Hair Flick Ends Are Big For Spring, According to Experts
Hair Flick Ends Are Making a Comeback For Spring
Image Source: Getty Images / Valerie Macon
It might only be early in the year, but you're likely to have familiarised yourself with a fair few hair trends already. You might have tried the mob wife aesthetic and given yourself a voluminous blow dry or tried the Kitty Cut and layered your bob hairstyle. But if those felt like too much of a commitment, or too high maintenance, then let us re-introduce you to the humble hair flick.
The style requires no trimming or trips to the hairdressers, and looks good on pretty much all hair lengths. Just use Holly Willoughby as inspiration, who rocked hair flick ends while presenting "Dancing on Ice" in January. Or look at the accentuated ends that added pizzazz Emma Stone's shoulder-length hair. "Barbie"'s America Ferrera and Zendaya have also chosen the hair flick for red carpet appearances, and experts say it's set to be all the rage this spring.
So if you're looking for an easy way of giving your hair a little spring refresh, follow our guide to perfecting the hair flick below.
What Are Hair Flick Ends?
While trends change faster than you can blink, the hair flick offers a versatile and timeless look that stands the test of time. According to Smith England Hair's stylist, Ellie Smith, the hair flick can be a "stylish and playful addition to current trends" and is set to dominate the red carpet this season. In essence, hair flicks are upturned ends that add a defined silhouette to a straight, sleek hairstyle.
"The hair flick adds movement and dynamism to a simple bob. It brings a touch of flair and sophistication, transforming an everyday bob into a chic and stylish statement," Smith tells POPSUGAR, although it can be used on longer hair, layers, and at the end of up 'dos, too (like the "Barbie" ponytail trend that took off after the release of the movie.) Although, it's not a new trend as such. "The original hair flick was made popular by Farah Fawcett whose iconic cut set a trend, prompting a surge in requests for its feathery, voluminous style — a trend that continues to influence nearly 50 years later," Smith adds.
Like with all recurring trends, 2024's hair flicks have been given a modern twist. They are are sleeker and chicer than previous iterations so consider smoothing hair before giving ends the hair flick treatment.
How to Get Hair Flick Ends
Luckily, the hair flick is easy to achieve with your usual hair tools – a blow dryer and straighteners – but House of Keune by Bloom's hair expert Ronan Cotes has offered some handy product recommendations to help maintain your style and, of course, make it look as good as it does on the likes of our celebrity faves.
To ensure your flicks are sleek and smooth, go in with a smooth bristle round brush for blow-drying, but "not too big to avoid excess volume," he says. Using hair straighteners, smooth down the body of your hair, before sweeping your wrist into an upwards motion around three inches from the ends. "Freestyle hairspray and serum can be applied, and for a 'wet look', add some ultra gel and let it dry," Cotes says.
Cotes recommends using a heat-protecting spray before heat styling, as should be your usual go-to, then using the Kenue Style Straight Cream (£20) after blow-drying. Try finishing the look with a keratin smooth serum to tame flyaways and add some extra shine, like the Philip Kingsley Finishing Touch Hair Polishing Serum (£20).
Hair Flick Ends Inspiration
If you're looking for some inspiration to add to your hair moodboards, then the below celebrities should be added ASAP.
Holly Willoughby
"Dancing On Ice" viewers were treated to co-host Holly Willoughby perfectly demonstrating the smooth hair flick on her chin-length blonde bob while presenting the 2024 series. With smokey eye makeup and raspberry lips, she proved just how glam the hair flick can be.
Image Source: Getty Images / Valerie Macon
Emma introduced her 60's adjacent hair flick bob earlier this year at the Palm Springs International Film Festival as a fiery way to kickstart Award season, with the flipped ends of her new long-bob sitting neatly on her shoulders.
America Ferrera
Image Source: Getty Images/Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
Ferrera flaunted her flicked ends at the 2024 Golden Globes and, while she didn't receive an award for her powerful feminist monologue in Barbie, she instead received praise for her sophisticated hair flick bob.
Zendaya
Image Source: Getty Images/Daniele Venturelli
Zendaya's hair flick moment oozed old Hollywood glamour as she attended the Bulgari Hotel Roma opening event in June 2023. Her flipped ends paired with a deep side-parting matched the effortless chic of her black slouchy sparkle suit.
Jenna Coleman
"Young Victoria" star Jenna Coleman was given the '90s flip from hair stylist Christian Woods, who implemented a harsher hair flick into Coleman's slick, middle-parted, shoulder-length ombre bob.
Florence Pugh
Image Source: Getty Images / Mike Marsland
Pugh stepped out at the 2022 British Independent Film Awards in a looked called "boudoir baby", coined by her glam squad consisting of makeup artist Alex Babsky and Peter Lux. The overall sensual vibe of her look was finished by slicking and flipping her ultra short blonde pixie cut and sculpting her bangs into a waves for a retro feel.
Image Source: Getty Images / Denise Truscello
Kicking off her Las Vegas residency in style, Xtina arrived on stage with her shoulder-length bob cut and layered with flipped ends, reminiscent of her hairstyle around the time of her self-titled debut album in 1999.
Image Source: Getty Images / Kevin Mazur
In typical Rihanna style, the singer jumped on the trend back in 2022 with a hair flick ponytail she modelled at an event for her makeup line, Fenty Beauty.
