You finally got the boho braids of your dreams installed, and now you want to keep them looking fresh as long as possible. However, how you care for your braids at night while sleeping can make all the difference in maintaining their beauty. Friction, flattening, and frizz are the biggest threats to your braid style overnight. But don't lose sleep over it - there are easy tips and tricks to keep your boho braids flawless after each and every bedtime.
Follow a Consistent Nighttime Routine
Get into the habit of a good braid care regimen before bed. Make it a relaxing self-care ritual to set your hair up for success while you get some quality rest. Draw a warm bath and use the alone time to gently detangle the braids from root to tip using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers, removing any knots, loose hairs or accumulated product buildup from the day. Next, lightly mist the braids with a spray bottle filled with water, rosewater, or braid spray. The moisture boost hydrates the hair and helps prevent dryness overnight. Massage the moisture into the braids and scalp thoroughly with your fingertips. Then, apply a nourishing hair oil like argan, coconut, or castor oil, focusing on coating the ends and length of the braids. The oil keeps each strand supple and adds luminous shine while reducing friction that could lead to frizz and breakage overnight.
Protect Braid Ends with Silk
For extra protection, wrap your braid ends in a silk or satin scarf or hair wrap. Tie the scarf around only the ends, fully enclosing them in the smooth fabric. Silk and satin minimize friction and absorb excess moisture from your braid spray/oils to prevent hygral fatigue and split ends overnight. You can also use a full silk bonnet or pillowcase to cocoon all your bohemian knotless braids while you sleep. The slippery surface helps the braids gently glide along the fabric instead of snagging and tugging, preserving your beautiful braided style. Look for mulberry silk or charmeuse silk, which have a soft finish and high luster that keeps every strand in place.
Choose Comfortable Sleep Positions
Your sleeping position and habits greatly impact how your braids are pressed, pulled, and displaced throughout the night. Be mindful of motions that could cause strain on your edges and nape area. Find positions that minimize tension on your braids and disruption of the styling. If you're a side sleeper, gently lift your braids above your head, neck, and shoulders before lying down. Use a soft, smooth satin pillowcase and ensure your braids fall in front of you, away from any friction. Side sleep with a supportive pillow between your knees and a pillow under your top arm to maintain spine alignment and comfort.
Back sleeping works well too for boho braids - just make sure to evenly spread your braids around your head like a halo, avoiding bunching under your neck. Place a slim, cervical neck pillow under your neck to keep your head aligned with your back. Stomach sleepers may fare better putting hair in a very loose top knot or high ponytail above their head before lying face down. Overall, aim for minimal contact between your braids, neck, back, and pillow.
Try Pineappling for Protection
For many boho braid styles, "pineappling" is an easy protective method to avoid flatness, frizz, and friction overnight. Start with dry, detangled braids before bed. Gather all of your braids loosely on top of your head, being careful not to create tension at the roots. Secure them into a very loose ponytail or bun using a soft scrunchie, spiral hair tie, or loose hair clip. Avoid tight elastics or bands. Let the braid ends fall naturally inside the pineapple away from friction. This gets your braids up and off your neck, pillow, and shoulders to prevent damage from tossing and turning. You'll wake up with springy, intact braids instead of flat, smashed ones. Just gently undo the pineapple in the morning and gently shake out your bohemian braids.
Opt for Gentle, Loose Braided Styling
How you style and secure your braids for bedtime matters greatly. Steer clear of intricate updos, tight ponytails, and excessively crisscrossing or pulling the braids before bed. These can lead to extra tension on the hair follicles and broken strands. Opt for loose, low manipulation styling at night instead. For example, neatly pull back only the front perimeter braids and secure into a low pony with a soft scrunchie, leaving the back braids loose and free. Or, gently cross your braids into a basic low braid down your back to redirect the hair away from your pillow without stressing the roots. The looser the better for low-tension sleep.
Be Wary of Headwraps
Silk and satin headwraps can preserve braids overnight. But some head ties or scarves can cause breakage if tied too tightly or made of rougher fabrics. Avoid durable fabrics like cotton that soak up moisture and dry out the braids. If using headwraps, choose soft satin and tie gently to avoid excessive tension on hair follicles while still staying secure. Wrap hair in silk underneath scarves first for friction protection before applying your headscarf at a comfortable snugness, not tightly pulled. Have several options on hand for variety.
Invest in a Satin Pillowcase
Satin pillowcases provide a slippery, gentle surface that lets your bohemian braids smoothly glide instead of getting caught and pulled during sleep. Look for satin with a high thread count of 400 or above and tightly woven construction for durability and shine. Charmeuse or mulberry silk pillowcases are ideal. Or, get a full on satin bonnet that covers your braids and edges for 360 degree protection as you sleep. The satin encasement prevents friction, squishing, and drying out to maintain your beautiful braids overnight. Having multiples makes alternating and washing easy.
Say No to Bedtime Manipulation
Once your braids are prepped and protected for sleep, avoid messing with them again until morning. Twirling, twisting, scratching or playing with your braids while lying in bed can cause breakage over time. And getting excess oils or products on your pillowcase that transfer back to your hair can lead to buildup and a grimy look. Set your braids up for success before bed, then keep your hands off until it's time to wake up and style your boho braids. Remind family members not to touch your hair overnight too.
Adjust Your Sheet Thread Count
Something as simple as your sheet fabric weave and texture can influence your braids overnight. Lower thread count sheets made from coarse or textured cotton have more surface friction against the hair cuticles. Aim for at least 300 thread count sheets, and splurge on high 600-1000 thread count ultra soft microfiber or silk bed sheets. And always layer your bed with a second smooth cotton sheet on top. This creates a gentle barrier between your hair and any coarse pillow that could tug on the braids.
Wrap It Up in Silk
For the ultimate overnight boho braid protection, fully wrap sections of your braids in silk before bed. Take small portions of braids in your hands, then wind a wide, long silk scarf, strip, or wrap around them before moving to the next section. Ensure all ends are also tucked into the silk cocoon. Covering the entire length in silk shields hair from friction damage. It also prevents moisture loss so you wake up with soft, supple braids. Use genuine mulberry silk for the ultimate glide. Unwrap gently in the morning.
Protect Your Braid Investment
Knotless braids, faux locs, box braids, and other boho box braids styles take time and money to install by a professional stylist. Be sure to care for your investment overnight. Something as simple as changing your sleep position, pillowcase material, or nighttime hair routine can extend the life and beauty of your braids. Follow these tips for friction-free, frizz-free sleep that keeps your boho braids looking fab day after day. You'll get your money's worth from your new style and have people asking where you got your gorgeous braids!
Conclusion
Caring for your bohemian braids at bedtime takes a little extra effort, but pays off in preserving your beautiful hairstyle. By being mindful of gentle braid handling, silk wrapping, pineappling, and satin pillowcases, you can wake up frizz-free every morning. Establish a soothing nightly hair care routine to detangle, moisturize, and protect your braids before drifting off to sleep. Avoid rough fabrics and aim for smooth, slippery surfaces against your hair. Choose comfortable sleep positions that don't tug on your braids. And resist messing with your hair once tucked in for the night. With consistent, gentle braid care, your boho style will maintain its striking beauty day after day, night after night. So relax and rest easy, waking up fabulous and braid-ready!
With uBraids, you can explore different identities while protecting your natural hair. Our broad selection of synthetic braided wigs gives you options from classic box braids to bohemian knotless braids and beyond. We provide quality craftsmanship you can rely on. Discover your next bold look with uBraids.
With uBraids, you can explore different identities while protecting your natural hair. Our broad selection of synthetic braided wigs gives you options from classic box braids to bohemian knotless braids and beyond. We provide quality craftsmanship you can rely on. Discover your next bold look with uBraids.
