If you love defined curls but hate spending forever finger coiling, brushing, separating and rearranging every single curl, I want you to try something much simpler:
Flip. Coat. Scrunch.
This is one of those curly hair styling techniques that reminds me that sometimes, we really don’t need to work so hard to get our curls to look good.
You need water, your styling products and your hands, and instead of manually creating every curl, you allow your natural pattern to do most of the work.
What Is the Flip, Coat, Scrunch Method?
The Flip, Coat, Scrunch method was coined by hairstylist Atoya Bass, known for her simple approach to curly hair styling. The concept is exactly what the name suggests:
Flip → Coat → Scrunch
You flip your hair from side to side, coat sections with your styling product and scrunch upwards to encourage your natural curl or wave pattern. There’s no need to create every individual curl yourself.
And honestly? That’s what I love about it. You’re not trying to force your hair into a pattern it doesn’t naturally have.You’re simply giving your curls the water, product and encouragement they need to form.
How to Do the Flip, Coat, Scrunch Method
1. Start With Soaking Wet Hair
After washing your hair, keep it very wet. Water is an important part of curly hair styling because it helps your curls clump together and allows your products to distribute more easily.
Apply your leave-in conditioner or curl primer first. Make sure you distribute it throughout your hair rather than concentrating all the product at the back.
Don’t Forget Your Top Layer!
This is something I constantly tell my clients:
Don’t forget the top layer of your hair.
When you flip your hair upside down and then bring it back up, it’s very easy for the underneath sections to receive more product than the hair on top.
And what happens? You can end up with beautifully defined curls underneath while the top layer is frizzy and under-styled. So move your hair around.
Flip it. Shift it from side to side. Use your hands to make sure your leave-in or primer reaches all of your hair, including that top layer.
2. Add Your Gel
Now it’s time for your styling product. Take a small amount of gel and spread it between your hands. I personally like to gently rake the gel through my hair first.
This isn’t a strict part of the Flip, Coat, Scrunch method, it’s simply something I like to do because it helps me distribute my gel more evenly.
Once the gel is distributed, the actual Flip, Coat, Scrunch technique begins.
3. Flip, Coat & Scrunch
Now we’re keeping it simple.
Flip
Flip your hair forward.
Add a little gel to the section you’re working with.
Coat
Use your hands to coat the section evenly with product.
You don’t need to manipulate every individual curl.
Scrunch
Scrunch your hair upwards toward your scalp.
Then flip your hair to one side.
Repeat: Coat → Scrunch.
Move your hair to the other side and do it again.
Coat → Scrunch.
Continue working around your head until you’ve distributed enough product and you can see your natural curl or wave pattern beginning to form.
And that’s it.
You’re Not Creating the Curl, You’re Encouraging It
This is probably my favourite part of this technique. The goal isn’t to create perfectly separated curls with your hands. You’re not trying to make every curl look identical. You’re simply encouraging the texture that’s already there.
Your natural curl pattern is going to determine the shape.
Your job is to provide: Water + product + gentle manipulation. Then let your hair do what it naturally wants to do.
Why I Like the Flip, Coat, Scrunch Method
For me, the biggest benefit is less manipulation.
You’re not repeatedly:
- Brushing every section
- Separating every curl
- Finger coiling every strand
- Rearranging curl clumps
- Constantly touching your hair
Instead, you’re allowing your natural pattern to form with relatively little interference. And sometimes, that’s exactly what curly hair needs. Less doing. More allowing.
Does Flip, Coat, Scrunch Work for Every Hair Type?
It can be adapted to different textures, but that doesn’t mean you’ll use exactly the same amount of product or water. For example:
Fine or Wavy Hair
You may need:
- Less product
- Lighter styling products
- Less manipulation
Too much product can weigh down finer or looser textures.
Coarse or Dense Hair
You may need:
- More product
- More thorough product distribution
- More water
- More time working through different sections
The important thing is not to blindly copy someone else’s amount of product. Your hair gets the final vote. Density, texture, porosity, product choice and even the weather can all affect how your hair responds.
Here’s how I style using the flip coat scrunch method.
I’m using Treluxe Primer and Hi! Defintion Gel to style in this routine.
This combination always gives me hydrated, light, yet big round curls!
Use my affiliate link to save 15% on Treluxe hair products here.
Product Review Summary
| Product | What it does well | How it feels | Key ingredients | Need to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TréLuxe Aloe Vera Primer | Hydrates curls without heaviness | Thin creamy gel texture | Aloe Vera, Vitamin C, Vitamin E | Protein-free. Works best in small amounts on wet hair |
| TréLuxe Hi! Definition Gel | Defines curls while staying lightweight | Custard gel | Tomato, Rice, Aloe Vera, Avocado | Offers UV protection |
What Do You Do After Flip, Coat & Scrunch?
Once you’re finished styling: Leave your hair alone. Let your curls dry without constantly touching or rearranging them.
You can air-dry or diffuse depending on your preference and routine. If you diffuse, use the technique that works best for your hair and your desired level of volume.
The biggest thing? Don’t keep messing with your curls while they’re trying to form. You’ve done your part. Now let the hair do its thing.
Flip. Coat. Scrunch. That’s It.
Curly hair styling doesn’t always have to involve ten different techniques.
Sometimes you don’t need to finger coil every curl NOR brush-style every section. Sometimes you don’t need to keep fixing your hair.
You just need enough water, product and the right amount of encouragement. The Flip, Coat, Scrunch method is a beautiful reminder that your curls already know how to curl.
You don’t always have to create the curl. Sometimes you just need to get out of its way.
And if you’re constantly changing techniques because you’re not sure what your curls actually need, that’s where understanding your individual hair makes all the difference.
Your curl pattern, density, porosity, texture and product choices all matter.
Don’t copy someone else’s routine. Learn your own hair.
