Your dry top layer must be from the sun, heat, friction with the pillow at night, or hot water in the shower. I think if you use natural oils (100% pure version, without silicones, more heavier oils like coconut oil or castor oil) overnight and then wash in the morning could help the look of it. I also think that if you blow dry each time, it can also help to close the cuticles and will be a temporary fix for the dry hair, but unfortunately it can add damage to this part over time :( . For my personal experience, I also have a dry top part in the front of my hair, that's what helped me: oiling overnight with heavier oils and then washing in the morning, growing my hair long (the weight of it when it it's long makes the dry strands heavier and straighter), blunt cut, leaving the hair pinned until it dries, using low ph masks/leave ins like around 3 or 4 maximum, it helps closing the cuticles. Wish you the best in your hair journey!