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Plopping might sound like a crazy complicated hair technique, but it's actually really simple! Plopping is just the process of lowering your wet hair onto a T-shirt and wrapping it in a way that protects the curly or wavy hair structure. It removes excess moisture so your hair dries faster and with less frizz. Keep reading to get answers about how to plop your hair for the best results.

Things You Should Know

  • Wash and condition your hair before you apply styling products like leave-in conditioner or curl-enhancing cream.
  • Spread a T-shirt flat and flip your hair onto it. Then, fold the T-shirt over your hair and tie the sleeves into a knot at the back of your head.
  • As an alternative to a T-shirt, try a microfiber towel. Avoid using a standard bath towel, which can contribute to frizz.
  • Plopping works best for wavy or curly hair since it enhances the natural hair structure.
Section 1 of 4:

Best Plopping Technique

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  1. You don't have to do anything special to your washing and conditioning routine—use your favorite hair care products that are designed for your hair type.[1]
    • It's totally fine to wash and plop your hair before you go to bed. You can sleep with your hair plopped and remove the T-shirt or towel in the morning.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Plop Your Hair
    Don't comb or brush your hair—you want your waves and curls to hold their natural structure. It's probably easiest to do this while you're still in the shower—tilt your head to 1 side and gently work your curl-enhancing cream, leave-in conditioner, or frizz-fighting serum into your wet hair. Then, tilt your head to the other side and repeat the process.[2]
    • If you use a mist or spray product, apply it evenly to your wet hair.
    • Don't towel-dry your hair before this step—you can simply wrap a towel around to help with dripping.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Plop Your Hair
    Arrange the shirt so the sleeves are closest to you. Then, bend over so your hair falls directly down onto the shirt near the neck. Remember, don't brush your hair before you plop or it won't hold its shape. Keep lowering your head down so your hair coils naturally on the shirt.[3]
    • If you don't have an old T-shirt to use, spread out a microfiber towel towel.
    • You can use a short-sleeved or long-sleeved T-shirt. You might find that it's easier to tie a long-sleeved shirt, but this will add more weight to your head.
    • You don't need to arrange your hair in any specific way on the T-shirt—just let your hair pile naturally onto the shirt.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Plop Your Hair
    While your head is still bent forward reach over and grab the opposite end of the T-shirt or towel. Fold it over your hair so it comes to the back of your neck. Then, take the shirt sleeves or towel ends and tie them into a knot at the back of your head. Finally, lift your head up and tuck in any loose ends of the T-shirt or towel.[4]
    • You can also use large hair clips to clip the ends of the T-shirt or towel to your wrapped hair.
    • Make your knot tight enough that the T-shirt or towel won't come loose on its own.
  5. It's totally up to you how long you keep your hair wrapped—the goal is to let the towel absorb excess moisture while your hair structure sets. If you've got short or fine hair, start checking your hair after 10-20 minutes since it dries faster than long or tightly-coiled hair.[5]
    • Keep in mind that if you let your hair dry completely while it's plopped, you may have to run your fingers through it to loosen some of your curls or waves.
  6. Let your hair finish air drying or use a diffuser to dry your hair. Unwrap your hair from the T-shirt or towel and shake your head gently to loosen your hair. Work your fingers along your part and that's it if you're air drying your hair! If you want to blow dry your hair, stick a diffuser attachment to the end and blow dry your hair until it's mostly dry.[6]
    • If you're sleeping with your hair plopped, just shake it out in the morning since your hair will dry completely overnight.
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Section 2 of 4:

What are the benefits of plopping?

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  1. If you're like most curly or wavy-haired people, you probably let your hair air dry, which can take a while. Plopping reduces drying time because it absorbs excess moisture. Since you already applied styling products and you're not rubbing your hair with a towel, plopping also prevents frizz.[7]
    • If you tend to apply styling products with a heavy hand, plopping will absorb the excess product, too. This way, you won't have crunchy ringlets!
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Plop Your Hair
    If you've got medium to long hair, the length can drag your curls or waves down so they're a little limp. By plopping, the curls and waves stay closely coiled on your head. When you unwrap your hair, you'll see more volume.[8]
    • If you've got short or low-density hair that's fine, plopping can help you get volume near the roots. This has the overall effect of making your hair look fuller, wavier, or curlier.
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Section 4 of 4:

Will plopping work for straight hair?

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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Does this work on wavy hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, although it will not turn wavy hair to curls. It helps emphasize what wave or curl you already have.
  • Question
    Do you have to plop hair using products?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you don't want to add any products, you don't have to.
  • Question
    Will this work for all types of hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It will, but the results will vary depending on the hair type. For example, girls with thicker hair might end up having more defined curls/waves than girls with thinner hair.
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About This Article

Jasmin Todd
Reviewed by:
Master Hair Stylist
This article was reviewed by Jasmin Todd and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Jasmin Todd is a Master Stylist and the Owner of Austin Curls in Austin, TX. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in cutting and styling naturally curly hair. Jasmin trained at the world-famous Ouidad salon and is Ouidad certified. In 2022, Mane Addicts named Austin Curls as one of the Top U.S. Salons for Curly Hair. This article has been viewed 1,329,534 times.
10 votes - 80%
Co-authors: 30
Updated: August 6, 2024
Views: 1,329,534
Categories: Curly Hair
Article SummaryX

To plop your hair, start by shampooing and conditioning your hair. Then, use a microfiber towel to squeeze out any excess water and apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner to your hair to prevent frizz. Next, lay a T-shirt down with the sleeves closest to you, bend over, and flip your hair over so it’s falling toward the ground. Position your head in the center of the shirt and lower your curls down so they coil naturally. Finally, pull the top of the shirt over the back of your head, and knot the sleeves to hold the shirt in place. For more tips from our Cosmetic reviewer, like how to plop with a towel, read on!

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Reader Success Stories

  • Jenny Marie

    Jenny Marie

    Jul 14, 2017

    "The size of the cloth was helpful. "
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