How To Sleep with Bangs
November 12, 2024On the surface, figuring out how to sleep with bangs doesn’t seem like it would be that challenging. It’s easy to assume that you can just put your fringe up and hit the sheets the same way you would if you had a blunt cut. But if you have bangs, you know it’s not always that straightforward. It’s not uncommon to go to bed with perfectly-styled fringe only to wake up with a frizzy, disheveled mess come sunrise.
Thankfully, there are a few tricks that can help keep your bangs—whether you’re working with short curly fringe, long curtain bangs, side bangs, or something else entirely—looking well-groomed even after a good night’s sleep. Read on to learn how to keep bangs in place while you catch those Z’s.
How To Prep Your Bangs Before Bed
One of the main reasons bangs can look so unkempt when you wake up is because they have a tendency to get oily overnight—even if you don’t have oily hair. (Think about it for a second: Bangs sit along your forehead, which can be one of the oiliest parts of your face). Knowing how to keep bangs from getting greasy while you sleep can make styling them in the morning much easier.
Step 1: Start with clean hair, if possible
Bangs always look their best when they’re freshly styled. If you can, consider taking a shower in the evening and lathering up with a lightweight shampoo and conditioner that won’t weigh your strands down. We’re fond of the Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Purifying Shampoo, which contains aloe extract and B vitamins and helps remove up to 100% of residue. After washing your hair, work the coordinating Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Conditioner throughout your mid-lengths and ends to help hydrate your hair.
Step 2: Blow-dry your mane
After exiting the shower, gently squeeze any excess moisture from your strands and mist your hair with a heat protectant, like the Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray. Then, blow dry your hair as normal until your strands are completely dry.
If you can’t (or don’t want to) wash your hair at night, you can simply dampen your bangs with water and lightly mist them with a leave-in conditioner. We like the Biolage Professional All-In-One Coconut Infusion Multi-Benefit Treatment Spray because it’s lightweight, suitable for all hair types, and helps protect against heat. From there, blow-dry your fringe with a round brush to refresh them before hitting the sheets. Even though this will add a few extra minutes to your routine, it pays off in the long run—and simplifies your morning routine so you can sleep in a bit later!
Step 3: Apply a dry shampoo
It may feel counterintuitive to use a dry shampoo after washing your hair, but doing so can help keep your bangs from getting greasy overnight. You don’t need to use a lot—just mist your roots with a dry shampoo (try the Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo or the Matrix Refresher Dry Shampoo) to help safeguard against greasiness while you snooze.
Step 4: Wrap or pin your bangs
Before hitting the sheets, wrap your dry bangs in a large- or medium-sized hair roller (depending on the length of your bangs), making sure it’s secure enough to stay in place while you sleep. This can help keep the shape of your bangs intact and prevent your fringe from getting tangled or messed up while you sleep.
If you have side bangs or longer fringe (like curtain bangs), simply sweep your hair to the side and secure it with a bobby pin. Pin your bangs at the ends to avoid being left with a dent in your hair when you wake up.
Editor’s tip: If you need a step-by-step guide on how to use hair rollers for bangs, check out the article How To Use Hair Rollers: Hot vs. Velcro.
How To Style Your Bangs in the Morning
Styling bangs in the morning should be pretty straightforward if you prepped them properly the night before. Here’s how to ensure your bangs look after sleeping.
Step 1: Brush out your bangs
When you wake up, take out your roller or bobby pin and brush out your bangs with a comb or paddle brush. If they're looking a little too rounded, don’t worry—that initial volume will fall slightly as the day goes on, and you’ll be left with bouncy-looking fringe.
If you followed the nighttime routine to a tee, we’re sure your bangs will look incredible when you wake up. However, if you’ve woken up to disheveled bangs or your roller came loose throughout the night, you may be wondering how to fix bangs without hopping in the shower. Fortunately, the solution is easy: Simply spritz a little water on your hair and blow dry your fringe as desired using a small, round brush. If you’re hoping to style your bangs without heat, you can also wrap them up in a velcro roller and let them air-dry—just be sure they’re fully dry before removing the roller.
Step 2: (Optional): Mist with dry shampoo
If you have naturally oily skin (or if your hair leans oily) you may want to spritz on some extra dry shampoo in the morning. This can help absorb any oil that accumulated overnight and add a bit of volume for clean, fresh-looking hair.
Step 3: Lock your style in place
When you’re satisfied with how your bangs look, lightly spritz your hair with hairspray (we love the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray) to help maintain your style throughout the day.
Best Hairstyles to Sleep in With Bangs
If you’re hoping to get out the door quickly without too much fuss in the morning, try pairing your bang prep with one of these hairstyles for a stress-free styling routine come sunrise.
1. Loose ponytail or bun
Depending on how long your hair is, you may want to pull your lengths into a loose ponytail or messy bun while you sleep. You could even weave your lengths into a simple three-strand braid to give your hair a bit of texture (no heat necessary). All three approaches can help minimize tangling and frizz while you sleep. Whichever option you choose, we suggest tying your hair back with a silk or satin scrunchie or hair tie to help curb creasing and minimize the potential for breakage.
2. Pinned-back bangs
If you tend to wake up with unmanageable bedhead from tossing and turning, the best option may be to pin your bangs back to keep them tame. Try using bobby pins, clips, or barrettes to keep your bangs securely in place overnight. The key to preventing creases is to avoid tight clips and attach them towards the end of your bang rather than in the middle. This may take some trial and error, but once you find the perfect spot to pin, you’ll wake up with your bangs well-styled.
3. Tucked into a headband or hair wrap
Those with fine hair might always experience creases or dents when using pins, so instead, try using a soft, non-damaging headband or wrap to secure your bangs back. Always look for soft materials, like silk or satin, because they prevent creasing and minimize frizz. We like the Kitsch Black Satin Sleep Bonnet, which, per the brand, is made from high-quality satin and works well for all hair types.
