When mine was long (mine is a heavy curly mess), I would just put the hair above my head hanging off the top of the pillow. If I didn't, it would be hot on my neck anyway. Plus, I used to wake up by pulling it when I rolled over or when my H would roll over on it! Putting it above the pillow really helped. I never brushed it (no brush would go through it), so I don't know if I had more tangles in the morning or not!

And even better than using shampoo with no SLS... no shampoo at all. I went two years with out shampoo. My hair was gorgeous. I don't do it now (I use a non-SLS shampoo once a week) because my hair is shorter, but as it gets longer, I'll reduce my shampoo routine.

I also agree that a satin pillow case helps with breakage.