How to Sleep With Box Braids: 4 Essentials Tips & Tricks

A N G I E B E E
by A N G I E B E E
3 Materials
5 Minutes
Easy

Do you have beautiful braids but you’re not sure how to sleep with them? Then follow along with my tutorial, and I’ll show you exactly how to sleep with box braids and not ruin them. I’ll show you three ways to wrap your box braids and sleep comfortably, and then I’ll give you a couple of bonus tips.

Tools and materials:

  • Soft hair bonnet
  • Silk or satin scarf
  • Coil hair tie
Wrapping braids with a bonnet

1. Wrap your braids with a bonnet

My braids are very long – down to my hips – but this method of wrapping your braids for sleeping works well with short and medium braids.


You just might need to use your imagination a bit to envision how this works with short braids. The key here is to wrap your braids in whichever direction they are falling. Mine are in a center part, so that’s how I’ll wrap them.


Start by gathering your braids at the back of your head.

How to sleep with box braids and not ruin them

Now, put a bonnet over your head from back to front, enclosing your braids. With short braids, they will all be held in place under your bonnet. Because they won’t move around while you are sleeping, you will feel quite comfortable.

Wrapping box braids with a scarf

2. Wrap your box braids with a scarf

Make sure to use a silk or satin scarf. Do not use a cotton scarf, because the cotton will draw the moisture out of your hair. Wrap your scarf around your hair then cross the ends under your hair at the back of your head. 

Bringing ends of the scarf up to the top of the head

Bring the ends of the scarf up to the top of your head and tie it just tight enough that it feels like your braids are being held in place.

Making a braid turban

3. Create a braid turban

Use a coiled hair tie for this method. Separate your braids into 2 sections at the back of your head and cross the sections over to their opposite sides.

The best way to sleep with box braids

Twist each section once and bring the sections to the front of your head.

Securing braids at the top of the head

Secure your braids on top of the front of your head with the coil hair tie, creating a little top knot at the top of your head.

Placing a bonnet over the braids

Then put a bonnet on over your head, enclosing all of the braids.

This method is the best for preventing frizz, because there will be almost no friction at all on your braids.


4. Bonus tips for sleeping with box braids

Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase, so that as your head moves around there is the least amount of friction. That will also help limit frizz. Also, opt for a softer pillow that won’t push your braids against your head as much as a firm pillow will.

How to sleep with box braids

How to sleep with box braids

Those are some great ways to wrap your box braids so that you can sleep comfortably without ruining them. Leave a comment to let me know which way worked best for you.

Suggested materials:
  • Soft hair bonnet
  • Silk or satin scarf
  • Coil hair tie

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