Friday, May 3, 2024

Hair Plopping: How To Do the Curly Hair Method

plopping hair

"When we are working with the true nature of curls there are no certainties, but if you stay consistent in the process it is more likely to be consistent back." You're fresh out of the shower, staring at your mirror, just knowing time is of the essence here. Soaking wet curly hair is a blank canvas with a time limit, and all the curl experts agree you should put it to good use. Before I had a one-on-one with a curly stylist, I used a towel to dry my hair.

How to Use a Hair Dryer Diffuser: A Quick Guide for Curly Hair

It sounds a bit unusual at first, but hair plopping is a process that is very popular due to its heat-free-styling technique and its curly-wavy hair results. Plopping can give your hair a great look with a simple routine. As I perused TikTok a bit more, it seemed that hair plopping might work best for looser curl patterns that aren’t as frizz-prone (2A to 3B)—but it’s still worth a try for tighter curls, too. My guess, though, is that the accordion effect really encourages wavy hair to texturize rather than fall flat, but I'm tempted to try this again with a diffuser in the future. So when I heard curly girls on TikTok were raving about hair plopping—a styling technique that results in frizz-free, defined, hydrated curls—I was in. I thought finding a way to decrease frizz might mean less of a headache once wash day rolled around again.

of the Best Haircuts for Curly Hair of Every Length

If you use a chair or counter to place your hair in the towel, this will create an “accordion” effect encouraging your curls to form. If you do not use the chair (as we did in the second set of photos) this will stretch your curls out as they dry. Lay a T-shirt (long-sleeved works best) or a microfiber towel out on a chair or bathroom counter with the sleeves at the end closest to you. Cotton T-shirts and microfiber towels are gentle, reducing frizz and maintaining curl shape, while terry cloth can be too rough and absorbent.

Securing the T-Shirt for Drying

Of course, everyone has different hair textures and techniques when it comes to achieving the perfect style. Like most hair techniques, it’s all about trial and error with plopping. Some people get the effect they are going for on the first try. Others have to play around with the technique for a while to get the look they desire. We’ve been big-time fans of this specific microfiber towel for years — it’s simply the best! Not only does it dry hair faster than a traditional towel, but it’s also lightweight and feels great on the head.

plopping hair

After you remove your hair from the towel, it will likely still be a bit damp. You can let it finish air drying if you want to go the heatless route, or, if you’re in a time crunch, you can finish off the process with a few minutes of diffusing. We think it’s a relatively easy process to follow — just remember that you should follow these tips step by step.

Steps

Plopping helps reduce frizz by soaking up the excess moisture in your curls while the towel or t-shirt compresses them. Before drying your hair, you'll want to do away with any knots and tangles. "Some people do not detangle their hair after washing, and they go straight to this technique thinking it will help them obtain more curls," says Morales.

The beauty of net plopping lies in its ability to promote free drying, ensuring your curls maintain their natural shape and volume. Plus, the added airflow during diffusing means you’re not sacrificing drying efficiency for definition. Keep it on for about 20 minutes for a quick dry or go for an overnight adventure, swapping to a dry t-shirt if needed for comfort. Just imagine waking up to those defined, frizz-free curls – it’s like a little sleepover for your hair. So, there are a few variations on how you can plop your hair, depending on what your hair type is and what you're using (i.e., a T-shirt, a microfiber towel, or a pillowcase). I've tried all three, and I've found the easiest method with the best, most consistent results to come from using a T-shirt—specifically, a giant long-sleeved one.

Once you have secured all your hair inside the shirt, let them dry naturally. There is no specific time to keep your hair plopping wrap, some take 15 minutes while others like plopping curly hair overnight. If you are pressed with time, you can use a blow-dryer to quickly dry your hair, although air-drying is still the best option.

Hair Plopping Technique 101: How to Plop Hair With a Shirt - Glamour

Hair Plopping Technique 101: How to Plop Hair With a Shirt.

Posted: Fri, 21 Aug 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]

After washing your hair, apply smoothing cream and make sure that every strand is coated. Smoothing cream enhances your natural curls while moisturizing them. They also help in improving the strength and elasticity of your hair strands. Choose a sulphate-free smoothing cream to keep from dry and damaged hair. Smoothing cream is an important hair plopping product so make sure you choose the best one for your hair.

If you were blessed with curls, then you have probably discovered by now that when your hair is wet, your curls are smooth and defined, but when it’s dry, it’s a different story. Not only do you lose the curl definition, but you’re susceptible to frizz. What you do to your hair in-between its wet and dry states is crucial to having a good hair day, which brings us to the curly-hair method of plopping. I've personally found that plopping my fine, low-porosity curls for minutes is the sweet spot for encouraging definition and soaking up just enough excess water. Anything over 20 minutes dries my curls a bit too much, making it hard to add products afterward without risking frizz or messing with my curl pattern. I've also tried plopping overnight, and found that—as is a common complaint—my hair stayed too damp and eventually made my scalp itchy (dandruff/yeast growth loves damp scalps).

Plopping Curly Hair: How to Plop Hair with T Shirts and Tutorials 2023 - Cosmopolitan

Plopping Curly Hair: How to Plop Hair with T Shirts and Tutorials 2023.

Posted: Thu, 16 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

It's super easy, and all you need is your normal T-shirt or microfiber towel. Emilio says plopping your hair is similar in method to using a towel turban after getting out of the shower. A T-shirt or microfiber towel is recommended for plopping rather than a terrycloth or cotton towel because traditional towels are too thick and rough on fragile curls.

It’s not great for you, but we tend to ignore that because it tastes so good (a.k.a. makes for bouncy hairstyles). We believe in all things in moderation (and with a good heat protectant), so we wouldn’t say you need to retire your hair dryer. But curly hair types might want to sub a few blowouts with hair plopping. Whether you’re a curly hair expert or just starting to explore the curl cream aisle, plopping is your shortcut to achieving that dreamy curl pattern you’ve been longing for. So, if frizz control is at the top of your wish list and you’re after curls that look like they’ve just stepped out of a salon, it’s time to embrace plopping. Listen, as you should know by now, what works for one person's curly hair may not work for yours—and plopping is no different.

TRESemmé Botanique Nourish & Replenish Shampoo and Conditioner is the perfect duo. This is the first serum I've incorporated into my hair routine, and I don't think I'll ever go without it. It's made my hair shiny and soft, whether I wear it curly or blow it out. Using a fishnet stocking reportedly allows the hair to breathe or air dry quicker.

I also secure my hair with a silk scarf first, then wrap a t-shirt around the scarf to absorb the moisture. It’s by no means a “new” technique, however, with the rise of good-for-you and heatless hair methods on everyone’s radars, we’re definitely seeing a resurgence in hair plopping. “Plopping has been a curly hair routine for years now,” says Ashley. “I think we are seeing it become more popular because we are seeing more tutorials for different curl types. ” Rather than twisting your hair into a towel to dry your curly strands, this method calls for literally plopping your hair into a microfiber towel or even cotton tee.

The best products to use pre-plopping, she explains are leave-in conditioners, oils, curl creams, and gels for moisture, hydration, and curl definition. A favorite of Dupart's is the Kaleidoscope Moisture Silk Conditioner. After you get out of the shower, scrunch out excess water and apply your leave-in conditioner (we like Kinky-Curly Knot Today) and stylers. For many curlies, the order of application is leave-in, oil, then curl cream — which is also known as the LOC method. Whether using a T-shirt or microfiber towel, this method offers a simple yet effective way to achieve picture-perfect curls. Ever wondered how often you should wash that trusty T-shirt or microfiber towel you’ve been using to plop your hair?

No comments:

Post a Comment

How to Get White Blonde Hair

Table Of Content Ashy Blonde #51: Sleek White A-Line Bob Best At-Home Hair Color Products, Tested by Experts An Iconic Silver Pony Determini...