In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about crafting the perfect curls via plopping, including what plopping is, how to plop hair, and how Curl Care products can help polish your frizz-free curls.

What Is Hair Plopping?

Plopping is a heat-free method of drying and curling your hair, which can help your luscious locks retain moisture and keep frizz at bay. With a little practice, hair plopping might just become your favorite drying and curling method that saves you time and creates lively curls in as little as 15 minutes.

To plop your hair, you simply place your freshly washed hair in the center of a microfiber towel or satin pillowcase. Then, secure a bonnet around your head and continue your usual routine. As you rock the plop, the microfiber towel will soak up your hair’s excess moisture and allow your natural curls to dry without the friction of a regular towel.

So does that mean the towel hanging in your bathroom won’t suffice for plopping? In short, no.

Although twisting your locks into a towel atop your head does dry your hair, it can also stretch your hair follicles, flatten your hair’s natural curly shape and promote frizz.

When Should You Plop Your Hair?

Plan to start the hair-plopping process the second you step out of the shower with a freshly washed and conditioned head of hair. That involves gathering the necessary items before your shower, including:

• A microfiber towel, or pillowcase
• A scrunchie to keep your makeshift hair wrap in place
• Your favorite hair curling products (like gels, and curling creams)

How to Plop Curly Hair

With the necessary tools waiting on your vanity, you’re halfway to heat-free, frizz-free curls. But if this is your first time plopping your hair, you may need some more detailed instructions on how to do it.

We’ve compiled a few simple steps that’ll help you plop your hair perfectly before you know it.

Step 1: Wash and Condition Hair

The first step of hair plopping begins with your regular shower routine. Other than using a shampoo and conditioner tailored to your curly hair type, there is no tedious or difficult part to this. Enjoy your relaxing, rejuvenating shower, and prepare for easy curls in no time. 

• We recommend our sulfate-free Untangled Shampoo which can gently cleanse your hair of oils and styling products without stripping your locks of their natural oils.
• You can follow up with our hydrating Hydrate Don't Hate Conditioner that moisturizes and helps define the curls you’ll be plopping soon.
  

Step 2: Be Gentle with Your Curls

With a freshly washed head of hair, it’s time to plop. As tempting as it may be to wring the water from your strands before you exit the shower, it’s important to leave a sizable amount of moisture in your hair.

Instead of towel drying or squeezing out the water, turn your head upside down so that your hair is hanging above the rug. From there, gently shake your head from side to side to remove some of the excess water and keep your natural curls intact.

Step 3: Use Styling Products

After you’re out of the shower, it’s time to apply a few curl-defining products to your hair. Since you haven’t removed much water, your tresses will still be wet—and that’s okay.

With your toolkit of hair products nearby, you can begin applying each one to your hair. Some of our favorite plopping products include:

• Conditioning Styler – Use our Define & Shine Curl Cream to give your curls a natural texture of waves, an extra moisture boost, and a shiny finish––without weighing them down.

• Curling gel – Contrary to popular belief, not all hair gels are created equal (or give your hair that crunchy feel). Our Organic Aloe Gel helps ward off the negative effects of humidity (goodbye, frizz) and can provide added curl definition.

Step 4: Plop Your Hair With a Microfiber Towel

What is hair plopping? At this stage, it’s simply bunching your hair into your towel. The first time, this may be the most challenging step of the process, but with a little persistence, it will feel easy and fuss-free.

To further simplify this step from the beginning, use a long-sleeved t-shirt. The long sleeves give you more fabric to tie the shirt securely around your head. Additionally, lay your shirt out before your shower with the end of the sleeves facing you. (That’s where your hair is going to “plop” into.)

After you’ve applied your hair products, you can plop your hair using the following steps:

• Flip your hair over the towel – Bend over at the waist so that your hair is hanging over the center of the towel.
• Fold the towel over your hair – Take the end of the towel that’s farthest away from you and fold it over your head so that it’s touching the nape of your neck.
• Wrap the sleeves around your head – Grab the sleeves of the towel wrap them around your head and tie them securely. If you’re using a pillowcase or microfiber towel, you can secure the ends with a hair tie.

Step 5: Leave Your Hair Plopped for 15–45 Minutes

Once your hair is plopped on top of your head, the hardest part is behind you. All that’s left to do is allow your hair to dry.

We recommend letting it sit for at least 15 minutes so that the curls have the opportunity to begin naturally sculpting themselves. The longer you leave your hair in the towel wrap, the more defined your curls will be.

Benefits of Hair-plopping

Plopping your hair can help you create a head of bouncy, healthy curls – but the advantages of plopping hair don’t end there. Other benefits include:

Preventing Frizz

For some with naturally curly or wavy hair, taming frizz can be an ongoing battle, especially when you’re trying to learn. Plopping increases your chances of victory against your frizzy mane for a few reasons:

• Plopping uses softer materials to dry your hair – Plopping utilizes smoother fabrics than an everyday towel. A microfiber towel is less likely to rub against your hair shafts and help avoid the unwanted frizz that regular towels can cause. 
• Plopping allows your curls to dry naturally – Although blow dryers and curling irons help craft defined curls of various shapes and sizes, consistent heat from those styling tools can lead to split ends and breakage—often resulting in frizz. Thanks to curly hair-plopping methods, you have the opportunity to allow your curls to dry naturally without the use of hot styling tools.

Encouraging Smooth Hair

Surprisingly, frizz and smooth hair go hand in hand. Why?

It’s challenging to have one without disposing of the other. With frizz removed from the equation, you’re more likely to notice defined curls in its place.

You can give partial credit to plopping, thanks to the soft material of the microfiber towel that helps to keep your cuticles laid down (and therefore smooth) as your hair is drying.

Does Plopping Work On All Hair Types?

Aside from providing a heat-free method to dry your wet hair, the main purpose of plopping is to help you create the ultimate natural curls. Unfortunately, plopping hair doesn’t magically transform straight hair into curly hair (although it may lend a few covetable waves). However, someone with a straight hair type can still use a microfiber towel when drying their hair to help reduce frizzy hair.

How Often Should You Plop Your Hair?

It’s safe to plop your hair after each wash, but the answer to how often you should wash your hair is different for everyone. Generally speaking, people with fine (but curly) hair often wash their hair every day or every other day due to its ability to retain oil more quickly.

If you find yourself with coarse hair or a tight curl pattern, however, you’ll probably only wash (and plop) your hair once or twice a week so that you don’t strip your hair of its natural oils by overwashing.

FAQ

1. Hair plopping is a method of drying and defining curly or wavy hair without heat. It involves wrapping wet hair in a microfiber towel or satin pillowcase to absorb excess moisture and enhance curl formation, minimizing frizz and preserving the hair’s natural curl pattern.
2. How does hair plopping help with frizz? Hair plopping reduces frizz by using softer materials like microfiber towels or satin pillowcases that don’t create friction, unlike regular towels. This gentler drying process prevents the cuticles from becoming roughed up, which helps in maintaining smoother curls.
3. What type of towel is best for plopping? A microfiber towel or satin pillowcase is ideal for plopping. Microfiber towels are gentle on the hair and absorb moisture effectively without causing frizz, while satin helps to keep curls smooth and defined.
4. Can I use a regular towel for plopping? While you can use a regular towel, it’s not recommended. Regular towels can cause friction, which may lead to frizz and disrupt the natural curl pattern. Microfiber towels or satin pillowcases are preferable for reducing frizz and maintaining curl definition.
5. When should I start plopping my hair? You should start plopping your hair immediately after washing and conditioning it. Apply your curl-defining products while your hair is still wet, then proceed to plop it to help enhance curl formation and reduce drying time.
6. How long should I leave my hair in the plop? It’s recommended to leave your hair in the plop for at least 15 minutes to allow the curls to start setting. For more defined curls, you can leave it in for up to 45 minutes or until your hair is sufficiently dry.
7. Can I plop my hair overnight? Yes, you can plop your hair overnight if you prefer. Use a satin pillowcase or a secure plopping method to ensure your hair stays in place while you sleep. This can provide extra curl definition and reduce styling time in the morning.
8. Does hair plopping work for all hair types? Hair plopping is most effective for curly and wavy hair types as it helps to define and enhance natural curls. While it may not create curls in straight hair, it can still help reduce frizz and improve the texture of wavy hair.
9. How often should I plop my hair? You can plop your hair after each wash. The frequency of washing and plopping depends on your hair type and personal preference. People with fine hair may wash and plop daily or every other day, while those with coarser hair might do so once or twice a week.
10. Do I need to use any specific products before plopping? Yes, applying curl-defining products such as leave-in conditioners, curl creams, or gels before plopping helps enhance curl formation and definition. Choose products that suit your hair type and desired style.
11. Can plopping be used with other styling techniques? Yes, plopping can be combined with other styling techniques. For instance, you can apply a curling mousse or gel before plopping and follow up with additional styling methods like diffusing or air-drying for added volume and definition.