
Tired of frizzy, undefined curls? Try plopping with a T-shirt! Plopping is a method of drying wet, curly hair by wrapping it in a cotton T-shirt, which reduces frizz and absorbs more water than a towel. The technique involves piling hair on top of the head and wrapping it in a T-shirt to maximise volume and definition at the roots. It's easy to do, and there are plenty of tutorials available online. So, if you're looking for a way to enhance your curls, why not give plopping a go?
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
What is it? | Plopping is a technique used to dry wet hair by piling it on top of the head in a t-shirt wrap. |
Why use it? | To enhance volume and definition while reducing frizz. |
What type of t-shirt should be used? | Cotton fabric is best as it absorbs excess water well and doesn't cause split ends or frizz. |
How long does it take? | 10-20 minutes during the day, or overnight. |
How to do it? | 1. Lay your t-shirt on a flat surface and bend over it, placing your hair in the middle. 2. Bring the side of the t-shirt that is closer to you to your forehead and bring the ends together at the nape of your head. 3. Bring the far side of the t-shirt to the nape of your head and press to secure. 4. Rise, holding the sleeves and tugging gently. 5. Tighten and tie the sleeves. |
What You'll Learn
How to wrap hair in a T-shirt
Plopping is a method of drying wet hair, particularly curly hair, by piling it on top of your head in a t-shirt wrap. This technique helps to reduce frizz and enhance volume and definition in your curls. The t-shirt wrap method is also a great alternative to using a towel, as towels can cause frizz and breakage.
Step 1: Prepare Your Hair
After washing your hair, make sure it is still damp before applying any products. You can use leave-in conditioners, oils, or creams, scrunching the product into your hair, starting from the ends.
Step 2: Position Your T-Shirt
Lay your t-shirt on a flat surface, with the end that has the sleeves closest to you. Flip your hair over so that it is pointing towards the centre of the shirt, gathering the curls at the crown of your head to provide lift at the roots.
Step 3: Wrap the T-Shirt
Bring the side of the t-shirt closest to you towards your forehead and then bring the ends together at the nape of your neck. Take the other side of the t-shirt and bring it to the nape of your neck, pressing it to secure the ends.
Step 4: Secure the T-Shirt
Rise, holding the sleeves in your hands and tugging them gently. Tighten the wrap until it feels secure, and then tie the sleeves. If the sleeves are long, you may need to tie them at the back of your head or tuck the ends at the sides.
Step 5: Remove the T-Shirt
Depending on the thickness of your hair, leave the t-shirt on until your hair is around 70% dry. Then, simply untie the sleeves and gently shake out your curls. Allow your hair to air-dry completely.
And there you have it! A simple and effective way to wrap your hair in a t-shirt for beautiful, bouncy curls.
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How to plop hair with a T-shirt
Plopping is a method of drying wet hair, particularly curly hair, by piling it on top of your head and wrapping it in a T-shirt. This technique helps to reduce frizz and enhance volume and definition in your curls. The T-shirt is used instead of a towel because its thinner and gentler fabric causes less friction, resulting in bouncier and tighter curls.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prepare your hair: After shampooing, ensure your hair is damp before applying products such as leave-in conditioners, oils, or creams. Scrunch the product into your hair, starting from the ends and working your way up.
- Position the T-shirt: Lay a large T-shirt on a flat surface, such as a counter or chair, with the end with the sleeves closest to you. Flip your hair over so that it hangs towards the centre of the T-shirt, gathering the curls at the crown of your head for added lift at the roots.
- Wrap and tie the T-shirt: Bring the side of the T-shirt closest to you towards your forehead and secure the ends together at the nape of your neck. Then, bring the other side of the T-shirt to the nape of your neck and press it to hold the ends in place. Rise, holding the sleeves, and gently tug on them to tighten the wrap.
- Adjust and dry: Tighten the wrap until it feels secure, and tie the sleeves at the front or back of your head, depending on the length of the sleeves. Allow your hair to air-dry until it is around 70% dry, then remove the T-shirt and gently shake out your curls. Avoid leaving the T-shirt on overnight, as this can cause curls to dry out and may lead to frizz.
Tips:
- If your T-shirt becomes too wet, consider using a dry one for the night.
- You can also use a cotton pillowcase or a microfiber towel for hair plopping.
- If you have wavy hair, use lighter stylers and avoid applying oils to lock in moisture.
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The benefits of using a T-shirt over a towel
Using a T-shirt to dry your hair has several advantages over a regular towel. Firstly, it helps to reduce frizz. The grooves in a regular towel can roughen the cuticle of your hair, leading to frizz, whereas the flat, smooth surface of a T-shirt allows water to be absorbed without disturbing the hair cuticle. The fibres in a T-shirt are also smoother and softer than those in a typical towel, which further helps to minimise frizz and reduce breakage.
Another benefit of using a T-shirt is that it is made from cotton, which is a natural fabric that is gentle on the hair. The cotton used in clothing is softer and smoother than the cotton used for bed sheets and pillowcases, which can be coarse and cause breakage. The fibres in a T-shirt are also woven more closely together, so they absorb water effectively without over-drying the hair.
Using a T-shirt is also a sustainable and affordable option, as you can simply use an old T-shirt from your wardrobe. It is a quick and easy solution for drying your hair, and it works particularly well for those with curly hair. By drying your hair with a T-shirt, you can maintain the definition and volume of your curls without causing them to stretch and become uneven, as can happen when using a regular towel.
Finally, using a T-shirt is a more gentle way to dry your hair, as it doesn't require vigorous rubbing or wringing. This is especially beneficial for wet hair, which is weaker and more prone to damage than dry hair.
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How long to plop hair
The length of time you should plop your hair depends on a few factors, such as your hair porosity or density, and the technique you use. For example, if you have a lot of hair, it may take longer to dry, whereas if you have high porosity hair, it may dry very quickly.
- Plop your hair for 10-20 minutes, then diffuse or air dry.
- Plop until your hair is completely dry.
- Plop overnight so that you wake up with damp or dry hair.
- Plop for 10 minutes in one t-shirt, then tie a dry one on for the night.
If you're plopping during the day, 10-20 minutes is a good amount of time. However, if you're plopping overnight, you may want to switch to a dry t-shirt halfway through to avoid your hair drying out.
It's worth experimenting with what works best for your hair. While 20 minutes is the recommended time, some people find that a longer plop time reduces frizz. However, leaving a t-shirt on your hair for too long can cause curls to dry out and become frizzy. So, while there's no definitive maximum time, it's probably best to avoid leaving your hair plopped for longer than an hour.
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How to plop hair with a T-shirt overnight
Plopping is a method of drying wet hair by piling it on top of your head and wrapping it in a T-shirt. This technique is particularly popular among people with curly hair as it helps to reduce frizz and enhance volume and definition. It involves the following steps:
Step 1: Prepare Your Hair and T-Shirt
Start by washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner. Then, apply your favourite hair products, such as leave-in conditioners, oils, or creams. Make sure your hair is still damp before adding these products. Use a scrunching method to work the product into your hair, starting from the ends and moving upwards. Next, grab a large cotton T-shirt and lay it on a flat surface with the end that has the sleeves closest to you.
Step 2: Position Your Hair on the T-Shirt
Bend over and flip your hair over so that it falls towards the centre of the T-shirt. Gather your curls at the crown of your head to provide lift at the roots.
Step 3: Wrap and Tie the T-Shirt
Bring the side of the T-shirt that is closest to you towards your forehead and down to the nape of your neck. Then, bring the opposite side of the T-shirt to the nape of your neck and press it to secure the ends. Rise, holding the sleeves in your hands and tugging them gently. Tighten the wrap until it feels secure and tie the sleeves at the back of your head. If the sleeves are long, you may need to tie them in the front or tuck the ends at the sides.
Step 4: Sleep with the T-Shirt Overnight
Plopping your hair overnight is a great way to save time in the morning. Your hair will be slightly damp in the morning, so a quick 5-10 minute blow-dry or air-dry will be enough to complete the process. If your T-shirt becomes too wet and uncomfortable while sleeping, consider switching to a dry one for the night.
Step 5: Remove the T-Shirt and Style Your Hair
Once your hair is dry, simply untie the sleeves of the T-shirt and gently shake out your curls. Allow your hair to air-dry completely if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Plopping is a method of drying wet hair, particularly curly hair, by wrapping it in a cotton T-shirt. This helps to reduce frizz and enhance volume and definition.
Cotton T-shirts are thinner and gentler than towels, causing less friction and resulting in bouncier, tighter curls.
If you wash your hair in the morning, it is recommended to plop your hair for 10 to 20 minutes, and then air dry or diffuse your curls. If you wash your hair at night, you can leave it wrapped in a T-shirt overnight.
First, lay a T-shirt on a flat surface and bend over it, placing your hair in the middle. Bring the side of the T-shirt that is closest to you towards your forehead and then join the ends at the nape of your neck. Bring the other side of the T-shirt to the nape of your neck and press it to secure the ends. Stand up, holding the sleeves in your hands and tugging them gently. Tighten the wrap and tie the sleeves at the front or back of your head.
Yes, you can use a cotton pillowcase, a microfiber towel, or a linen towel.