If you’re blessed with curls but have never heard of hair plopping, you’ve been missing out on some of the best hair days of your life! Plopping is a method of heat-free hair drying that tames frizz and flyaways while giving you maximum body. Hair plopping is an easy way to enhance your unique curl pattern. And the good news is it’s just as effective on fine, frizzy-prone strands as it is on thick, luscious locks!
So how does it work?
Plopping, keeps your wet curls compact and scrunched, accordion-style, on the top of your head, so your roots stay volumized, your curls stay clumped, and your hair cuticle stays smooth.
Should you use a towel or a T-shirt?
Using your regular bath towel while plopping curly hair is a no-no. This type of towel absorbs moisture that your curly hair loves and needs to thrive, and the fibres they’re made of can be too harsh on your locks, causing them to frizz up and lose definition.
Instead, a t-shirt or a microfibre cloth are much gentler on your hair since they don’t soak up too much moisture or cause friction that would disturb the natural texture of your curls.
Here's how to plop your hair for flawless curls using Aveda (of course)
1. Start with freshly washed damp hair
The first step to hair plopping is washing your hair with products that work for your hair type. Aveda's be curly™ shampoo and conditioner are an excellent duo for anyone with naturally textured hair: formulated with wheat protein and organic aloe blend, both products tame frizz and increase shine, while leaving a refreshing citrus pure-fume™ aroma on your hair.
Once you get out of the shower, flip your head upside down and shake your head to get rid of the excess water. If you want to, you can also use your t-shirt or microfibre cloth to delicately squeeze your hair and remove that extra moisture. Just remember not to rub your hair dry, as that will manipulate your locks and defeat the purpose of curly hair plopping.
2. Apply your styling products
Then, it’s time to apply your favourite styling products for curly hair and this is where many choose to follow the LOC method (layering a leave-in treatment, an oil and a cream). We love using Aveda's nutriplenish™ leave-in conditioner and multi-use hair oil, followed by the be curly™ curl enhancer, but remember that you can always play around with different product combinations until you find that works best for you.
If you want to keep it simple, you can use the curl enhancer by itself. This lightweight cream will moisturise your hair and intensify your natural curls without weighing them down, maintaining that gorgeous volume you’re looking for.
3. Plop your hair with the t-shirt or microfibre towel
Now that you’ve nourished your curls with all the nutrient-rich goodness from the styling products, it’s time for the actual hair plopping.
Wondering how to plop hair with a t-shirt? Start by laying the t-shirt on a flat surface with the sleeves facing you. Flip your hair onto the centre of the shirt and make sure that your curls are pressed down under your head, rather than stretched out long. Lift the bottom of the t-shirt to the nape of your neck, tuck the corners by your forehead and grab the sleeves, tying them in the back.
If you’re using a microfibre towel, follow the same method and use the extra fabric of the cloth to tie it all securely (instead of the t-shirt sleeves).
4. Leave your hair plopped for 10 to 60 minutes
How long to plop your hair for is completely up to you. If you’re in a rush, 10 minutes will do the trick, or if you’re having a full-on at-home spa kind of day, you can leave your hair plopped for an hour while you continue to pamper yourself.
Plopping your hair overnight is also an option and it typically works well for those with coily hair (tight curls that tend to loose moisture quickly) We recommend that you try curly hair plopping for different periods of time until you find the sweet spot that leaves your hair looking and feeling its best.
Curly hair plopping is an excellent trick for more definition and less frizz. Easy to master, we know this styling technique will become a crucial part of all your wash days. Add Aveda's be curly™ hair care and styling products into your curly hair routine and enhance your natural texture for fabulous hair days, every day.
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