Silk bonnets: the 9 questions we get

These are the questions we are asked most about silk bonnets, with the answers we give: each one short enough to read before you switch off the lamp.

How do you wear a silk bonnet?

1. Dry first. Hair that goes in damp sets in the shape of the bonnet.
2. Gather loosely. Long hair goes on top in a loose twist; braids and locs go into the Cover’s tail.
3. From the nape, up and over. The bonnet scoops the hair in instead of pressing the crown.
4. Settle it. The edge sits just behind the hairline, never pulled down onto the forehead.

Which silk bonnet should you wear?

The one that fits tonight’s hair: the Glow, a twist-front turban, for blowouts; the Comfort, rounded with a ruffle, for short to mid-length hair; the Cover, with its 56 cm tail, for long hair, curls and protective styles. Compare them in our silk bonnet guide.

Where Siluxe fits

All three Siluxe bonnets are cut from 100% mulberry silk, 22 momme, Grade 6A, designed in Paris: the Glow at $58, the Comfort at $46 and the Cover at $70. Hair glides over silk instead of rubbing, so blowouts last and mornings start with fewer tangles. Complimentary delivery from $100 on USD orders: any two bonnets together qualify.

FAQ

1. Does a silk bonnet slip off at night?

It can, if it sits too far forward or the hair inside is packed tight. Put it on from the nape so the elastic holds behind your head, and choose the shape for your hair rather than pulling the elastic tighter.

2. Will a silk bonnet flatten my volume?

Not if the hair goes in loosely and the bonnet does not press the crown. Put it on from the nape, leave a little room at the top, and shake the roots out with your fingertips in the morning. For a blowout, the Glow’s double layer holds the lengths without weighing on the crown.

3. Which way does the Glow twist go?

To the front, centred above your forehead. Set the back edge of the Glow at your nape, bring it up and over, and settle the twist a finger’s width above your hairline. The elastic runs along the back, so the twist stays where you place it.

4. Can you wear a silk bonnet if you sleep on your side?

Yes. Gather long hair on top or towards the side you do not lie on, so you are not sleeping on a knot. The Comfort and the Glow sit close to the head; the Cover’s tail can rest on the pillow behind you.

5. Can I put a silk bonnet on wet hair?

Better not. Damp hair takes the shape of whatever holds it, so it will set in the shape of the bonnet. Dry the roots and lengths first, at least the crown and the nape.

6. Satin or silk: what is the difference?

Silk is a fibre; satin is a weave, made from silk or polyester. A “satin” bonnet is often polyester. Siluxe bonnets are 100% mulberry silk, 22 momme, Grade 6A, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, certificate 26.HCN.36686, tested for harmful substances.

7. What size silk bonnet do I need?

Siluxe bonnets come in one size, with a soft elastic opening of 54 cm relaxed to 72 cm stretched. What changes is the shape: the Glow is 23 cm deep, the Comfort 25 cm, and the Cover 25 cm plus a 56 cm tail. Choose by hair volume and length.

8. How do I wash a silk bonnet?

By hand, or in the machine at 30 °C on a delicate cycle, inside out in a mesh bag. Use a pH-neutral silk detergent, with no bleach and no fabric softener. Dry it flat, out of direct sun, never in the tumble dryer, and iron it on low, on the reverse.

9. How do I wear a bonnet with curls, braids or locs?

Choose the Cover. Put the cap section on first, then lay your curls, braids or locs into the 56 cm tail. For curls, the AAD suggests a loose “pineapple” on top of the head before sleeping; the Cover leaves room for it.

Sources

• AAD news release, 6 curly hair tips (30 June 2022): the loose “pineapple” before sleeping.
• Encyclopaedia Britannica, Satin: satin is a weave.