You’re tired. Your hair is a literal bird’s nest. You wake up with those deep, red sleep creases on your cheek that take three cups of coffee and a cold shower to disappear. We've all been there. It’s why the Brooklinen mulberry silk pillowcase has become such a weirdly polarizing status symbol in the bedding world. Some people swear it’s the secret to waking up looking like a Disney princess, while others think it’s just an overpriced piece of fabric.
Honestly? It's a bit of both.
If you’ve spent any time on "BedTok" or scrolling through interior design blogs, you’ve seen this specific slip of silk. Brooklinen isn't exactly a legacy silk brand like Mulberry Park Silks or Fishers Finery. They’re the "cool kids" of the DTC bedding world. They started with cotton sheets and somehow convinced everyone that "luxury" could come in a cardboard box with a minimalist logo. But when they dropped their silk collection, people had questions. Is it real silk? Does it actually help your skin? Or are you just paying for the brand name?
What’s Actually Inside a Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase?
Let’s get technical for a second, but I'll keep it quick. Silk quality is measured in "momme." Think of it like thread count for cotton, but it’s actually based on weight. Most high-end silk pillowcases sit between 19 and 25 momme. Brooklinen uses 100% mulberry silk with a 22-momme weight.
That 22-momme mark is basically the "Goldilocks" zone. It’s thick enough to feel substantial and durable—unlike those flimsy 16-momme cases that shred after three washes—but it’s not so heavy that it feels like you're sleeping on a velvet curtain.
Mulberry silk is the real deal. It comes from silkworms that eat nothing but mulberry leaves. This results in fibers that are longer, smoother, and more uniform than "wild" silk. It’s naturally hypoallergenic. It’s breathable. It doesn't trap heat the way polyester satin does. If you’re sleeping on a "satin" pillowcase from a big-box store, you’re probably sleeping on plastic. It’s shiny, sure, but it’s essentially a trash bag for your head. Real silk, like the kind in this Brooklinen case, is a protein-based fiber. It breathes. It moves with you.
The Texture Factor
The first thing you’ll notice when you touch a Brooklinen silk pillowcase is that it isn't "slippery" in a cheap way. It’s buttery. There is a distinct difference between the friction of cotton and the glide of silk. When you toss and turn at night, cotton fibers actually tug at your hair and skin. It’s microscopic, but it adds up. Over years, that tugging contributes to sleep wrinkles.
Silk reduces that friction by about 43%, according to some textile studies. Brooklinen's version has a particularly high-sheen finish on one side, which they achieve through a specific weaving process. It feels cool to the touch. Seriously cool. If you’re a "cool side of the pillow" hunter, this is your endgame.
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The Hair and Skin Myth vs. Reality
Let's address the elephant in the room. Will a Brooklinen mulberry silk pillowcase cure your acne or stop your hair from falling out?
No.
But it does help with specific, annoying problems.
If you have curly hair—we're talking 3C or 4C territory—silk is almost a requirement. Cotton is an absorbent material. It literally sucks the moisture out of your hair strands while you sleep. You wake up with frizz because your hair is dehydrated and has been rubbed raw against a rough surface. The silk case doesn't absorb that moisture. It keeps your natural oils (and those expensive hair serums) where they belong.
For skin, it’s a similar story. If you apply a $100 night cream and then lay your face on a cotton pillowcase, the cotton is getting most of that cream. Silk is less absorbent. Your skin stays hydrated. Also, for people with sensitive skin or rosacea, the smoothness of the 22-momme silk reduces the physical irritation that triggers redness.
- Frizz reduction: Real.
- Hydration retention: Real.
- Anti-aging: Sorta. It won't erase existing wrinkles, but it prevents the "crush" folds that turn into permanent lines.
- Acne cure: Mostly myth, though it is cleaner than cotton because it doesn't harbor as much bacteria.
The "Envelope" vs. The Zipper
One weirdly specific detail people argue about is the closure. Brooklinen went with an envelope closure. This means there’s a flap of fabric on the inside that tucks over the end of your pillow.
Some people hate this. They want a hidden zipper so the pillow stays locked in like a bank vault. Others—myself included—prefer the envelope because zippers eventually break or snag in the laundry. Plus, there's nothing worse than hitting your face on a cold metal zipper pull in the middle of the night. Brooklinen’s envelope is deep enough that the pillow doesn't usually slide out, provided you're using a standard or king pillow that actually fits the dimensions.
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How It Holds Up After Six Months
I’ve seen a lot of these reviews where people talk about how it feels on day one. Day one is easy. Day 180 is where the truth comes out.
Silk is delicate. You can’t just throw it in with your jeans and a heavy-duty tide pod. If you do, it’ll lose its sheen and start to feel "crunchy." To keep the Brooklinen case in good shape, you have to use a pH-neutral detergent. Think Woolite or something specifically for delicates.
After several months of use, you might notice some slight "pilling" if you have a lot of stubble or if you use very abrasive face scrubs. It's the nature of the fiber. However, compared to the 19-momme versions from competitors like Slip, the Brooklinen 22-momme holds its structure longer. It doesn't get that "thinned out" feeling near the seams quite as fast.
Is It Better Than the Competition?
You’ve got options.
Slip is the most famous brand. They’re everywhere. But honestly? You’re paying a massive premium for their marketing and their fancy boxes.
Quince is the budget king. They offer a 22-momme case for significantly less than Brooklinen. The catch? The stitching isn't always as precise, and the silk doesn't feel quite as "luminous."
Brooklinen sits right in the middle. It’s $59 (usually less if you catch one of their perpetual sales). It’s an "accessible luxury" price point. You get the quality of a high-end textile without the $90 price tag of the "prestige" brands.
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The Cleaning Reality Check
Don't believe the "dry clean only" tags if you're careful. You can wash your Brooklinen mulberry silk pillowcase in a machine.
Use a mesh laundry bag. This is non-negotiable. If the silk catches on the agitator or a stray button from another garment, it's game over. Wash it on a cold, delicate cycle.
And for the love of everything, do not put it in the dryer. Heat kills silk. It breaks down the proteins and ruins the smooth texture. Hang it over a drying rack or lay it flat on a towel. It dries surprisingly fast because the fibers are so breathable. If it comes out a little wrinkled, you can use a cool iron (on the silk setting), but most people just let the wrinkles fall out naturally once the pillow is stuffed back inside.
Why Some People Actually Hate It
It’s not all sunshine and smooth hair. Some people genuinely dislike sleeping on silk.
First, it’s slippery. If you’re a "stacker" who sleeps with three pillows, the silk one is going to slide off the top like a wet bar of soap. It has zero "grip."
Second, it shows everything. If you drool in your sleep (no judgment), or if you have oily skin, you will see those spots on the silk. It doesn’t hide stains the way a matte cotton or linen does. You have to wash it frequently to keep it looking decent.
Finally, there’s the temperature. While silk is "breathable," it doesn't have that crisp, cold feeling of percale cotton. It’s a soft, ambient cool. If you like that stiff, starched hotel sheet feeling, silk will feel too "limp" for you.
Actionable Steps for Your Bedding Upgrade
If you're ready to pull the trigger on a Brooklinen mulberry silk pillowcase, here is how to actually make it worth the investment:
- Check the Sale Cycle: Brooklinen almost always has a 15-20% off sale running. Never pay full price. Sign up for the email list, grab your discount, and then unsubscribe immediately.
- Buy a Mesh Bag: Before the pillowcase arrives, go buy a $5 mesh laundry bag. It’s the difference between your pillowcase lasting six months or three years.
- Ditch the Fabric Softener: Never use softener on silk. It coats the fibers in a waxy film that destroys the natural breathability and shine.
- Match Your Pillow Size: Ensure your pillow is the right size. An overstuffed "Queen" pillow in a "Standard" silk case will stretch the seams and cause them to fail prematurely.
- Test the "Hair Theory": Take a "before" photo of your hair after a night on cotton, then compare it after three nights on silk. The difference in morning frizz is usually the most immediate proof that the purchase was worth it.
Ultimately, the Brooklinen mulberry silk pillowcase is a solid, mid-range luxury item. It’s not a miracle worker, but it’s a significant upgrade for your hair and skin health if you're moving up from basic cotton. It’s well-constructed, uses high-grade mulberry silk, and doesn't carry the "influence tax" of some higher-priced competitors. Just remember to wash it gently, or you're just throwing $60 down the drain.