Protect Your Hair at Night and Wind Down with This Ritual
Following a beauty routine is about so much more than how it makes you look. It's also about how it makes you feel; clean, calm, cared-for and confident. So, when you're winding down at night and getting ready to tuck in for a (hopefully!) more restful sleep, take the time to look after your skin and hair. It's both relaxing and rewarding.
We've created the perfect wind-down ritual for softer hair and more restful nights. Clear your mind and treat your hair before bed with nine comforting steps...
But, First – Why is a Night-Time Hair Routine Important?
You won't notice or feel it at the time, but your hair goes through a lot of stress overnight. It's pushed up against your pillow, and then rubbed and ruffled every time you roll over in your sleep. The result: hair breakage, frizz and, for curly hair types, a break in your natural curl pattern. The good news is that all these problems can be avoided with overnight care and a bedtime ritual.
How to Protect Your Hair at Night – Your Relaxing Hair Routine
1. Change Your Sheets (and Pillowcases!)
At the end of a long day, is there any better feeling than sliding into a freshly made bed? Before you start your wind-down ritual, change your sheets and, while you're at it, swap your cotton pillowcases for a satin or silk pillowcase. Not only will it feel extra luxurious, but the smoother fabric will be better for your hair. Even the softest cotton roughs up the hair cuticle, while silk or satin pillowcases cause less friction against locks when you toss and turn.
2. Take an 'Everything Shower'
Once you've changed your sheets, head for the shower. Make it a good one, with your favourite body scrub or shower gel to hand, as well as a hair mask to give stressed strands some TLC. The ULTIMATE REPAIR range will make hair smell as good as it feels, so start with the ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo, which explodes into a sumptuous lather that gently yet thoroughly cleanses your hair. After rinsing, follow it up with the ULTIMATE REPAIR Mask. Rich and creamy, it harnesses smart conditioning agents that identify and treat the areas you need the most repair. Allow it to absorb for five minutes, rinse, and then blot hair and wrap it up in a soft microfiber towel. Apply a lightly scented body lotion so you've locked in moisture from head to toe.
3. Follow With a Mindful Skincare Routine
When it comes to cleansing, toning and moisturising your skin, carry out each step with extra care. Instead of slathering on your serums, make it a moment of mindfulness by taking the time to enjoy the scents and textures. Breathe in the aromas and really massage in the formulas, giving a clenched jaw or tense forehead extra attention. Sometimes, just slowing down and enjoying the process can help to distract you from a busy mind.
4. Dry Your Hair
Going to bed with wet hair is a no-no as it can lead to split ends, so make sure your hair is 100% dry before you go to bed. This is a great time to add extra nourishing steps to your routine. First, mist clean, damp hair from root to tip with ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. It's not called a 'miracle' for nothing; it repairs hair damage in 90 seconds* and leaves you with 99% less breakage**. Then, once it's absorbed, layer ULTIMATE REPAIR Protective Leave-In through the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. This delicate cream shields strands from heat damage, setting locks up for a blow out. When you dry hair, opt for a low heat setting and, if you have curls, use a diffuser attachment. Don't go for speed; take your time and enjoy how soft and smooth locks feel as you go.
5. Start to Switch Off
Now is a good time to start tuning the world out and embracing peace and quiet. Pack your hair dryer away, dim the lights, and put your phone down. Screen time is officially over. Why? Because the blue light that phones and tablets emit can disrupt your circadian rhythm (AKA your 'body clock'), as it blocks the production of melatonin, the hormone that makes you feel sleepy. By making sure you stay away from screens at least one hour before you want to sleep, you allow the melatonin to flow and give your body time to wind down. To boost relaxation, swap scrolling for a book or meditation podcast.
6. Give Yourself a Quick Scalp Massage
It's nicer when your hairdresser does it, of course, but in lieu of a personal masseuse, give yourself a head massage to calm your mind before bed. Not only is it ultra relaxing but the gentle stimulation also gives blood circulation a jolt, and as blood flows to your scalp, it carries oxygen and nutrients to nourish your hair follicles. The process is simple too; run your fingers through your hair from front to back, and then rub your fingertips in small circles starting from the nape of your neck up to the hairline. Next, massage the sides of your head, again in small circles, before gently rubbing behind your ears with your thumbs. Do each stage for around two minutes to really work out tension.
7. Apply an Overnight Treatment
Your hair does some of its hardest healing work while you sleep, but any restless tossing and turning can put a stop to the repair it so desperately craves. That's why an overnight hair treatment is key to truly caring for damaged locks – and it's also why we formulated the ULTIMATE REPAIR Night Serum. Silky, weightless and pillow-friendly, it gives you up to 6x times smoother hair*** after the first night you use it. And the results keep getting better; after one week, you'll see up to 78% less breakage*** with up to 86% fewer split ends***. Simply smooth it through the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, and you're ready to rest. It also veils strands in ULTIMATE REPAIR's signature scent; a dreamy, fruity-floral blend that's clean and comforting.
8. Embrace Bedtime Styling
You don't want matted hair, so remember to brush your hair before going to bed, and then try out a protective hairstyle to level up your beauty sleep. If you have wavy or straight hair, a low-slung ponytail, loose braid or French braid will be your easiest overnight styles, helping to keep hair strands in one place while you sleep. You could also try heatless waves or curls as part of your nighttime routine, so you'll wake up to a bouncy blowout.
Meanwhile, to protect curly hair or coily hair at night, cover locks with a silk scarf or hair wrap, or wear a hair bonnet to bed. The softness of the fabric guarantees zero friction on fragile hair strands. You could also use satin scrunchies to pineapple your natural curls, securing them high up on your head so they don't get crushed while you sleep. Come morning, ringlets will still be bouncy.
9. Switch On a Humidifier
You've made it to the final step in your wind-down routine, and it might be the quickest, too! Before you get into bed, switch on a cool-mist humidifier to keep dry hair and parched skin hydrated. It increases moisture in the air, which is especially crucial in the cold winter months. Plus, it's thought to improve your sleep quality by soothing irritated airways. Sweet dreams, guaranteed.
Now you've got all the tips you need to care for your hair at night, find out more about the ULTIMATE REPAIR Night Serum; your sleep-time essential for low-maintenance mornings.
* When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.
** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue instrumental test vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.
*** Vs. non-conditioning shampoo.
