Hair Plopping: The Heat-Free Drying Technique That Will Give You the Curls of Your Dreams

First, make sure yot wash your hair and apply a styling mousse, cream, or gel, like Alterna Bamboo Shine ($24) or Oribe Supershine Moisture Cream ($49) that you usually use for the texture of your hair.

Second, spread the cloth down on a flat surface, then lean over it and place your head against the surface, positioning the hair onto it so that all the curls are concentrated on the top of the head.

Third, put the far edge of the cloth over your head to the nape of the neck. Grab the sides of the towel and start twisting them away from your face. It should look like two big twists on the sides of your head.

The next, once you feel that the rolls are tight enough, straighten your body out and twist the rolls towards the back of your head in a bun. You can use a pin or a hair tie to secure it in place à la Princess Leia.

Fifth, leave it on for a desired amount of time, usually about 20 minutes is enough for hair to dry.

The last, after you remove the plop, make sure not to touch the curls while they're still wet to keep the definition and prevent frizz.

If you're going the towel route, your best bet is to look to one that's designed specifically for hair, as your standard terry cloth style can draw out moisture and even roughs up the hair cuticles.