The best thing I've done for my hair

I have color treated, super thick, super curly, somewhat long and very unruly hair. I will never have smooth, sleek hair (which is just fine by me, by the way) but I do want to keep it as healthy as I can.

I have tried no/low sulfate shampoos but I just can't get used to it. It works for some people and I might try it again but right now, I use a moisturizing shampoo that also has sulfates. My hair hasn't fallen out and I'm not dead so I guess it's ok.

I ditched my cotton terrycloth towel and bought a microfiber towel and only use that for drying my hair. It's small so I even bring it with me when I travel. I don't scrub or rub my hair with it at all. I wrap it up turban style right out of the shower, let it soak up the drippy water, gently work a curl cream or leave-in conditioner through my hair, and then wrap it back up until I'm ready to scrunch with gel.

Why a microfiber towel? Regular terrycloth towels are very nubby and create friction, which roughs up and damages the hair shaft. Microfiber is also more absorbent. If you blow dry, your hair will already be drier from the start than if you used a regular towel. This cuts down on blow drying time, which reduces heat damage to your hair. Plus, my microfiber towel is smaller and lighter than a regular bath towel and it's more comfortable on my head.

I have curly hair but I think microfiber would benefit any hair type. I have the microfiber towel here. There's a larger version for long hair here. They're a little spendy but I think they're totally worth the price.

I should note that I've also cut out any hair products that contain drying alcohols, which has probably helped with the health of my hair considerably. Interestingly, the best non-alcohol hair gel I've found is the dirt cheap LA Looks super strong hold gel found at my supermarket. Go figure.

Comments

[Kimocean]

I have wavy, color treated hair that tends to frizz and I agree completely. I have a very similar routine except that I put my products in as soon as I step out of the shower, while my hair is still dripping. This really seems to reduce frizz for me. I then turn my head upside-down over the tub and scrunch and wrap in the microfiber towel. I either air dry with a few clips to create volume (which goes much faster after being wrapped in the microfiber) or blow dry with a diffuser and I get gorgeous curls.

[Corinna]

Colleen we have the same hair! I also use a microfiber towel and I now wave bye bye to frizz. Have you tried the products from Devachan or the book written by Devachan's owner Curly Girl? And thanks for the heads up on LA Looks. I've never tried it before.

[BR]

I also have thick, super-curly hair; I keep it around chin-length. I hadn't thought of using a microfiber towel but I'll definitely be picking one up and giving it a shot!

I also found that a really good way to defeat frizz is to stop using shampoo. Seriously. I shampoo with a lighter conditioner (Frizz-Ease Curl Around Conditioner), and then condition with a heavy, thick conditioner that(Giovanni Smooth As Silk) I leave in while I do the rest of my showering, and rinse out last thing before I get out of the shower. This regimen has done wonders for my hair!

Lastly, I did get the no-shampoo tip from Curly Girl, but I gotta say, I found the Curly Girl products overpriced and so-so. I use Enjoy brand Shaping Lotion on my wet hair to hold curls - it's strong but light. For a quick de-frizz fix I use (and carry in my purse) the Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Finishing Cream - it's good for touchups and taming that one frizzy spot in the morning!

[Eli]

I'm going to be getting a micro fiber towel quick smart.

Thanks for the tip!

I have naturally crazy curls, and I have found it near impossible to find alcohol free hair gel at places here (Australia).

Something I've been trying this week is making my own "hair gel". I got the recipe from the internet.

It's 2 tablespoons of flaxseed/linseed and a cup of water, boiled until it's thickens up. You have to strain the seeds out immediately, but what you're left with is gloopy hair gel.

So far it's made my hair totally soft and seems to control the frizz.

It's making me feel like a total hippie, but I recommend it.

[Corinna]

Curly Girl is really expensive and I really appreciate everyone leaving such detailed comments.

I'm gonna go buy each and every one and try them all!

Excellent topic Colleen! Thank you.

[Danielle]

I have very thick, wavy hair that is impossible to dry with a regular terry-cloth towel. When I used to be on a swim team, my hair was very damaged from all of the chlorine and constant shampooing and trying to shove it all up into a latex cap every day.

I used a microfiber towel for years and I was surprised at how well it worked to dry my super-long, super-thick head of hair. It was all I used for a long time, and I highly recommend them. They are faster and easier than using regular towels, and they stay in place on your head better because they are lighter and less bulky.

[leendadll]

I have a variety of the "turbie twist" type towels in microfibers & cotton. I liked the microfiber ones but they didn't survive machine washing too well. I don't rub with the cotton ones - I just put my hair up at the end of my shower then take it down when I'm ready to style. It's always "just right" dry and ready to go. I've slept with my hair in one of the turbie twist towels and woke up with it dry and perfectly curled (not too much, not too little).

[emily]

i bought myself a microfiber towel just like this one for only $7.65 at target in the automotive dept. it works just as well and i love it! it really did cut my blow drying time in half every morning!