I was just about to take off my makeup and prepare for bed when I saw my Twitter friend Areefuh Stanklin say this:
I cackled. Areefuh is always hilarious (as many on Twitter would agree). Her next tweet continued to detail her #satinbonnetstruggles – imagine tying a satin scarf around your satin bonnet to try to keep it on at night. Ridiculous!
But I know I’m not the only one who’s struggled right along with her. I know I’m not the only one who hasn’t quite known how to neatly wrangle my natural hair to bed at night. No satin bonnet can fit on my hair AND stay on all night long. And believe me, I’ve looked.
Sleeping on just about any surface besides silk or satin can result in matted, moisture-deprived hair. I know many, many bellas who have the skills to thoroughly twist or braid their hair before bedtime or the skills to perfectly pineapple their hair, but I am so absolutely terrible at those things. And often, I’m literally working until my head’s touching the keyboard and it’s just time for bed and I’m lucky if I even get my makeup off before I’m asleep.
I needed a super quick, foolproof method for protecting my curls after taking the time to define them. The Sleep Stocking method developed over time, after all kinds of experiments to maintain my detangled natural hair for the next day. It keeps my hair together, doesn’t disrupt my curl pattern excessively overnight, and keeps my hair out of the way while I sleep. It works for me, but may not work for everyone.
Ideally you want to use a silk stocking, the nylon stockings in this video aren’t of the quality I’d recommend. I do use them myself when I can’t find my black silk one (which I just know is under the bed somewhere).
So what do you need for your own Sleep Stocking?
1 pair of silk stockings. For me I go for a plus size stocking because I have a large noggin.
1 pair of scissors. Snippety snip!
That is all! As I mentioned, I also sleep on a Sharmooz satin pillowcase for double my night-time hair protection.
That’s my go-to-sleep hair method. What’s yours?
I usually pineapple and cover with a satin bonnet. The bonnet usually does come off but at least I’m protected for part of the night. Pineappling was a lot easier when my hair was longer. Now that it is a bit shorter, this sleep stocking method will be better! I’ve already cut up some stockings. As soon as I switch up from this rollerset, I can’t wait to try this method.
Hi Bella,
Try looking for the bonnets with ties on them. They are the best thing ever!!Bonnet stays on and hair is ok 🙂 You should be able to find them at your local BSS. HTH
Bella, the stocking is “old school.” I remember my aunt wrapping her hair like that before she could afford a silk scarf. Thanks for the great reminder that this can be used for natural hair as well.
Right now, my head hits the pillow with a silk pillowcase. But I am noticing more overall dryness in my hair when I wake up. If I can find something that will keep the moisture it at night, I would be happy.
Oh wow! I’ve always just cut off the legs and tie them together or use a scarf, but this way is a really good idea! Thanks!
Bella, I totally liked this video and it helps me because I’ve heard of the pineapple recently but it does not work for me, my hair must be too short for pinappling :/
So well I will give a try to this stocking method, seems great! (so nylon lycra ones would work, wouldn’t they?)
By the way you didn’t look goofy, be reassured 🙂
I use a ‘Buff’ (www.buff.eu) multifunctional head wear sometimes when I sleep. Same idea as your sleep stocking but certainly not as cheap! I find it handy to have on windy days as well and I can just pull it up over my hair to keep it from going a hundred different directions.
You can’t really specify the type of fabric with a Buff Headwear but I found it works pretty good and stays on at night. I’ve not yet mastered 2nd day hair but it certainly keeps it from getting a tangled mess at night.
Loved the video and you look beautiful in it even with a stocking on your head! 🙂
Bella!
This is the answer to my nightly natural hair woes. I’m hoping anyway. I am running to Target to buy a few pair and try this tonight. Thank you for sharing.
Yolanda
Hmmmm. I think I’m gonna try this. I use the satin bonnet and it does stay on all night. I wear two strand twists for a couple of days and then rock a twist out afterwards. The satin bonnet works for the twists but the twist out is another story! I just can’t retwist my hair at bedtime. This stocking idea is worth a shot. And you do NOT look silly girl, just keepin’ it real to protect those lovely curls.. 🙂
Is your style in the vid a wash-n-go? Whatever the style, it’s absolutely gorgeous! Its so shiny and bouncy and touchable-looking!
As far as the solution offered in the video, I’ve got to try this! I have a bonnet with a tie that stays put, but I also have a flattened fro and your solution offers relief from that. Thanks for the idea! Off to find silk stockings…
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I use a satin pillowcase and that solves all my problems
OK, so where do you find an actual pair of silk pantyhose??? I’ve been searching, and I’ve found SILKY pantyhose, and silk thigh highs, but no actual silk pantyhose. Any suggestions??
Can someone tell me what the method “pineapple” is? Never heard of that one. Thanks
Hi!
I just wanted to say that I am trying the stockings method tonight after watching your video! I have heard about this and thought I should try it out but seemed to forget every time I got ready for bed.. Will definitely let you know if it worked for me. ? It is comforting to see that I am not the ONLY person out there struggling with trying to tame my curls at night so I don’t look like a super scary scarecrow in the morning.
I was wondering if you could give me some advice on how I can try and keep the nice curls I get after I shower so that it stays that way once its dry? I love the shape and style of my curls after they have been wet and the lenght too! (My hair goes down past my should blades when it is wet and shrinks to my shoulders once dry).
Thanks again!
First of all sorry for the double post…I don’t know why it came up two times. SO I got up this morning and… my hair still had some nice curls but wasn’t the way I wanted(I expected to do a little work on it but had a little more work to do that I thought). But I think it was partially my fault. I thought I would try the stockings in two ways…last night I genteelly tied my hair in two pony tails parting my hair in the middle. So maybe if I don’t part my hair and tie it it might work better will try that tonight :).
Thanks again for the tip.
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Here is a great video about sleep bonnets!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utZ9RQ7lnAs
Hi Bella,
My mother just forwarded this video to me after I tried the pineapple method. It turns out I happen to have quite a few of my own recycled stocking bonnets – mine have the knots at the top because that’s how I used to sleep whenever I had braids as a child. I like your tweak – silk stockings and no knots. I will definitely try!
And you don’t look goofy, you look regal. 🙂
I found “Buff” in US. http://www.buffusa.com/ They are $20 and made of microfiber. Was told by sister running a natural hair workshop, we should be using microfiber towel to dry hair. I’m going to try it because I’m sick and tired of falling off sleep bonnets and bed head 🙁 Silk stockings are a great idea but I think my head is way too big.
Hi Bella,
I get my bonnets from Bonbons Cheveux boutique, after watching several reviews on YouTube I finally got me one and I love love love them, super cute and stays on my head all night, even when I wash and dry it the elastic snaps right back.
Store.bonbonscheveux.com
After googling how to tie a silk scarf to protect curls, I found your video, I now lie in bed with protected curls from a pair of tights, absolutely brilliant, genius thanks so so much. Even though I am yet to see if it works I have a good feeling!! Thanks again
I use a kiddiewrap hair wrap for my daughter and a luxwrap for myself. They both come with a bonnet that is attched to the wrap. So I just put it on and tie in the back. I have had the kiddiewrap for about 4mths now and it really stays on all night. I just got the LuxWrap. So far it has stayed on and it is sooooo soft. Big difference between the so called satin you buy out the hair store.
Good morning Nicole,
I’ve been there and had that problem too. I have Locs so @ night I moisutrze my hair with a little water and oil sheen and I use the Braid Bonnet by Fitt. It has tie strings so you can adjust to what is comfortable for you. I can take it off in the am, and have little to do with my hair, but tie it up in a Loc holder. Hope this helps. If I can help a sister maintain her crown, I will share whatever I know 🙂 Hope this is helpful.
I have never been able to keep a satin bonnet or scarf on all night because no matter how tight I tie it. It comes off in the middle of the night. I been struggling with this for 20 years now. I have en tried wearing two satin scarfs thinking that might help. It doesn’t help so I often go without wearing one at night. I have tried ever satin cap known to man and none of them stay on my head. I am 28 and I am so frustrated with the satin caps.