Plopping? Curly Hair Help

This morning on the show, I explained what "plopping" is when it comes to curly hair.  Honestly, I didn't know about it until a year or so ago.  This all came about because one of my friends mentioned that my hair looked good. So, I started explaining that I'd been able to leave it "plopped" a bit longer that morning and it makes a huge difference.  What's funny is... I don't have naturally curly hair.  If anything, my hair is slightly wavy.  But I did get a perm a couple of years ago to try to even out my waves/curls. And the friend I was explaining plopping to has naturally curly hair... and she'd never heard of it.

So, what is plopping? The best way I'd describe it is: after washing and conditioning your hair, you lean your head over and get all the hair at the crown of your head.  Then you place it on a t-shirt or microfiber towel.  You wrap it up in a way that keeps the hair "plopped" on top of your head. It helps absorb the water and dry your hair.  The idea is that using a t-shirt helps minimize frizzy hair.

Honestly, I can't remember how I first learned of it.  I do have a friend who has naturally curly hair that may have mentioned it.  But I've also seen a lot of it on TikTok, of course!  When I got my perm a few years ago, I started digging into the best methods for curly hair.  While the perm started out great, I got to a point where I just felt like my curls weren't looking as good as they could.  I've tried a variety of products and styling methods throughout the years, but I will say, plopping is the best for my curly hair!

I have seen plopping done a few different ways.  The way I do it is a bit different than most of the videos I've found but still gets the job done.  I use a short-sleeved t-shirt, but I do think a bigger, long-sleeved t-shirt would be easier.  Then, I use the bottom part of the t-shirt, and wrap that around my hairline.  I hold it in place with one hand while folding the top part of the shirt back to the nape of my neck. Then I take the sleeves one at a time and bring them to the front and tie them there.  Again, probably not the easiest way, but that's what gets it done for me.  I'll share a few plopping videos below... and a few other curly hair methods that I have tried and like.

When I'm in the shower, I put conditioner in my hair, flip my head upside down, and rinse the conditioner out while combing through with a wide-toothed comb.  Before I get out of the shower and start to plop, I will "squish" my curls (see explanation below) to get as much water out as I can.  Then I try to keep my head upside down as I get out of the shower and immediately put product in and plop!  Currently, I use the Blueberry Bliss Leave-In Conditioner by Curls and John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls.

Again... this is a little different than I do mine, but as long as the hair is "plopped" on the top of your head and secured, I don't know that the "how" you got it that way matters too much!

THIS is much closer to what I actually do.  Except I get mine a bit tighter on my head to help absorb the moisture.  I don't use a blow dryer at all, so I want the t-shirt to dry my hair as much as possible.

Another way to wrap your hair up!

And yet again... as long as you get all that hair plopped on top of your head, that's all that matters.  No matter how it looks while it's up there!  Haha.  You can even use a scrunchie like this girl!

I'll be honest, I didn't know the difference until I saw this girl's videos!  I will say... it does make a difference in the way the curls look!

To be honest, I pretty much wash or heavily wet my hair every day.  I can't seem to perfect the "next day" curls.  But this girl has so many great tips and tricks when it comes to curly hair!