helps prevent the lengths from being trapped beneath the head and shoulders.
- Straight blowout: Loosely wrap the hair around the head or leave it down on a silk/satin pillowcase. Why: helps maintain a smoother shape without adding unnecessary bends.
- Blowout with curled ends: Use a very loose high bun or large rollers if appropriate for your hair. Why: helps preserve movement at the ends.
- Short blowout: Leave hair down and use a silk/satin pillowcase. Why: avoids creating unnecessary dents from an elastic.
- Fine hair: Use the loosest possible scrunchie or leave hair down. Why: fine hair can pick up dents and creases easily.
- Thick or long hair: Loosely gather hair above the head. Why: keeps the weight of the lengths from being crushed underneath the body.
Don’t make the mistake a lot of women tend to make: a tighter ponytail will not protect a blowout better. Don’t forget that loose hairstyles and covered hair ties are much gentler on the hair.
Should you sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase after a blowout?
After a blowout, the goal is simply to reduce friction without flattening the style.
Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase is a great choice after a blowout because it creates less friction while you sleep. Since the surface is smoother, your hair can move more freely instead of rubbing against rough fabric. A silk or satin scarf can also help if you prefer wrapping your hair.
But not all satin pillowcases are made from silk. Silk is a fiber, while satin refers to a weave.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology’s recommendation, silk or satin is a gentler option for the hair than less-smooth coverings.
Is a silk scarf or silk pillowcase better for preserving a blowout?
For most people, a silk or satin pillowcase is the easiest option for preserving the blowout, especially for bouncy styles. A scarf can offer more protection, but for it to work best, it needs to be wrapped properly.
- Best for: Silk/satin pillowcase: bouncy or voluminous blowouts. Silk/satin scarf: straight or wrapped styles.
- Hair movement: Silk/satin pillowcase: more freedom. Silk/satin scarf: more controlled.
- Setup: Silk/satin pillowcase: none. Silk/satin scarf: hair needs to be wrapped correctly.
- Risk of flattening volume: Silk/satin pillowcase: lower. Silk/satin scarf: can be higher if tied too tightly.
- Stays protected if you move frequently: Silk/satin pillowcase: depends on sleep position. Silk/satin scarf: more likely if scarf remains secure.
Neither pillowcase nor a scarf option is inherently better for your blowout. The right choice depends on your hairstyle.
Should you sleep with your blowout up or down?
Whether to sleep with your blowout up or down depends on your hair length. If you have long hair, it’s usually best to keep it loosely secured above your shoulders. If you have shorter hair, you can often leave it down.
It is common for long hair to get trapped under your head, neck, or shoulders during the night. But pulling it into a tight ponytail can create tension.
The best balance is often a loose high ponytail or a soft bun.
What is the best sleeping position for preserving a blowout?
There isn’t one perfect sleep position that guarantees a longer-lasting blowout for any hair. But sleeping on your back or side with your hair positioned above your shoulders can often help keep your blowout looking fresh. The important goal is simply to avoid putting pressure on the styled lengths.
Before going to sleep:
- Place long hair loosely above your head.
- Make sure the ends are not trapped under your neck or shoulders.
- Avoid lying directly on a ponytail, bun, or clip.
- Use a smooth pillowcase to reduce friction.
The best sleep position is whichever keeps the least amount of pressure on your hair without creating tension at the scalp.
Should you use dry shampoo before bed to preserve a blowout?
Using dry shampoo can help your blowout last longer. Dry shampoo absorbs oil at the roots. However, it should only be used where oil appears. Dry shampoo should not be a replacement for washing your hair.
If your roots tend to get oily overnight, applying a small amount before bed can help. If your hair still looks fresh, there is no reason to add it.
When applying dry shampoo, focus on the roots and avoid spraying the ends, which can become dry.
Keep in mind that dry shampoo helps hair only to look cleaner, but it does not actually clean the scalp.
Can you use too much dry shampoo on a blowout?
Using too much dry shampoo can leave buildup behind and make your hair feel dull, heavy, or gritty. Overusing dry shampoo may also dry out your hair and scalp. Regular shampooing is still necessary to remove oil, dirt, and product buildup.
Instead of spraying your whole hairstyle, target oily roots only.
How do you keep a blowout from getting frizzy overnight?
One of the best ways to prevent frizz is to keep your hair completely dry. Avoid going to bed with damp hair and try to limit exposure to humidity whenever possible.
If you shower before bed, wear a shower cap to protect your blowout from steam and moisture.
Avoid layering on too many products before sleeping. Heavy products can weigh hair down and make roots look greasy faster.
Moisture can change the shape of your blowout, while friction can rough up the finish. Limiting both helps your style last longer.
Should you go to bed immediately after getting a blowout?
Let your blowout cool completely before tying it up, wrapping it, or going to sleep.
Warm hair is more likely to take on the shape of a pillow, bun, scrunchie, or scarf. If possible, avoid scheduling a blowout right before bedtime.
Giving your hair time to cool after a blowout can help the style last longer. It can also help keep its volume.
How do you refresh a blowout the next morning?
A good morning blowout refresh focuses only on the areas that changed overnight. There’s usually no need to restyle everything.
1. Take your hair down gently. Remove your scrunchie, scarf, or wrap carefully.
2. Let the hair settle. Give it a minute to fall naturally. Lightly shake the roots with your fingertips.
3. Address oily roots. Apply a small amount of dry shampoo only where needed.
4. Restore volume. Use your fingers or a brush to lift and reshape flat areas.
5. Fix only the pieces that need help. Use a blow dryer, round brush, roller, or curling iron only on sections that lost their shape.
6. Finish lightly. Add a small amount of styling product only if needed for flyaways or shine.
A second-day blowout usually looks best when it’s refreshed, not completely redone.
How do you bring volume back to a blowout after sleeping?
To bring volume back to your blowout after a sleep, start by lifting the roots and focusing only on flattened areas.
Try flipping your part to the opposite side, massaging your roots with your fingertips, or using a blow dryer and round brush for extra lift. Large rollers can also help restore shape and volume.
Avoid using too many styling products. They can weigh the hair down when you’re trying to add movement.
If you use heat, stick to the lowest setting that gets the job done.
What should you avoid when sleeping with a blowout?
When sleeping with a blowout, the biggest mistakes are sleeping with damp hair, pulling hair too tightly, trapping long hair underneath your body, and using too much product.
When you have a fresh blowout, avoid the following:
- Going to bed while your hair is still damp or warm.
- Tight ponytails or buns.
- Small elastics that leave dents.
- Sleeping directly on the ends of long hair.
- Spraying dry shampoo through clean lengths.
- Applying heavy oils near the roots before bed.
- Restyling your entire blowout with heat every morning.
- Excessive brushing or constantly touching your hair.
Too much brushing, frequent heat styling, and tightly pulled hairstyles can all lead to breakage and damage over time.
How to Sleep With a Blowout FAQ
Can you sleep with a fresh blowout?
Yes, you can sleep with a fresh blowout. But first, make sure your hair is fully dry and completely cooled from styling. If you have long hair, secure it loosely or leave it down for shorter hair. Use a silk or satin pillowcase to minimize overnight friction.
How many days should a blowout last?
A blowout can last as many or as few days; the number of days a blowout will last depends on hair type, scalp oil production, humidity, exercise, and styling products. Sleep habits and the original styling technique can also affect the longevity of your blowout. Avoid covering your hair with repeated dry shampoo to extend your blowout. A blowout should be washed when the scalp and hair need cleansing.
Can you sleep with a blowout in a ponytail?
You can sleep with a blowout in a ponytail, but a blowout should be placed in a very loose ponytail. Use a soft, covered hair tie rather than pulling it tightly. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends loose ponytails because repeated tension can contribute to hair breakage.
Can you sleep with a blowout in a bun?
You can sleep with a blowout in a bun, but the bun should not pull at the scalp or tightly twist the lengths. Tension and tight styling can contribute to hair damage. A loose high bun can help keep long hair away from the shoulders overnight, especially when preserving a bouncy blowout.
Should you use a bonnet with a blowout?
A smooth silk or satin bonnet can protect hair from overnight friction if it has enough room to avoid crushing the blowout’s volume. The American Academy of Dermatology specifically identifies silk and satin as gentler materials for hair coverings.
Can you shower after getting a blowout?
You can shower after a blowout, but keeping the hair dry and limiting exposure to steam helps preserve the finished style. Use a shower cap that accommodates the hairstyle without tightly compressing it.
How do you keep bangs looking good overnight?
Keep bangs dry and avoid pressing them into an awkward position under a scarf or wrap. In the morning, bangs can usually be refreshed separately with a round brush and brief blow-dryer touch-up rather than restyling the entire blowout.
Can you work out with a blowout?
Exercise can affect the longevity of your blowout because sweat adds moisture around the scalp and hairline. After exercising, avoid immediately tying your damp hair, it is a good idea to allow sweaty roots to dry first. Refresh oily areas only as needed.
Is dry shampoo bad for a blowout?
Dry shampoo is not bad for a blowout when used in the right amount and only when necessary. Dry shampoo is useful for absorbing oil between washes, but excessive use can leave residue and contribute to dryness. Cleveland Clinic advises that dry shampoo cannot replace washing the scalp with traditional shampoo and water.
Should you brush your blowout before bed?
Excessive brushing of your blowout is not beneficial. You should gently detangle your blowout before bed only when necessary. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends keeping brushing to a minimum because excessive brushing can contribute to split ends and damage.
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