Waking up is already a hassle without having to deal with messy hair. As beneficial as sleep is, it can cause frizzy, knotted or lifeless hair if you don’t wrap it up. So regardless of your hairstyle, wrapping your hair at night to sleep offers a variety of benefits.
Unfortunately, most women struggle to find the ideal way to do this wrap their hair, considering the many options available. We’ve got you covered! If you’re looking for interesting tips on how to wrap your hair before bed, read on for a step-by-step guide and hair wrap methods.
Why do people wrap their hair?
Hair covering has existed for hundreds of years, and is a significant part of the world’s cultures. Wraps were originally worn as a head covering to complete a woman’s look, especially in battle African women.
In some cultures, hair wraps signify social status, while others wore hair wraps as a religious garment. The evolution of hair wrap designs is evident over time, with new materials and styles being launched daily.
Here are some of the reasons to wrap your hair:
- Hair wraps reduce dryness: They help preserve and control the natural scalp oils, which are otherwise absorbed by pillowcase fabrics, leaving the hair dry. As a result, the wraps keep your hair moisturized, making it smooth and shiny.
- It is easier to maintain a hairstyle: Moving around at night while sleeping ruins your hairstyle. The hair wrap will keep your hair intact, maintain your hairstyle while making your morning hair refresh routine much simpler.
- Hair wraps reduce breakage and tangles: Dry hair and the friction that comes with it is a recipe for hair breakage and tangles. Wrapping your hair will significantly reduce breakage and tangles, keep it moisturized and reduce friction.
Wrapping your hair is necessary in the night care routine for its various benefits for health and hair styling.
What type of hair wrap should you choose?
Investing in a hair wrap and making it part of your bedtime routine helps you wake up with healthy, smooth locks. Fortunately, there are different types of hair wrap – and you can always find the best fit for your preferences and needs.
In this section, we highlight some of the best types of hair wrap methods to choose from.
A silk or satin bonnet
A silk or satin hair bonnet is recommended if you want natural hair. Silk is a natural fiber that breathes, is very soft and comfortable, making it ideal for a hood. On the other hand, satin is not a natural fiber but boasts the same properties as silk head wraps.
Unlike cotton, silk and satin bonnets don’t absorb milk and products, leaving your natural hair moisturized. Due to the smooth nature of silk and satin, the hair glides over the fabric, minimizing friction and breakage, knots and frizz.
Silk and satin trousers help to keep your hairstyle in check, given their loose fit. The bonnets do not flatten your hairstyle, unlike other types of head covering. Finally, silk or satin bonnets are relatively affordable and easy to wear.
On the other hand, silk and satin bonnets can slip, especially if you are a restless sleeper. Some bonnets come with damaged or poorly designed elastic bands, resulting in a loose fit. In that case, a bobby pin or two comes in handy to ensure your silk or satin cover-up stays on all night.
stocking cap
Consider buying a stocking cap if you want a tight hair wrap. You can use your old or unused socks to make the hat. The stocking cap is a perfect alternative to the slick and flat hairstyle caps as it keeps your hair close, saving you from a bad hair day.
While you can buy stocking hats, you can use your creativity and make one yourself. This is a simple procedure to excite any DIY enthusiast. All you need is to fit the sock over your head, tie a knot at the top and cut off the excess material.
Remember, most socks are made of nylon materials, which can cause dryness. If you prefer a sock hat, it is recommended to layer it with a bonnet or silk scarf.
Silt or satin scarf
Drift or satin scarves speak of versatility, an excellent match for all hair types and styles, from straight hair to braids and wash-and-go styles.
Generally, satin scarves are more common than silk scarves due to their relatively inexpensive cost, although silk scarves are ultra-soft and gentler on the hair. These scarves are well suited for curly girls.
slap hat
Slap caps are the newer entrants to the sleep cap market, featuring a satin inner lining. This lining is essential in keeping your hair moisturized. Another main advantage of snap caps is that they are easy to wear and do not need ties.
However, these hats may not fit properly, especially if you have a smaller head. This fit can slip while you sleep, resulting in messy hair when you wake up. Also, slap hats are relatively more expensive than other hair covering options.
How to wrap hair at night in 4 simple steps
There are different hair wrapping techniques to protect your hair overnight. However, if you want a quick and easy way to wrap your hair at night, follow the steps below.
1. Cut off your hair
Use a wide-toothed comb to remove all knots in your hair, gently moving it in a consistent direction throughout your hair. A wide-toothed comb is recommended for users with long hair, scattered hair or curly hair.
If your hair feels dry, consider locking in extra moisture by applying natural moisturizing oils or a leave-in conditioner.
2. Part your hair
Using the tip of the comb, part the hair horizontally along the top of your head. Brush the hair in the front while sectioning it above the forehead. Next, slide the hair in the back down on the very back of your head. Finally, comb your sides straight and neat over your ears.
3. It’s time to wrap your hair
Starting on both sides of your hair partings, use a paddle brush to gently smooth your hair to one side, turning your head. Brushing your hair helps distribute the moisturizer to your hair in addition to smoothing it out.
Continue brushing the hair in the same direction around your head until you return to the starting point. Repeat this technique on the remaining section of hair and use bobby pins to hold any strands of hair that fall out of place.
4. Secure with a head covering
Once you’ve wrapped your hair and mixed in any stray strands, wrap it in a scarf to keep the style in place. Fold the scarf diagonally to form a triangle, then gently spread it over the head, with the triangle facing the front.
Carefully cover the hair on the back of your head and bring the back ends of your scarf to your brow, wrapping it around the sides of your head. Finish it off by tying a small knot in front of your head, and you’re good to go!
final thoughts
Now that you’ve learned how to wrap your hair, it’s time to say goodbye to bad hair days. Don’t worry if you have trouble wrapping your hair neatly. It takes time to master and adjust to your new nighttime hair care routine.