Curly hair is beautiful but can be challenging to manage, especially when it comes to drying. Blow-drying hair using heat can cause damage to hair fibers and leave curls limp and lifeless.

In this article, we will explore natural ways to dry your curly hair that will enhance your curls and leave you with gorgeous, healthy-looking locks.

1. Plop Your Hair

Plopping is a method of drying your hair that involves wrapping it in a T-shirt or microfiber towel. To plop your hair:.

Wash and condition your hair as usual.
Flip your hair over and place a T-shirt or microfiber towel on a flat surface.
Bend over and lower your hair onto the T-shirt or towel, with the ends in the center of the fabric.
Twist the fabric up and around your head, tucking any loose ends in as you go.
Secure the fabric in place with a bobby pin or hair tie.
Leave your hair wrapped for at least 20 minutes to an hour before removing the fabric.

Plopping helps your hair to dry naturally, while preventing frizz and preserving your curls’ natural shape.

2. Air-Dry Your Hair

Air-drying your hair might seem like a no-brainer, but there are some steps you can take to make the process more effective:.

Avoid touching your hair while it’s drying, as this can cause frizz.
Try not to brush or comb your hair while it’s drying, as this can disturb your curls’ natural shape.
Instead, use your fingers to gently smooth out any tangles and encourage your curls to form.
If you need to speed up the drying process, try using a diffuser attachment on your hair dryer.
When your hair is mostly dry, scrunch it gently with your hands to enhance your curls.

3. Pineapple Your Hair

“Pineappling” is a technique for preserving your curls overnight, but it can also be used to help your hair dry more naturally. To pineapple:.

Flip your head upside down and gather your hair at the top of your head, as if you were going to make a ponytail.
Secure your hair with a scrunchie or hair tie at the very top of your head.
Let your hair fall back down around your head, forming a “pineapple” shape.
In the morning, shake out your hair and gently fluff your curls to enhance them.

Pineappling can help your curls dry without getting flattened against your pillow, leading to fuller, bouncier curls.

4. Use a Hair Turban

A hair turban is a twisty towel that can help you dry your hair more quickly and gently than a regular towel. To use a hair turban:.

Wash and condition your hair as usual.
Flip your head upside down and lay the turban flat on a surface with the twisty part facing up.
Lower your hair onto the turban so that the twisty part is at the nape of your neck.
Twist the turban up and around your head, tucking the end in at the crown of your head.
Leave the turban in place for at least 20 minutes to an hour before removing it.

The hair turban will absorb excess moisture from your hair, while helping to preserve your curls’ natural shape.

5. Try a Microfiber Towel

Using a microfiber towel to dry your hair can help prevent frizz and breakage. Microfiber towels are gentler on your curls than regular towels, and they absorb moisture more quickly. To use a microfiber towel:.

Wash and condition your hair as usual.
Flip your head upside down and lay the towel flat on a surface with one corner at the nape of your neck.
Lower your hair onto the towel and wrap it up, tucking the end in at your hairline.
Leave the towel in place for at least 20 minutes to an hour before removing it.

Your hair should be less frizzy and dry more quickly when you use a microfiber towel, leaving your curls defined and gorgeous.

6. Embrace the Crunch

If you’re air-drying your hair, you might notice that your curls feel a little crunchy once they’re dry.

Don’t worry – that’s a good thing! That crunchiness is caused by a natural product called castor oil, which helps to hold your curls in place and prevent frizz. You can “scrunch out the crunch” by gently scrunching your curls with your hands once they’re dry, which will help to soften them and reveal their natural shape.

7. Use Protective Styling

If you’re trying to minimize heat damage and encourage your curls to form naturally, protective styling can be a great option.

Protective styles involve braiding, knotting, or twisting your hair into a protective style that can be left in for several days at a time. Not only does this help your curls to form naturally, but it also provides a protective barrier between your curls and environmental damage. Protective styles include:.

Braids
Twists
Bantu knots
Faux locs

Protective styles can be a lot of work, but they’re worth it if you want to give your curls a break from heat styling and encourage them to form more naturally.

8. Use a Leave-In Conditioner

Leave-in conditioner is a moisturizing product that can help to enhance your curls and prevent frizz. To use leave-in conditioner:.

Wash and condition your hair as usual.
Apply a quarter-sized amount of leave-in conditioner to your hair, focusing on the ends.
Use your fingers to comb the leave-in conditioner through your hair, working from the ends up.

Leave-in conditioner can help to enhance your curls’ natural shape and keep them looking gorgeous throughout the day.

9. Don’t Over-Manipulate Your Hair

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to dry their curly hair is manipulating it too much. The more you touch your hair (even with a towel or scrunchie), the more likely it is to frizz and lose its natural shape.

Try to leave your hair alone as much as possible while it’s drying, and use gentle methods like plopping or air-drying to help your curls form naturally.

10. Sleep on a Satin Pillowcase

Sleeping on a satin pillowcase can help to prevent frizz and preserve your curls’ natural shape. Satin is less abrasive than cotton, which means that your hair is less likely to get tangled or frizzy overnight.

It’s also gentler on your skin, so you’ll wake up with fewer wrinkles and lines. If you want to take the gentle touch even further, try sleeping on a satin bonnet or headscarf.