How to Plop Hair: A Complete Guide for Wavy and Curly Hair

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 as a hair plopping towel. 

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. Here is Megan demonstrating three different ways she ties hers.

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.