I Tried a Silk Pillowcase to Spruce Up the Headboard of My Bed (Complete with Before and After Photos)

In 2021, I dyed my brown hair white and, unsurprisingly, it was never the same again. While I don’t regret dying my hair, I do miss how naturally healthy it used to be and I regret not taking better care of it when I dyed it. Although 99% of the bleach is no longer in my hair, I’ve had side effects like frizz and dullness, while my scalp is still as sensitive, prone to dandruff, and quickly becoming oily as ever.

In my quest for healthier hair, I have taken more time to research my hair type and what it takes to make that type healthy. I discovered that I have 2a/2b waves and curls. But when I follow a wavy hair routine, my hair gets tangled overnight and needs brushing the next morning. Since I have fine hair, the curls disappear and swell when I brush it, creating a frizzy aura around my head. The other problem? I am low maintenance, so at this point I have reached my limit of effort.

Time and time again, when I was looking for a simple solution, I kept seeing this tip: Use a silk pillowcase. Almost every Reddit thread, YouTube video, and article I’ve seen promotes the wonders of silk for hair and skin. I had doubts but I decided to try it. Cozy Earth sent me their 100% mulberry silk pillowcase (currently on sale for $82) to put to the test.

Before using a silk pillowcase

I have been using 100% cotton pillowcases for the past few years. While I wouldn’t say they have provided the most luxurious experience, they get the job done. However, I wake up every day with tangled, frizzy hair and web lines on my face. This is compounded by the fact that I am a hot sleeper, which adds to the chaos, especially since my cotton pillowcases are not cooling.

Following wavy hair routines, after showering, I used a leave-in conditioner or wave spray to scrunch my hair and emphasize my curls. I try not to use too much product as my hair is fine and quickly looks greasy. After that, it dries and looks presentable. But then I go to bed and wake up to this…

This hair is tangled to the point that it needs to be brushed (combing with your fingers doesn’t work). I’m left with a cloud of frizz with no defined curls or waves in sight. This has happened so often that I stopped doing my post-shower wavy hair routine, as my bedhead is powerful enough to make the entire effort seem pointless.

Silk pillowcases reduce friction and don’t absorb as much moisture, helping to preserve styles, maintain hair moisture, and prevent tangles and breakage. Due to its soft fabric, it is also said to be excellent for sensitive and acne-prone skin, although it is not a comprehensive miracle cure. With this information in mind, I swapped my cotton pillowcase for a silk one.

After using a silk pillowcase

As I rested my head on the pillowcase, I immediately felt a difference. The lack of friction made it easier for me to slide my skin and hair through the case, while the fabric has a more cooling effect than cotton (perfect for hot sleepers like me). Now, the real test: sleeping with the silk pillowcase.

I loved sleeping in this fabric. It felt much cooler and more luxurious than my cotton pillowcases. Additionally, there were no residual lines of fabric on my skin. As for my hair, I did my post-shower waving routine, went to bed and woke up like this…

While my hair still became messier overnight, it wasn’t as tangled or curly as it usually is. I could still make out more pronounced waves and slight curls. Usually when I wake up, my hair seems to be angry with me, but this time it just seemed disturbed. It was easier to comb through with my fingers, meaning the brush was only slightly necessary and my frizz was reduced as a result. My hair also felt softer to the touch and more hydrated.

Since silk pillowcases can be more expensive than cotton ones, I secretly hoped this experiment wouldn’t work. But based on these results, I think silk pillowcases are worth the money, especially if you’re willing to take care of them to prolong their life.

Here are Cozy Earth’s care instructions for their silk pillowcase: “Machine washable, cool iron, DO NOT DRY, use mild detergent OR HAND WASH gently.” I’ve seen other brands recommend treating your silk product with care at every step, prioritizing hand washing or using the gentle cycle of your washing machine with the garment in a separate mesh bag for delicates.

Again, low maintenance – I used the washing machine with a mild detergent. My apartment building’s model doesn’t have a gentle cycle, so I placed the pillowcase in a protective mesh bag before washing it. Then I let it air dry and had no problems.

the verdict

If you’re tired of having your head in bed, sleep hot, or hate waking up with lines of fabric on your skin (and have money to spare or a birthday wish list), I think a silk pillowcase is worth it. Overall, I think any product that can improve your sleep is worth it if you are willing to take proper care of it.

If you’re looking to save and still reap the benefits of a silky pillowcase, CNET favorite budget silk pillowcase It costs only $10. As for not having a more aggressive bed head, that’s priceless.