I take my sleep very seriously. After all, we spend a third of our lives sleeping—might as well make the most of it. Also? Snoozing is also a foundational part of maintaining good health. For these reasons among so many more, it’s important to take stock of the bedding you use, from pillowcases and sheets to duvet covers and throw blankets. If there’s one bedding item I’ll always splurge on, it’s a silk pillowcase—namely the Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase ($50).
Why I love the Brooklinen silk pillowcase
When I first unpacked my Brooklinen silk pillowcase and put it on my pillow, New York had hit the dog days of summer (and if you know, you know). And while the A/C in my apartment was pumping (I have the electrical bills to prove it!), I still found myself waking up in the middle of the night with a pool of sweat around my head. Now, for context, I sleep on my back, but something about the warm weather paired with the friction between my curly hair and the pillow led to a total meltdown (literally).
I immediately noticed a difference the first time I used the silk pillowcase. The pillowcase felt soft to the touch and my neck felt cool for the first time in days. That night, I slept through the night and didn’t wake up with pieces of my hair stuck to my face and neck. The next morning, I wasn’t covered in a sweaty sheen—it was a heat wave miracle.
Silk, in general, is a temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking material that makes for an excellent choice in the summer (and the winter, too, since it helps maintain an optimal temperature). While I’ve tried plenty of silk and satin pillowcases, none impressed me as much as Brooklinen’s.
My hair is much more manageable
Fast forward to the following spring, I still couldn’t sleep on anything but my Brooklinen pillowcase. I genuinely felt like my best self every morning after sleeping on it. While the jury’s still out on whether or not my skin benefitted (as I said, I’m a back sleeper anyway), my hair has seen quite an improvement in terms of manageability and overall appearance. My hair, for once, doesn’t look as wild (frizzy, tangled) and I’m noticing less breakage.
With cotton pillowcases, I typically find a few pieces of breakage upon waking up in the morning, but since switching to the Brooklinen pillowcase, nada. And, since there isn’t any friction causing the breakage, my hair is the healthiest and thickest it’s looked in years. While it’s not totally the pillow’s doing (I’ve been trying to take extra-good care of my hair with nourishing products), I believe it’s an integral part of the routine I’ve established for myself.
I asked Sharon Dorram, celebrity colorist and owner of Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger, why exactly that might be. In short: It’s due to the fact that silk pillowcases don’t cause tension. “The biggest benefit of sleeping with a silk pillowcase is that the fabric protects the texture of your hair; when we toss and turn at night, we roll around on our heads, which causes static and breakage,” she explains. “A silk pillowcase is more gentle on your hair and even extends the life of your hairstyle.” Here’s a more in-depth breakdown of why silk pillowcases are so beneficial (and a roundup of the best ones).
What makes it so special—and worth the price tag
While the cool-to-the-touch feel was the first thing I noticed about the Brooklinen Mulberry Silk pillowcase, it’s the quality and ease of care that really hooked me. The pillowcase is made from 100 percent pure mulberry silk and boasts a momme count of 22. For those that don’t know, momme is basically the metric used to measure silk; the higher the number, the softer the fabric will be. The average momme is usually 19, but it can go as high as 25.
In addition, the silk fabric is OKEO-TEX certified, meaning it’s been made without any harmful pesticides or chemicals. It also holds up nicely in the washing machine. When I’m in a rush, I wash mine on cold with a pH-neutral detergent, but when I’m feeling fancy, I hand wash it in my sink. Either way, it looks beautifully pearlescent and luxurious after it lies flat to dry. I’ve washed this pillowcase about 80 times so far, and it’s just as lovely as it was when I first unboxed it.
I’ve slept with my Brooklinen pillowcase for eight months now and I don’t want to sleep on anything else again. Since switching to this heavenly option, I’ve noticed a major positive impact on my sleep (especially during weather extremes) and the overall look of my hair.