Using hair wraps for sleeping is one of the best steps you can take for to protect your hair against damage and breakage during the night—and especially so if you are following the curly girl method and want to keep your locks in tip-top condition!
Sleeping with a silk or satin pillowcase helps our skin to stay smooth and hydrated, and it’s the same story for our hair—by adding a hair wrap or hair bonnet to your haircare routine, you can minimize damage to curls and hair that's prone to splitting. The less movement your hair has to go through, the less tangles and breakage. By wrapping it up, it’s protected from friction—which is doubly helpful if you've got your hair in a protective style like braids. Although hair wraps were originally intended for the curly and afro hair community, all hair types and textures can benefit.
There are so many great options around from bigger brands and independent crafters—so beauty editor Ava Welsing-Kitcher has found the the best hair wraps for sleeping, for every need. Below you'll find choices for both longer and shorter hair, across a range of budgets to ensure there's something for everyone.
The best hair wraps for sleeping
Most silk or satin hair wraps only have the slippery side facing outwards, and while the inner fabric is still softer than regular cotton, there can sometimes still be a little friction. But this isn't the case with Slip's hair wrap. Their option is crafted with their patented Slipsilk technology that’s developed over a decade to reach optimum shine, softness and durability, made with 100% mulberry silk. In fact, using an entirely silk hair wrap is one of our biggest curly hair tips, so this is a great choice.
Choose between a few different colorways—there's black, pale pink, and gray leopard with matching silk face masks to match. With a chic knotted front, you’ll be tempted to wear it out of the house with a pair of sunnies for some 50s glamour, too! This hair wrap is on the higher end of the price spectrum though, so if you’re not fussed about having silk or are vegan, then maybe go for a more affordable satin version instead.
At just $16/£16, this is one of the best affordable options if you're after hair wraps for sleeping. With so many colors to choose from, including cute pastels, neutral tones, and dotted patterns, there’s no excuse not to have a complete hair wrap wardrobe.
The front tie is adjustable, so if your hair is super thick, long, or in braids, it can expand to accommodate it all. For medium amounts of hair, it can also be tied and halved in size with still quite a lot of room—so it's probably one to avoid if your hair is very short as there'll be too much empty space.
Only Curls is a great hair care brand as it is, with affordable silk pillowcases and some of the best styling products for curls and coils—so why not do a bigger haul whilst there?
Silke was one of the first brands to offer a silk wrap in the mainstream market. Known for their bold, poppy colorways (we love the vibrant option above!) and more recent pastel offerings, the knotted front is iconic in its own right—and we’re finding it hard not to buy four or five in one go.
With silk hair bands in matching colors to keep your ponytails snag-free (just make sure you use one of the best brushes for curly hair, too), it’s quite the colorful collection.
Their hair wraps are fairly pricey though, so it may be one to avoid if you've got a smaller budget.
- View at Lilysilk in the US (opens in new tab)
- View at Lilysilk in the UK (opens in new tab)
The first thing that grabbed us about this hair wrap was how beautiful the color options are. From the calm gray to the lilac marbled watercolor, the palette is so calming.
Lilysilk has countless hair wrap styles, with adjustable tie fronts or in a Korean ruched tie back style, but the classic pleated one is a great place to start.
Made from 100% 19 Momme mulberry silk, it’s impossibly soft and gentle, meaning your hair will be as protected as possible while you sleep.
- View at The Big Silk in the US (opens in new tab)
- View at The Big Silk in the UK (opens in new tab)
The Big Silk’s pastel and neutral offerings bring something we’ve rarely seen in other hair wraps—an adjustable drawstring toggle. Anyone with a small or large head knows the pain of having your hair wrap slip off in the night, or stretch uncomfortably over your forehead. So this is a great option if you struggle with hair wrap sizes.
Beloved by celebrities like Megan Barton Hanson, Jess Plummer, and Cat Deeley, it’s a must have whatever your curly hairstyle; whether you’re protecting curls and coils or a big bouncy blow dry overnight.
It comes with a higher price point and can only be hand-washed, so it requires a time more money and maintenance—but if you can spare it, it's a brilliant choice.