A Step-by-Step Guide to Hair Plopping for Defined, Frizz-Free Curls
If you're on a mission to achieve more defined, bouncy curls without the hassle of heat styling, the time has come to familiarise yourself with plopping.
More than how you sit on your sofa after a hard day, plopping is a simple technique favoured among the curly community—and for good reason! Plopping helps curls dry in a more structured, frizz-free way, using nothing more than a soft t-shirt or microfibre towel.
So, to plop or not to plop? And how do you plop properly? Let's walk through exactly what hair plopping is, how it works, and how you can start doing it at home for healthier, more defined curls.
What is hair plopping?
Plopping is a heat-free drying method designed to nurture and style curly or wavy hair. It works by providing steady compression of your hair, holding your curls in place while they're still wet. This allows them to absorb the full nourishment from your curl cream or leave-in conditioner while your strands are still moist, and prevents their weight from pulling your curls straight.
The benefits of plopping
- Enhances curl definition by encouraging curls to clump and form naturally.
- Reduces frizz by limiting friction and movement while drying.
- Preserves moisture, preventing hair from drying out.
- Boosts volume by lifting the roots.
- Protects from heat damage—no blow dryer necessary (unless you choose to finish with a diffuser).
What do you need for plopping?
- Large cotton t-shirt or the Wuli Hair Towel
- Gentle curly hair care products
- Blow dryer with diffuser attachment (optional)
Step-by-step guide to hair plopping
1. Wash and condition
Begin with freshly washed hair. If possible, opt for a moisturising shampoo and curl-friendly conditioner.
2. Apply your products
Apply styling products while your hair is still damp. A quality natural curl cream is a great choice for plopping, but use what works best for your hair type and curl pattern. Apply your product evenly throughout your hair.
3. Flip and drop with your plop fabric
Lay your microfibre towel or cotton t-shirt out flat on a bench, bed, or chair. If you're using a t-shirt, lay it out with the sleeves nearest to you. Then, Flip your head forward so your curls fall in front of you and gently lower your hair onto the centre of the fabric. Allow your curls to coil naturally into place.
4. Wrap and secure
With the top of your head pressed down in the centre of the fabric, pull the far edge over the nape of your neck, containing and compressing your curls. Twist the fabric on either side to tuck into the rear. A plopping towel, like Wuli's Hair Towel, includes a loop and button that makes the twist easy to keep in place.
5. Leave your plop in place
Leave your hair wrapped for: 10-20 minutes for fine hair 20-30 minutes for medium hair 30-45 minutes for thick or dense hair You can adjust based on how quickly your hair dries and how much volume or definition you're aiming for. Some even plop overnight! But consider a silk pillowcase if you go this route.
6. Unwrap and finish drying
Gently remove the towel or t-shirt and let your curls fall into place. At this point, you can either let your hair air dry or finish up with a diffusor but try not to touch or rearrange your curls. Leaving them in place helps maintain definition and avoid flyaways.
Prove your plopping prowess with Wuli Hair Care
As is so often the case with effective curl care, natural, quality hair care products can make or break your plopping endeavour. Name-brand products on the supermarket shelf often contain alcohol and other chemicals that leave your hair dry and brittle.
Wuli's famous Curl Cream is an all-natural, vegan and cruelty-free leave-in conditioner that gives your curls the nourishment they need for peak plop. Just apply generously to damp hair, spread it evenly from end to root, and you'll find your hair thicker, stronger, and free of greasy residue.
It might just be the difference between a plop pass and a plop flop!