To towel dry curly hair effectively, gently scrunch your curls upward into a microfiber towel to absorb excess water and maintain volume and definition. Avoid rubbing, which can cause frizz and damage.
The Importance of the Right Technique
Towel drying curly hair differs significantly from drying straight hair. Rubbing your curls with a regular towel creates friction, leading to frizz, breakage, and loss of curl definition. Instead, a gentler approach is crucial for maintaining healthy, bouncy curls.
The Scrunching Method: Your Curly Hair's Best Friend
The most effective method involves the "plop" and "scrunch" techniques:
- Plop (Optional): After washing, gently gather your wet curls into a microfiber towel (or a soft, old t-shirt). This helps absorb excess water without disturbing the curl pattern.
- Scrunch: Once the excess water is absorbed, gently scrunch your curls upward from the ends towards the roots. This encourages curl definition and volume. Think of it as lifting and shaping your curls. The video demonstrates this technique by showing curls being scrunched into the towel to create a "scrunched up and very bouncy shape". This allows for even faster drying and greater volume.
Materials to Use
- Microfiber towels: These are gentle and absorbent, minimizing friction and frizz.
- Old t-shirts: A soft cotton t-shirt can be a great alternative to a microfiber towel.
- Avoid: Regular bath towels; their rough texture can cause damage.
Avoid These Mistakes
- Rubbing: Never rub your curls vigorously. This creates frizz and disrupts the curl pattern.
- Harsh towels: Avoid using rough towels that can snag or pull at your hair.
By following these steps, you'll keep your curls healthy, bouncy, and defined, as demonstrated in the provided video excerpt showing the importance of the upward scrunching motion for improved volume and faster drying.
