TIP 1
Scrunch, Don't Scrub
Scrubbing your hair dry with a towel is the default because it's fast and it feels productive. It's also one of the worst things you can do to your hair.
Rubbing back and forth drags the raised cuticle in every direction at once. You're not only drying out your hair, you're damaging it. Your hair is in its weakest state while wet; be gentle with it.
Do this instead. Cup a section of hair. Press. Let go. Move to the next section and repeat. You're squeezing water out the way you'd blot a spill, not scrubbing a pan.
If you have wavy, curly, or coily hair, scrunch upward toward your scalp instead of pulling downward. Your hair naturally forms clumps when it's wet. Stretching those clumps apart creates frizz and makes your curls lose their shape.
TIP 2
Ditch the rough towel
Your bath towel wasn't designed for hair. It's built from thousands of tiny loops. That construction is great for a wet floor, but on hair, they can easily tug at strands, creating friction that leads to damage and frizz.
A microfiber towel or a soft cotton t-shirt are better alternatives. Their soft, silky threads can absorb more water than a traditional towel, but without the friction and damage.
TIP 3
Air Dry If you Can
The less you touch your hair while it dries, the better it'll look. Air drying allows hair to set into its natural shape, which makes styling it much easier. You can either air dry entirely, or gently remove some excess water with the above mentioned methods before styling and air drying the rest of the way.
If you have wavy, curly, or coily hair, try not to mess with your hair while you're letting it air dry to help keep your style and prevent frizz.
If you have to use heat tools, use a product with heat-protecting properties like the BASED Hair Elixir.
TIP 4
The 60-second version
- Blot and scrunch hair to dry it with a towel. Never scrub, wring, or twist wet hair as it can cause damage and frizz.
- Ditch your rough towel and opt for a microfiber or a gentle cotton t-shirt instead.
- Air dry when you can to encourage your natural hair pattern to take shape. If you're using heat tools, use a product with heat-protecting properties.
