A Bonnet for Every Occasion- Natural Hair Routines

Alright, I admit it. I’m not just a product junkie. I’m also a “bonnet” junkie! You see, although I use a satin pillowcase (I own five *smh*) to avoid the moisture robbing effect of cotton, I tend to toss and turn a lot during the night. So, without some type of additional hair protection, I’d have two potential problems: crazy morning hair and friction damaged strands. In order to ensure that I have hair that I can easily coax back into submission in the morning and to reduce excessive movement and rubbing of my hair during the night, I employ satin “headgear” as part of my daily protective routine. This is one of the “little” things that I do on a daily basis to protect my strands from mechanical damage so that I can achieve my Grow Out Challenge goal.

Anywho, over the last year or two, I have amassed quite a collection of head coverings. I didn’t realize how many until I stopped one day to look at a bonnet in my vanity and saw that it was stuffed far past capacity with multiple silk and satin scarfs, do rags, hair “socks” and … well … more bonnets! You see, I’d come to realize that no single bonnet or scarf works for every style. Therefore, I gradually purchased several different head wraps based upon my style protection needs. So, I figured I’d share those that I’ve acquired and the styles for which I use them. ‘Cuz, you know, Sharing is Caring !!

Satin/Silk Scarf: Keeps edges controlled and protected when wearing hair in a high or mid-height bun or pineappled. Tips: Place a bonnet over the scarf when wearing a high bun to keep the bun protected and neat as well. Also, if you have problems with scarf slippage, try securing it with a few large flat bobby pins (aka doobie pins) around the front perimeter before putting on the bonnet. I’ve found this helps keep my scarf AND bonnet in place during the night.

Medium-Sized Satin Bonnet: Twist and Curl sets, roller sets (small to medium-sized rollers), pincurls, cornrows, flat-twists, small buns, TWAs, short to medium length WnGs, finger coils, twists and other “low profile” sets/styles.

Large Bonnet: Big, high buns, large roller sets, WnGs, finger coils and twists on BAAs and medium length curls/coils.

“Do Rag” Style Scarf: These are good for low buns (loose hair, braided or twists) as they create a “hood” to keep hair smooth and controlled all the way to the bun. This is also another good option for “low profile” styles that you want to keep smooth.

Pocket Bonnet: As CurlyNikki has already demonstrated, these are great for medium to long loose twists and braids. They keep hair smooth at the hairline and enclose the length and ends of the hair, but are roomy enough to prevent “smooshing” and flattening of the twists and braids.

Knee-Length Half Slip: Yup, that’s what I said. LOL! Necessity is the mother of invention! Regular bonnets would crush and flatten my WnGs back in the day (they weren’t as long, but they were bigger!) and sleeping with loose hair wasn’t an option as I would wake up with a wild, matted, curl-flattened and lopsided mess. So, as I mentioned in this post last week, I came up with an alternative. I started using a half slip, secured at the open hanging end with a hair elastic to create a roomy bonnet. So, this could be a solution for those with big or long hair for which a bonnet and/or the pineapple just isn’t working for your WnG, braid/twist out or TnC.

Hair Net: Although this isn’t a bonnet per se, it is a good option for those of us who like to do wet or “damp” sets, but whose hair takes forever and a day to dry! It provides control without sacrificing airflow. However, since hair is exposed, I would strongly recommend sleeping on a satin bonnet too. (Note: I picked up this clever tip from this post by Curly Nikki Guest Blogger G G.)

With the exception of the first silk scarf and the half-slip, I found all of these items at my local Sally Beauty Supply for less than $4 each! And, I still didn’t show you all of my headgear. Don’t even get me started on what I might be wearing to bed for a henna treatment or overnight DC!

What do you wear to bed at night? Does it change based upon your style?