Shiny, Soft Hair *Does* Happen Overnight Thanks to These 9 Bedtime Treatments

Oh, how I wish I could wake up with lush, shiny, perfectly styled strands. If I were presented with a magic wand that could either A) *poof* my hair into submission or B) leave me with celeb MUA–level makeup, I’d choose the former every single time, as styling my 2c waves is by far the most laborious undertaking of my beauty routine. Not to mention that I wind up with an unpredictable result despite having my lineup down to a science. (Fellow wavy and curly girls, you feel me.)

Now, I’m not saying an overnight hair mask or serum will solve all your styling woes—but it will make your strands softer and healthier, which means they’ll likely be easier to manage. Since getting my hands on a few stellar formulas, I seldom go to bed without massaging some moisturizing, repairing solution into my scalp and strands, and my mane (plus my chaotic morning routine) is all the better for it. Below, I compiled the overnight hair treatments I’ve personally found successful, along with some helpful application tips from two pro hairstylists: Stacey Ciceron and Stephane André. Keep scrolling for the silky hair of your dreams (sorry, had to!).

The Best Overnight Hair Treatments, at a Glance:

• Best Overall: Oribe Gold Lust Restorative Night Crème for Hair
• Best Serum: Fekkai Super Strength+ PM Repair Sérum
• Best Lightweight: Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate 24/7 Night & Day Hair Serum
• Best Hydrating: Amika Dream Routine Overnight Hydration Treatment
• Best Strengthening: Joico Defy Damage Sleepover Overnight Nourishing Treatment

The Best Overnight Hair Treatments of 2025

Best Overall: Oribe Gold Lust Restorative Night Crème for Hair

Best Serum: Fekkai Super Strength+ PM Repair Sérum

Best Lightweight: Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate 24/7 Night & Day Hair Serum

Best Hydrating: Amika Dream Routine Overnight Hydration Treatment

Best for Split Ends: Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Overnight Hair Serum

Best for Shine: Kérastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum Hydrating Treatment

Best Budget: Not Your Mother’s Sleep on It Overnight Hydrating Serum Cream

Best Strengthening: Joico Defy Damage Sleepover Overnight Nourishing Treatment

Best Natural: Ranavat Mighty Majesty Fortifying Repair & Shine Hair Serum

What to Consider in an Overnight Hair Treatment

• Moisturizing MVPs: Above all, look for a product with tons of moisturizing power. “Growing up, I saw women in my family use rich, natural oils like coconut and shea butter. They knew how to lock in moisture before we even had the science to back it up,” shares Ciceron. “Today, I look for treatments that pair that same kind of moisture with advanced, targeted ingredients.”
• Hair goals: Aside from moisture, you may want to look for certain ingredients that align with your specific hair goals. Dealing with breakage? Opt for strengthening formulas with plant-based proteins, biotin, and plenty of antioxidants. Struggling with frizz? Load on the smoothing hydrators, such as botanical oils, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. Those with mature strands can even look for formulas with retinol, says André, to help with hair density. Caffeine, biotin, and niacinamide can also help restore a “youthful, healthy look to the hair,” adds Ciceron.
• Formula type: Overnight hair treatments come in many forms—some prefer a featherlight, water-based serum, while others are hoping to saturate their lengths in a rich, buttery mask. This will ultimately depend on your hair type and lifestyle. “Whether your hair is relaxed, natural, fine, or coily, the right overnight treatment should absorb easily, deeply nourish without weighing your hair down, and leave your strands noticeably softer and smoother by morning,” notes Ciceron.
• Consistency: “Lightweight yet nourishing formulas are ideal for overnight use,” adds André. After all, no one wants to wake up to a greasy pillow. Even if you have a denser formula for thicker, coarser hair, make sure it can absorb fully into your strands before tucking into bed.

How to Use Overnight Hair Treatments

1. Section the hair: First, separate the hair into sections, as this will ensure you saturate every single strand. “It helps with even distribution, especially for dense or curly textures,” adds Ciceron.
2. Apply your product: “For optimal application, I recommend distributing the serum evenly from roots to ends,” explains André. You might want to focus a bit more on the mid-lengths to ends, though, especially if you’re dealing with dryness; but feel free to massage a little product into the scalp as well.
3. Set the style: “After application, I recommend setting your hair in a low-tension protective style like loose braids or twists,” says Ciceron. “This keeps your strands secure, helps reduce friction and breakage, and gives you beautiful waves or definition by morning.”
4. Protect against friction: “Wrap your hair with a satin or silk scarf or bonnet to seal in moisture and protect against frizz,” Ciceron adds. The softer, less-porous fabric minimizes the amount of friction on your strands while you inevitably move in your sleep, which results in way less frizz. You can also opt for a silk or satin pillowcase for extra protection.
5. Catch Z’s: Drift off, and you’ll wake up in the morning with soft, silky, healthy strands. No need to rinse!

Can You Leave Any Hair Mask on Overnight?

Both stylists recommend sticking to products specifically formulated for overnight use. “Not all masks are created equal,” Ciceron shares, so you should always read and follow the instructions provided on the label. For example, some protein-rich formulas are designed to strengthen the hair in 20 to 30 minutes max. “Leaving those on too long can lead to dryness, buildup, or even breakage,” Ciceron warns.

Not to mention “regular hair masks can be too heavy and may clog the scalp or leave unwanted residue if kept on all night,” André shares. Overnight treatments, on the other hand, are typically more lightweight and easily absorbed by the strands and follicles.

Should You Wash Your Hair Before Applying an Overnight Hair Mask?

Not always! “If your hair is full of buildup, washing first helps the treatment penetrate better,” says Ciceron. If your hair is freshly washed or styled, however, you can apply your overnight treatment directly on dry strands, from root to tip.