I'd recommend you try gel after you've finished towel-drying your hair. It'll form a cast so it looks a bit ridiculous when it dries but when you wake up in the morning the cast will be gone and your curls should in theory be tamed.

The alternative is a satin bonnet if you can tolerate it. Or a satin pillowcase.

The secret is the pineapple!

Learn about the curly girl method.

My hair is slightly wavey. The biggest thing that I have learned about haircare is that less is more. I wash and condition my hair once or twice a week, and leave it to air dry. That's all it needs.

I brush occasionally as needed to remove snarles, but not as part of any styling routine.

Whenever I need to shower without washing hair, I just put it into a bun and keep it above the water stream. There are probably better ways but this works fine too.

My neglect styled wave/curls look about 90% as good as when my hairdresser spends 15 minutes with an iron and sprays after a haircut. Better results are possible but not remotely worth it.

Your hair may be different, but I would always recommend trying more less if you haven't already.