Since, of January 2020, I have been wearing satin hair bonnets to bed. Whether it’s to maintain freshly done braids, preserve my wrap or protect my ends, it’s become a nonnegotiable part of my beauty and sleep routine. Not only do hair bonnets help to lock in moisture, but they also prevent the friction that occurs when your hair rubs against your pillow. Bonnets rank high on the list of black girl beauty essentials and have recently become more popular as other communities have caught on to the benefits of protecting your ends from drying, cotton pillowcases. Here, I gathered a list of the best hair bonnets, from the chic option you can totally wear outdoors to the extra-long bonnet designed for extra-long lengths.
Anyone who sleeps with a bonnet or scarf knows the struggle of waking up to find it next to you on the pillow. That’s where the Glow by Day Satin Bonnet comes in. The band is adjustable, so you can customize it to your head size and it’s double layered and reversible, which practically makes it two bonnets in one.
Ideal for shorter or flatter hair (it’s perfect post-silk press), the Silke London Silk Hair Wrap is available in chic, colorblocked options with knots in the front. It’s a bonnet that doesn’t look like a bonnet and is made of pure mulberry silk to ensure your strands stay hydrated all night long.
The Evolve Satin Wide Edge Bonnet is a beauty supply store staple that keeps edges smooth while also protecting your hair. This is an ideal option for anyone who wants to wake up selfie-ready or likes their edges to stay laid throughout the night.
Long braided styles can render your everyday bonnet obsolete, which is why we always recommend keeping a satin braid bonnet around, just in case. This option from Red by Kiss holds your braids all night and is made of a breathable fabric.
Grace Eleyae Slaps (slap stands for “satin-lined cap”) have long been a staple on the natural hair scene. The beanie-like bonnets are innocuous enough to be worn outside and soft enough to be worn to bed. They’re also available in nearly every color imaginable so feel free to pick up a few to match your mood or your PJs.
This bonnet is as much a fashion statement as it is functional—and the x-large size makes it a great option for anyone with extra thick or long hair. It also comes in kids sizes too
ADAMA Luxy Satin Bonnet is double sided satin for Nighttime Hair Protection with a comfortable Elastic Headband with Shiny Metallic Finish. The x-large size accommodate large volumes of hair without matting it down and comes in a Black and Gold style.
The adjustable, super-comfortable bonnet is a classic favorite! No matter how thick your hair, this bonnet gives you room to rest and relax without breakage. The perfect way to keep your curls (or any hair texture!) intact and in shape.
DO YOU WEAR A BONNET/HEAD WRAP TO BED? COMMENT BELOW!
Whether you’ve just recently decided to go natural or if you’ve long been wearing your hair in its unprocessed form, there’s always so much to learn about having natural hair. Before you attempt to absorb all there is to know about caring for your curls, we’re here to provide you with a few useful terms that’ll likely be of service to you in the long run. This, of course, is in no way a guide to everything you’ve ever wanted to know about natural hair, but we’d say it’s a great start.
Ahead, you’ll find a glossary of sorts, featuring 20 haircare terms that should be in every natural’s vocabulary.
Curl pattern is a term used to describe the shape of your hair strands when they’re in their natural state. It’s usually broken down into four types: type 1 hair is typically bone straight; type 2 hair is wavy; type 3 hair is curly; and type 4 is coily. From there, the types are broken down into three subcategories each (a, b, and c) that are determined based on the width of your waves or curls.
Elasticity
This refers to your hair’s ability to return to its natural shape after being pulled, stretched, or heated in any way. Hair with low elasticity normally won’t return to its natural shape, while hair with high elasticity will.
Porosity
Porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It’s looked at in three different categories — low, medium, and high porosity — and it’s normally determined by the way your hair’s cuticles lay. Head over here for a more in-depth breakdown on what that means.
Sulfates
Think of sulfates as the reason why your shampoo lathers up and thickens the way it does when you work it into your hair. They are chemicals that are often found in cleaning products, and they’re widely debated in the hair community, since many people think they’re harmful and have the power to strip the hair of its natural oils and nutrients. On the other hand, there are also those who believe sulfates aren’t as bad for your hair as they’re made out to be.
Humectants
Humectants are chemicals found in hair products that promote moisture retention.
Sealant
Not to be confused with a moisturizer, a sealant is any product that sits on top of the cuticle to hold the moisture in your hair. These typically come in the form of oils and butters, and are to be applied after a moisturizer, since some of the oil molecules aren’t small enough to actually penetrate your hair shaft. Some popular sealants include jojoba oil, Jamaican black castor oil, and shea butter.
Moisturizer
On the flip side, a moisturizer is any product that — you guessed it — moisturizes your hair. When attempting to determine if a product will work as a good moisturizer, consider the amount of water that’s in the product; if water is the first ingredient listed on the label, you should be okay. Leave-in conditioners and light oils (coconut, avocado) often fall into this category.
Transition
Transitioning refers to the process of . . . well . . . “transitioning” from processed or relaxed hair to natural hair. A person who’s in the transitioning phase is someone who’s cut the use of harsh chemicals and heat from their haircare regimen and has opted to grow their hair out in its natural state while slowly trimming off their processed ends. They do this until their natural hair has grown to a length they’re comfortable with and their damaged ends are gone completely.
Big Chop
This process is often looked at as an alternative to transitioning, since big chopping your hair means cutting off all of your relaxed or processed hair at once. That said, you can also transition your hair before performing a big chop, growing it out slowly until you can clearly see where your natural hair and what’s left of your processed strands meet.
Shrinkage
Shrinkage refers to curly or coily hair’s ability to shrink up and look a few inches shorter than it actually is. When your hair is stretched — via twist outs, braid outs, blowouts, etc. (more on that later) — it should be able to shrink back to its normal state, as shrinkage is normally a sign that your hair is healthy and properly moisturized.
LOC Method
LOC is an acronym of “liquid, oil, cream,” and it’s basically a mnemonic device (think PEMDAS or ROYGBIV) that can be used to help you remember how to order certain products when you apply them to your hair. In this case, you’d use a liquid-based product or leave-in conditioner, followed by a sealing oil and a moisturizer.
Twist Out
This one’s a popular styling method achieved by installing several twists throughout a head of wet or damp hair before allowing them to set or dry for several hours. Some people also like to manipulate their twist outs by wrapping flexi rods at the end of each twist to give their ends a little more support in the curl department. Depending on how fast your hair dries, twists are typically taken out within a day or two of being installed, with the end result being a head of superdefined curls that can be worn for days at a time.
Braid Out
A braid out is essentially the same as a twist out, except it’s done with braids. Braid outs often stretch the hair more than twist outs do, which is good for anyone hoping to sport a style that shows off a little more length, but they often take a bit longer to dry as well.
Wash and Go
A wash and go is exactly what it sounds like, though there’s just a little more to it than literally just washing and going. It’s basically when a person washes their hair and wears it out in its natural state without twisting, braiding, or using tools to curl it. Typically leave-in conditioners and other products like curl creams or styling gels are added to keep frizz at bay for these styles.
A protective style is basically any hairstyle that tucks away the ends of your hair and protects them against possible damage from factors like weather, chemicals, and over-manipulation. Ideally, they require only a small amount of maintenance and are often a go-to for those looking to experiment with various colors and hair lengths without the risk of putting extra stress on their strands.
TWA
An abbreviation of “teeny weeny afro, a TWA is a natural hairstyle formed on hair that’s typically about 1-2 inches in length.
Co-Wash
“Co-wash” is an abbreviation for “conditioner-only washing,” which is pretty self-explanatory. People who use conditioner to cleanse their hair and scalp normally do so as a way to avoid the use of harsh, sulfate-filled shampoos that can often strip the hair of natural oils. Conditioners don’t technically cleanse the hair, though, these days, you can purchase conditioners that have special cleansing benefits.
Pre-Poo
A pre-poo (or pre-shampoo) is an oil or conditioning treatment that’s applied to the hair before shampoo. It’s normally necessary if you’re looking to detangle or add a little extra moisture to your hair ahead of a wash.
Protein Treatment
Protein treatments are reparative products that are used to help strengthen damaged and porous hair by attaching a variety of proteins and nutrients directly to the follicle. Because of how intensive they are, it’s best to limit yourself to using protein-rich products every four to six weeks.
Deep Conditioning Treatment
Not to be confused with protein treatments, deep conditioners are intensive conditioners that provide the hair with an extra boost of moisture after shampooing. They’re usually applied to the hair and allowed to sit for at least 30 mins before being rinsed out. Depending on how dry your hair is, they can normally be used one to two times a week.
For the entirety of Beyoncé’s career, her hair has made headlines… The iconic braid that birthed the greatest hair flick of all time, her curls at Coachella, and most recently, her beaded IVY Park braids that shut down Instagram.
Anyhow, we digress… Our point is, we want to know what Beyoncé does to her hair, and it turns out, her solution is pretty simple. Beyoncé trusts in her hair colorist Rita Hazanand her Weekly Remedy Treatment that has also nourished the tresses of superstars J.Lo and Mariah Carey. Rita said that whenever she colors hair, she’ll always provide her clients with the Weekly Remedy Treatment For Deep Hydration & Superior Shine, $42, to boost hair health and ensure the color stays in good condition. The treatment is also easy to use on the go as there’s no waiting time and works for straight, curly, coily, and wavy hair. Here’s everything you need to know about the treatment.
The Treatment
The two-step treatment works to restore and replenish the hair from the inside-out to leave your tresses feeling soft and frizz-free. The first step will lift the hair cuticle so that the oils in the second step can penetrate the hair for maximum impact. The second step seals the cuticle and locks in nutrients for deep hydration. And trust us, you want to seal in these ingredients!
Source: Rita Hazan
Not only does it contain a potent blend of Mirabelle plum, moringa seed, jojoba, and olive, but it also features rice proteins. Rice proteins are one of the most potent hair remedies as they’re packed with proteins and amino acids that hydrate and restore the hair strand so that it’s less likely to frizz. Plus, it’s a rich source of vitamins including B, C, and E, which can help boost growth while adding shine. There’s even a village in China, Huangluo, known as the land of Rapunzels because it holds the Guinness World Record as the ‘world’s longest hair village.’ And guess what they use? Rice water!
How To Use The Weekly Remedy Treatment
Begin by shampooing the hair as usual, then apply a quarter size amount of STEP 1 from roots to the ends and rinse immediately. Next, apply a quarter-size amount of STEP 2, working it through the hair from roots to end and rinse. There’s no wait time needed and the results will be instant. Rita recommends using this mask once a week for damaged hair and twice for severely damaged hair.
The Reviews
Online at Sephora, one customer wrote “Let me tell you something. This absolutely rescued my hair from being just shaved off.” while another curly hair girl wrote “My hair is thick and curly underneath and this product makes it feel super conditioned but doesn’t flatten my hair, LOVE” as you can probably tell, it’s the bomb.com.
For more amazing hair products and tips, check out HAIRon beautyleebar.com!
During the colder months, it’s time to finally break out those protective styles you’ve been adding to your Pinterest board all year long and put them to work. Whether you’re opting for waist-length box braids or intricate feed-ins, the options are endless (and spoiler alert, they’re all cute).
If you’ve ever gotten a protective style with added hair only to have your scalp itch and for small red bumps or pimples to appear a few hours later, you’re not alone. This is a common reaction to braiding hair (especially hair purchased at the beauty supply store) and is a sign that you might be allergic to synthetic hair. Most braiding hair is coated with an alkaline base that can trigger a reaction in many people. But don’t despair, it can be avoided by pre-treating the hair with a simple solution: apple cider vinegar.
Here’s how it works: ACV lifts the alkaline base from the hair and once dry, it can be installed without causing irritation to the scalp and hairline. The process is simple and can be the difference between struggling through the next five weeks of a protective style and flourishing from one look to the next. To do this, all you need is apple cider vinegar (any brand and type will do), hot water and a large bowl or bucket.
How to Fix Itchy Braids
STEP #1: Start by filling a bowl with hot water and apple cider vinegar. The ratio should be one part apple cider vinegar to three parts hot water, and there should be enough to completely cover one or two packs of hair.
STEP #2: Without separating the hair (don’t remove the rubber bands or try to comb it out), submerge it in the mixture and wait 15 minutes. After a few minutes, the alkaline base will lift from the hair and form a white film on the top of the water.
STEP #3: Remove the hair from the mixture and allow it to air dry. Don’t worry about the smell, it’ll evaporate once the hair is dry.
STEP #4: Install and style the hair as normal. You’re done!
Already installed your hair? Don’t worry — add some ACV and water to a spray bottle and spritz the mixture all over your head; it should give you some relief. Still need help? Watch this tutorial by beauty guru MIIX MII to see it in action:
If you can’t wait for your hair to air dry or just don’t want to do it yourself, you can buy pre-treated braiding hair or opt for human hair (although it is much more expensive).
beautyleebar.org 