A Night Routine for Coily Hair

Work in sections and keep every step gentle.

1. Detangle gently. Use fingers or a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends. Coily hair knots at the turns, so go slowly and do not pull through resistance.
2. Moisturize. Apply the leave-in, cream, or oil you already use. This guide does not make claims about any product's effect.
3. Section. Divide the hair into four to six large sections.
4. Twist or braid loosely. Large, loose twists keep coils together. Stop at the ends and do not wrap tightly around your finger.
5. Cover. Put on a large bonnet and tie it just firmly enough to stay put.
6. Back up. Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase in case the bonnet comes off.
7. Morning. Unravel the twists, fluff with fingers, and style as usual.

If your hair is already in a protective style, skip steps 3 and 4 and cover it as it is, making sure the bonnet is big enough not to press the style flat.

A large, adjustable one. Coils take up more room than the same length of straight hair, and a bonnet that is too small compresses them and slides off.

Use this as a quick filter:

Look for	Why
Roomy body	Coils and twists need space
Adjustable ties or drawstring	Lets you hold it on without squeezing
Smooth lining	Less friction against the coils
Published size or clear fit notes	Avoids guessing

Kitsch describes its Oversized Satin Bonnet as double-layered, roomy, with extra-long adjustable ties and suitable for most hair types including long and curly hair, at $22. It does not publish dimensions. Blissy says its silk Bonnet works for all hair types, especially curly, thick and natural hair and extensions, at $94.95. For very long hair, braids, or extensions, Blissy describes its Cascade Bonnet as designed for extra-long hair, at $89.95. See best bonnets for curly and coily hair for the full list, and bonnet sizing and fit before you buy.

Tension shows up as a tender scalp, a sore spot at the hairline, or a headache in the morning. Coily hair is fragile where each coil turns, so pulling is more of a risk than rubbing.

• Twist and braid loosely. You should be able to slide a finger under each section where it leaves the scalp.
• Skip tight bands. Use a wide, soft scrunchie, or none at all if the twists stay put.
• Do not stretch hair under the bonnet. Let the bonnet sit over the hair rather than pulling hair back to fit it.
• Keep the edges free. Make sure the bonnet band is not pressing hard on the hairline all night.
• Change the placement. Moving a scrunchie or clip each night spreads out any pull.

If any of these feel tight when you lie down, loosen them before you sleep. See sleeping hairstyles that avoid tension for more styles and for signs a style is too tight.

It depends on how well the bonnet stays on and how you like to sleep.

Some people tie a satin scarf around the hairline first and wear a bonnet over it. The scarf gives a second layer of smooth fabric at the edges, and the bonnet covers the rest. Others use only a bonnet, and some use only a scarf.

Setup	Good for	Watch out for
Bonnet only	Simplicity, large twists	Slipping if too big
Scarf only	Low profile, tying firmly	Knot pressing on one side
Scarf plus bonnet	Rough sleepers, edges	More to wash and tie

If you try the scarf plus bonnet approach, tie the scarf loosely, since two layers make it easier to pull too tight. For a full side-by-side, read bonnet vs scarf vs wrap.

Apply your usual leave-in, cream, or oil before bed, then let it settle for a few minutes so it is not dripping into the bonnet.

A smooth cover helps keep product on your hair instead of on the bedding. Blissy says its silk pillowcase is low-absorbent, so hair and skincare products stay on hair and skin, at $105.95 for queen. Grace Eleyae describes its silk pillowcase as less absorbent than cotton, at $61.20 for full/queen.

Practical points:

• Use a small amount. More product does not stay put and can make the bonnet slip.
• If you use oil, apply it to the lengths and ends rather than the roots near the band.
• Wash the bonnet on a regular schedule, since product builds up on the lining. See how to wash a silk bonnet for care guidance.

If your hair feels dry in the morning even with a cover, look at the moisture step itself before you change anything about the bonnet.

Coily hair is voluminous, so bonnets slide more often. These changes help most:

1. Choose adjustable. Ties or a drawstring let you snug the opening without squeezing the hair.
2. Place the band low. The front should sit just past the hairline and the back low on the nape.
3. Double-knot satin ties. Satin is slippery and single knots loosen.
4. Do not overfill. If the bonnet is stretched taut over the hair, it will pop off. Size up.
5. Add a layer. A scarf under the bonnet gives it something to grip.

If it still comes off every night, the bonnet is probably too small or the wrong shape for your style. See why your bonnet keeps falling off and best bonnets that stay on all night.