I had to do the math — not once, but TWICE. Has it really been seven years since I discovered the amazing-ness that is the Aquis Hair Towel?
Holy yikes!
The one I got back in 2009 as a gift from my friend Jen is still going strong (I just used it last night, as a matter of fact), and to this day, I use it all the time.
I’m so devoted that it comes with me on trips, and if I forget to bring it, I freak-the-eff-out. It’s not just a hair towel… It’s a way of life!
Anyway, I’m excited because now my favorite hair towel is available at Sephora.
It used to be that I could only find them at Bed Bath & Beyond, but now when you roll up to replenish your favorite blush or grab a new liner, you can also drop one of these Aquis towels into your little basket and thus change your life. Ploop!
Once I started using it, I couldn’t go back. It’s a supernaturally absorbent hair towel made with a special microfiber fabric that sucks the living crap out of every water molecule in wet hair.
I have long hair, and at its longest, it takes — I’m not kidding — about three hours to dry if I let it air dry after using a regular cotton bath towel. But when I use the Aquis, it takes half as time. Plus, my hair looks less frizzy and even breaks less! The fabric is much smoother than a regular bath towel and doesn’t tug on or rough up my hair cuticles as much.
Sephora currently carries two versions of the towel — the Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban ($30) and the Aquis Waffle Luxe Hair Turban ($40) — both of which are more expensive than the $18 towel I got a while back, but I think that’s because they have a turban-style design with a button closure to make them easier to wrap around your hair. Plus, they come in cute patterns (my basic white rectangular Aquis is bare bones by comparison).
These Sephora ones feel more luxurious to me, and I think they work just as well as the original.
Best dang hair towel ever.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Happy hump day. 🙂
Divina says
Hi, Karen:
The Turbie Towel works great, too, and is highly rated on Amazon.com. You get two for $12.99 and it can be delivered in two days on Amazon Prime! You can keep one in your to-go bag and one at home.
https://www.amazon.com/Turbie-Twist-Microfiber-Towel-Light/dp/B00CP4QKT4
Karen says
Hi Divina,
I tried the Turbie before and it’s OK; I prefer the Aquis. I think the Aquis does a better job for me in terms of removing the water. The Turbie is a great price though!
Divina says
Thanks, Karen. Maybe I will try the Aquis! I have hair that takes forever to try, too. Thank you for your awesome reviews. They are very helpful and entertaining!
Divina says
And I forgot to mention that it’s really nice being able to try products vicariously through you because we have the same skin tone. So, yes, your blog is waaaaaaaaay awesome.
Karen says
Aww thanks girl! Since we’re the same skin tone I have to share with you some of my all-time faves. I’ve been using them to film/take pics over the last three days (finishing up a big project, stay tuned)! because I know that they always deliver the goods. In no particular order:
— MAC Woodwinked, Cork, Saddle, Soft Brown and Shroom Eye Shadows (a no-fail combo)
— MAC Powersurge Eye Kohl (SOOOO beautiful along the lower lash line)
— MAC Gingerly Blush
— Hourglass Canvas Lip Liner (I use this as a lipstick!)
— NARS Yu Lip Pencil
These colors look amaze-balls on our skin tone!
Divina says
THANK YOU SO MUCH for the recommendations. Seriously, I have a big shopping aversion so your blog is a lifesaver. Purchasing those items now.
Your swatch pics are great quality and gives us all an accurate idea of what the products look like, too.
p.s. If you shop through Ebates, right now it’s 8% cash back at Sephora! Just sayin’ it pays for sales tax! 😉
Karen says
OH my gosh, yay! Let me know how they work out. I keep all of those things in my daily makeup bag because sometimes, sigh, I just need to get that makeup on ASAP, LOL!
I have some other stuff in my daily bag, do you want me to list them for you?
Divina says
If you wouldn’t mind, I would love it! Insta-shopping list! At your leisure, course. I would be much obliged, Karen. I love your style — so very perfect! ??
Karen says
It’s no problem, girl! I have my bag right here next to my desk and I keep it relatively (hahaha) streamlined. Here’s what I have in addition to the items I listed earlier in the thread:
Face prep products:
BECCA Backlight Priming Filter
Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Smoothing Primer
Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream
Eye products:
NARS Pro-Prime Smudge-Proof Eyeshadow Base
MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Colour Stick in Sand Bar
MAC Eye Shadows in Mylar, Omega, Club, Brun and Carbon (I have these in a six-pan LE palette which also has a bright green that I never use. I use Brun to fill in my brows and sometimes in the other third of the lid, Carbon as a liner, and Mylar, Omega and Club on the lids)
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
Tom Ford High Definition Eye Liner in 01 Black
Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen in 01 Black
MAC Costa Rich Eye Kohl
Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara
Too Cool For School Escalator Mascara
Benefit Ready, Set, Brow in Clear
Face Products:
NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint in St. Mortiz and Cuba (I mix the two to get a custom shade)
Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer in 10 (I use this under my eyes) and 12 (I use this on my cheeks and around my mouth and on my chin for extra coverage)
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Concealer in R40 (I use this as a color corrector)
Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons in 03 Naturel Brunettes
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Golden
NARS Translucent Crystal Face Powder
Benefit High Brow Glow (technically a brow highlighting pencil, but I use it to highlight the bridge of my nose)
MAC Fix+
Lip products:
Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm
Tom Ford Sable Smoke Lipstick
MAC Big Baby Plushglass
MAC Fulfilled Plushglass
Other things that periodically go in and out of the bag:
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette
Hourglass Radiant Bronze Light
Chanel Malice Blush
Divina says
Karen:
Thank you so much! I’ve copied and pasted that into a note so that I can stock up. This will be a good thing — stock up once and not have to buy most items for at least one year! Great post (and segue). I appreciate it — and I will note the custom shade configuration for the Nars makeup. It’s hard to get a shade that is pink or yellow and is really neutral. GREAT stuff here! Kisses to Connor Claire!
Karen says
You’re welcome, Divina. I hope you like this towel as much as I do. 🙂 Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that it’s lightweight, too, so if you like to wrap up your hair while you’re doing your makeup or getting your clothes ready it’s not as heavy as a regular towel. Seriously, once you try it there’s no going back.
Syah says
shoot this isn’t available in Sephora Canada. what the what.
Karen says
Hi Syah,
This isn’t a Sephora exclusive; you can also find it at other places. I did a quick search and also found them at Target and Amazon. 🙂
LindaLibraLoca says
I swear by microfibre hair towels. Not that my hair takes that long to dry, it is so fine it will dry within 40 minutes completely, but it reduces frizz and breakage a lot.
Karen says
I think the Aquis is similar to that idea! I definitely notice less frizz.
Chris25 says
Egads! I need one for the winter. My hair takes ages to dry.
Karen says
Yay! I feel your pain, girl! This should help cut the dry time down.
Erin says
I just use an old t shirt. My husband has plenty of over sized tees. I wouldn’t mind classing up though.
Karen says
Old tees work! I’ve used them before but prefer the Aquis.
Sara says
Why are you so pretty?!
Lupe says
You just sold me on a towel! I like how it has a button on the back.
Mardi says
I’ve owned many hair towels over the years, starting with an Aquis around 29 years ago! Aquis is the best by far but I prefer the flat ones to the turbans – when I take them off I get the dry ends and blot my hair sine moepre. I have a lot of hair and with an Aquis it can air dry in very little time, or rough dry with a hair dryer in just a few minutes. I’ve used my towels with short hair, long hair, permed, straight, brown, blonde and pink hair.
To turn a flat towel into a turban I fold the long edge over 3cm or so, place this edge at the neck edge of my hair with my head flipped over, about one third of the way from one end. Pull around to cover the sides and twist back from the forehead. Twist well so it won’t flop then tuck the twist into the 3cm turn back at the nape of your neck. Easy!
Kiss & Make-up says
I never put my hair up in a towel. Ever. I just always let it air dry.
Lauren says
You’re adorable and I need this in my life!! Towels always flop off of my head!
Michelle Morchella says
Gosh, now you made me to think about $30 towel! Everyone is gonna think I’m crazy. 😀
Jennifer says
I’ve used the Aquis towels for years and I love them. I prefer the waffle one. I bring it with me when I travel. Not only does my hair dry quickly but so does the towel.
Cathy says
My hair is long and very thick and it also takes forever for my hair to dry so I’m definitely going to try this towel! Can you give any pointers on how to wash it? Can you just toss it in the washer with rest of your towels?
Jennifer says
I put them in the washer and dryer with the rest of my towels. No fabric softener or dryer sheets!!
Cathy says
Thanks!
Lou says
You are SO right!! I scored my Aquis at TJ Maxx for $8.00 after debating with myself…”does it really make that much difference? Is it really worth that much of my money?” YES! to both of those!!
I later got the turban, again at TJM for under $10, but I prefer my plain, white, basic one. I can wrap it tightly to make more contact with surface of my hair and with creative tucking it stays very well. After about 20 minutes, my hair is mostly dry! (Thick, shoulder length, wavy, layered)
I had hoped the turban would be good for plunking my curls but I’ve not mastered a good wrap with it. I still get best results with a long sleeved tee shirt.
Glad to know Sephora is helping share the Aquis love!