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!
Thick, shiny, and strong hair—the qualities we aim for when caring for our mane. The secret to achieving luscious strands? Rice water. Recently learned this DIY trick during the month of January and can not believe it works! I have been applying this hair care tip to my own and will say I have seen a noticeable difference in growth and thickness. Many eastern countries have used the all-natural recipe for years, reaping its healing and nourishing perks. Below, I am breaking down the moisturizing and strengthening benefits of the minerals and vitamins in rice water and instructions on how to do the hair-enhancing treatment at home.
What you’ll need: 1 cup organic rice (any type as long as it’s organic) Bowl Water
Instructions: 1. Rinse the uncooked grains and then drain the water. 2. Place the clean rice in a bowl and add 1-1 1/2 cups of water. Let it soak for at least an hour (you can let it sit up to 24 hours). 3. Strain the rice and save the water. 4. Shampoo and rinse your hair. 5. Massage the rice water into your hair and scalp and let it sit for at least 20 minutes (and up to an hour). 6. Rinse.
RELATED READS
Recommend doing this 1-2 times a week.
Benefits: Amino acids: strengthen and repair damaged hair Selenium: promotes hair growth and reduces dandruff Folic acid: helps strengthen and thicken hair (found in prenatal vitamins) Magnesium: helps stimulate hair growth and healthy cell production Niacin: contains vitamin B3, which strengthens hair and prevents dullness
Up next, go to beautyleebarInstagram to join our live at 4:30 PM (eastern time). I’ll show how you can still do it with braids and still receive the nourishments for your hair.
The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that BeautyLeeBar, LLC (“Hello Beauties”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. You understand and agree that BeautyLeeBar shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
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.
Calling all you ladies with textured hair. Let down your curls, kinks and coily patterns and embrace the beauty that is the natural hair community. If you’ve been on the hunt for inspiration on ways to style, take care of and even feel empowered by your hair, what better place to look than the unofficial bible of all things beauty — Instagram. We know you’ve probably already hit follow on some of the most popular nail artists, beautiful French beauty bloggers and dopest makeup artists, but if you’re looking for the ultimate natural hair inspo, we’ve got you covered. Whether you recently joined the naturalista side or have always rocked your natural strands, read on for seven accounts that are sure to give you everything you’re looking for.
Cipriana Quann – @ciprianaquann We consider Cipriana the epitome of fabulous. She was blessed with a gorgeous head of hair and isn’t afraid to show it, along with her très chic outfit ensembles. Scroll through her feed to catch her equally adorable sister Tk Wonder killing the natural hair game, too.
Jasmine – @amazingnaturalhair With a name like @amazingNaturalHair, this account speaks for itself. It was founded by @MsJass_ and showcases several different women embracing their natural hair in all its glory. From afros and ponytails to braids and protective styles, we guarantee you’ll get caught in a two-hour scrolling spell, simply based off pure admiration.
Ky – @laetitiaky There are very few words short of ah-mazing that can accurately describe the masterful creations found on @laetitiaky’s IG account. The artist uses her talented skills to create full-on sculptures out of her natural, long hair. Even if you can’t create the looks on your own, we promise you won’t be disappointed after hitting that follow button.
Jay and Trina – @curltureuk This award-winning empowerment duo is taking Instagram by storm with their natural hair, beauty and lifestyle account. Aside from showing you all their natural hair tips and tricks, you can also catch snippets of their mission to empower black women all over the world.
Alexus Crown – @alexuscrown Meet Alexus Crown who is loved for her incredible style and statement afro. This influencer counts nearly 70-thousand followers on Instagram and it’s a no-brainer as to why: You can find Crown serving you all the looks, as well as giving you product recommendations and different styles for the ultimate natural hair inspiration account.
Romance Cox – @heycurlie Ranging from protective styles to natural styles and everything in between, Romance Cox is sure to give you what you’re looking for. While you’re searching for a new hairstyle, be sure to snag some tips on all things beauty, fashion, skin care, manis and more.
Elle & Neecie – @naturalhairdaily Self-declared “friendly healthy hair enthusiasts,” Elle and Neecie want you to find inspiration for styling while also educating you on how to keep your natural strands healthy. Check out their feed for different looks and the occasional uplifting meme.
If you didn’t see a natural hair page on this list, comment it down below. I don’t know about you guys but I can stay on natural hair pages/protective hair pages for hours, I just find them fascinated especially when it comes to my people hair.
beautyleebar.org 