Step-By-Step Guide To Hair Plopping For Girls With Curls

Tame and manage your unruly curls with this cost and time-effective technique.

Written by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Last Updated on

Ever heard of hair plopping? This is a great technique to tame wild, unmanageable, frizzy, and unruly hair! It is a no-fuss, cost-effective way to define your curls. If you have curly hair, you know it is a struggle to maintain them. There are tons of products that promise you bouncy, picture-perfect curls, but the truth is they are expensive and time-consuming. So, learn how to care for your curly hair with this easy method. Scroll down to know everything about hair plopping and many more.

What Is Hair Plopping?

What is hair plopping pinit button
Image: Shutterstock

Hair plopping is a heat-free hair drying technique for curly-haired folks. In this method, you apply a leave-in conditioner or hair serum to wet hair. Then, you wrap your locks in a T-shirt or a towel. You leave them wrapped for 20 minutes. This method helps you get defined curls that are bouncy and beautiful to look at. It also helps preserve your curls and prevents frizz.

There are many more benefits of hair plopping that are discussed in the next section.

How Does Hair Plopping Help?

Hair plopping pinit button
Image: Shutterstock

The best thing about hair plopping is it that it enhances the curl definition and produces bouncy curls. Since your hair is tightly wrapped into a cloth, it prevents static that makes your hair frizzy. It helps to dry your curls quicker than ever, significantly cutting down your drying time. You get soft, luscious curls instead of frizzy, greasy ones. Hair plopping involves tying your hair on top of your head. This helps in adding volume to your locks. All in all, this process can transform your curls and deliver gorgeous-looking hair instantly.

I’m sure you’re eager to know how to plop your hair now! Scroll down to the next section to know how.

How To Plop Your Hair – Step-By-Step Tutorial

1. Apply Leave-In Conditioner

Apply leave-in conditioner pinit button
Image: YouTube @CurlBomb. com

Hair plopping requires damp hair for better results. So, try this method right after you take a shower. Apply some leave-in conditioner to moisturize your locks. You can even opt for a curl cream. Give your roots a little jiggle to keep the volume going.

2. Grab A T-shirt Or A Towel

Grab a t-shirt or a towel pinit button
Image: YouTube @CurlBomb. com

Scan through your room and grab an old T-shirt or a microfiber towel. Any rectangular pillow cover or a long-sleeved T-shirt will do. Choose a soft fabric for this process as it does not create frizz.

3. Gather Your Hair Into The Cloth

Gather your hair into the cloth pinit button
Image: YouTube @CurlBomb. com

Lay the T-shirt/towel on a flat surface, like a chair or a bed. If you are using a T-shirt, make sure the sleeves are towards you. Flip your hair forward and place it in the center of the cloth.

4. Wrap The Fabric Around Your Hair

Wrap the fabric around your hair pinit button
Image: YouTube @CurlBomb. com

Wrap the bottom of the cloth around your neck. Gather the sides and roll them up slowly to wrap your curls in one go. Wrap the cloth around your hair snugly. If you are using a T-shirt, do this step with the sleeves.

5. Tie Up The Loose Ends

Tie up the loose ends pinit button
Image: YouTube @CurlBomb. com

Wrap the rolled-up sleeves/sides along the back of your head. Switch the sides, bring them to the front, and tie them in a knot above your forehead. This presses down the curls firmly and scrunches out the excess water or hair product.

6. Enjoys Your Curls!

Enjoy your curls pinit button
Image: YouTube @CurlBomb. com

Wait a minimum of 20 minutes for the curls to set. Untie the T-shirt/towel slowly and use your fingers to spread out the curls. Proceed to diffuse or air-dry your curls. You can achieve gorgeous, voluptuous curls in the simplest way possible!

via GIPHY

Hair plopping may seem a bit tedious at first, but once you try this method and see the glorious results, you’ll never look back.

You can follow a few more tips to make the most of this method and take your curls to a whole new level. Check them out!

Tips For Perfecting The Hair Plopping Method

  1. Use a good curl defining cream that imparts moisture to your locks. Apply the product evenly without leaving any area untouched.
  2. Always use a thin fabric for this method. This will allow the water to evaporate faster.
  3. For a firm grip, you can use elastic bands to fasten the twisted cloth.
  4. Do not try this process on extremely wet hair. Let your hair air-dry a little before plopping it.
  5. If the T-shirt/towel keeps coming off, use a long-sleeved T-shirt for better grip.
  6. Use a good quality microfiber towel. This will keep the curls soft and frizz-free.
  7. In case of flat curls, you can always go for a curling iron at a low setting and on a few sections of hair to add some bounce to your locks.
  8. For long-lasting curls, spritz on some volumizing hairspray after plopping your hair.

With the amazing hair plopping technique above, you can say goodbye to heat treatments to achieve strong curls. This technique works wonderfully to retain your curls and waves without putting your hair through any heat damage. And the best part is that it is an easier and hassle-free way to give your curls the definition it needs. Just grab all the necessary tools and learn from our tutorial. From now on, no more hair damage, only good, glossy, and healthy curls. So, get started, and practice till you ace the technique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use hair products for hair plopping?

It is optional, but products like curl defining cream, leave-in conditioner, and smoothing serum help soften your curls and control frizz.

Does hair plopping work on straight hair?

No, this method is ideal for curly hair.

Why should you dry your hair with a T-shirt?

Cotton T-shirts help retain the moisture in your hair whereas terry cloth towels absorb all the moisture and cause frizz and breakage.

Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
disqus_comment

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.

Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
AFS