Bad Hair Day? You Need A Silk Turban To Sleep In

As we age, our hair becomes a little greyer, thinner and sometimes difficult to tame. To protect it from frizz, breakages and split ends, a silk turban could be a game-changer. Part of the African and Latin American heritage, wildly popular among the jet-set (Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, Faye Dunaway, Joan Collins used to wear one) as a surefire way to get noticed and a practical solution for a bad hair day, it has been also praised for the way it keeps locks intact through the night.

Yes, indeed, wrapping your hair in a silk scarf or turban every time we sleep will help to promote healthier and shinier hair keeping at bay abrasive cotton bed linen which can aggravate our hair and cause moisture loss and breakage.

Why a bonnet is good for you

Dryness is a common problem with ageing hair: our scalp stops producing as much oil. You may have noticed that your locks feel dry and less smooth. This is because the structure of the cuticle and the surface layer of the hair fibre change as we grow older. They become uneven with some cracks here and there, which results in more roughness. Also, the rate of hair growth remains quite stable with age, but the hair growth cycles are shorter, which means that the hair doesn’t grow as long as it used to, and grows with a different and weaker structure. Hence, ageing hair breaks more easily.

Wearing a silk or satin hair wrap encourages the natural oils on your scalp to spread from root to tip while preventing hair from tangling while you sleep. But it’s not just textured hair types that can benefit from a silk hair wrap: they’re also great to use after you’ve had a blow-dry, as they’ll make the style last longer.

Silk Versus Satin: What Should You Be Sleeping On?

Silk is a natural fibre, woven into a fabric. Satin is a finish which can be applied to any fabric. The difference in quality and experience can be significant.

Silk is the thread produced by the spinning glands of the silkworm. It is the finest and strongest natural fibre in the world affording a number of benefits. It is a smooth and breathable fibre with a luxurious finish and naturally hypoallergenic too.

Satin is a finish of a weave and not a natural fibre like silk. Traditionally Satin is made using combinations of other fabrics like nylon, rayon, polyester, and even silk.

Although silk is more expensive to produce, it is also longer-lasting, stronger and durable, providing a far better cost-per-wear than man-made alternatives.

Bring back radiance

While the idea of a hair wrap might not appeal to you at first, there are some fun designs out there that will change your mind: nowadays, bonnet designs are not only pretty enough to wear to bed but could actually pass for daytime hair accessories. Whether you prefer a satin cap or a pure silk turban, here are our favourite frizz-free solutions.

Silke London

Maria Sotiriou has dedicated years to the careful development of a beautifully designed and chic hair wrap, made of the finest 100%. Her silk turbans feature a sleek fit and a neutral colour that would complement any outfit, but the real winner is the elastic band that keep these bonnets in place all night long. Simply tuck your hair inside before bed, and you’ll wake up to fresher, less tangled hair with a noticeable bounce.

Silkup Luna Hair Wrap

Made of 100% mulberry silk, Luna features a 26cm jersey silk band to sit comfortably over your ears and protect your edges, all night long. Available in two sizes and three colours, it features generous ruching expands to fit shoulder length to long hair. Lasts for up to 12 months

Ankara Bonnets​ by Isoken Enofe

Isoken Enofe is an e-boutique curated by Youtube Beauty & Fashion Influencer Isoken Enofe-Asemota. Inspired by the Afrocentric Heritage, the Ankara silk bonnets have been crafted with the finest quality of Ankara and silk fabric to keep you super stylish and cute when going to bed and during bad hair days. Available in a range of sizes, colours and prints, these Pieces will add funk, class, and a sense of regality to any young fashionista’s wardrobe.