Certain hair techniques can be used in all situations. You can apply shampoo and conditioner in a similar way to any hair textures, regardless of whether it’s coily, straight or curly. For curly hair, however, it takes a lot more effort to style and dry our curls as well as to plan and prepare to achieve those flawless and bouncy spirals. It not as easy as waking up in this hairstyle (at least, not every day).
Plopping is one of the best and well sought after drying methods for curls. This name may seem strange and new to most of you but it works magic for coily, wavy, and curly hair. It can be used regardless of hair length. You don’t have to be an expert on plopping hair, or you simply don’t know where to start. We will share with you the inside scoop on how to plop hair.
Let’s start with what exactly is plopping?
Plopping is a method of drying curls and keeping them intact after or before curls styling. Plop process uses a microfiber towel or a tshirt to maintain curl definition and remove excess water on the hair before diffusing or air drying the hair. Bonus: You can also use it to remove wet hair from your shoulders and neck as you get dressed up or do other chores around the house.
What is the perfect time for hair plopping?
We recommend plopping following any product application. For those with fine hair, you might want to plop your hair before applying any products. This will help remove extra water weightage from the hair first. You will have to experiment with your own curls to find the best result that suit your hair and needs.
So how do you plop your curls?
Firstly, you have to shampoo and condition your hair. Proper plopping begins with a normal shampoo and conditioner session. We suggest that you choose your favourite formulas and leave in a little conditioner to give your hair a soft, smooth feel. This will also give your hair moisture and act as a primer for styling products.
After showering, please remember not to touch your curls and the hair should feel very wet at this point. Moreover, don’t begin to wring the water out yet. Flip your head upside-down and gently shake your head in a left and right motion. This will remove excess water and not affect your curls at all.
Next is to grab your styling products. Take a small amount of your favourite gel or leave-in and use your hands to gently smoothen all the curls uniformly. We suggest that you scrunch your hair ends to reach your roots and squeeze out any extra water. Next, repeat the process with the remaining of your styling products. You should now see spirals that are starting to form and become really defined. Next, begin plopping your hair by using a t-shirt or microfiber towel to smoothen and dry your hair further by squeezing out the excess water. Then, wrap the towel or shirt over your nape and crisscross it towards your front head. Please remember to flip it up gently and this is the process of plopping your hair.
We suggest that hair should be plopped between 15-45 minutes. Some people sleep with their plop up all night. You may need to experiment with different techniques until you find the one that works for you. It is important to pick the right time frame that results in strong, bouncy curls and not straight, damaged ones.
Step 1: Place your towel or T-shirt on a flat surface such as a table or on the floor. Retract your hair to the top of your head to the towel by bending over.
Step 2: Use the towel to wrap your hair and curls, covering your head to the nape, and holding it together.
Step 3: As you stand up, take the towel’s outer edges and twist them.
Step 4: Twist any remaining material to keep it tight and prevent curls from escape.
Step 5: For a secure finish, wrap the ends around the back. To secure the ends of the towel at the back, use a hairband like a ponytail.
Pro tip: To get the best results, keep your plop sufficiently loose so your curls don’t get crushed but tight enough to not fall off your head.
Credit: https://sleepflawless.com/
How often should my hair be plopped?
The objective of plopping is used to speed up hair drying process and keep shape of your curls as bouncy, well defined and frizz free as possible. It is fine to plop your hair every time you wash or style it.
Do I need straight hair to plop?
Generally, plopping is only for curls. However, there is a very similar method which is using a towel-turban instead after you get out of the shower. A t-shirt, or microfiber towel, is better for plopping than a traditional towel. Traditional towels can be too rough on fragile curls as they are too thick. Besides, traditional towels create friction, which can cause frizz. However, this is not something that straight hair people need to be concern about. However, if you have a straight hair and you want to reduce frizz and breakage, an aged tee can help you too.
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