Now I am about to introduce you to a new method of drying your hair that will change the game forever: plopping natural hair. Hair plopping is a drying technique that will cut your hair styling time in half.
The best part about it? The method can be used on all types of hair.
Keep reading to see what you have been missing!
What is Hair Plopping?
Plopping natural hair works best on freshly shampooed hair. The next step is to layer up your products whether that be using just conditioner, or using the L.O.C method.
Whatever your particular routine just be sure that you place the products on your hair at this point. Next, you will want to wrap your scalp with an old 100% cotton t-shirt.
You can select long sleeve or short sleeve; it all just depends on how much hair you have. Also, you want to make sure that the t-shirt is large or extra-large so that it will fit nicely onto your head.
Contrary to popular belief, you should never try to use a regular bath towel for hair plopping. Why?
Bath towels have been known to add too much friction to natural hair which not only causes breakage but will also make the hair appear frizzier. If you are natural, you already know the regular struggles of dealing with breakage and frizz, so you do not need a towel to help you in progress.
When plopping your hair, you will want your t-shirt to be taunted on your head without pulling on your edges. Also, it would be best if all of your hair is at the front of your head; you need to do the pineapple method before putting the t-shirt onto your head.
Wrap your shirt around your head nice and flat. After you get your t-shirt set relax, and let it dry.
Since the shirt will be kept taunt around your hair, it should dry a lot faster than it typically would. Bear in mind that your actual dry time will depend on a great deal on your hair’s density.
If you have fine hair, you will probably be done in about 30-45 minutes. Those with thicker hair may have to wait a couple of hours before their tresses are dry.
Results
After you take off the t-shirt, your hair should be about 85-90% dry overall. The only thing will be wet are your roots.
Since you did not use a regular towel, then you can expect to be frizz free. You will have well-defined curls that are sure to be an eye-catcher, thanks to hair plopping!
But remember, this is a wash and go method, so you will probably end up with a little bit of shrinkage; however, your curls will pop, and will look very moisturized.
Plopping Straight Hair
When plopping natural hair, you usually do not have to worry about your hair being too straight. However, if it is straight, and you want ringlets or even wavy hair, then you should try rag curls.
Rag curls are a plopping method that requires the hair to be wetter and takes a little more patience. To rag roll hair, start by taking an old t-shirt and cut it into 2-3 inch strips.
You will want about 10-15 total depending on the length and thickness of your hair. Next, you will need a sharpie or a ballpoint pen with the cap attached.
Divide your hair into sections as though you about to put fabric hair rollers into your head for a roller set. Wrap the t-shirt around the cap, making sure to use the cap to hold the fabric in place.
Starting at the ends, roll the hair around the sharpie/pen, making sure that the material stays in the pen the entire time you are rolling. Once you reach the top, carefully remove the pen/sharpie, you should be able to easily slide it out and tie your t-shirt strip into a knot.
Be sure your knot is tight, so it does not fall out. For the best results, you want to be sure that you leave the t-shirt strips in until the hair is completely dry.
When taking out your strips of t-shirt be very careful not to create frizz. Plopping is perfect for curling hair when you do not want to use heat.
Plopping Short Hair
When trying to plop short hair, your best bet is to stick with the basics. You want to scrunch the product into your hair before doing the t-shirt method.
Since the hair is shorter, you can risk looking like a poodle if you do not put enough product in your hair or put your t-shirt on correctly.
Plopping Hair Overnight
Plopping natural hair overnight is one of the best ways for you to achieve the best curly haired results. Allowing your hair to be plopped overnight will ensure that it is dry before you take the t-shirt off.
You do not want the hair to be damp, this will lead to extreme frizz, and you will end up disliking your new hairstyle. As you can see, plopping natural hair is a pretty simple concept to grasp.
All you need to do is have an old t-shirt, pen/sharpie, your leave in products, and the patience to allow your hair to dry.
Hey Curl Friend, I’m Patrina Haupt the creator and author of Natural Hair Queen. I hope you find my healthy hair care tips helpful in your hair journey. Healthy hair care practices are definitely, what helped me to achieve waist length hair.
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