Who it’s for: fine hair types, sensitive skin | Material: cotton and bamboo | Machine washable: no
Best for Long Hair: Drybar Dry Martini Microfiber Hair Wrap
Why it’s worth it: The generous size of the Drybar Dry Martini Microfiber Hair Wrap means people with longer hair can get coverage of every last sopping strand. On top of its surface area, this microfiber hair towel wrap is super absorbent and plush, so you can expect less frizz and friction once your hair is dry.
Who it’s for: all hair types, long hair | Material: polyester microfiber | Machine washable: yes
Best for Curly Hair: DevaCurl DevaTwist Anti-Frizz Microfiber Towel Wrap
Why it’s worth it: DevaCurl’s DevaTwist Anti-Frizz Microfiber Towel Wrap is ideal for curls and coils and waves. While traditional terrycloth towels can disrupt your hair’s curl pattern, this microfiber texture is soft and gentle, so it won’t rough up your strands. We also love the non-twisting Devacurl DevaTowel, a dream for scrunching.
Who it’s for: curly hair, textured hair | Material: polyester | Machine washable: yes, hang dry
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a hair towel?
“Frizzy hair will be minimized, hair patterns will be more defined, breakage or split ends will be minimized, and they cut down the average drying time,” explains Ferrara. So, what makes these towels so unique? Most are made from ultra-absorbent microfiber, which soaks up excess water faster than your average bath towel. “[Hair towels] also are known to be more gentle on hair because they feel more plush and soft compared to traditional terry cloth towels,” Ferrara adds.
How should I use a hair towel?
If you’re still dealing with any sopping after some time in a twist, California-based hairstylist Samuel Eugenio Rodney has a tip: “Gently squeeze excess water from the hair and wrap it in the towel,” he previously told Allure. “Do not rub the towel aggressively to absorb water. This can damage the cuticle and leave your hair feeling dry and frizzy.”
Meet the Experts
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?