What is pineappling hair?
The pineapple hair technique, a term coined by the NaturallyCurly community, is a way to protect your curly hair when you sleep. Done correctly, the pineapple hair method creates a beautiful pile of curls on the top of your head, which resembles the shape of—yes, you guessed it—a pineapple. If you’re not sure what is pineappling or why it’s done, let us explain: Essentially, by loosely securing your curly hair on the top of your head, pineappling hair allows you to prevent tangled hair and preserve your curls overnight. The best part: it’s so easy, there’s pretty much no way to screw it up. Here, exactly how to pineapple hair.
How to Pineapple Curly Hair - The Pineapple Method
Step 1. Before you go to sleep, prep by adding a dollop of Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Butter Cream Leave-In to your curls.
Step 2. It’s time to pineapple hair. Gently gather your hair into a high ponytail. Slip a fabric scrunchie over the base of the ponytail and do not—we repeat, do not—twist it around to tighten it. You want the tension to be as loose as possible to avoid a dent in the morning.
Step 3. Let half of your curls fall to one side, and half to the other. Don’t worry if the scrunchie slips a little—your curls will still be protected.
PRO TIP:To help avoid frizz, we recommend sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase.
Step 4. The next morning, it’s easy to take down pineapple hair. Simply remove the scrunchie (or whatever fabric you used) and shake out your hair from side-to-side. That’s it—almost. How to refresh your curls after pineappling? It’s simple: You can, and instantly revive them with a spritz of Garnier Fructis Curl Renew Reactivating Spray Milk. (Spritzing your curls with water after doing the pineapple hair method is like going outside in a frizz-inducing drizzle.)
PRO TIP:Just as important as how to do the pineapple hair method is what not to do. You shouldn’t use a hair tie in place of fabric or scrunchie, as it can create a crease in curly hair that’s hard to hide. Another major rule for how to take down pineapple hair: Don’t fluff your hair with your fingers, a brush or an afro-pick afterwards, as they can lead to frizz.
The Pineapple Method for Curly Hair
For those who are more visual, below is a step by step guide on how to pineapple curly hair.
The Pineapple Hair Method for Every Hair Length
While pineappling for medium hair and long hair is easy—just follow the steps above—pineappling for short hair can be a little more complicated. But that doesn’t mean it’s difficult. If you’re working with a bob haircut, you can still gather your hair into a loose ponytail at the top of your head. Chances are, though, that you’ll have some smaller pieces of hair in the back. So for these, simply use bobby pins or even a cloth headband to keep them put. Pineappling for short hair at a pixie length is even easier. Once you prep your hair, cover it with a satin bonnet or satin scarf, since the smooth fabric minimizes friction or frizz.
The same goes for pineappling for medium hair. Unless you can get all of your hair into the fabric scrunchie, skip it altogether and opt for a satin bonnet or scarf. If you have a layered medium haircut, for instance, that’ll be your best bet.
While pineappling for short hair and medium hair is fairly basic, pineappling for long hair can be a little more complicated. Instead of stopping at a ponytail, with curls on either side, you can wrangle long hair into a loose bun, tucking in the ends so your hair doesn’t unravel overnight. You can also wrap your loose or exposed ends in a satin scarf or bonnet, just as you would with pineappling for short hair, to minimize frizz and keep your hair in place all night.
Obsessed with keeping your curly hair intact overnight? If you love to pineapple hair but want to try something new, learn how to “plop”for defined, frizz-free curls. And for those curious about pineappling for different hair types, rest assured that while curly-haired women first created the pineapple hair technique, it’s still doable for textures from waves to kinky or coily curls.
