Protecting your hair at night is one of the most important routines to protect your hair. Protective sleep hairstyles are essential for maintaining healthy hair. When you go to sleep, your hair can get tangled, matted, and break easily, which can lead to hair damage and hair loss. However, with the right protective sleep hairstyles, you can keep your hair protected.
Should you sleep in a protective hairstyle?
Absolutely. Protective hairstyles for sleeping are a must to your natural hair routine.
On top of protecting your hair, protective hairstyles for sleeping will save you time in the morning. Whether your hair is in twist-outs, silk pressed or a slick bun, protecting your hair night will also increase the longevity of your favorite hairstyle. No one wants to go to bed with a perfect hairstyle and wake up to a disastrous mess! We all know so well the frustrating feeling of not being able to keep a hairstyle longer than a day. Protective hairstyles are as important during the day than they are at night.
What is the most protective hairstyle to sleep in?
There are various ways to protect your hair before going to bed. The choice of protective sleep hairstyle will depend on how your hair is currently styled. Here are the best protective hairstyles for sleeping that will keep your hair protected:
1. The Pineapple Method
The pineapple is a popular protective sleep hairstyle and it also works wonderfully on type 4 hair. This hairstyle will able you to keep the definition of your braid out or twist out while adding some volume. To create this hairstyle, gather your hair at the top of your head and secure it with a silk scarf. This will create a loose, high ponytail that looks like a pineapple. This hairstyle will keep your coils secured and prevent them from getting tangled. Make sure to stretch your silk scarf all the way up to prevent your hair to rub against your sheets and pillowcase.
2. Two Strand Twists
Two-strand twists are a great protective hairstyle for sleeping if you’re already rocking a twist out. To protect your natural hair at night, you do not have to recreate small twists. Divide your hair into 4 to 6 big sections and twist each section into two-strand twists. If you’re after volume quickly re twisting your hair in bigger sections will also help to maintain your definition.
3. Chunky Braids
The principle is the same than with two strand twists. Separate your hair into 4 to 6 sections and tightly braid. Chunky braids will give you more definition than two strand twists as the style will hold your curls tighter. That also means that chunky braids can stretch out your hair if you experienced shrinkage during the day. In the morning, undo your braids, and you will have well defined, bouncy curls.
4. Low Braid
When rocking a sleek hairstyle, a low braid is a great option to keep your hair laid. It’s a simple and effective protective sleep hairstyle for all naturals. Gather your hair into a low ponytail and braid it loosely. I would advise to sleep with a headscarf here rather than a bonnet to be able to keep the sleek look of your hairstyle.
5. The Roll and Tuck
The roll-and-tuck is the quickest protective sleep hairstyle and perfect for those with a silk press or blow-dried hair.
- Create a middle part and separate your hair in two.
- Lay and tuck the two sections of your hair around the perimeter of your head.
- Secure each section with bobby pins as you go.
This hairstyle will keep your silk pressed hair smooth and protected throughout the night. This protective sleep hairstyle will maintain your hair straightened without the marks of a hair tie. Here again, I would recommend to use a silk scarf or a durag for your hair to stay in place. Feel free to wear your bonnet on top for added security.
6. Braided Crown : the most elegant protective hairstyle for sleeping
The braided crown is a protective sleep hairstyle that is perfect for long natural hair. If your hair is too long for the roll and tuck, the braided crown is a great alternative. To create this hairstyle, divide your hair into two sections, and braid each section into a loose braid. Wrap each braid around the crown of your head, securing with bobby pins as you go.
To fully protect your hair at night you also need to ensure you’re protecting your hair with the right accessories. You can wear a silk scarf or a bonnet every night or change your pillowcase to silk or satin. This is important as the friction of your hair against cotton can lead to your hair becoming dry and brittle.
- For a silk scarf: A silk scarf is simple and easy to use. All you need to do is tie a scarf around your head or in the pineapple method before going to bed. The silk material will prevent friction and protect your hair from breakage.
- For a silk bonnet: A bonnet just needs to be thrown on your head to protect your hair! You don’t always have to style your hair to put your bonnet on. Make sure to choose a bonnet that can fit your natural hair as well as a different hairstyle such as braids or faux locs.
There are many options to buy silk hair accessories for natural hair. Grace Eleyae creates beautiful silk and satin lined products for natural hair. On top of being stylish and modern, Grace Eleyae is also a black owned brand.
Silk natural hair accessories we love:
Grace Eleyae All Satin Knot Turban (40$)
Grace Eleyae Silk Pillowcase (68$)
Protective sleep hairstyles are essential for maintaining natural healthy hair. The hairstyles recommended above are easy to create, and they will keep your hair protected and looking the best. Try these hairstyles tonight, and you’ll wake up with gorgeous, healthy hair in the morning.
