Haircare for natural hair can be demanding and a little overwhelming—what with all the shampoos and conditioners, strengthening and hydrating hair oils, masks, heat protectants, and styling creams on the market. But the results are endlessly rewarding. There's nothing quite like showing off a head full of moisturized, healthy hair, whether you're going completely natural or wearing a stunning protective style. One often underappreciated yet essential product is style maintenance via the best silk and satin hair wraps, which can come in the form of headbands, bonnets, turbans, and more.
These wraps preserve hairstyles, prevent frizz, and lock in moisture. Naana Boakye, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Bergen Dermatology attests, "Silk scarves, bonnets, and silk pillows help avoid hair breakage and maintain scalp health. There are several studies that show that silk allows the hair to retain its natural oils, unlike cotton, and due to its lower friction coefficient, it helps reduce hair damage." Personally, I adore my growing collection of hair wraps, and wearing them has been an absolute game-changer in keeping my curls bouncy and defined.
However, finding the best hair wraps for my curls has involved a lot of trial and error. After testing many options and speaking to professional hairstylists about what to look for, I've finally found the best wraps of all time, for every length, price point, and haircare, goal. Read on for silk and satin hair wraps for your most defined, frizz-free curls yet.
The Best Hair Wraps
- Best Hair Wrap Overall: Slip Pure Silk Turban
- Best Hair Wrap for Long Hair, Braids, or Locks: YPGVUO Satin Bonnet
- Best Hair Wrap for Short Hair: Damn Gina Silk Hair Wrap 2.0
Best known for their silk pillowcases, Slip caters to all your luxury beauty sleep needs, including the need for a premium silk hair wrap. This option is gorgeous, luxuriously soft, and, according to users, doesn't pinch the skin while in use. I love it for my waist-length curls and find that it easily fits all of my hair inside comfortably. It stays on without budging, but its elastic never feels tight or constricting. Whenever I wear it, I wake up with soft, shiny, defined curls—to the point that I can leave the house without applying any leave-ins or stylers!
Pros: Editor-approved; Made from premium silk; Fits a lot of hair
Cons: Runs large
Material: Silk
This silk hair wrap from Slip is so comfortable that I often forget I have it on.
This design is excellent for long-haired ladies who don't like the way traditional bonnets force their hair into a nest at the top or back of the head. I personally use this bonnet for my waist-length curly hair. It fits all of my hair so comfortably, I barely feel like I have anything on. Its elastic band is flat and not too tight: Even on nights when I toss and turn, it stays securely fastened to my head.
Pros: Editor-approved; Good for long hair; Good for locks; Comfortable; Comes in a pack of two
Cons: None found
Material: Satin
This was my first ever hair wrap, and it still holds up. The band is secure yet not too tight, and my waist-length curls fit easily without getting flattened.
This is one of my favorite hair wraps: It’s comfortable, feels luxurious, and comes in four stunning colors. Unlike most hair wraps, it's also sold in medium and large sizes, so you can customize your wrap depending on your head size and hair length. It’s perfect for those suffering from frizz and tangles. One customer raves, "This wrap is wonderful. I have a silk pillowcase but it doesn't do as good a job at keeping my hair tangle-free as my turban." My only qualm is that it's relatively small and not adjustable, so it's difficult to fit all of my hair inside. Consequently, it may be a better option for those with short hair.
Pros: Editor-approved; Comes in multiple sizes and colors; Made from premium silk
Cons: Some users who toss and turn say it fell off at night
Material: Silk
Also Recommended
I was so excited when I got this satin hair wrap. It's unbelievably shiny and features a chic knot at the top that makes it perfect for wearing in public, on Zoom calls, and when friends come over. Luis also loves this option, explaining that it "protects hair from breakage and is super stylish." However, I find that after a few hours of wear, the knot presses against my forehead, resulting in some soreness and even slight headaches. It has stretched out a bit since I acquired it, but I would never wear this to sleep or for more than a couple of hours—the knot is simply too distracting to be comfortable for me.
Pros: Editor- and expert-approved; fashionable; fits a lot of hair
Cons: Not comfortable enough for sleeping
Material: Satin
I love wearing this hair wrap to turn a look, but I simply can't wear it to sleep.
Crafted with 100 percent premium mulberry silk, this hair wrap is a great go-to nighttime protection tool for optimal hair health. It promises to reduce split ends and breakage, prevent frizz, and help styles and curl patterns last longer. I love this piece for its snug-fitting elastic band, which prevents it from slipping in my sleep. Plus, it comes in 11 distinct colors, including both solid shades and multi-colored patterns. Another bonus? You can tack on a set of matching silk hair ties to your order.
Pros: Comes in multiple colors; Made from silk; Award-winning; Has an elastic band
Cons: May be better for short hair than long hair or braids
Material: Silk
Eaddy highly recommends the silk-lined headwraps from Cee Cee’s Closet, a brand that prides itself on creating fashionable yet practical headwraps grounded in the African tradition of wrapping textured hair. "It has so much style,” says Eaddy of this option, “yet it offers function while protecting your hair and scalp with silk." Plus, this Black woman-owned brand ethically partners with tailors in Nigeria to create unique, responsibly made pieces that are built to last.
Pros: Black-owned and woman-owned brand; Made from high quality silk; Ethical brand
Cons: Not as many pattern options
Material: Silk
A lot of hair wraps are too tight for my taste, especially since I have so much hair. Therefore, I love wearing loose options like this one from Mulberry Park Silks. Luis advocates for them, too, saying, "For silk wraps, I recommend Mulberry Park Silks because they’re super comfy and definitely wearable at night to protect your hair from breaking and tangling."
Pros: Expert-approved; Loose; Comfortable; Premium quality
Cons: Not full-coverage
Material: Silk
Best T-Shirt Bun Wrap
This style from You Go Natural fits like a headband, safely tucking baby hairs away from the wearer's face. "The open turban design by YGN is such a great option, especially for the summer months when you’re looking to tie up your curls and protect your edges at the same time," Eaddy says. She's not the only one who loves this brand: Gabrielle Union has also been spotted wearing their pieces.
Pros: Easy to style day to day; Protects baby hairs and edges; Expert-approved; Celebrity-approved
Cons: Doesn't protect lengths and ends
Material: Satin
Black-owned brand NeoCurly was founded in 2019 to help people with textured hair along in their natural haircare journeys. The brand makes a variety of haircare products, tools, and accessories that support curls, kinks, and healthy hair growth, including this casual beanie lined with silky smooth satin. This cap tames flyaways, protects styles, and reduces frizz, plus it includes an adjustable strap for that perfect fit. And because it looks like a normal hat, it’s just as easy to integrate into your everyday wardrobe as it is to incorporate into your sleep routine.
Pros: Casual look; Affordable; Black-owned brand; Adjustable
Cons: Won't fit the entirety of long hair
Material: Satin
This satin-lined option brings luxury to your nighttime routine. Reviewers of all genders with type three to type four hair love this brand's various haircare pieces, which are made to be worn out and about and at home. The bonnet’s flat adjustable band is designed to hold down and protect the wearer’s edges, and extends by several inches to tie it into a bow at the front or back.
Pros: Decorative; Holds down edges; Highly rated; Affordable; Black-owned brand
Cons: Headband portion is not made of satin
Material: Satin
What To Look For in a Hair Wrap
Material
There's a reason why most hair wraps are made from silk and satin. When looking for something to swathe your hair in, soft materials that won't irritate or scratch against the skin are paramount. Whitney Eaddy, expert hairstylist and founder of natural haircare brand Juices & Botanics, notes that silk is "the beauty industry standard for protecting natural hair." She explains that silk is a natural protein derived from silkworms' cocoons, and that its luxurious texture "helps protect against split ends, does not absorb all the moisture found in your hair and scalp, helps maintain thermal regulation, and extends the time in between your washdays."
Professional hairstylist Miguel Luis agrees that silk is the more premium option, but points out that because it's so expensive, satin is a perfectly viable option and is better than nothing. Eaddy explains that, unlike silk, satin is made from synthetic fibers. She says, "Satin refers to the way a fabric is woven, which means that satin fabric can be made of many fabrics, such as cotton or polyester. While it may be smooth and shiny, it doesn’t necessarily have the same superpower as 100 percent silk."
Style
Hair wraps are more than just functional. With all the colors, styles, and designs they can come in, they're also fashion statements. "In modern times, head wraps have become a central accessory for many," Eaddy agrees. "The head wrap, just like with textured hair, is about embracing your hair and style simultaneously."
They can either be worn in the privacy of your own home or as accessories while you're out and about. "Turbans come in many fashionable and chic styles that can also be paired with your favorite outfit," says Eaddy. Try going monochromatic by matching your wrap to the same color scheme as the rest of your outfit, or pick a statement hair wrap for a burst of energy in an otherwise subdued look. She adds, "Head wraps and scarves are extremely versatile. There are endless ways to wrap and tie a head wrap, and many examples and tutorials can easily be found online."
Size
Dr. Boakye says that size, and consequent tightness, are the only factors you should be wary of when buying a head wrap. Not only are tight head wraps uncomfortable, but she says that wearing overly tight head wraps can lead to traction alopecia—as can wearing your head wrap for too long.
Silk hair wraps are great for sleeping, but they also make stylish fashion accessories.
Hair Wraps for Hair Health
Hair wraps are often overlooked, seen as either optional or only necessary when preserving a particular hairstyle for the next morning. However, for many people—particularly women with curly hair—silk and/or satin hair wraps are indispensable.
"Traditionally, head wraps have served functional purposes like protecting women's scalps from the sun, sweat, and grime," says Eaddy. "Head wraps protect your fragile strands, reduce moisture loss, help avoid tangles and hair breakage," the expert elaborates, "especially if worn at night while you sleep." For me, this is the biggest benefit: I notice a huge improvement in my curl definition and hair health when I wear my bonnet the night before. Wraps also preserve the natural oils your hair produces, benefitting your hair, scalp, and skin.
If you're trying to grow your hair to Rapunzel lengths, wraps can help with that, too. "Head wraps ensure that your strands are protected from root to tip, allowing for optimal protection, moisture, and length retention," Eaddy explains. In other words, a protective hair wrap can help you achieve your hair goals sooner rather than later.
Hair Wraps for Frizz
By promoting hair health, hair wraps provide quick, visible results—essentially beautifying your hair from the inside-out. The most obvious of these result is the way that hair wraps fight frizz by keeping curls in place while you sleep.
Wearing a hair wrap—especially overnight—can also "help preserve your style at any time of the day or night," Eaddy notes. This makes a wrap the perfect accessory for those who love a low-maintenance hair routine: "After sleeping in a head wrap overnight, you will have a minimal amount of work to do to refresh your style, so it saves you a lot of time getting ready in the morning."
Meet the Experts
Dr. Naana Boakye M.D., MPH, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Bergen Dermatology in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. A graduate of Temple University and George Washington University, she studied epidemiology and takes a holistic approach when treating her patients.
Known as "The Growth Guru," Whitney Eaddy is an expert hairstylist who has worked with hundreds of clients around the world. Her mission is to help people (especially women of color) love their natural hair textures. She has founded five haircare businesses, all of which are centered around self-love and self-acceptance.
Miguel Luis is a professional hairstylist at the Rita Hazan Salon in New York City. He also works on fashion shoots, television, and in editorial.
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