View Full Version : Hair vs. Towels
Kaya
January 1st, 2011, 11:26 AM
I was wondering what everyones' opinions were of towel turbans, whether using made-for towels (Turbie Twists) or normal bath towels.
I only recently discovered made-for towels and I don't know how I lived without them for so long. For me they are a friggin' miracle. I can pop my wet hair up after a shower, leave it while I putter about the bathroom, and then take it down before bed and my hair will be at a perfect just damp-enough-to-style stage. :D (I have never been very successful making a wrap with normal bath towels.)
Now, I used to to twist them up pretty hard before I joined the community, which I have since left behind in favor of very gentle twisting and careful handling in general.
I just want to hear what people think and definitely find out what people with longer-then-BSL hair do, since I'm not sure what I'll do when my hair gets too long for turbie towels. :?
Madora
January 1st, 2011, 11:37 AM
I've been using Egyptian cotton towels for years..very thick and absorbent.
With my 40" hair i just hold the towel vertically, wrap it around the length, then wrap the towel around my head and hold in place with large kitchen clamps.
clichepithet
January 1st, 2011, 11:52 AM
I use baby towels. Like Madora, I turn them sideways, fold/wrap it over the length and then bring it up to wrap around my head. I hold it with a large claw clip, but have been meaning to find something that holds better. The baby towels are rather thin, but they're soft, light and they do the job. I leave it that way for less than 15 minutes, usually. Unlike Madora, my hair is only 32-33". There's an article on this method, somewhere... will ETA.
ETA: Here. (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=153) I never could get it to secure under or in the start point, though.
spidermom
January 1st, 2011, 12:20 PM
I don't like towels for my hair. I use two flannel pillowcases, one inside the other, to hold my wet hair while it's drippy.
Juneii
January 1st, 2011, 12:23 PM
I remember trying the turbe twist when I was younger, at that time my hair was longer and thicker and it wouldn't fit or absorb the water. I just use a fluffy towel to soak up the excess water.
jesis
January 1st, 2011, 12:24 PM
Curlies v Towels. The curly does not win.
I avoid towels on my hair altogether. I admit it takes much longer for my hair to dry, but it's worth it if I don't have a frizzball for hair the whole day. :)
MafiaPrincess
January 1st, 2011, 12:43 PM
I used a few different things like the turbie when I was younger. It would get some of the drips, but would soak through super fast. Alright while changing, but not good for much else. I've given up on it in the last year or so. I now leave it down, wrap it against me in my body towel while I do a few things in the bathroom and most of the drips are gone by the time I put my towel away.
Kat
January 1st, 2011, 12:53 PM
I used to when my hair was much shorter, but these days twisting it up in a towel would just leave a big tangly mess (IF it even fit). DO NOT WANT!
Like everybody else, I just bring it over one shoulder, hold up a towel lengthwise, and wrap the length in the towel. Then it's off to the computer or whatever in my bathrobe for a few minutes to let the towel absorb some water.
Veer666
January 1st, 2011, 01:00 PM
I've tried the made for thingies, but that doesn't work well to dry my hair.
However I do use those when I put in my henna, this way it stays put for a few hours.
To dry my hair I use the cheapest white towels from Ikea 1 euro a piece. These are thin (not heavy on my head) and can soak up a lot of water. I've used and tried a lot of different towels, but these are simply the best!
Copasetic
January 1st, 2011, 01:15 PM
I have tried a hair towel thing before. I wasn't a huge fan. I haven't used a towel of any kind on my hair in ages. They always leave me with frizz.
Ishje
January 1st, 2011, 01:16 PM
my problem is not just the towels, but the water here is very hard, I don't have space for a drying machine, so by the time my towels are dried they are so hard I could probably smash a window with them XD
of course I can use softener, but that does not help much either.
so my hair does get damaged by towels.
I am afraid if I will buy special towels for my hair the same thing will happen.
DARKMARTIAN
January 1st, 2011, 01:20 PM
I gotta admit that im guilty of "twisting and turb'ing" just about everytime I shower. But I only leave it on for a few minutes to soak up the excess moisture. Thats the most I do with a towel though. I cant stand the concept of ruffling one around my head in order to dry it. I always air-dry.
maus
January 1st, 2011, 02:23 PM
I use a Twisty-Turbie. Works well for me, but I have fine hair about an inch past BSL. Not sure what I am going to do once it gets too long for it, I am thinking maybe "folding" the hair in half (folding the length up at the halfway point) before wrapping it might work.
Vorvolaka
January 1st, 2011, 02:52 PM
I just wrap a bog-standard towel around my head for 5-10 minutes, without rubbing, naturally. My hair is fine so by that point the drips are absorbed and the hair closest to my scalp is beginning to dry with body heat. I part my hair and leave well alone until it is completely dry. Although, I'm still not at BSL, so who knows what I'll do then.
meowmeow
January 1st, 2011, 04:46 PM
I used a regular bath towel for the longest time, but I just started using the turbie twist recently (which is just made out of regular cotton). I can't say if the drying time is any faster, but it's definitely lighter on my neck and I have almost no frizz when I take it down. :o
My hair is about tailbone length pulled straight and around hip length curly (longer than the turbie twist). Here's my technique:
- bend over, hair in front
- put on turbie twist
- gather curls and push hair to the top of the head (like plopping I guess)
- twist towel closest to the head first, to lock hair in place, then twist the rest of the towel
- secure
I do this because I don't want my hair twisted in the towel itself since I'm trying to preserve the curl. Anyway, this seems long winded but hopefully this is helpful to someone. :)
DuckyDot
January 1st, 2011, 04:54 PM
I only turbie twist when I'm doing an Up-do or half Up. If I'm wearing my curls then It's scrunching with a towel and air dry. I use micro fiber towels.
LornaDoone
January 1st, 2011, 05:11 PM
I just use a normal bath towel. But I use the really thin, cheap ones on my hair. The nice fluffy towels that I use on the rest of me are too thick to wrap securely on my head.
christine1989
January 1st, 2011, 05:24 PM
I just use a regular towel but I fold it and twist it up the back so it dosen't pull or put any pressure on my hair. I also like to leave it on for a while so when I take it off it is only slightly damp. I find that reduces frizz quite a bit.
Brynne
January 1st, 2011, 10:25 PM
I use a micro-fiber twist turban (Ebay), and I love it. It dries my hair faster, keeps me warmer while it's still wet, and keeps it out of my way while its kind of heavy.
Aliped
January 1st, 2011, 10:32 PM
I've been thinking of making my own towel turban out of an old soft T shirt. It's on my list of things to do in the new year. Anybody use a soft T shirt?
trolleypup
January 1st, 2011, 10:41 PM
I use a micro-fiber twist turban (Ebay), and I love it. It dries my hair faster, keeps me warmer while it's still wet, and keeps it out of my way while its kind of heavy.
Another vote for microfiber, although, not a turbie, since they don't make them for my length. I have a large unfancy microfiber towel (thin and catchy) that I drape over my head (short end at the forehead), overlap and tuck the sides under my hair at the nape, then wrap it around my head and secure it with a large claw (not twisting).
15 or 20 minutes up like this and all the drips are soaked up and I can finish by air drying.
PrincessTieflin
January 1st, 2011, 10:44 PM
I love my turbie towel... I really dont know what to do when I grow out of it.. IF i ever do .. Until then I am just going to enjoy it :D
Brynne
January 2nd, 2011, 01:08 AM
Before I got the turbie, I wrapped my hair in a microfiber towel, too. No problem with that, really, except I think the turbie stays put a little better, since it has a button. If you have a sewing maching, you could easily make one for longer hair....even market one!
Brynne
January 2nd, 2011, 01:35 AM
I was just looking on Ebay for rollers and this came up as a pop-up. It's a microfiber turbie for $2.99, but it has a cryptic title, so I'm posting the link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hair-Drying-Towel-hat-Microfibre-Quick-Dry-Bath-Time_W0QQitemZ270561732562QQcategoryZ11858QQcmdZVi ewItemQQ_trksidZp4012.m444QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DCRX%2 6its%3DC%252BS%26itu%3DSI%252BUA%252BLM%26otn%3D12 %26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6079203347909245063#ht_1838wt _907
Item number: 270561732562
silversnow
January 2nd, 2011, 03:30 AM
I use a well-broken in (washed many times) bath sheet. The size has been perfect for my length so far, but has started to get a little too short now. About 2-3 inches hang out after I wrap my hair now. Might try using the towel sideways from now on, thanks for the ideas. :}
luxepiggy
January 2nd, 2011, 05:52 AM
I like my towels to match - I use the ones labeled "hand towels" that are from the same line as my "bath sheets" - hand towels for hair, bath sheets for piggies (^(oo)^)
I've never been good with the whole piling on top of the head thing - it always topples over & falls off! I just double up my towel-wrapped hair and hold it under one arm like a clutch bag . . .
Milui Elenath
January 2nd, 2011, 06:03 AM
luxepiggy I like my towels to match too! :) But my turbie towels don't get kept in the bathroom I only get them out to use when I wash my hair. - But the colours match -
I vote for the turbie towel in winter. I fold my hair (kind of a gentle 1/2 equilibrium) into it because it is too long to fit the conventional way. I also use two turbies- replacing the first one after 20 mins. I get too cold to have my hair wet and drippy and I could never manage a conventional towel on my head for that length of time. My hair takes a long time to dry.
But it's summer now here :wigtongue so I usually let it air dry.
AnaGeorgette
January 2nd, 2011, 06:11 AM
I've been putting my hair up in a turban sincer I had hair XD I only leave it on for about 1-2 min though, just enough to absorb excess water so it doesnt drip on my clothes, then I let it air dry (which takes FOREVER! I miss my evil blowdryer... )
lapushka
January 2nd, 2011, 08:11 AM
I'm WL now and have just reached the end of my turbie. :( I believe Cinnamon Hair is the one who has a nice way of wrapping longer hair up in turbies... :hmm:
clichepithet
January 2nd, 2011, 09:08 AM
I'm WL now and have just reached the end of my turbie. :( I believe Cinnamon Hair is the one who has a nice way of wrapping longer hair up in turbies... :hmm:
Is this the one? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJrQyV60Huo)
lapushka
January 2nd, 2011, 09:13 AM
Is this the one? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJrQyV60Huo)
Yep, that's the one! Thanks for finding it! :) :thumbsup:
Veer666
January 2nd, 2011, 09:21 AM
Yep, that's the one! Thanks for finding it! :) :thumbsup:
Nice video!
My hair is not that long yet, but I have reached the point that I would have to fold my hair into the turbi towel.
I still favor my cheap thin white Ikea towels! But I am at their limit also...we'll see
Superfine
January 2nd, 2011, 10:22 AM
I use a plain microfiber towel for about 15 min., then air dry. I read somewhere on LHC about using a big T-shirt which has worked well. Wear the shirt while washing bent over the sink, then just pull it over your head stopping with the neckband around your face. Turn the shirt over the length & pile on top of head - gentle twist, just enough to tuck an end inside to secure. Of course, fine hair at BSL fits inside. We'll see as it gets longer.
GRU
January 2nd, 2011, 10:29 AM
I'm another who uses a Turbie-Twist. My hair when wet is mid-butt-crack-length. I'm also a curlie.
What works for me is bending forward at the waist with my hair dangling and taking the pocket part of the Turbie and catch my ends in it. Then I slowly raise the Turbie, continuing to catch my hair in the pocket part (which is actually quite large). I sometimes have to move back-and-forth a bit with the Turbie to catch stray tresses (my hair's not all the same length), or sometimes I'll use kind of a swirly motion to make sure I catch everything. Then I just smoosh it all onto my scalp, twist the tail, and pull it through the loop (I have a loop rather than a button, but it's all the same concept).
I call this a "modified plop". Most plopping tutorials show the towel or t-shirt being placed on a table/bed/toilet seat and the hair lowered down onto the fabric. In my case, instead of lowering my hair, I raise the fabric -- same end result.
After the worst of the drippies have been absorbed with the Turbie, I then turban my hair with an old t-shirt to get even more moisture out of it. My hair gets treated gently, and I don't have any towel-induced frizz issues.
Jen123
January 2nd, 2011, 10:49 AM
I use a cotton t-shirt with long arms. Very light weight on my head, stays put and very absorbent, cheap hair friendly and travel friendly. I LOVE it as compared to mircrofiber, regular towels and the turbie twist. (I should have tried it before I bought all of those.)
I just put the shirt on like I was going to wear it but don't put my arms in, flip the shirt up over my hair, wrap similar to a twist and then use the arms to tie. This stays on my head and it is so comfortable I don't know it is there. I'm about at waist now and will buy a cotton night shirt when my hair gets too long for a regular shirt.
autumn_aqua
January 2nd, 2011, 01:08 PM
I use flour sack towels (old fashioned cotton towels.) I use one to gently squeeze and scrunch before I get out of the shower-after I've applied leave-in, and gel if I'm using it. Then I use another one for plopping for another 5-10 min.
After I take off the towel and arrange my hair the way I want it I gently scrunch and squeeze a little more. As long as I don't overdo it, I find these towels to be the best for frizz-free drying. Plus, they are cheap! My longest hair is hip-length when wet, and I have no problems with fitting all my hair in one. :)
clichepithet
January 2nd, 2011, 09:03 PM
Yep, that's the one! Thanks for finding it! :) :thumbsup:
Wasn't hard, knew exactly what you were talking about. ;)
I've considered the turbie-twist/microfiber towels, but just don't want to spend the money when I don't always put it up in a towel. Though I am, more and more, since I can't stand the feeling of wet hair sticking to me. It's just the twisting of the towel with the hair in it before [you] secure it. Does it have to be twisted like it looks twisted in pictures...?
musicallberrii
January 2nd, 2011, 09:31 PM
I had a hair towel thingy and could never figure out how to get my hair in it.. I must have been doing it wrong because even at shoulder length, I couldn't cram my hair into it. I occasionally use a towel wrapped around my head, but more often than not I just de-tangle my hair and let it hang down over my shoulder and dry.
redcelticcurls
January 2nd, 2011, 09:39 PM
Standard towels and microfiber towels are too textured for my curls and give me frizz.
I like the CurlEase towel for plopping and Curls Like Us Cloths for days where I scrunch out of the shower.
Cirafly24
January 2nd, 2011, 10:12 PM
I use a turbie twist...and I *love* it. My hair is about an inch shy of TBL...I fold my wet hair up the back of my head, bend at the waist and put the turbie over my head, then I gather the ends in the pocket of the turbie. Twist and secure, done. The only modification I made was adding a hair tie to the button loop because it wouldn't reach the button otherwise!
OperaTeacherMom
January 2nd, 2011, 11:08 PM
I'm another who uses a Turbie-Twist. My hair when wet is mid-butt-crack-length. I'm also a curlie.
What works for me is bending forward at the waist with my hair dangling and taking the pocket part of the Turbie and catch my ends in it. Then I slowly raise the Turbie, continuing to catch my hair in the pocket part (which is actually quite large). I sometimes have to move back-and-forth a bit with the Turbie to catch stray tresses (my hair's not all the same length), or sometimes I'll use kind of a swirly motion to make sure I catch everything. Then I just smoosh it all onto my scalp, twist the tail, and pull it through the loop (I have a loop rather than a button, but it's all the same concept).
I call this a "modified plop". Most plopping tutorials show the towel or t-shirt being placed on a table/bed/toilet seat and the hair lowered down onto the fabric. In my case, instead of lowering my hair, I raise the fabric -- same end result.
After the worst of the drippies have been absorbed with the Turbie, I then turban my hair with an old t-shirt to get even more moisture out of it. My hair gets treated gently, and I don't have any towel-induced frizz issues.
I do that too!
Although...I know you ladies will laugh with me for this one...I have stopped using terry cloth towels for the most part, and normally use birdseye flat cloth diapers :p I fold them in half corner to corner (leaving me with a triangle), put my ends on the diaper, bring the long ends around with the folded edge framing my face, and tuck the back pointy end down. I fasten it all with a Snappi (cloth diaper fastener). It looks ridiculous, but works really well. Part of it is the cloth diaper laundering process, which keeps them really absorbent! :pumpkin:
lapushka
January 3rd, 2011, 08:18 AM
It's just the twisting of the towel with the hair in it before [you] secure it. Does it have to be twisted like it looks twisted in pictures...?
Put the turbie on your head, catch your ends in it and close the sides by clapping them shut, turn once --right at your forehead-- then secure the tail in the back. If you do it this way, there's practically no twisting involved. You can use a claw clip to fasten the tail to the back, instead of the loop. Just pin the two parts together.
Milui Elenath
January 3rd, 2011, 09:47 PM
It's interesting to see that all of you (so far, sorry if I did miss anyone who doesn't) bend at the waist to put on the turbie towel. I don't bend at all. If I put my hair upside down when wet it is a nightmare to untangle. As I mentioned I fold my hair gently; then hold it on top while I put the turbie towel around the nape of my head, hold the hair in place then twist the turbie length. None of my hair actually goes into the triangle twisty bit at the front. I guess I am kind of damp bunning under the towel (but its not a bun, kind of a folded, french twist that's not twisted ;) ) I'm TB length.
ddiana1979
January 3rd, 2011, 10:00 PM
I personally just use towels for "blotting". Normal towels, and I just wrap it around the length and squeeze to get excess moisture out. I don't twist or rub. I usually wear a terry cloth bathrobe for an hour or so after washing my hair, so that draws out any excess moisture.
LHC100
January 22nd, 2011, 01:35 AM
I gently "milk" the water from it while still in the shower, then wrap in a regular towel. When I take it down, I use dry ends of the towel to "milk/squeeze" it a bit dryer. I then finger comb and let it dry.
enfys
January 22nd, 2011, 06:45 AM
I use a regular hand towel to get most of the water off in the bathroom then I use a turbie to hold it up for abput half an hour to keep wicking water out. I do similar to what someone else mentioned, a kind of modified loose equilibrium bun.
Both towels end up soaked but I don't so it's all good.
IndigoAsh
January 22nd, 2011, 06:54 AM
I pat mine dry with a towel or two.
Anywhere
January 22nd, 2011, 07:23 AM
towels in general make my hair unhappy. I use a tshirt turban to plop my hair for a bit, but thats it.
Fizz
January 22nd, 2011, 07:43 AM
It's interesting to see that all of you (so far, sorry if I did miss anyone who doesn't) bend at the waist to put on the turbie towel. I don't bend at all. If I put my hair upside down when wet it is a nightmare to untangle. As I mentioned I fold my hair gently; then hold it on top while I put the turbie towel around the nape of my head, hold the hair in place then twist the turbie length. None of my hair actually goes into the triangle twisty bit at the front.
I do the same. I have about 10 or 12 turbie towels, and use at least 5 in succession after every wash to stop my hair dripping. I love them - they are great for travelling and dry quickly when washed.
SheaLynne
January 22nd, 2011, 10:28 AM
I've been thinking of making my own towel turban out of an old soft T shirt. It's on my list of things to do in the new year. Anybody use a soft T shirt?
I use a cotton t-shirt with long arms. Very light weight on my head, stays put and very absorbent, cheap hair friendly and travel friendly. I LOVE it as compared to mircrofiber, regular towels and the turbie twist. (I should have tried it before I bought all of those.)
I just put the shirt on like I was going to wear it but don't put my arms in, flip the shirt up over my hair, wrap similar to a twist and then use the arms to tie. This stays on my head and it is so comfortable I don't know it is there. I'm about at waist now and will buy a cotton night shirt when my hair gets too long for a regular shirt.
I use a t-shirt, too. So far, what I've done is gently squeeze the excess water from my hair as I get out of the water, then I turn my head over and put the neck of the t-shirt on the back of my head with the body of the shirt following my hair over my upside-down head. Then I tie the sleeves at the front of my head and gently wrap the length of the hair with the body of the shirt and coil it on top of my head. It stays well because of the knot at the front makes a place for the coil to sit inside there. But I'm going to try the method of putting it over my head that Jen mentioned here. That sounds even better!
After that has stayed on for a bit, I take it down and keep the t-shirt draped over my shoulders to absorb more water as my hair drips. If that shirt is soaked through, I replace it with a dry one. Occasionally I gently squeeze the hair length with the t-shirt wrapped around it to reduce dripping. After 5-10 minutes I can just let the hair airdry from there.
Sundial
January 22nd, 2011, 11:16 AM
I gently "milk" the water from it while still in the shower, then wrap in a regular towel. When I take it down, I use dry ends of the towel to "milk/squeeze" it a bit dryer. I then finger comb and let it dry.
That's exactly how I do it too!
Deborah
January 22nd, 2011, 11:26 AM
I very much prefer using my turbie-type towels to using regular bath towels. The turbie holds it up gently but securely until I decide to take it down. With regular towels I cannot keep the towel on my head for any length of time. The weight of the wet hair makes it tumble right down.
Our own LisaJaney will sell her own homemade turbies if you ask her nicely. I have a couple on order right now.
WynneWear
January 22nd, 2011, 11:29 AM
Ahhh, I didn't realize that a regular towel could contribute to frizzies in a wavy haired person's hair. *gasp*
I'll have to look into the long armed t-shirt technique or whip something up on the sewing machine out of t-shirt material!
bumblebums
January 22nd, 2011, 11:36 AM
Another vote for microfiber, although, not a turbie, since they don't make them for my length. I have a large unfancy microfiber towel (thin and catchy) that I drape over my head (short end at the forehead), overlap and tuck the sides under my hair at the nape, then wrap it around my head and secure it with a large claw (not twisting).
15 or 20 minutes up like this and all the drips are soaked up and I can finish by air drying.
Me too! I have a microfiber towel that I bought at an REI or some other travel/hiking supplies store. I got the big size, since I plan to use it for hiking sometimes, too. It's thin, smooth, and super-absorbent.
virgo75
January 22nd, 2011, 11:44 AM
I've been using old cotton t-shirts and they work better than any towel I've ever used to get my hair dry and they cut down on frizz as well. :)
Plus they're cheap. ;)
The only time I really use a towel is while I'm in the shower to towel dry before applying conditioner. Then I use the t-shirt when I'm all done.
Doxie
January 22nd, 2011, 04:35 PM
I use to use what ever towel I had and wrapped it around my head. Just recently I've switched to a micro fiber turbie towel that I got at Dollar Tree. I can already see a big differance in my hair. I might be switching to just and old tshirt soon though. The Dollar Tree turbies are on the smaller side so they are kinda a pain to use.
hanne jensen
January 22nd, 2011, 05:31 PM
I use two microfiber towels for drying off DOGS. These things are like thin sponges and have to be damp to absorb water. If dry, they're stiff as a board. I put my length in one towel, gently twist it into a bund, then drape the other towelover my head. I wonder if they make these towels for horses?
After I'm done drying myself I take these towld off my head and put my hair into a T shirt.
These dog towels are very hair friendly. I've never found so much as a single hair on them.
thatjengirl1
January 22nd, 2011, 09:25 PM
Those hair towels sound pretty cool. I probably won't get around to ordering one anytime soon though. A regular towel works fine to me :) But i'm sure as my hair gets longer, I might try new things. We'll see...
milagro
January 22nd, 2011, 11:33 PM
I quit using terry cloth towels on my hair long ago as they cause frizz. I use cotton head wraps instead, the kind Muslim men wear in Middle East and North Africa, I bought mine in Tunisia. It's big, light and soft. I even take one with me on travels.
I hear people use old t-shirts, must be the same effect.
ETA microfiber causes frizz on me, too. But it's very handy, I use it to lay under my pillowcase if I go sleep with wet hair (pretty often now) and it keeps cotton form being too wet beautifully :) doesn't work that well with silk though.
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