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Are you in love with your fresh, new braids but not sure how to keep them protected at night? We’ve got you covered.
Braids are a great protective hairstyle for afro hair, they require little maintenance, meaning less time spent styling your hair in the morning, and they allow you to eliminate heat from your hair routine.
When it comes to braiding there are so many amazing styles to go for, from box braids and twists to cornrows. With different lengths and colours to choose from, you really do have free reign to go for whatever look you fancy.
The only sacrifice that comes with braiding is having the patience of a saint, yes you definitely have to be prepared to sit for a good few hours whilst your hairstylist works their magic.
So, after all that time spent in the chair, it’s now down to you to ensure your braids remain looking as neat as they did when you left your hairdresser.
The one time that your braids can be vulnerable to frizz is when you hit the pillow at night. Wrapping your hair effectively at night helps avoid this issue as well as ensuring you sleep comfortably.
Bonnets, scarfs, and durags are all great ways of keeping your braids in check but a top tip is to go with satin and silky materials to eliminate the nightmare that is frizz. Take a look at our guide to protecting your braids at night.
SHOP: the top products to protect your braids at night
Photo: AmazonThis adjustable satin bonnet makes taking care of your braids at night super easy. Finding a bonnet large enough to fit all your beautiful braids in can be a time-consuming task. Look no further as this long line cap ensures that your braids are protected. If thatu2019s not enough, this bonnet helps lock in moisture and prevent any breakage.
Photo: AmazonDurags are a very familiar way of protecting your hair. They are a great addition to a night-time routine if you want to ensure your braids or cornrows remain looking neat. Wear under a satin bonnet for extra protection or on its own if you prefer to leave the remainder of your braids exposed.
Photo: AmazonGone are the days of bonnets that are too small to cover braids. This extra-large satin bonnet will have your braids kept in place and well covered during the night. We know that comfort is key particularly when it comes to getting a good nightu2019s sleep with your braids, the soft elasticated band makes this bonnet a delight to wear.
Photo: Cult Beautywww.cultbeauty.co.uk
Say goodbye to unwanted frizz as you lay comfortably on this gorgeous satin pillowcase. These are a real game-changer when it comes to hair care, especially when youu2019re trying to preserve a hairstyle as neat as braids. This pillowcase will also come in handy when you revert to your natural hair as it continues to keep your tresses looking healthy.
Photo: AmazonThis double-layered satin bonnet reduces friction to ensure your hair remains neat during the night. The handy adjustable strap makes this bonnet perfect for a comfortable sleep. Use on shorter or longer braids to keep them fully protected and if thatu2019s not enough, this bonnet comes in loads of pretty colour ways.
Photo: AmazonAs much as we love our braids, having an itchy scalp can be an unwanted problem that occurs. Using a scalp oil that contains ingredients including tea tree and black castor oil can be a saviour. Simply rub some drops of the oil on the scalp to soothe itching. Itu2019s particularly good to do this when you're winding down of an evening.
Photo: AmazonWorried about dryness or breakage occurring? Ensure your braids are getting much-needed moisture with a leave-in conditioning spray. This African Pride Olive Miracle spray does the trick reducing flakes, itching, and split ends. Spritz this at night and lock in all that moisture with your satin bonnet.
Introducing a bonnet or durag into your nightly routine should ensure that your braids stay looking amazing because let’s face it, we know how irritating flyaways can be. How you protect your hair at night time will depend on the length of the braids you have gone for.
One top tip for securing long braids is to split the hair into two sections, wrap both sections around so they meet at the top of your head and tie with a hairband. This will make wrapping your hair in a satin bonnet so much easier.