How to Plop Curly Hair the Right Way
If you have curly hair, you know how time-consuming and frustrating drying can be—especially when you’re trying to avoid frizz and preserve definition. That’s where plopping comes in. It’s a game-changer for curly routines, and today I’m walking you through exactly how to do it, why it works, and which technique may suit your hair best.
What Is Plopping?
Plopping is the method of gently “plopping” wet hair into an absorbent accessory—like a t-shirt towel or microfiber wrap—to remove excess water without disrupting your natural curl pattern. Unlike the dramatic towel twist we’ve all seen in movies, plopping bunches your curls on top of your head, keeping their structure intact.
Why Do We Plop Curly Hair?
Plopping isn’t just about drying. It:
- Speeds up drying time
- Helps curls form with more definition
- Minimizes frizz
- Enhances how styling products penetrate the hair shaft
Whether you’re getting ready in a rush or aiming for perfectly defined curls, plopping helps your products work smarter, not harder.
3 Types of Plopping Techniques
Depending on your hair type and goals, here are three common ways to plop:
1. Classic Plopping with a Towel or T-Shirt
This is the OG method. Flip your wet hair into a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel. Wrap it around and clip or tie it securely.
- Fine or low-density hair? Use a thin towel to retain moisture.
- Thick or coarse hair? Try a thicker towel to absorb more water.
Pro Tip: Start with 5–7 minutes and adjust based on your hair’s porosity. I personally don’t go past 7 minutes—anything longer dries my hair out.
2. Wet Plopping (aka Product Soak)
Popularized by @HiF3licia, wet plopping is about saturation, not drying.
Apply your styling products on wet hair, then cover with a plastic shower cap for 5–7 minutes. This gives products time to soak into the strands for better hydration and hold.
- Ideal for coarse or high-porosity curls that need deeper penetration
- Also works great for fine-haired curlies who want more root volume
- Get a durable shower cap like this.
3. Micro Plopping
No wrapping. Just gently cup your curls with a microfiber towel and scrunch out excess water section by section.
✅ Best for people who prefer styling on soaking wet hair
❌ Never rub the towel—just press or scrunch gently
Brands I love:
- Bambonn Haircare
- Tplopee
- Curly Ellie
Can You Plop Overnight?
Not really… but there are exceptions.
I’ve plopped overnight with dry hair coated in oil (like a DIY pre-poo) or even plopped damp, bleached hair with deep conditioner. It’s not typical, but sometimes it’s necessary for extreme damage.
Final Thoughts
Whichever method you choose—classic, wet, or micro—plopping can make a huge difference in your styling results. Defined, frizz-free curls with less drying time? Yes, please!
Watch the video here
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