Plopping

You may have heard this term which went viral on TikTok, and is now creeping into salons, and if you know, well – you know.

You can use a Good Wash Day towel in the traditional way or to plop—watch Mike demonstrate how he uses his.

Plopping is a technique used by those with wavy or curly hair. It helps to set and define curls before drying (either by air or diffuser). Most people find it a game-changer (along with switching to the right type of towel and a silk pillowcase).

Plopping:

🔸 Reduces drying time
🔸 Reduces frizz
🔸 Increases definition
🔸 Increases clump formation

There are three types of plopping and they're generally used after washing hair and applying styling products, if you're using them (leave-in conditioners, gels, custards, jellies, mousses etc):

 

1️⃣ Wet Plopping

Apply a shower cap to soaking wet hair post-product application.

2️⃣ Dry Plopping

Gently squeeze some of the moisture out of the hair (with hands or a T-shirt towel) then wrap hair in a fresh T-shirt towel.

There are different ways to wrap the hair and it comes down to personal preference. Experiment with different tying techniques until you find one that suits: I use the method in the infographic below.

Depending on personal preference, hair type and density, most people wet and/or dry plop for between 5 and 20 minutes.

3️⃣ Micro Plopping

Use a T-shirt towel to gently squeeze moisture from the hair like Emma does here. 

Straight-haired folk can micro plop too (for reduced drying time and frizz). You won’t get waves, curls and clumps where there are none, but it's preferable to rubbing with a rough terry towel.