Did your mother ever tell you, “What’s done in the dark shall come to the light?” Well, this goes for your hair too!

Your night time routine is a key factor to the overall appearance and health of your hair. Setting Type 3 and 4 hair properly for bed can make all difference between being a head turner the next day, or a having a head full of dry, dull, and frizzy hair in the morning.

Preserve your style by giving your hair what it needs the night before. This will ensure that you avoid frizz and tangles. These easy to follow steps will guide you on how to set your hair at night to keep the frizz away the next day.

1. Treat you scalp.

If you suffer from any conditions such as dry scalp, dandruff, eczema, psoriasis or seborrhea dermatitis you need to treat your scalp at night. This will keep you from creating frizz when styling. There are many ways to soothe a scalp. If you’re a mixtress in the kitchen, mix a few drops of tea tree oil or peppermint oil in an applicator bottle with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) or Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO). My Type 4 color-treated hair (yes, there was bleach) demands hydration every night. I use Shea Moisture’s Organic African Black Soap Dandruff & Dry Scalp Elixir, it is a great product that fights inflammation and prevents a scaly scalp.

2. Hydrate.

Curlfriends, I can’t stress this next point enough. Water is the best moisturizer! Hydrating or adding water to your hair allows other moisturizing agents found in your products to penetrate the hair. If your hair is dry, then hydrate it often. If your hair absorbs and retains water well then you can hydrate less frequently. Let your hair tell you how frequently you need to moisturize and seal. The water re-activates the products (leave-ins, moisturizers) present from original styling and revives the curl pattern.

3. Set your hair.

Section your hair and secure with clips. Add a water-based moisturizer to hair section by section. Fabulous naturalistas know that oils are sealants not moisturizers. You’ll need to seal your hair with your favorite oil. Then set your hair as desired in two-strand twists, flat twists, bantu knots or braids.

4. Protect.

Natural hair should be covered at night with a satin bonnet or satin scarf and it’s best to sleep on a satin pillowcase (you’re already doing this, right?) This prevents the moisture you work so hard to keep in your hair from being absorbed by your cotton bedding.

Curlfriends, remember your hair needs a little lovin’ after dark too. Be good to your strands and say good-bye to frizz and hello to shiny, defined, gorgeous hair.

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