Here’s the counterintuitive tip: apply your leave-in conditioner or hair oil before you start drying. Wet hair absorbs product much more effectively, and the towel helps distribute it evenly. Squeeze a pea-sized amount into your palms, run it through the mids and ends, then proceed with your blot-and-plop routine.
If you have curly or wavy hair, never dry with a towel at all for the first few steps. Instead, use a cotton T-shirt to scrunch gently from the ends upward. This encourages your curl pattern to clump beautifully instead of breaking apart into frizz. It’s a small ritual, but it rewards you with defined waves that don’t look like a bird’s nest.
How To Towel-Dry Hair Properly Without Damaging It