How to Create a Turban With a Towel to Dry Wet Hair

Co-authored by Kelsey Morey

Last Updated: December 18, 2022 References

Drying your hair can be a time consuming process. Wrapping your hair in a towel turban is a great way to speed up the process and allow you to move on with your preparation routine while your hair dries. Towel turbans are an easy and effective method to quickly dry your hair.

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Preparing Your Hair

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When you get out of the shower or bath, blot your hair gently with a towel. Your goal is to stop it from dripping but not to dry it completely.
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Apply hair products while your hair is still wet. Using hair products in wet hair allows them to be distributed more evenly. Add the products before you wrap your hair and they will soak into your locks and boost their effectiveness. You will want to save finishing products such as hair spray until you are ready to style, but you can add others at this stage:^{[1]
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- Volumizer
- Detangler
- Leave-in conditioner
- Straightening balm
- Curling Serum
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Comb your hair to remove tangles. Combing your hair before wrapping it helps prevent damage. Wet hair is the most susceptible to damage, so make sure you comb it gently.
- Use a wide toothed comb instead of a brush to detangle wet hair.
- Comb small sections at a time.
- Comb through tangles gently to avoid tearing your hair.
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Expert Source

Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 11 January 2022.} In order to wrap your head in a towel, hang your hair upside down to fit it all in the towel.
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Tuck your chin into your chest. You will be looking backwards between your legs to let your hair hang upside down. Pull your hair off your shoulders and make sure it is all hanging downward.
- Note Keep your head down until your towel is secured around your hair.

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Wrapping Your Hair

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Choose the right towel.^{[3]
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Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 11 January 2022.} You need a towel that is long enough to cover all of your hair when wrapped, but not so long that it will be too heavy and fall down.^{[4]
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- The towel should cover your head and still hang past your shoulders when standing upright.
- If you have hair past your shoulders, you may need a longer towel.
- Thin towels are better than thick, fluffy towels.
- Microfiber towels and t-shirts work extremely well to do the turban tie with.
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Drape the towel over your hair. While your hair is hanging down, use the towel to cover all of your hair from the back of your head.^{[5]
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- Place the long edge of the towel at your hairline on the back of your neck.
- Center the towel on the center of your neck.
Fold the towel around your head tucking one side under the other. Keep your hair inside the towel as your wrap it around your head.
Continue to twist the towel until it reaches your forehead.^{[6]
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Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 11 January 2022.}
The twist should be on top of your head going from your forehead to the back of your head.
Place the end of the twisted towel under the turban at the back of your hairline to keep it in place. You can also use a hair clip to hold the towel in place for extra security.
If you are taking your time getting ready, you can exchange your wet towel for a dry one to help your hair dry even faster. The more moisture your towel absorbs, the less it will be able to remove from your hair. Replace the wet towel with a dry one, and the drying process will go even faster.^{[7]
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Question

How do you make a towel bun?

Kelsey Morey
Professional Hair and Makeup Artist
Kelsey Morey is a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist, Model and the Owner and Founder of Haus of Pretty based in Westport, Connecticut. With more than ten years of experience, she specializes in balayage, hair care, color care, and photoshoot styling. Kelsey received her training from Brio Academy of Cosmetology and John Casablancas Modeling and Career Center. She also completed her apprenticeship with Warren Tricomi luxury salons.

Kelsey Morey

Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Place the towel vertically underneath your hair. Then, wrap the towel around your hair and start fitting the towel around the hair into a bun. To finish things off, tuck the end part of that towel into the hair so it becomes a towel bun.

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Question

May I dance to Tunak Tun upon doing so?

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Sure, dance to whatever you want! There are so many different kinds of dances you can do with a towel on your head. Try posing like a model in the mirror while you're at it.

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What do I do if I only have a long towel?

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Do the same thing; it does not matter how big your towel.

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Tips

It is recommended to only wrap your hair with a towel occasionally because doing it after every shower can lead to hair damage.^{[8]
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You can make your own towel shaped specifically for wrapping your hair by sewing two hand towels together.

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