It's back. Honestly, if you’ve spent any time scrolling through your feed lately, you’ve probably noticed that the pin-straight, ultra-blunt hair trend is finally losing its grip. People are bored. We want movement. We want something that doesn't look like we spent four hours with a flat iron trying to defy physics. Enter short flicked out hair, the defiant, bouncy cousin of the classic bob that’s currently reclaiming its throne.
You might remember it from the mid-90s. Think Drew Barrymore on a red carpet or Meg Ryan in basically every rom-com that made us cry. But in 2026, it isn't just a nostalgia trip. It’s a practical solution for anyone who has fine hair that usually just hangs there looking sad.
The "flick" is exactly what it sounds like—the ends of the hair curve outward away from the face, rather than curling under toward the chin. It creates this trapezoid-like silhouette that feels airy and, frankly, a bit more fun than the "Posh Spice" bob of the early 2000s. It’s the difference between looking like a serious Victorian orphan and someone who actually has a social life.
Why The Flick Works (And Why We Stopped Doing It For A While)
For years, the hair industry was obsessed with "tucking." Every stylist told you to blow-dry your ends under to "frame the face." But here’s the thing: curling ends inward can actually make a round face look rounder and a square jaw look heavier. Short flicked out hair does the opposite. By directing the visual weight outward, it widens the appearance of the cheekbones and creates a lifting effect. It’s basically a non-surgical facelift.
We moved away from it because it got a bad reputation for being "pageant hair" or looking too stiff. In the early 2010s, if your hair flicked out, it was usually by accident because your shoulders were hitting it. It was considered a styling mistake. Now? We're doing it on purpose, but with a much softer finish.
The modern iteration isn't crunchy. You aren't using a gallon of Aqua Net to freeze those ends in place. Instead, it’s about "swing." Stylists like Chris Appleton and Mara Roszak have been leaning into this flared aesthetic because it photographs beautifully. It captures light on the ends of the hair, which makes the whole mane look healthier and thicker than it actually is.
The Science of the "Kick"
When you cut hair to a certain length—usually right at the shoulder or just above it—the hair naturally wants to jump. This is due to the "shoulder kick." Instead of fighting against the natural anatomy of your neck and traps, short flicked out hair leans into it. It’s the path of least resistance.
If you have a cowlick at the nape of your neck, you’ve probably spent your life hating it. Stop. That cowlick is actually your best friend for this look. It provides the natural lift needed to get that flared-out shape without needing to bake your hair under a 450-degree iron for twenty minutes.
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Getting The Cut Right Is Half The Battle
You can't just take a generic lob and hope for the best. To make short flicked out hair look intentional and not like you just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, the internal structure of the haircut has to be specific.
Most people think they need heavy layers. They’re wrong.
If you over-layer the back, you lose the "weight line" that makes the flick look intentional. You want what stylists call "invisible layering" or "internal thinning." This removes the bulk from the middle of the hair shaft while keeping the ends blunt. A blunt perimeter is the secret. When the ends are thick, the flick has more impact. It looks like a design choice, not a frayed edge.
Talk To Your Stylist About These Specifics:
- The Length: Aim for about an inch above the shoulder. This gives the hair room to move without getting caught on your clothes.
- The Ends: Ask for "point cutting" on the very tips. This keeps the line sharp but prevents it from looking like a Lego hairpiece.
- The Weight: If you have thick hair, ask them to "carve" out some weight from the underside. This allows the top layer to flare out more easily.
If your stylist reaches for the thinning shears and starts hacking away at the ends, stop them. Thinning shears can create frizz, and frizz is the enemy of a clean flick. You want smooth, deliberate lines.
How To Style Short Flicked Out Hair Without Looking Like a 60s Housewife
The biggest fear people have is looking like they're wearing a costume. You don't want to look like you’re heading to a Mad Men themed party. The key to keeping it modern is the texture of the roots and the mid-lengths.
In the 1960s, the "flip" was accompanied by massive volume at the crown. Think Jackie Kennedy. Today, we keep the top relatively flat or naturally tousled. All the drama is at the bottom.
Step-By-Step Breakdown
- Prep is everything. Use a heat protectant with a light hold. I’m a fan of the Kevin Murphy Anti.Gravity spray because it’s not sticky.
- Rough dry. Don't bother with a brush until your hair is 80% dry. Use your fingers. Shake it out.
- The Round Brush Technique. This is where the magic happens. Instead of rolling the brush under toward your neck, place the brush on top of the hair section and roll it up and away from your face.
- The Flat Iron Shortcut. If you're bad with a blow dryer (aren't we all?), use a flat iron. Run it straight down the hair, and when you get to the last two inches, twist your wrist 180 degrees outward.
- Cooling is the secret. This is the part everyone skips. Once you flick the hair out with heat, hold it in that position with your fingers for five seconds until it cools. Hair sets as it cools. If you drop it while it’s still hot, the flick will fall flat before you even leave the bathroom.
Honestly, the messier, the better. If one side flicks more than the other, let it be. Symmetry is overrated and usually looks a bit "uncanny valley" anyway.
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Real World Examples: Who Is Doing This Right?
We’ve seen this look evolve significantly over the last few years. Florence Pugh is basically the poster child for the modern short flicked out hair movement. She often wears it with a deep side part, which adds a bit of architectural interest.
Then there’s Hailey Bieber. When she chopped her hair into a bob, she didn't always go for the flat, tucked-under look. She often styles it with a "hydro" finish—lots of shine, very sleek, with just the tiniest kick out at the ends. It looks expensive.
Even on the runway, designers are moving away from the "undone beach wave." We’re seeing a return to "finished" hair. But "finished" doesn't mean "stiff." It means intentional.
Variation: The Wet-Look Flick
If you have a gala or just a really fancy dinner, try the wet-look version. Use a high-shine gel (like the classic Bumble and bumble Bb. Gel) and comb it through from roots to ends. Use a fine-tooth comb to flick the ends out and let it air dry. It looks editorial, chic, and incredibly high-fashion. Plus, it stays put all night. No wind is going to ruin that silhouette.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
The most common disaster with short flicked out hair is over-curling. If you turn the flick into a full-on circle, you’ve gone too far. You want a "J" shape, not a "C" shape.
Another pitfall is using too much oil. While shine is good, too much product will weigh the ends down. Gravity is a relentless force. If your hair is heavy with silicone, those ends are going to droop within an hour. Stick to lightweight volumizing mousses or sea salt sprays for grip.
- Mistake: Curling from the root.
- Fix: Keep the first 3-4 inches of hair straight. Only flick the ends.
- Mistake: Using a brush that’s too small.
- Fix: Use a large barrel round brush. A small one will create a tight curl rather than a sophisticated flare.
Maintenance: Keeping the Flick Alive
Maintaining this style requires a bit of a strategy. Because the focus is on the ends, you have to keep them healthy. Split ends don't flick; they just frizz.
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Get a trim every 6 to 8 weeks. Even if you’re trying to grow your hair out, "dusting" the ends will keep the shape crisp. Also, consider the weather. If it’s humid, your flick is going to want to revert to its natural state. On swampy days, use a finishing spray with an anti-humidity barrier. Oribe’s Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray is expensive, but it’s basically a raincoat for your hairstyle.
Is it for everyone?
Mostly, yes. However, if you have extremely tight, coily hair, achieving a smooth flick requires a lot of heat tension which can lead to damage. In that case, the "flick" looks different—it’s more about the shape of the cut than the direction of the blow-dry. For those with curly textures, ask for a "bell-shaped" cut to get a similar outward-moving energy without sacrificing your curl pattern.
For fine-haired folks, this is your holy grail. It adds the illusion of density where you need it most.
Actionable Steps To Try This Tomorrow
You don't need a full salon visit to test-drive this. If you already have a bob or a lob, try these three things:
- The "Flip" Test: Next time you dry your hair, flip your head upside down. Focus the heat on your roots. When you flip back up, only style the very ends outward. See how the volume feels.
- Change Your Part: A middle part with flicked ends looks very "90s supermodel." A side part looks more "Old Hollywood." Experiment with both to see which balances your face shape better.
- Texture Overlap: Apply a sea salt spray to the mid-lengths for a grittier texture, but keep the flicked ends smooth with a tiny drop of shine serum. That contrast between the "messy" middle and the "polished" end is what makes it look modern.
Don't overthink it. The beauty of short flicked out hair is that it’s supposed to look a little bit rebellious. It’s a departure from the perfectionism of the "glass hair" era. It’s hair that moves, hair that kicks back, and hair that finally stops trying to hide your jawline.
Start by using a larger round brush than you think you need. Work in small sections, and remember to let the hair cool before you touch it. If it feels a bit weird at first, give it twenty minutes to settle. Usually, the "settled" flick looks much more natural than the one fresh off the brush. Go grab a flat iron and just try one section near your face. You’ll see the difference immediately.