Hair washing is the Marmite component of all beauty routines.
Some dread the lengthy process of combing through knots and tangles, while others book out an evening in their diaries to lather their locks. Regardless of whether you love or hate mane maintenance, one thing is for certain, the right combination of products designed to suit your hair type is essential in maintaining the health of your tresses.
These products don’t just include shampoos, conditioners, masks and anti-frizz sprays. The type of towel you use to dry your hair can also affect its gloss-factor, and you may just find that you’re using the wrong one.
Hair towels are designed to be quick-drying and friction-free to avoid breakage. While using a regular bath towel to dry hair is not uncommon, they are typically made from standard cotton or terry cloth, which can be coarse on your tresses. This can lead to damage and weaken the roots through the zhuzhing process.
Composed of lightweight microfibre, hair towels are a handy addition to your post-shower routine. Yes, it’s an added cost to consider for your beauty arsenal, but it will drastically shave off styling time with a hair dryer when you’re rushing off to a party, work or date.
Plus, they come in some playful and pretty designs. From tropical prints to classic cabana stripes, luxurious spa-like neutrals and pastel silks, hair towels will see your bath towel and raise you.
As proven by stars such as Kendall Jenner and Dua Lipa who regularly snap towel-clad selfies, the hair towel is the ultimate identifier of ladies who leisure. So, might as well leisure in style.
Brands like Act+Acre, Kitsch and Coco & Eve have upgraded the practicality of the humble, somewhat bulky, bath towel. Hair towels often have button fastenings and curved silhouettes to fit the head perfectly. No more balancing acts required to ensure your towel stays firmly on your noggin.
To ensure your hair is as lustrous as possible following a steamy hot shower or beach swim, we’ve rounded up the best hair towels to achieve the silkiest locks.
Shop below
Dock & Bay Hair Wrap
Cut your dry time down with Dock & Bay’s colourful hair wrap. Available in a plethora of preppy prints and tones, this absorbent hair towel can be packed for a beach day or kept at home to have in hand to secure your freshly washed style.
This timeless cabana design is suitable for all ages and extracts moisture from hair without damage. Simply cover, twist and lock in and you’re ready for great results.
Buy now £15.00, John Lewis
Noughty Hair Towel
Fed up with pesky flyaways? Noughties’ hair towel knows just how to smooth out frizz with no risk of root damage. The piece is made up of an ultra-soft microfibre fabric that’s suitable for all hair types.
To use, flip your mane forward and fasten it around the nape of the neck. Tuck your hair into the towel and twist around your head. Secure with the button et voilà!
Buy now £12.99, lookfantastic
John Lewis Argan Oil Hair Wrap
John Lewis’ towel department is the stuff of fluffy dreams. Deliciously soft and affordable, the brand’s bathroom essentials are always solid buys for those on a budget. This hair wrap costs a touch more as it is encapsulated with argan oil - hair’s best friend. The hydrating and softening oil is a coveted beauty elixir found in many hair products - and for good reason. It contains antioxidants and vitamins that moisturise and nourish all hair types.
Buy now £18.00, John Lewis
Act+Acre Intelligent Hair Towel
Helen Reavey founded Act+Acre to deliver potent haircare solutions to all hair types but especially those with curly locks. The founder delivered the goods with this hair towel, which is made up of a neutral waffle knit to prevent hair damage and friction. The material also helps to cut drying time by 50 per cent and ensures your tussles remain frizz-free - so you can no longer use the ‘I was washing my hair excuse’ for why you’re late.
Buy now £26.00, Cult Beauty
Kitsch Satin Wrapped Hair Towel
Embrace your feminine side with Kitsch’s blush pink microfibre wrap. A gloriously silky choice, this piece is a sumptuous hug for your hair. It can also be slept in to ensure your locks stay luscious overnight. You know the drill by now; affix on your hair by flipping it forward. Then bundle it all up and fasten using the button.
Buy now £24.00, Cult Beauty
Coco & Eve Microfibre Towel Wrap Girl Print
Our friends Down Under know a thing or two about haircare as is perfectly encapsulated by Coco & Eve. The brand has created a divine line of hair care products and we can’t get enough.
The Aussie label never sleeps on adorable packaging and its hair towel is no different. Available to purchase in three playful prints, this microfibre wrap works best when paired with Coco & Eve’s Hair Masque. Gather your hair and twist it into the wrap, being careful to loop the elastic tie around the button for a snug, firm fit.
Buy now £9.95, Sephora
GLOV Fluffy Hair Wrap
Create the at-home spa feel with GLOV’s sumptuous white hair wrap. With an ivory hue and a cloud-like feel, GLOV’s fluff-tastic buy can be whacked on for women in a rush. The fast-drying item makes for a practical present, which can be affixed at home, on the beach or post-gym.
Buy now £12.90, lookfantastic
Luin Living Hair Wrap Towel
Luin Living’s fine cotton hair wrap will tackle even the thickest of manes. The luxurious towel comes in five elegant shades, from pearl grey to dusty rose, and is suitable for both children and adults. Adjust using a soft snapper attachment and let the 100 per cent cotton work its magic. A post-bathe dilly-dally around the house has never looked so chic.
Buy now £29.00, Fenwick
Cotton On Hair Towel Wrap
We get it, haircare is expensive. Quality products don’t come cheap. After all, beauty is pain - especially in the finance department. If you’d rather save the pennies for essential products but are still tempted to try a hair towel, Cotton On’s wrap is a sensible choice.
An easily packable, printed option, the fun hair towel comes in a multitude of girlish prints for your picking. Due to its smaller scale, the item is great for finer follicles that require less fabric to hold the hair.
Buy now £8.00, Cotton On
Protecht DryPlus Microfibre Hair Towel
We asked the beauty gods for a miracle and they gave it to us. Sephora is now in the UK and with it comes this durable towel which uses science to combat breakage. The piece uses special Dryplus technology to reduce drying time by 50 per cent and is a heatless option for those wanting to shelve their hair dryers. The result? Happy, healthy hair. Did we mention it comes in pink, blue and white? Decisions, decisions.
Buy now £14.99, Sephora
