I Have the Worst Bedhead. Here is What Occurred Once I Switched My Cotton Pillowcase to Silk

After bleaching my hair white a number of years in the past, it is unsurprising that it has by no means been the identical. That is particularly the case within the morning, once I get up with aggressive bedhead that requires a number of minutes of brushing, leaving my 2A/2B waves and curls frizzy and vulnerable to breakage.

Whereas researching methods to tame my bedhead and enhance the well being of my hair, I saved coming throughout recommendation that recommended I change from a cotton pillowcase to a silk one. Curious to see if this straightforward swap would truly work, I attempted Cozy Earth’s 100% mulberry silk pillowcase (which the model kindly despatched me). These had been the outcomes.

My hair earlier than the silk pillowcase

I have been utilizing 100% cotton pillowcases for the previous few years. Whereas I would not say they’ve offered probably the most luxurious expertise, they get the job achieved. Nevertheless, I get up every single day with tangled, frizzy hair and material strains on my face. That is compounded by the truth that I am a scorching sleeper, which provides to the chaos — particularly since my cotton pillowcases aren’t cooling me down. 

Following wavy hair routines, post-shower, I might use a leave-in conditioner or wave spray to scrunch my hair, emphasizing my curls. I strive to not use an excessive amount of product since my hair is skinny and vulnerable to wanting oily. After that, it dries and appears presentable. However then, I am going to mattress and get up with this…

This hair is tangled to the purpose the place it requires brushing (combing by way of with my fingers will not work). I am left with a poof of frizz with no outlined curls or waves in sight. This has occurred so usually that I’ve stopped performing my post-shower wavy hair routine since my bedhead is highly effective sufficient to make the entire endeavor really feel pointless. 

Silk pillowcases cut back friction and do not soak up as a lot moisture, which helps protect hairstyles, keep hair hydration and stop tangles and breakage. Due to the mild material, it’s also stated to be nice for delicate, acne-prone pores and skin — although it’s not a one-stop miracle treatment. With this data in thoughts, I switched out my cotton pillowcase for a silk one. 

My hair after the silk pillowcase

Upon resting my head on the pillowcase, I instantly felt a distinction. The shortage of friction made it simpler for me to glide my pores and skin and hair throughout the case, whereas the material has extra of a cooling impact than cotton (good for warm sleepers like me). Now, for the actual take a look at: sleeping with the silk pillowcase. 

I cherished sleeping with this material. It felt a lot cooler and extra luxurious than my cotton pillowcases. Plus, there have been no residual material strains on my pores and skin. As for my hair, I carried out my post-shower wavy routine, went to mattress and awakened like this…

Whereas my hair nonetheless turned messier in a single day, it wasn’t practically as tangled and frizzy because it usually is. I may nonetheless make out extra pronounced waves and slight curls. Normally, once I get up, my hair seems to be prefer it’s mad at me, however this time, it simply appeared perturbed. It was simpler to comb out with my fingers, that means that the hairbrush was solely barely obligatory, and consequently, my frizz was decreased. My hair additionally felt softer to the contact and extra hydrated. 

Since silk pillowcases may be costlier than cotton ones, I secretly hoped this experiment would not work. However based mostly on these outcomes, I feel silk pillowcases are price it — particularly if you happen to’re ready to care for them to extend their lifespan. 

These are Cozy Earth’s care directions for its silk pillowcase: “Machine cleanable, cool iron, DO NOT DRY, delicate detergent OR HAND WASH delicately.” I’ve seen different manufacturers advocate treating your silk product gently at each step by prioritizing hand washing or utilizing the washer’s mild cycle with the merchandise in a separate mesh laundry bag for delicates.

Once more, I am low-maintenance: I used the washer with a light detergent. My residence constructing’s mannequin would not have a delicate cycle, so I positioned the pillowcase in a protecting mesh bag earlier than washing it. Then, I let it air dry flat and had no points. 

Do I like to recommend a silk pillowcase?

In the event you’re bored with bedhead, sleep scorching or hate waking up with material strains in your pores and skin — and you’ve got the money to spare or a birthday wishlist — I feel a silk pillowcase is price it. Typically, I imagine any product that may enhance your sleep is price it if you happen to’re prepared to care for it correctly. 

In the event you’re trying to save and nonetheless reap the advantages of a silky pillowcase, CNET’s favorite budget silk pillowcase is simply $16. As for no extra aggressive bedhead, that’s priceless.