For curly hair, a silk bonnet must be roomy enough to contain the mass without crushing the curl. A round bonnet, with a wide band and ribbons, ties without tightening. Gather the curls upwards before putting it on. Mulberry silk reduces the friction that undoes the curl.
What damages curls at night
A curl holds thanks to its shape. It comes undone when it is rubbed, compressed or folded.
A cotton pillow creates a lot of friction. Hair rolls on it, curls separate and the ends can break. The bonnet limits this contact and keeps the curl grouped.
Which bonnet for your hair
| Hair type | Main constraint | Recommended format |
|---|---|---|
| Wavy, medium length | Frizz on the lengths | Round bonnet |
| Curly, medium volume | Crushed curls in the morning | Round bonnet, wide band |
| Afro-textured, high volume | Mass of hair that is hard to contain | Long or tie-on bonnet |
| Very long and curly | Folded, tangled ends | Long bonnet, ribbons to tie |
Preparing your curls in the evening
How your curls hold in the morning depends on what you do before putting on your bonnet. Start with dry or barely damp hair, detangled with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, working from the ends up to the roots.
If your lengths are dry, a small amount of oil or leave-in conditioner keeps the fibre supple. Warm the product between your palms and press it onto your curls instead of rubbing it in. Too much product weighs curls down.
Wait until the product has been absorbed before covering your hair: the bonnet stays clean for longer.
Putting on the bonnet without breaking the curl
- Tilt your head forward, with your hair falling down.
- Gather the curls on top of your head, without twisting them.
- Place the bonnet from the nape towards the forehead.
- Tie the ribbons at the nape of the neck, enough to hold, without leaving a mark.
This position follows the pineapple method: the curls stay grouped up high, so they keep their shape instead of being flattened against the pillow.
Bonnet, pineapple or braids: which to choose for curly hair
| Method | What it does | Who it suits | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonnet alone | Holds your hair together and limits friction | Short to mid-length curls | A bonnet roomy enough not to crush anything |
| Pineapple under the bonnet | Keeps curls up high | Lengths that reach the crown of the head | A soft scrunchie, not pulled tight |
| Loose braids or twists | Limit knots in the lengths | Long or very thick hair | The curl pattern changes by morning |
| Silk pillowcase alone | Reduces friction against the pillow | People who find a bonnet uncomfortable | Hair stays loose and moves during the night |
These methods can be combined. A pineapple or two loose braids under the bonnet keep the shape and hold your hair together. Try one at a time: the right one is judged on waking, on your own curls.
Braids, twists, locs and coily hair
Protective styles need protecting at night too. On braids or twists, the bonnet limits flyaways and keeps the base neater.
On locs, a smooth surface avoids the cotton lint that lodges in the strands. If you have a lot of volume, make a low bun first: the bonnet closes more easily and the ribbons do not have to pull.
Coily hair is fragile when dry. Moisturise your lengths early in the evening, so that they are almost dry by the time you cover them. Keep your touch gentle: no fine-tooth comb, no pulling at the temples.
The habits that spoil the night
A bonnet that is too small rides up and lets the lengths out. Tie the ribbons more loosely or switch to a long format.
A tight elastic leaves a mark on the forehead and can pull at the roots. Choose ribbons instead.
Very damp hair under a bonnet stays creased until morning. Let it air dry before putting the bonnet on, or use it on dry hair.
In the morning: reviving your curls
Take the bonnet off from the top, without pulling on the lengths. Let the curls fall.
Shake the roots with your fingertips. A light mist revives the shape. Avoid combing dry hair: it separates the curls.
Between styling days
A well-placed bonnet helps curls last from one night to the next, which can mean styling them less often. If a strand has gone flat, dampen it slightly and wind it around your finger.
The next evening, repeat the same preparation without adding product every time: residue builds up and weighs curls down.
If your bonnet slips during the night
A bonnet that slips usually comes down to hair that is badly placed. Gather your hair higher on your head, so that the bonnet rests on your head and not on your lengths.
Then check the band: it should stay flat all the way around your head. Retie the knot at the nape of your neck a little more firmly, without going so far as to mark the skin. If you move around a lot in your sleep, a silk pillowcase takes over when the bonnet shifts.
Caring for the bonnet
Hand wash at 30 °C maximum, dry flat in the shade. Mulberry silk keeps its glide if you avoid the tumble dryer and fabric softener.
A wash every one to two weeks is enough. Three colours are available: black, champagne and dusty pink.
Our bonnet for the night
The mulberry silk bonnet is round, with a wide band and two ribbons to tie, with no elastic. It is one size, at 49 €. The Duo format brings together two bonnets for 70 €, and the silk sleep trio combines bonnet, mask and pillowcase for 119 €.
Frequently asked questions
Is a silk bonnet suitable for afro-textured hair?
Yes, as long as you choose a roomy enough format. A long or tie-on bonnet contains the mass without compressing the roots. Tie the ribbons without tightening to avoid marks on the forehead.
Silk bonnet or silk pillowcase for curls?
Both play a part. The pillowcase protects curls resting on the pillow, the bonnet stops them tangling with each other. With a well-placed bonnet, curls can hold for longer.
Can I sleep in a silk bonnet with wet hair?
Better to avoid it. Damp hair under a bonnet stays compressed and creased until morning. Let it air dry, then put the bonnet on over dry or slightly damp hair.
Does the bonnet leave marks on the forehead?
A wide band and ribbons tied without tightening limit marks. If you see any in the morning, loosen the ribbons a little: the bonnet should hold by the band, not by pressure.
How long should I keep the bonnet on at night?
All night, that is what it is for. Take it off when you wake up, before styling. Some people keep it on for a nap: the logic stays the same, containing the curls without crushing them.
