30 Flip Hairstyles for Inspiration

Hairstyles are cyclical (we've been seeing a lot of this lately), so it is no surprise that flip hairstyles are making a comeback once again. The look is heavily inspired by the '60s, '90s, and early 2000s and is back for a redux. But this time, the fresh and flirty hairstyle isn't just about exaggerated ends but instead a myriad of different flips, including ends that flip inward, have a slight flick to them, and even curls that point in various directions.

Meet the expert

• Paul Labrecque is the creative director, master stylist, and colorist of Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa.
• Camille Friend is a celebrity hairstylist who was head stylist for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and The Little Mermaid.
• Chaz Dean is the founder of WEN and a celebrity hairstylist and colorist,

The flip hairstyle is an elegant and sophisticated look that works for a more casual hairstyle simply by dialing down the amount of bend in the hair. Ahead, these 30 flip hairstyles are nothing short of inspirational.

A Classic Take on Flipped Ends

Sophie Turner's classic half-up, half-down ponytail style features super smooth, shiny hair with ends that bend inwards for the perfect amount of a rolled-under flip hairstyle. Celebrity hairstylist Camille Friend says an easy way to achieve a similar look is to use Prose Styling Gel ($30) to smooth the hair in the front and then use a 1 ½-inch curling iron to flip the ends under with added bounce.

The Flipped, Layered Bob

Eva Mendes' flipped bob hairstyle features short layers while the rest of her hair grazes above her shoulder. Master stylist Paul Labrecque says layers give the hair a soft front for more of a retro style. "Styling foam or mousse is a must," he says.

Curled to Perfection

For bouncy curls that flip up and out like Zendaya's, Labrecque says to rely heavily on the help of hot rollers, which add volume. "I like T3's Volumizing Hot Rollers ($112) for this look. Then, when the hair is cool, brush it out and tease it ever so slightly. Finally, apply a finishing spray like L'Oreal's Tecni Art Infinium 4 ($28) to lock in the hair and give it an extra-smooth finish."

Sleek With a Blunt Flip

Margot Robbie's unique take on a flip hairstyle features a sleek, almost gelled-like bob with ends that flip up but without much curl or bounce. "To get the hair to look like this, apply a leave-in conditioner and blow dry it with a large boar bristle brush like the Paul Labrecque Boar Bristle Brush ($66) for a smooth finish," Labrecque says. If the ends are too curly or voluminous, run a flat iron to straighten them out.

A Collarbone-Grazing Long Bob with Flip Ends

Chaz Dean, founder of WEN and celebrity hairstylist and colorist, calls Olivia Culpo's flip hairstyle "beautiful and polished." To do this hairstyle at home, Dean says to blow dry the hair with a medium round brush. Then, smooth the hair with a smoothing gloss serum. "Tuck the hair behind the ears and secure it with a bobby pin. Finish the look with a spritz of a light finishing treatment spray such as Wen Light Finishing Treatment Spray ($40)," he adds.

A Straight Flip Bob

Straight hair cut into a clean bob, like Kate Mara's, can pull off this sophisticated look. To get the ends to bend ever so slightly without any creasing, Labrecque says to curve them out, which gives a soft split. "You can finesse this style with a flexible styling gel like Paul Labrecque Daily Style ($28). Smooth the gel over the top layer of hair and dry it for a crisp, high-gloss shine with plenty of all-day hold."

The Layered Flip

Dressy occasions call for kicking a flip hairstyle up a notch. "Here, Gwen Stefani wears a modern chignon ponytail," Friend says. "I love the height at the top and the layered flip. Use dry shampoo to achieve this type of height and volume."

The Flipped-Out Ponytail

Hailey Bieber sports a high ponytail with flipped-out ends that's accessorized with a black bow to dress things up. "It's a modern twist on a retro look," Dean says. To style the hair like Hailey's, Dean recommends first blow drying the hair smooth with a styling cream to help polish the hair. Then, once it is fully dry, he says to slick it back with a hydrating hair mask and grab the hair into a high ponytail, securing it in place high on the head. "Accessorize with a bow of your choice."

Add Some Sparkle

Perfect for the holidays, applying a bit of hair-safe glitter to a deep side part dresses up a short bob with ends that have some slight bend, just like Julianne Hough's style. The key to keeping the hair looking sophisticated and appropriate for wearing this look during the evening is to give the front pieces of hair just enough of a subtle flip at the ends, which you can accomplish with a flat iron or a round brush and blow dryer. Then, finish off the ends with a bit of a shine serum.

Modern and Smooth with a Heavy Bang

"Rose Byrne's classic bob features a fringe and flip that hugs her jawline," Friend says. "Hair oil is a good choice for a sleek and shiny finish. And dry shampoo can add some height to the crown."

An Elegant Flip

Jennifer Lopez's beautiful shoulder-length bob features hair that rests on the shoulder as it pushes out, Labrecque says. "Soft layers make for a sexy front look and lots of allure," he adds. For an unexpected twist on the flip hairstyle, she keeps the face frame straighter and the rest of the hair slightly flipped up.

A Sexy, Messy Flip

Not all flip hairstyles need to be structured and pronounced. Some, like Selena Gomez's style, take a softer, more tousled approach that works well. Labrecque says to use a large round brush, such as Ibiza B7 Brush ($63), to give the hair a slightly frayed finish "Then, set the hair with a proper finishing spray like Phyto Phytolaque Soie Finishing Spray ($26)."

Dressed Up Ends

Keke Palmer's flirty look is an homage to the '60s with a heavy flip and ample bend. The pinned-back side part adds to the style and shows off the structure of her flipped-up ends.

A Half-Up Flip

A fun take on flipped-up ends, Labrecque says an easy way to achieve this playful look is to pull the hair into a top ponytail after blow-drying it. "However, if you have a chin-length bob, the pony will be too short, and you may need to wear extensions or a small hairpiece."

Just a Flick at the Ends

For less of an exaggerated flip, try a minimal flick on the ends of the hair, similar to what Reese Witherspoon sports. "You'll want to protect wet hair with a heat protectant first, like Paul Mitchell Hot Off The Press Thermal Protective Spray ($24), before blow drying it with a round brush to achieve this sleek look."

A Retro Look with Exaggerated Ends

Shorter hair can pull off more of a pronounced flip since the hair has less weight. "Here, Dorit Kemsely takes a classic bob and accessorizes it with a crystal barrette for a fun look," Friend says. Tucking one side behind her ear emphasizes the ends of the hair and lets the underneath of her flip hairstyle peek through, too.

A Retro-Inspired Look

To achieve Katy Perry's bleach blonde retro-inspired extreme flip hairstyle on shorter hair, Labrecque says to use a ponytail addition or add-on, which can be razored to the ideal length once fitted. "The hair can be smoothed and held in place with a firm finish hairspray to keep the style from falling loose."

A Waved Set With Volume

Flip hairstyles are not limited to exclusively bobs or short hair. Megan Thee Stallion wears her longer hair in a waved set with large pin curls that wrap under beautifully for a different spin on the classic hair flip. Labrecque says this style can be pinned back using seamless bobby pins (like in this picture) or left loose for a more '40s retro feel.

Fake a Flip Under

Kim Kardashian's exaggerated flipped-under ends are a classic, timeless style. But in actuality, Labrecque says Kim wears a rooted lace-front wig. "A wig like this can be glued down in the front so it has a seamless line. It is cut into a smooth, slightly-angled bob, and very little, if any, product is used." 

An Edgy Flip

Another style that's a nod to a bygone era, Kris Jenner's flirty, short, layered haircut is blown out with a soft fringe to give it some edge. "Razored feathered clip-ins are added to the back and then razored to a short, flip bob angled out with a straightening iron," Labrecque says.

Beachy Flipped-Out Ends

Scarlett Johansson's shoulder-length, razor-edged bob features separated, piecey ends with a slight upward bend instead of hanging straight, which is more typical of the look. Labrecque suggests using a soft mousse on the hair and air drying it before brushing it with your fingers to achieve a sexy bedhead look. "It looks effortless, but the hair needs some natural texture to pull this off."

Farrah Fawcett-Inspired Flip

Nicole Richie's modern-day version of the famous Farrah Fawcett flip hairstyle can be accomplished with a large curling iron. Friend recommends using a 1 ½-inch curling iron, starting at the crown and then working down the hair for an all-over effect. "It's important to use a heat protective spray, such as Kenra Thermal Styling Spray ($20), on dry hair before curling the hair to create layered flips throughout the hair."

Flipped at the Nape of the Neck

Iris Law's chin-length bob is replete with a slight flip of the ends at the nape of the neck for a total rock 'n roll look. Labrecque says to spray on a volumizing root lifting spray and set the hair in medium barrel rollers to recreate this look. "Finish it with gel for a wet and slick yet natural waved-top."

A Sleek, Inward Flip

"Ciara's inward-facing flip hairstyle is a beautiful, polished, glam-rock look," Dean says. "To create this kind of style, apply a leave-in conditioner to the hair for added moisture. Then, work in a styling cream with a smoothing glossing serum to wet hair and blow it out with a large round brush to polish it. Finish off the look with a dry hair oil for high-quality shine."

An Everyday Flip Hairstyle

To wear the hair in a flip style suitable for a casual look, use a mini flat iron to give a subtle bend to the ends while keeping the rest of the hair natural, be it straight or wavy. Here, Charlize Theron adds a beret to her lob cut, which Friend says features a slight kick out at the ends and some wavy pieces around her face.

Mega Volume with Soft-Flipped Ends

"Jennifer Coolidge's hairstyle is an updated, modern twist on what Priscilla Presley wore during the 60s," Dean says. According to Dean, the key to creating a voluminous hairstyle with plenty of multi-directional curls that flip up and under is to use mousse and styling cream on wet hair. Then, he recommends blow drying the hair with multiple medium round brushes to add volume and body. "Once the hair is dry, tease it at the crown and add a headband or bow if desired."

Minimal Flipped Ends

To create a slight flip at the ends with waves throughout, Friend says to apply hair oil, which adds definition to the hair without weighing it down. A side part lends slight volume at the root so the hair doesn't fall flat at the crown.

The '70s-Inspired Flip

Every decade has its spin on the flip hairstyle, and the 70s were all about a heavy blunt bang paired with a more subtle flip at the ends on longer hair, as seen here on Natasha Lyonne. "I love this look because it features a face-framing blunt fringe with ends that looks like a modern take on a Cher-inspired hairstyle," Friend says.

A Cropped Flip

Taraji P. Henson puts her spin on a flip hairstyle by wearing her hair in more of a modern shag-meets-wolf cut with a rocker edge. "Volumizing mousse and defining paste are musts to create texture and volume," Dean says. "You can also slightly flick the side and back of the hair out with a brush when smoothing out the ends."

A Timeless Flip

A flip hairstyle isn't limited to the 40-and-under set. The style works well for more mature hair since it adds texture to thinner hair. A perfect example is the flip hairstyle Jane Fonda wears. "She wears a shaggy bob with feathered bangs and hair that's flipped out at the ends," Friend says.

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