Plopping and micro plopping for wavy hair

• Shorter dry time
• Softer waves with less frizz
• Defined clumps

What you need

• Merwave Cleanse Shampoo
• Merwave Repair Conditioner
• Merwave Protect Gel or Merwave Cast Foam
• Merwave Wavy Hair Oil
• Merwave Refresh Spray for day two
• Cotton tee or microfibre towel
• Wide tooth comb or your fingers

Start clean

Wash with Cleanse Shampoo. Rinse well.Condition with Repair Conditioner. Detangle. Rinse so hair feels smooth not coated.

Work on soaking wet hair

Water helps product glide and clumps form. Do not squeeze it all out.

Apply your styler

For soft flexible hold use a small amount of Protect Gel. Want extra bounce without weight Use Cast Foam. Rake through mid lengths to ends. Then scrunch upward.

Set up your tee

Lay a cotton tee flat on a bed or chair. Neck hole closest to you.

Flip and place

Flip your head forward. Let waves fall into the centre in their natural shape. Lower until the crown touches the fabric.

Wrap the plop

Fold the bottom of the tee up and over your head. Bring the sleeves around and tie at the nape. Snug not tight.

Choose your time

Micro plop for five to ten minutes if you want a quick shape. Full plop for twenty to thirty minutes if you want extra definition.

Unwrap with care

Lift the tee away. Do not drag. Let the clumps drop into place. Give a gentle scrunch to encourage lift.

Dry your way

Air dry for the softest feel. Try our air dry routine. Want more lift Use a diffuser. Follow our diffusing guide.

Break the cast

When almost dry, warm a few drops of Wavy Hair Oil in your palms. Scrunch to soften and add shine.

Seal the look

If needed, a light mist of Refresh Spray. One final scrunch. Done.

Pro tips

• Fine waves love micro plopping. Thick waves love a longer plop.
• Use less product at the root. More on the ends.
• Tee not towel. Cotton is kind to clumps.
• If clumps look skinny, add a tiny bit more product and scrunch again before you plop.

• Plopping too tight. This flattens roots.
• Leaving it on for hours. Over plopping can stretch the pattern.
• Rubbing when you unwrap. Always lift away and scrunch gently.

Troubleshooting

• Roots look flat

Micro plop only. Then dry with flips for lift. Keep product off the first inch at the root.

• Waves look stretched

Shorten the plop time. Scrunch more before drying.

• Frizz after unwrapping

You plopped too long or wrapped too tight. Next time go shorter and looser. Smooth one drop of Wavy Hair Oil over flyaways.

• Cleanse Shampoo
• Repair Conditioner
• Protect Gel
• Cast Foam
• Wavy Hair Oil
• Refresh Spray

Want a simple set that covers every step Shop the full Merwave routine and enjoy waves that last for days.

Day two refresh

Spritz Refresh Spray from mid lengths to ends. Scrunch.

If ends feel dry, smooth one drop of Wavy Hair Oil. Back to bouncy.

FAQ

What is the difference between plopping and micro plopping

Time. Micro plopping is five to ten minutes for a quick shape. Full plopping is twenty to thirty minutes for extra definition.

Should I plop every wash day

If it gives you shape and speed, yes. If your roots go flat, switch to micro plopping or go straight to diffusing.

Can I plop and then air dry

Yes. Plop to set shape. Then follow our air dry routine for the softest finish.

Can I plop and then diffuse

Yes. It is a great combo for lift and speed. Follow our diffusing guide.

Gel or foam for the softest feel

Start with a small amount of Protect Gel for flexible hold.

Want more lift without weight Choose Cast Foam. You can mix both.