I’ve tried countless hair products and techniques to define my curls over the years—but only one thing has given me the most voluminous, defined ringlets: Plopping my hair. If you’re wondering “what the heck is plopping?” Let me enlighten you (and completely change your life!). Hair plopping is a technique that enhances and preserves wet curls while minimizing frizz as they dry, and it can be one of the easiest and biggest game-changing hacks for certain curl types—mainly 2c to 3b hair.
I promise you, I'm not overselling this. Like, when I started plopping my 2c/3a hair, my fine, thin curls were suddenly drying with major volume, definition, and consistency. Plopping can take a bit of practice and experimentation at first (think: A few weeks of trial and error), but I promise the results are worth the slight annoyance.
So to help you get started on your hair plopping journey, I've broken down the exact instructions you'll need to master the plop. Prepare yourself for some really excellent curls. Why is plopping better than the ol' twisted-towel situation?
Well, when you wrap and twist your curls in a towel, your ringlets get stretched out and frizzy. Plopping, however, keeps your wet curls compact and scrunched ~accordion-style~ on top of your head, so your roots stay volumized, your curls stay clumped, and your hair cuticle stays smooth. Curly hair stylist Brendnetta Ashley says plopping is great for curly hair because “it helps reduce friction and preserves curl definition.” Keep in mind, though, that this method takes some trial and error before you find the ideal approach for your hair.
This is just one styling option rather than a requirement for healthy hair, and some clients may achieve better volume by allowing their curls to dry without wrapping.” There are a few variations on how you can plop your hair, depending on your curl type 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 came from using a T-shirt—specifically, a giant long-sleeved one. So with that in mind, here's how to plop curly hair: Ashley says to start with clean, wet hair, and suggests applying your products before plopping for better hold.
From there, she says to place your t-shirt or microfiber towel on a flat surface and flip your hair forward. Once you flip your head back over, all of your curls will stay perfectly nestled on top of your head like a bunch of compressed Slinkies, allowing them to dry in their natural formation, untouched by gravity, humidity, or the roughness of a towel. This means by the time you unwrap the shirt, your curls will have already started to dry with better definition and volume—and without any of the frizz.
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