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If you have curly hair, you know the importance of a good hair routine. One of the most popular techniques for curls is hair plopping. Plopping is a drying method that uses a T-shirt or microfiber towel to keep curls defined and remove excess water from the hair before air-drying or diffusing. This method helps increase definition, cut down on frizz, and is a great way to keep your hair off your neck and shoulders while you get ready. The process is simple and can be done with items you already have at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is hair plopping? | A drying technique that enhances and preserves wet curls while minimising frizz/flyaways. |
| What does hair plopping use? | A cotton T-shirt, pillowcase, or microfiber towel. |
| When is the best time to plop hair? | After product application, but those with fine hair may want to plop before applying products to remove excess water. |
| How long should you plop hair? | There is no right answer. It depends on your hair type, length, porosity, and lifestyle. Experimentation is required. |
| How often should you plop hair? | Every time you wash and style it. |
What You'll Learn
Choosing the right T-shirt
Material: Opt for a cotton T-shirt. Cotton is gentle on curly hair, helping to enhance definition and reduce frizz. It is also effective at absorbing excess moisture from your hair without being too rough.
Size: Go for an oversized T-shirt, preferably in XXL size. A larger T-shirt provides more fabric to work with, making it easier to wrap and tie around your head comfortably. The extra fabric will ensure that you can create a "little folded bag" around your curls, as described in the hair plopping technique.
Sleeve Length: While some sources recommend using a short-sleeve T-shirt, others suggest a long-sleeve option. Experiment with what works best for you, as longer sleeves can provide more fabric for tying, but short sleeves may be more convenient and less bulky.
Fabric Weight: Avoid thick and heavy fabrics. Thinner T-shirts made of lightweight fabric are preferable as they won't weigh down your curls. A lightweight T-shirt will also dry your hair faster, reducing the risk of prolonging the drying process too much.
Colour and Pattern: Although not a technical consideration, choosing a T-shirt colour or pattern that you like can make the process more enjoyable. Opt for a colour or design that puts a smile on your face, especially if you plan to make hair plopping a regular part of your hair care routine.
It's worth noting that you may need to experiment with a few different T-shirts to find the perfect one for your hair plopping needs. Don't be afraid to try out various options and see which one gives you the best results in terms of curl definition, volume, and overall comfort during the process.
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Preparing the T-shirt
Firstly, you will need to select a T-shirt. It is recommended to use a cotton T-shirt, and it should be big. Ideally, opt for an XXL long-sleeve shirt. It is also worth noting that you can use a pillowcase or microfiber towel if you don't want to use a T-shirt. However, traditional towels are not recommended as they are often too thick and rough, which can cause frizz.
Once you have your T-shirt, lay it upside down—with the sleeves and neck hole closest to you—on a flat surface. This could be your bathroom counter, a chair, or even the toilet lid.
The next step is to wash and condition your hair. You can leave a small amount of conditioner in your hair to help add moisture and act as a primer for your styling products. After showering, gently shake your head from side to side with your head flipped upside down. This will help remove excess water without affecting your curl pattern.
Now your T-shirt is prepared, and you are ready to move on to the next step of the hair plopping process.
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Applying hair products
The first step to hair plopping is to wash and condition your hair. Choose your favourite formulas and consider leaving in a small amount of conditioner, just enough for a smooth, slippery feel to the hair. This will add moisture and help act as a primer for your styling products.
After showering, flip your head upside down and gently shake your head from side to side without touching your curls. This will get rid of excess water without manipulating the curl pattern. Your hair should be damp, not soaking wet, before plopping.
Now it's time to apply your styling products. Dispense your favourite gel, curl cream and/or leave-in conditioner into your hands and glide them over the curls, dispersing the product evenly.
Next, scrunch the ends up to your roots, squeezing out all that extra water at the same time. The gentle scrunching will help tighten your curl pattern. At this point, you should start to see your spirals becoming really defined.
If you want more curl definition, scrunch in your mousse, gel or curl creams while your hair is soaking wet, then plop your hair. But if you have fine hair, you might prefer to plop first, then follow with your product regimen, to get as much volume as possible.
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Drying hair
Plopping is a drying technique that enhances and preserves wet curls while minimising frizz and flyaways. It is particularly effective for those with curly hair, but can also be used on straight hair that wants to add some curl or texture.
The technique uses a cotton T-shirt, pillowcase, or microfiber towel to dry your hair in a self-contained mound on top of your head. This helps to increase definition and cut down on frizz. It is a great alternative to twisting a towel around your head, as this can stretch out and frizz your curls.
To dry your hair using the plopping technique, first wash and condition your hair. When you step out of the shower, don't wring out your hair, but instead, flip your head upside down and gently shake it from side to side to remove excess water. Then, apply your chosen styling products, such as gel, curl cream, or leave-in conditioner, and scrunch your hair to tighten the curl pattern.
Next, place a short-sleeve T-shirt or microfiber towel on a flat surface, and gently rest your hair on top of it. Pull the shirt or towel over the nape of your neck, criss-cross it towards the front of your head, and flip it up gently. You can leave your hair like this for anywhere between 15 and 45 minutes, or even sleep with your hair plopped overnight. Just be sure to keep the plop loose enough that your curls aren't crushed.
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Tying the T-shirt
Preparation
Before you hop in the shower, lay your T-shirt upside down—with the sleeves and neck hole closest to you—on your bathroom counter, a chair, or on top of your toilet lid.
Getting into position
After showering and applying your stylers, flip your wet hair over and onto the centre of the T-shirt, pressing your head down on the curls like an accordion.
Folding the T-shirt
With your head/hair still upside down, grab the end of the shirt furthest from your head and fold it over your hair/head (so it’s touching the nape of your neck and completely covering your hair). Think of it like creating a little folded bag around your curls.
Tying the sleeves
While holding the edges of the shirt at the nape of your neck, grab the sleeves near your forehead and twist them together to tighten the "bag" around your head.
Securing the T-shirt
Wrap the twisted sleeves around your head and tie them in place to keep the shirt from sliding or falling off.
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