Curly, coily, and wavy girls always have to be on the hunt for the hacks that help maintain their natural texture. A nighttime routine is vital to ensuring you maintain frizz-free and tangle-free tresses while preventing the moisture from whisking away while you sleep. I have been keeping satin or silk scarves in my hair arsenal all my life. It is a well-known fact black women tie up their hair at night whether relaxed or natural. Scarves keep hairstyles intact, smooth, and ready for morning styling.
Satin and silk scarves, bonnets, and pillowcases help keep your curls frizz free and full of volume while you sleep. The bottom line is satin or silk is the only way to go for nighttime care but which of the two is actually better? Satin or silk?
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What is silk?
Silk is an animal protein fiber produced by certain types of insects for building cocoons and webs. Creepy right? Who would imagine something so refined and beautiful would come from bugs, but it is true and fascinating. According to Today I Found Out, larvae produce silk and although many insects produce silk, the mulberry silk moth is the main insect used for the commercial silk industry. Silk is breathable, comfortable, one of the softest fabrics, and highly prized material.
What is satin?
Satin is actually a weave and not a natural fiber like silk. Fiber is the actual thread from which the material is made and weave is how you make it. Traditionally, satin will have both a glossy side and a dull side. It is made using combinations of other fabrics like nylon, rayon, polyester, and even silk. A popular stain is charmeuse, which is a man-made luxury fabric (polyester) from finely woven material.
The differences between silk and satin
The biggest difference between the two is that silk is a natural fiber and satin is a weave. Satin can be created by used silk or other materials. Silk comes with more strength and will have a more shimmery appearance compared to satin’s glossy surface with a dull back. Both have their backings from China but silk is harder to produce, as a single thread requires silk from thousands of silk worms. This makes silk much more expensive than satin which comes from synthetic fibers.
Which is better for pillowcases, bonnets or scarves?
Satin will be much cheaper than silk but if you want to use only a natural fiber, then silk may be the better of the two. Although satin will provide the same benefits as silk when made with the better woven technique like charmeuse satin, check to see the ratio of fillers or fabrics in comparison to the silk in the satin weave to determine just how well it will measure up to silk. For the most affordable yet great quality scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase, using charmeuse satin may be the best choice overall where you will have the best of both worlds while keeping your tresses moisturized, frizz-free, and beautiful.
According to Ebonicurls, the maker of the popular Ebonnet™, charmeuse satin provides the same benefits as silk with a satin weave finish and is more durable with its floating appearance that drapes well. The satin pillowcase, bonnet, and scarf will maintain the natural oils in your hair and allow for less friction between your hair and other surfaces such as a cotton sheet or pillowcase.
Read next: 10 Satin And Silk Pillowcases For Curly Hair
Have you tried both silk and satin? Which worked better for you?
This article has been updated for grammar and clarity.
