How to Flip Your Hair

Reviewed by Jasmin Todd

Last Updated: September 23, 2022

There are different ways of flipping your hair. For some people, that might mean styling it in a certain way. For others, it might be flicking your hair over your shoulder in a girlish, flirty way. This article will show you several ways of flipping your hair, from styling to shoulder flipping.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Flipping the Ends of Your Hair

Download Article

1
Start with clean, damp hair. You will be blow drying your hair straight but curling it inward/outward. This will create that "flipped" look.
- Consider spraying your hair with a heat protecting spray. This will help keep your hair from getting damaged while you blow dry it.
2
Take a small section of hair and place it between a round brush and the nozzle of the hair dryer. If you want to flip your hair inward, place the brush under your hair, and the hair dryer over it. If you want to flip your hair outward, place the brush over your hair, and the hair dryer under it. Your hair should always be sandwiched between the hair dryer and the brush.
- Use a round, tube-shaped brush, not a paddle brush.
Advertisement
Turn the hair dryer on and start sliding both it and the hairbrush down towards the middle of your hair. Make sure that you slide both the brush and hair dryer down at the same time. Stop when you are half-way down the hair shaft.
Twist the brush towards you if you want your hair to flip inward. If you want your hair to flip outward, switch the positions of the brush and the hair dryer: place the nozzle of the hair dryer under your hair, and the hairbrush over your hair. Twist the brush up and away from you as you slowly bring both down.
5
Touch up with a flat iron if you have thick or curly hair. Take a small section of hair and position the flat iron about half-way down. Start straightening your hair. Instead of bringing the iron straight down, however, rotate it inwards/outwards as you reach the ends of your hair.
- Remember to use a heat protecting spray before using the flat iron. Flat irons get much hotter than a hair dryer and can cause more damage.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Making a Flipped Ponytail

Download Article

This style works with all hair types: curly, wavy, and straight. It is best for shoulder length and longer hair. If your hair is not long enough, your ponytail won't flip properly.
This style is also known as a "topsy turvy ponytail," or an "upside down ponytail." This style also works with a half-up, half-down style.
Do not make it too tight; you want some space between the hair tie and the back of your head.
4
Stick your finger up through your hair, just above the hair tie. There should be equal amounts of hair to either side of your finger. Also, make sure that your finger is sticking up, from under your hair.
- Some people find it easier to use a special loop made for flipping ponytails. You can also bend a pipe cleaner in half and use that instead.
The easiest way to do this is to make a hook shape with your finger. If you are using a special loop or pipe cleaner, slip the ponytail through the loop. Make sure that the ends of your hair are facing your forehead.
6
Pull the ponytail through the hole. Tug your fingers/loop down through the hole, along with the ponytail. Tug it down as far as you can, but not so much that the hair tie goes through the hole too. If that happens, you have pulled too much.
- If you are having troubles getting the ponytail through the hole, try widening the hole a little bit by inserting your first two fingers and spreading them. You can also try pushing the ponytail through the hole.
Be gentle, however. If you brush or comb the hair too hard, it may pull your ponytail all the way through the hole—including the hair tie.
This is not necessary, but it can add that final touch to your hairstyle.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Flip Parting Your Hair

Download Article

1
Start with neatly brushed hair. Because you will be "flipping" your hair to create a side part, you want it to be as smooth as possible. If your hair isn't smooth, your part may end up messy.
- This style works best with straightened hair.
You will eventually be flipping part of your hair to the side to create a side part.
3
Slip the end of a rat-tail comb through your hair either to the left or right of the part. How far away from the center part you place the comb depends on how large you want the side part to be.
- Instead of pointing the end of the comb straight back, consider angling it slightly towards the center-back of your head.
Think of it as lifting your hair and turning it like a page in a book.
Use the comb part to smooth down any stray hairs, and to even up the part.
Depending on how thick or stiff your hair is, this may not be necessary. If you find that your hair won't "hold" the part easily, smooth it down and spray it with a lightweight hairspray.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Flipping Your Hair Over Your Shoulder

Download Article

This will help your hair sway over your shoulder in a smooth, fluid motion. It is possible to flip hair with any texture, but the smoother your hair is, the more effective the motion will be.
If possible, try to make eye contact with them for a brief second. Do not overdo it, however, or you will be too obvious.
3
Use your hand to flip your hair back over your shoulder. Start with a part of your hair draped over your shoulder. Place the back of your hand against your hair, and quickly flick your hand back at the wrist. This will cause your hair to flip over your shoulder.
- This works best with hair that falls somewhere between your shoulders and your elbows. If your hair is too long or too short, it may not be as effective.
- Use a small, less dramatic motion. This will help make it look more natural. If you try to make a huge show of your hair flip, and make a large gesture, you will look overly dramatic and unnatural.
4
Flip your ponytail. This was work with just about any length of ponytail, but it will be most effective with tails that reach your shoulder. Simply turn your head towards one shoulder, and very quickly sweep your head towards the other shoulder. To make your flick even more effective, try to dip your head down slightly as you reach the middle of your "turn." This creates a dip or curve that causes your ponytail to flip even more.
- Depending on the length of your hair, you might end up catching someone in the face.
Hair flipping is often associated with sass and confidence. You can make yourself appear more confident by standing tall with your back straight and your head held high.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What if you have frizzy hair? My hair is also kinda short and only just reaches my shoulder. If I flipped my hair all girly like, I'd look stupid. What can I do?

Community Answer

Embrace the frizz. Instead of flipping, try twisting. It is even a little more flirtatious.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 6
Question

What is the best thing for dry hair and split ends?

Community Answer

You should use a leave-in condition and maybe consider trimming off the split ends.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1
Question

Is there a way for me to flip my hair? I have short, frizzy hair that's no more than just about shoulder length.

Cbailey19

Community Answer

Try using a shampoo for frizzy hair and/or buy a leave-in conditioner that's meant for frizzy hair. As for flipping your hair, look at GIFs of women flipping their hair and try finding one that's best for you. If that doesn't work, just try twisting the ends.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2