The Perfect Scrunch: T-Shirt Technique For Defined Curls

Scrunching your hair with a t-shirt is a great way to dry your hair without causing frizz. The technique, known as plopping, involves using a t-shirt instead of a towel to dry your hair, which reduces frizz and absorbs more water. This method is especially useful for people with curly hair, as it helps to reduce frizz and enhance curls. The process is simple: after washing your hair, apply your products and scrunch your hair as you normally would. Then, take an old t-shirt and place it on your palms, flipping your head down as you continue to scrunch your hair in sections. You can repeat this process with a fresh t-shirt if needed. Once you're done, simply air-dry, plop, or diffuse your hair!

Why use a t-shirt instead of a towel?

Using a t-shirt to dry your hair is a great alternative to a towel. It's a gentler option that won't rough up your hair cuticles or cause frizz. Here are some reasons why you might want to make the switch:

T-shirts Create Less Frizz

T-shirts are made from smoother fabric than towels, which are often made from terry cloth with loops that can catch and snag hair. These loops can rough up the hair cuticle, leading to frizz. T-shirts, on the other hand, have a flat surface with no loops, so they glide over your hair smoothly, reducing frizz and leaving you with better-defined curls.

T-shirts are Gentler on Wet Hair

Wet hair is more fragile and prone to damage than dry hair. The softer fabric of a t-shirt is much gentler on wet hair than a towel. Blotting and scrunching with a t-shirt helps to absorb excess water without putting extra stress on your hair. This method is especially beneficial for curly hair, as it dries your hair without disrupting your natural curl pattern.

T-shirts Absorb the Right Amount of Water

While towels can strip too much moisture from your hair, leading to dryness and frizz, t-shirts are made from cotton, which absorbs the right amount of water. The fibres in cotton t-shirts are woven closer together, so they absorb water effectively without over-drying your hair. This helps to prevent your hair from becoming frizzy by maintaining the right level of moisture.

T-shirts are Comfortable and Accessible

Using a t-shirt to dry your hair is not only practical but also comfortable. You can choose a soft, smooth t-shirt from your wardrobe that feels gentle on your hair. Just make sure it's clean and free from any embellishments or screen printing that could potentially snag your hair.

T-shirts are Easy to Use

Drying your hair with a t-shirt is a simple process. After washing your hair, gently squeeze out any excess water with the t-shirt. Then, place your head through the opening of the t-shirt and press your hair against it to absorb more water. Finally, twist and wrap the t-shirt around your head, tucking in any excess fabric. Leave it on for 10-25 minutes, depending on your hair type, and then remove to reveal frizz-free, beautifully defined curls.

How to position the t-shirt

To position the T-shirt, first lay it on a flat surface with the end that has the sleeves closest to you. Flip your hair over so that it points towards the centre of the shirt, and gather your curls at the crown of your head to help provide lift at the roots.

Then, flip the shirt onto your head, with the bottom of the fabric sitting at the nape of your neck. Grab the sleeves and twist them, then tie the longer sleeves in a knot at the back of your head. Make sure the knot isn't too tight or loose. You can also tie it at the front if you prefer, but remember to keep the knot across your forehead, not over the hair at the front.

If you are using a long-sleeved shirt, roll the neckline until it is even with the top of the sleeves. This makes it easier to twist and wrap the fabric without bunching. Then, tuck in the edges on each side into the space next to your forehead.

How to tie the t-shirt

Step 1: Prepare your t-shirt

Lay your t-shirt on a flat surface, such as a table or a bed, with the neck hole closest to you. It's best to use an old, smooth t-shirt, and a cotton blend (such as polyester or rayon) is preferable to 100% cotton as it creates less frizz. Make sure the t-shirt is large or extra-large, especially if you have long hair.

Step 2: Position your hair

Bend at the waist and gently gather your hair on top of your head, accordion-style, in the middle of the t-shirt.

Step 3: Wrap the t-shirt around your hair

Lift the bottom of the t-shirt up to the nape of your neck. Tuck the corners of the t-shirt next to your forehead, then grab the sleeves and gather up the loose fabric.

Step 4: Tie the t-shirt

Twist the fabric and tie the sleeves in a knot at the back of your head. If you are using a long-sleeved shirt, you can tie it at the front, but make sure it sits across your forehead, not over your hair. The knot should be tight enough to keep it from unravelling but loose enough to leave a bit of space for your curls to move around.

Step 5: Remove the t-shirt

You can leave the t-shirt on until your hair is fully dry, or for a minimum of 20 minutes to speed up the drying process. If you want to double plop, remove the t-shirt, turn it around to the dry side, and plop again for another five minutes.

Tips:

• If your hair is still wet, you can repeat the process with a fresh t-shirt to absorb more water.
• If you have long hair, roll up the neckline of the t-shirt until it is even with the top of the sleeves to make it easier to twist and wrap.
• If you are using a long-sleeved shirt, you can also tie it at the front, but make sure it sits across your forehead, not over your hair, to avoid crushing your curls.
• To revive any smushed-down roots, fluff your hair at the root level with your fingers.

How long to keep the t-shirt in your hair

The amount of time you should keep your hair wrapped in a t-shirt depends on a few factors, including your hair type and thickness, and your personal preference.

Generally, you should leave your hair wrapped for at least 10 to 15 minutes. This will allow the t-shirt to absorb excess moisture from your hair, reducing frizz and helping to define your curls.

If you have time, you can leave the t-shirt in for longer, up to an hour or more. This will give your curls more time to set and result in even bouncier, tighter curls.

However, it's important to note that leaving the t-shirt in your hair for too long, such as overnight, is not recommended. This is because it can cause your curls to dry out and the friction of the t-shirt can lead to frizz while you sleep.

Ultimately, finding the right amount of time to keep the t-shirt in your hair will require some experimentation. You'll need to figure out what works best for your hair type and your desired results.

How to revive curls after removing the t-shirt

To revive curls after removing the t-shirt, you can try a few different methods. Firstly, it's important to note that hair type plays a role here. If you have wavy, almost-curly hair, you might want to try a different method than someone with tighter curls.

One of the simplest ways to revive curls is to spritz them with water. This can "wake up" the styling products in your hair without needing to add more. You can also try a curl-refreshing spray to reduce flyaways.

If your curls are looking frizzy, try a deep conditioning treatment. Frizz can be caused by dryness, so a moisture-rich conditioning mask can help. You can also try a protein treatment to fill in gaps in your hair strands caused by chemical processing, heat styling, or weathering.

If your curls are looking limp, try using a diffuser to dry your hair. This can help to avoid frizz and prolong the life of your curls. When using a diffuser, make sure to keep it two to three inches away from your scalp.

You can also try using clips to create extra curls. Fold small sections of your hair up and place them in butterfly clips against your scalp. Leave the clips in for about 30 minutes, then gently remove them and scrunch your hair with your fingers.

Finally, make sure you're using the right products for your hair type. If you have fine hair, you might want to try plopping with a t-shirt first and then applying products to get more volume. If you have tighter curls, you might want to apply products to soaking wet hair before plopping.

Frequently asked questions