Four Silkora silk scrunchies side by side in Lotus Pink, Icy Blue, Off-White and Silver Grey

Silk scrunchie: why silk is gentler on your hair, even at night

A thin hair tie keeps your hair in place, but it often leaves a kink. And at night you want something that feels soft and doesn't pinch. Here is what a silk scrunchie does differently, how to sleep in one, which size suits you and how to wash it.

In short

  • Gentle on your hair: your hair rests against smooth silk, not bare elastic. That means less friction.
  • Fewer kinks: the silk sleeve spreads the pressure over a wider section of hair.
  • Made for the night too: tie your hair up loosely, in a loose bun, pineapple or plait.
  • Small or Large: Small (set of four) is narrow and discreet, Large (set of two) is wide and full.

What is a silk scrunchie?

A scrunchie is a hair tie with a roomy sleeve of fabric around the elastic, so your hair touches the fabric rather than the elastic. In a silk scrunchie, that sleeve is silk. Silkora's are made of 100% mulberry silk, 22 momme (Grade 6A): the same silk as our pillowcases and sleep masks.

Silk hair ties vs ordinary hair ties

The difference lies in how your hair is held:

Thin hair tie

  • Clamps your hair along one narrow line
  • Leaves a kink or dent more easily
  • Can catch in your hair when you take it out

Silk scrunchie

  • Spreads the pressure over a wider section of hair
  • Your hair touches smooth silk, so there is less friction
  • Slides out of your hair instead of catching

Do check the material: 'silky soft' or 'satin' in a product name doesn't mean there is any silk in it. Satin is a weave, usually made with polyester. Read more in satin or silk: which is better?

Silkora silk scrunchie in Off-White with its Silkora label

Silk scrunchies for sleeping: how to wear them

Our silk scrunchies are made for the day and for the night. The key word is loose. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises against pulling hair back tightly, and recommends that people with curly hair wear it loosely on top of the head or in a loose plait at night.

  • Curls: a loose pineappleGather your curls on top of your head and wrap a large scrunchie round them once or twice. More tips in silk pillowcase for curly hair.
  • Long hair: a loose plaitSecure the end with a small silk scrunchie instead of a thin hair tie.
  • With a sleep maskTie long hair back loosely so it doesn't get tangled in the strap. See also the benefits of a silk sleep mask.
  • After a showerLet your hair dry first, then tie it up. Find out why in sleeping with wet hair.

Loose, not tight

If you can feel the scrunchie pulling at your scalp, it is too tight: wrap it round once less, or choose the large size. It won't make your hair stronger or healthier; the difference is a softer hold.

If you also sleep on a silk pillowcase, your hair glides along when you turn over, with less friction than on cotton.

Small or Large: which silk scrunchie suits you?

Our silk scrunchies in Small and Large both suit every hair type: fine, thick, straight or curly.

Small Large
In the set 4 scrunchies 2 scrunchies
Look Narrow, almost disappears in your hair Wide and full, an accessory in itself
By day A sleek ponytail or the end of a plait A loose bun or a low ponytail
At night The end of a loose plait A loose bun or pineapple on top of your head
Thick or curly hair Suitable Suitable, holds a lot of hair

In both, the elastic is firm and stretches easily, so the scrunchie stays put without pinching.

Four small Silkora silk scrunchies in Off-WhiteSilk scrunchies SmallSet of four, narrow and discreet. In four colours.Two large Silkora silk scrunchies in Icy BlueSilk scrunchies LargeSet of two, wide and full. In four colours.

Four colours, the same silk as your pillowcase

  • 100% mulberry silk
  • 22 momme
  • Grade 6A
  • OEKO-TEX® Standard 100
  • Small: set of 4
  • Large: set of 2

Choose from Off-White, Silver Grey, Icy Blue and Lotus Pink, with one colour per set. All four colours also come as a silk pillowcase in the same colour.

How to wash silk scrunchies

For scrunchies, hand washing is the best choice:

  1. Lukewarm sudsDissolve a little pH-neutral silk detergent in water of no more than 30 °C.
  2. Move them gentlyLet the scrunchies soak for a few minutes and move them gently through the water. No rubbing or scrubbing.
  3. RinseRinse them in clean, lukewarm water until no more foam comes out.
  4. Air-dryPress the water out with a towel, without wringing, and let them dry out of the sun. Never in the tumble dryer.

The machine is possible too: in a laundry bag on the silk cycle, at no more than 30 °C. More on detergent and drying in how to wash and care for silk.

Frequently asked questions about silk scrunchies

Can you sleep with a silk scrunchie?

Yes. Silk scrunchies are meant for the day and for the night. Tie your hair up loosely, in a loose bun, pineapple or plait, so the scrunchie doesn't pinch.

Is a satin scrunchie the same as a silk scrunchie?

No. Satin is a weave and is usually made of polyester. It feels smooth, but it isn't silk. You can recognise real silk by "mulberry silk" or "100% silk" on the label.

Which silk scrunchies are best for thick or curly hair?

Both sizes suit every hair type. For a loose bun or pineapple with lots of hair, the large one is the handiest.

Do the scrunchies come in a gift box?

No, scrunchies don't come in a gift box; our pillowcases and sleep masks do. Looking for a small gift? A set of scrunchies goes well with a silk sleep mask.

How often should you wash a silk scrunchie?

Whenever it no longer feels fresh. With four small ones, you can rotate while one is in the wash.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology, "10 hair care habits that can damage your hair"; American Academy of Dermatology, curly hair tips from dermatologists.

Gentle on your hair, by day and by night. Choose Small or Large, in four colours.

Choose your silk scrunchies

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