Ask a Hairstylist: Why Your Hair Is Flipping up at the Ends and What You Can Do About It
Welcome to our Hair Consultations column. Bill Angst is a celebrity hairstylist and the owner of Angst Hair in Toronto, Canada. To request an online hair consultation, follow the instructions here.
Q: Hi Bill. I’m open to any suggestions for a colour and cut. I have pale skin with green eyes, and my hair is fine and frizzy, with an uneven natural curl that I straighten with a round brush every day.
Carey has fine hair with an uneven curl that she straightens with a round brush.
My hair colour is currently auburn, but my natural colour is a mousy brown. I would like to transition to a lighter hair colour with highlights.
Carey dyes her hair auburn, but is looking for a lighter colour.
My biggest complaint is that my hair does not always hold its style. Whether I dry it straight or so that it curls under, it will flip up at the bottom regardless. Thank you! — Carey
Carey doesn’t like how her hair flips up at the ends.
A: Carey, thank you for your request for a consultation. I’m sorry that you are not happy with your flippy hair. I happen to find it very attractive on you. It does wonders for your jawline, as it indents at a great place to frame your face.
That said, if you are dead set against it, the only way to get rid of it—with your current method of styling—is to cut your hair above your shoulders. When it hits the shoulders, it’s game over… the flip happens.
There is no guarantee that it will behave itself at a shorter length, but this cut would suit you:
From The Skincare Edit Archives
Martina McBride at the 2003 American Music Awards.
Lee Roth/Star Max
Alternatively, if you went with your natural curls, you could pump up the volume with the aid of a curling iron. This way of styling would not cause the flip at your current length. Blow-drying with a round brush brings on the flip.
Maggie Gyllenhaal at the 2010 BAFTA Tea Party.
S. Bukley/ImageCollect
Fine, curly hair does not take bleach highlights very well, and they can be super drying. A richer solid colour like this would be your best bet:
Amy Adams at the 2013 Hollywood Film Awards.
S. Bukley/ImageCollect
It would be so pretty on you. However, I know that when a woman wants highlights, she wants highlights….
Here is the addition of highlights done with a lighter shade of colour, not bleach:
Emma Stone at the 2018 Marie Claire Image Makers Awards.
F. Sadou/AdMedia
This technique will serve you well. If you go for the shorter cut idea, then go ahead and use bleach. It will take less time to grow out and cut off the damaged hair.
I hope this helps in your quest for great hair.
billyxoxo
