11 Hairstyles That Look Better The Next Day

I’ve always been a bit lazy with my hair routine, which is why I’m obsessed with styles that actually improve after a night’s sleep.

There’s something magical about waking up to hair that looks even better than when you first styled it.

These hairstyles save time in the morning and often have that perfect lived-in texture that’s nearly impossible to create with fresh washing.

1. Loose Beach Waves

Fresh beach waves can look too perfect and “done.” After sleeping on them, those waves relax into something much more natural. The slight flattening actually creates that coveted undone texture that models and celebrities are always sporting.

I like to create mine with a 1-inch curling iron, wrapping sections away from my face, then finishing with a light sea salt spray. By morning, the hairspray has settled, and any stiffness is replaced with touchable softness. The mild bedhead effect adds just the right amount of volume at the roots.

Pro tip: Sleep with your hair in a loose, high bun to maintain some of the wave pattern while adding extra volume at the crown.

2. Messy Low Bun

My obsession with low buns started when I noticed how much better they looked after I’d slept in them. Day-one buns can appear too structured and formal, but overnight, they transform into something artfully disheveled.

The trick is starting with slightly dirty hair and not making it too neat initially. Gather your hair at the nape of your neck, twist it loosely, and pin it with a few bobby pins. Don’t worry about stray pieces—they’re part of the charm!

By morning, those wispy bits around your face frame it perfectly, and the bun has just the right amount of controlled chaos. It’s the hairstyle equivalent of “I woke up like this” but in the best possible way.

3. Braided Crown

First-day braided crowns often look too tight and princess-like. But give them a night’s rest, and they evolve into something much cooler. The slight loosening creates that coveted bohemian vibe that’s impossible to achieve with freshly styled hair.

For best results, I create my crown braid with slightly textured hair, not super clean strands. Start by dividing your hair into two sections and creating a Dutch braid on each side, then pinning them across the top of your head. Don’t make it too perfect!

Overnight, small pieces will naturally escape, creating that romantic, lived-in look. The next morning, just gently fluff the braid with your fingers and hit any flat spots with dry shampoo.

4. Tousled Ponytail

Freshly styled ponytails can look sporty and severe. But after a night of sleep? They transform into something with character and casual coolness. The base gets a bit of natural lift, and the tail portion develops perfect bends and waves.

I start with a mid-height pony, securing it with a fabric hair tie to avoid creases. The key is not making it too slick—leave some texture in the hair before pulling it back. A light misting of texturizing spray helps create grip.

When you wake up, the ponytail will have relaxed in all the right places. Just smooth any weird kinks with your fingers and maybe add a touch more texture spray to refresh. It’s effortlessly chic and takes literally zero morning effort.

5. Half-Up Top Knot

Fresh half-up top knots can sometimes look too precise and planned. Sleep transforms them into something much cooler—like you just casually twisted up your hair without trying. The knot softens and the bottom layers develop perfect natural movement.

Creating this style is super simple. Before bed, gather the top section of your hair (from temples up) and twist it into a loose bun on top of your head. Secure with a few pins or a small scrunchie that won’t leave marks.

By morning, the knot has this perfect undone quality, and the bottom layers have developed natural bends and volume. It’s my go-to when I want to look put-together but not like I tried too hard—because honestly, I didn’t!

6. Slept-In Curls

Freshly curled hair often looks too perfect and prom-like. But something magical happens after you sleep on those curls—they relax into gorgeous, natural-looking waves that most stylists spend ages trying to recreate.

The night before, I curl my hair with a 1.25-inch barrel, making sure to curl away from my face. Instead of brushing through the curls, I leave them intact and sleep with my hair spread above my head on the pillow (weird but effective).

Morning reveals softer, more natural-looking waves with just the right amount of separation. A light scrunch with some texturizing cream enhances the lived-in quality. These second-day curls hold better and look more authentic than fresh ones ever could.

7. Soft French Braid

A fresh French braid can look too tight and schoolgirl-ish. The morning-after version? So much better. The braid relaxes, creating soft volume throughout while maintaining the structure.

Before bed, I braid my hair starting at the crown and working back, being careful not to pull too tightly at the roots. The looser you make it initially, the better it will look the next day. Secure with a small elastic that won’t create awkward bends.

Overnight, the braid settles beautifully, with the perfect amount of controlled fullness. Face-framing pieces tend to escape, creating that coveted soft look around your face. For extra texture, gently tug at the edges of the braid in the morning to create more volume.

8. Textured Pixie

Fresh pixie cuts can sometimes look too neat and flat. But add a night of sleep, and that short hair develops character and dimension that’s impossible to create with styling products alone.

My short-haired friends swear by applying a small amount of pomade or texture paste before bed, working it through with fingers for piece-y definition. The pressure from the pillow creates natural movement in all the right places.

Morning reveals a perfectly imperfect style with natural lift at the roots and cool separation throughout. Just run your fingers through to rearrange any weird flat spots, maybe add a touch more product if needed. The result is that coveted lived-in texture that looks deliberate rather than messy.

9. Relaxed Fishtail Braid

Fresh fishtail braids can look too intricate and perfect. The morning-after version has a casual coolness that feels much more modern. The slight fuzziness that develops overnight is actually what makes it look so good.

I create my fishtail starting with textured, slightly dirty hair for better grip. Braid it over one shoulder, keeping tension gentle so it’s not too tight. A light mist of hairspray helps it stay put without getting crunchy.

By morning, the braid has softened in all the right ways. The slight loosening makes it appear fuller, and the texture is that perfect lived-in boho style. Gently pull on the edges for even more volume and embrace any pieces that have escaped—they add to the charm.

10. Undone Chignon

Fresh chignons often look too proper and wedding-like. But the next-day version has a French-girl nonchalance that’s so much cooler. The edges soften, and it develops that perfect “I’m not trying too hard” vibe.

Before bed, I twist my hair into a loose, low chignon, securing with just a few bobby pins. The key is placement—not too high, not too low, just at that sweet spot at the nape of the neck. Don’t worry about making it neat!

Morning reveals a softened bun with natural volume at the crown and those perfect face-framing tendrils that seem to know exactly where to fall. The slight messiness reads as intentional rather than unkempt. It’s elegant but effortless—the perfect combination.

11. Natural Bedhead Bob

Freshly styled bobs can look too perfect and helmet-like. The magic happens after sleeping on it—those slight bends and natural texture make the cut come alive. Second-day bob texture is what most stylists are trying to recreate with expensive products.

For the best morning results, I apply a small amount of mousse to damp hair before bed, scrunching gently with my fingers. The pillowcase friction creates natural movement that no curling iron could duplicate.

When you wake up, your bob will have natural waves and volume in all the right places. Just fix any weird flat sections with your fingers or a touch of dry shampoo. The slight imperfection is what makes it look so modern and cool—like you just happen to have naturally great hair.