Fact: Using This Hair Product Is an Absolute Must for Healthy, Hydrated Curls
Knowing how to correctly take care of curls and coils is a notoriously tricky business (especially when you don't have the right tools to help keep your hair at its healthiest). After sporting chemically straightened strands for the bulk of my teenage and early young adult years, relearning how to treat my new growth took more effort than I could have ever predicted. Instead of reaching for the flat iron that had gotten me through many a hair emergency, twist-outs, high puffs, and wash-n-gos became the new normal.
The four weeks I could wear my hair in box braids gave me the break I needed every couple of months, but once they were out, it was right back to the gels, creams, and leave-in conditioners that would support my hair. But what good is wearing your curls and coils on the daily when they risk deflation every night with exposure to cotton pillowcases and sheets? If this sounds all too familiar, you've ended up in the right place.
Should You Be Using a Hair Wrap?
The short and sweet answer is yes, of course. All hair types and textures will benefit form extra forms of defense against environmental aggressors and/or friction against things that come into contact with your hair. A good hair wrap can completely change the trajectory of your hair health. However, if you have kinks, coils, and curls, wearing hair wraps can be especially beneficial for locking moisture in overnight, preventing frizz, and setting natural hairstyles. Bonnets, turbans, and scarves can all be considered head wraps, but the material they're crafted from matters.
In fact, if you're not already using head wraps made from silk, satin, or microfiber, it's time to start. Put simply, silk is created from the natural material produced by silkworm, satin is a manmade synthetic fabric made with polyester or blended silk fibers, and microfiber is made from synthetic fibers. Cost also comes into play, with silk, as a satin fiber, being generally the priciest of the three. By pairing your hair wraps with scrunchies and pillowcases made from the same materials, you'll have an extra measure of protection.
Below, take a look at my favorite silk, satin, and microfiber head wraps I've used during my natural hair journey to keep my hair healthy, as well as a few extra products that help keep my curls shiny and moisturized.
Best for Short- to Medium-Length Curls: Blissy 100% Silk Bonnet
Suitable for all hair types (but especially beneficial for curls and coils), this pure silk hair turban is designed to protect hair from breakage and frizz while also locking in your natural hair oils. I've noticed the bonnet does an amazing job of staying put throughout the night despite all my tossing and turning.
Customer Review: "I give this a five star because my hair was breaking off from tossing and turning at night and since I wore this bonnet, not only does it keep the moisture in my hair while I sleep, it also prevents my hair from breaking off. My hair is so much healthier now. Everyone must get one of these."
Best for Long Curls and Coils: Lilysilk Elegant Night Silk Bonnet
If you have longer curls, consider grabbing this extra-long night silk bonnet to makes sure the hair stays shiny and hydrated. Your strands can be loose and relaxed inside of the nightcap for a good night's sleep rather than folded uncomfortably into bonnets of smaller sizes.
Customer Review: "I have been looking for ways to improve the quality of my hair and I stumbled across this lovely product. Studies have shown that silk does amazing wonders for your hair. After using this bonnet, my hair the following day felt and looked great!"
Best Affordable Option: Yanibest Silk Hair Bonnet
Investing in a high-quality silk bonnet doesn't mean you have to accept the high prices of similar products. Yanibest's Silk Hair Bonnet keeps my 4c curls looking hydrated and shiny without any frizz. Plus, this particular set comes with a matching silk scrunchies that, when used together, also works great for protecting my braids overnight.
Customer Review: "This material is a great quality and does well to protect my hair at night from tangles and frizz. When I oil my hair at night and put on this bonnet I wake up with glossy hair that isn’t greasy! It’s easy to adjust and there’s no issues when I hand wash the product. I highly recommend!"
Best Luxury Option: Slip Pure Silk Turban
Of all the hair concerns I've dealt with since going natural, moisture seems to plague me the most. However, I've noticed a huge change in the way my hair is able to lock in moisture after using the Pure Silk Turban on the regular. Sure, its price tag is a bit hefty, but the results it brings to my strands are unbelievable.
Customer Review: "The turban is excellent and helps to prevent my hair from becoming dry. Moisture is maintained and the breakage I once experienced prior to using this product is no longer a concern for me. During my last hair wash, my stylist even commented on how my hair felt different…in a good way. The turban is a bit pricey, but worth it."
Best Turban/Bonnet Crossover: Muaves All Satin Hair Wrap
Say goodbye to the threat of everyday environmental stressors with the help of this stylish accessory. With a satin exterior and interior, the Muaves All Satin Hair Wrap creates a layer between your hair and abrasive sheets to prevent split ends and bedhead. If that weren't already enough, I love all the different color options.
Customer Review: "I have medium length curly hair and have been using my wrap for about a week now and my curl game has been elevated to another level! The hair wrap keeps your curls looking fresh, bouncy, no creases. 10/10 recommend."
Best for Combating Frizz: Silke London Hair Wrap
Silke London's hair wrap cocoons your strands in the highest-quality 100% mulberry silk to promote growth, reduce breakage, and boost thickness while you sleep. It's ideal for freshly styled hair of all types and textures to combat kinking, creasing, and pesky flyaways. Plus, it has an elasticated band that shrinks and expands to fit all head sizes.
Customer Review: "Second and third day good hair days are finally possible!! I love this wrap. I use it almost nightly and it perfectly protects my curls. I got a second one to alternate. I’ve even worn it out a couple times to protect my hair from the wind. Highly recommend!"
Best for Restless Sleepers: Zimasilk 100% Mulberry Satin Bonnet
While the turban-inspired design of this bonnet is what initially drew me in, its design is what got me. It's equipped with durable plastic to keep the bonnet snug to your head (i.e., you don't have to slide the bonnet in place in the wee hours of the morning). It's perfect for when I have to rely on a bonnet to keep my juicy twist-outs from drying overnight.
Customer Review: "I love it! It definitely makes a difference in how my hair looks in the morning. I have thin hair and I am always concerned with bonnets being too tight around my face and hurting my lil hairs, but it has been perfect! The quality is nice and I love that it is the same material inside and out because that means I can flip it inside out and use it longer before needing to wash it!"
Best Aesthetic Design: Lilysilk Vintage Bow-Knot Sleep Cap
I've heard so much about Lilysilk's gorgeous scarves, apparel, and sleepwear, but there's not nearly enough hype for the brand's silk sleep caps. Its Vintage Bow-Knot Sleep Cap is easy on the eyes and the hair since it's crafted using a weaving technique on one side to add a glossy luster to the hair and a stylish matte finish on the other side.
Customer Review: "I looked on several different websites, and LilySilk is the most affordable and sustainable option. This bonnet stays on through the night, and my hair has more volume and less frizz the next morning than I am able to get with my polyester lined bonnet. Completely worth it!"
Best Towel for Friction Reduction: Act+Acre Intelligent Hair Towel
Act+Acre's ultra-soft waffle-knit hair towel is my secret to lessening the amount of friction my curls have to undergo post-wash. It also prevents frizz and damage while drying hair 50% faster than your run-of-the-mill terry towel. Plus, using the towel regularly promotes health for all scalp types and hair textures.
Customer Review: "This is the perfect alternative to wrapping your hair in a standard towel after washing. I felt like a regular towel was not only super harsh on my ends, but also putting a lot of unnecessary stress & tension on my scalp! This towel is so lightweight and definitely helps cut down on drying time."
Best Towel for Thick Hair: Crown Affair The Towel
Did you know your hair is at its most vulnerable when its wet? The Towel from Crown Affair is made from a custom waffle microfiber that gently absorbs the hair's moisture while protecting it from stretching, breakage, and friction. It securely wraps around your hair and has an elastic strap you can use to help keep the towel in place if you're on the move right out of the shower like I am.
Customer Review: "Once you get the towel it will change your life. I wasn’t expecting it to be so large but it’s actually perfect for those with thick/long hair. It cut down my usual air drying time by half. Obsessed!"
Best Towel for All Hair Lengths: Ceremonia Microfiber Hair Towel
I was introduced to this one through a close friend over a year ago and can't say enough good things about the luxuriously soft Ceremonia Microfiber Hair Towel. It absorbs excess water without creating frizz or breakage and leaves my strands frizz-free, shiny, and soft every time. It's also easy to use—simply tilt your head down and place the wrap on the back of your head with the button at the nape of your neck before twisting and fastening it into position.
Customer Review: "Over the years I’ve used various hair towels, because frizz control should as soon as you step out of the shower. The ceremonia hair towel is so easy to use. Stays in place even if you have thicker and longer hair. As an added bonus, the colors are so fun! So happy with my new hair towel."
Best Non-Microfiber Hair Towel: Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Towel
Looking for a towel that can be used on your curls and protective styles? Made with curls in mind, Bread Beauty Supply's new hair towel is made from a blend of organic cotton and bamboo that gently dries the hair. It also reduces damage and breakage for soft, frizz-free, and and defined curls in minutes. You can bet I'll be stocking up on this one before it sells out.
Customer Review: "Material feels soft and so nice. I love that I don't have to tie the towel and it is designed to reduce the breakage and hair damage. My hair has been shedding and tangling badly and I fill that this towel helps reduce the issues."
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Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's assistant beauty editor based in New York City. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.
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