How to Sleep with Curly Hair
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How to sleep with Curly Hair - You might look like a dork but it's worth it - I promise

Updated: Sep 13, 2023

I get messages and emails from curly haired folk every day, asking how to keep hair curly overnight, which refresh techniques and products should be used on day two etc.

But can I let you in on a little secret? The best (and most effective) way to ensure your curls last well past wash-day isn't always a product or technique at all. It's protecting your curls while you sleep. And what's the best way to do that? Wearing a Silk Bonnet, Satin Bonnet, Silky Nights nightcap or similar.

Now that you've discovered the secret to maintaining your curls as you sleep, it's time to embrace the beauty of your curly morning hair and the *ahem* beauty of a night cap.

Use a Silky Nights night cap to keep hair curly overnight

In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of using silky sleep caps, curly sleep socks, and silk bonnets. These oh-so-simple solutions will change your mornings and help you wake up to gorgeous, well-defined curls.

A woman wearing a silky nights night cap to protect her curly hair over night helping to keep it frizz free


  • Silky Nights Night Caps: are my go-to for keeping happy curls overnight. Made from Habutai Silk, this sleep cap provides a smooth, frictionless surface for your hair, ensuring it remains tangle-free throughout the night. The Habutai Silk is a thinner, more breathable silk (think the lining of a silk skirt), perfect for those who may get hot overnight. They come in 3 lengths and all have snap fasteners at the back to give a customised fit. I personally love the wide, flat band as I don't get any pressure points from it. Check out how to use the Silky Nights Night cap on our Facebook page

Curly Hair Sleep sock to protect curly hair while sleeping

  • Sleep Socks for Curly Hair: Don't let the name fool you—sleep socks are a game-changer for maintaining your curls while you sleep. These versatile accessories protect your hair from friction, promoting frizz-free curls. They're a great option for those who are concious of budget and those who have sensitive heads. The fabric tube is the same firmness and pressure all over meaning not tight spots or discomfort. Check out our Facebook video showing off the Sleep Socks

A woman wearing a deep red coloured satin bonnet to protect her naturally curly hair

  • Satin Bonnets for curly hair: Satin bonnets are a timeless solution for preserving curls and preventing frizz. Used for decades by POC (People Of Colour) to protect their gorgeous natural hair, preventing damage and tangles, satin bonnets are now widely available and offer protection for all hair types. They are a more budget friendly option than silk bonnets and work almost as well, however being a synthetic fabric they're less breathable than silk. The smooth satin material reduces friction, allowing your curls to retain moisture and shape. Our bonnets have a wide, flat, stretchy band allowing for different head sizes.

Woman with curly hair wearing a Bliss Silk Mulberry Silk Jumbo bonnet

  • Mulberry Silk Sleep Bonnets by BlissSilk: This Little Curl proudly stocks a range of beautiful & luxurious silk items from Brisbane small business BlissSilk. BlissSilk's Mulberry Silk hair bonnets are the creme de la crop of overnight curl protection. Made using a double layer of 100% Mulberry Silk our BlissSilk Bonnets are reversible, comfortable, breathable and exceptional quality. They're available in both a regular size and Jumbo size (Shown) for extra long or thick curls.


Caring for your curly hair while you sleep is such a simple practice that can bring about incredible results. I still swear the day I started using a night cap was the day my curly world changed.

By incorporating silky sleep caps, sleep socks, or silk bonnets from This Little Curl into your bedtime routine, you can wake up to beautiful, well-defined curls every morning. Embrace the grandma vibes, ignore the side eye from your partner and watch as your hair thrives, retaining moisture, reducing frizz, and making getting ready in the morning a breeze. With just a little extra care, you'll fall in love with your morning hair. All the cool kids are doing it....

PS - not a fan of sleeping with something on your head? Try one of our silk pillowcases or satin pillowcases instead

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