15 best hair bonnets for protecting your hair while you sleep
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Once you start wearing hair bonnets to sleep, you'll never go back. Made popular by the afro hair community, silk or satin hair bonnets boast a variety of benefits – from preventing tangles, minimising breakage, and preserving your bouncy blowout while you're sound asleep.
After a decade of bleach and too much heat styling, I've been well and truly on my hair health journey this year. From investing in quality silk pillowcases, to slathering on all the best hair products like leave-in conditioners and hair oils, I've been grafting hard to breathe some much-needed life into my brittle and short hair. As it turns out, using a hair bonnet to bed is easily one of the biggest game-changers — as it helps keep my hair in tip-top shape throughout the night, which leaves me far less likely to reach for the hair straightener or curling wand in the morning.
SKIP TO: Why is a silk bonnet good for your hair? | What hair types benefit most from silk bonnets? | What is the difference between silk and satin bonnets? | How we tested the best hair bonnets | Our full reviews.
The best hair bonnets at a glance 2024
- Best luxe silk hair wrap: SILKE Hair Wrap (Various Colours)
- Best satin hair bonnet: Grow Gorgeous Satin Bonnet
- Best hair bonnet for long and thick locks: Kitsch Satin Sleep XL Adjustable Bonnet
- Best non-slip hair bonnet: Silky Satin Non Slip Sleep Scarf
We've put together a definitive guide to all the best hair bonnets for every hair type, budget and purpose, having also consulted with experts to answer all your burning FAQs. We've covered everything from the key benefits, how to use them and which material performs best.
Which hair types benefit most from silk bonnets?
According to Hairstylist and educator Dionne Smith — whose celebrity clientele include Venus Williams, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Amber Gill — all hair textures would benefit from making the switch. “Silk bonnets are great for all hair types, as everyone wants healthy and hydrated locks. But curly, and coily hair in particular will definitely benefit," she adds.
Why is a silk bonnet good for your hair?
Every time you roll over in your sleep, friction is generated between the rough fibres of the pillowcase, and your lovely locks — which means you're far more likely to start your day off with excess tangles, frizz, and static. Plus, you can expect more breakage and split-ends in the long-run — particularly if you have fine or dry hair.
Thankfully, a silk bonnet is the perfect solution. As well as helping to preserve your style overnight, a silk bonnet will absorb very little of your hair's natural moisture and oils — unlike a porous cotton pillowcase. Instead, these natural oils are able to spread evenly through your roots, lengths, and ends, and essentially act as a natural conditioning treatment while you sleep. The result? Nourished and glossy locks — rather than the common combo of greasy roots, and dry and brittle ends.
Essentially, a silk wrap, cap, or bonnet makes a real difference to the overall health, growth, and day-to-day appearance of your hair. It's a great material for all hair types — but is especially beneficial or hair that is dry and prone to breakage.
What is the difference between silk and satin bonnets?
When it comes to silk or satin, experts recommend either or — depending on your style preference and budget. “A silk bonnet is made up of natural fibres, while a satin bonnet is a combination of different fabrics like nylon, polyester,” Dionne explains. “They both maintain the natural levels of hair oil and allow less friction between your hair and other surfaces. — so which material you choose is completely up to you.”
How we tested the best hair bonnets:
Over the years, the GLAMOUR team – alongside our freelance writers – have tested our fair share of different silk and satin hair bonnets. From thick and curly hair, to dry and fine hair, we've got all different hair types, textures, and conditions covered. Alongside scanning the specs of each product, and paying close attention to customer reviews, we've used our own personal results (aka how our hair ended up looking and feeling in the morning!) to come up with this selection of what we believe to be the best hair bonnets on the market right now.