Do your back curls fall flat? You’re not alone!
The back of your head can be one of the trickiest areas to style, especially when you can’t see what you’re doing. That’s why I wanted to try the Flip Section Method. This is a styling technique that helps you reach those hard-to-style areas and encourage more defined curl clumps.
Created by curly hair creator Sophie Marie Curly, this method involves flipping your head forward and styling your hair in sections. Instead of applying products and hoping everything falls into place, you can work through your hair with more control.
Let’s walk through how I use this method and why I pair mousse with gel for my wash-day routine.
How to Use the Flip Section Method
The goal is simple: work in sections, encourage your curls to clump together, and give the back of your head the attention it deserves.
Here’s how to try it:
1. Start with wet hair ready for styling
Begin with freshly washed hair that’s wet enough for your styling products to spread easily. Follow your usual wash-day routine and detangle your hair before styling.
2. Flip your head forward
Gently bend forward so you can access the back of your head more easily. If your hair is long or thick, working in sections can make the process feel much more manageable.
3. Divide your hair into sections
Separate your hair into manageable sections and work through them one at a time. This helps you pay attention to areas that might otherwise get missed, particularly the back.
4. Use your styling brush to form curl clumps
Take your styling brush and work through each section to encourage your strands to group into curl clumps. Focus on the direction and shape you want your curls to take.
You don’t need to rush. The aim is to encourage your natural curl pattern, not force every section to look identical.
5. Scrunch your curls
Once you’ve shaped a section, gently scrunch it to encourage your curls to spring up. Repeat until you’ve worked through your hair.
6. Bring your head upright and lift your roots
Carefully return your head to an upright position. Gently lift your roots where needed, taking care not to disrupt the curl clumps you’ve created.
Then let your curls dry using your preferred method.
My tip: If bending forward causes neck or back discomfort, don’t force it. You can adapt the technique by working in sections while keeping your head in a comfortable position. Your styling routine should work for you, not leave you uncomfortable.
Why I Apply Mousse Before Gel
For this tutorial, I layered mousse first and gel second.
Why both? Because I want to encourage curl shape and volume while still giving my curls enough hold to maintain their definition as they dry.
Here’s how I think about the two products:
- Mousse: Improves curl shape and volume without necessarily feeling as heavy as some creams or gels.
- Gel: Provides hold that can help keep curl clumps defined as your hair dries.
The results depend on the formulas you use, your hair’s needs, and how much product you apply. You might love using both, while someone with finer or less dense hair may prefer mousse on its own.
The TréLuxe Products I Used
For this styling routine, I used:
- TréLuxe Soothe & Restore Curl Defining Mousse — my first layer to improve curl shape and volume.
- TréLuxe Hi! Definition Curl Enhancer Styling Gel — layered on top for hold and maintain definition.
You can explore different amounts and application techniques to see what works for your hair. Start with a manageable amount and adjust based on your results rather than assuming more product will always give you better definition.
Watch My Flip Section Method Tutorial
Reading about a styling technique is helpful, but sometimes you need to see it in action!
Watch my YouTube tutorial to see how I section my hair, apply mousse and gel, and work through the back of my curls.
I also share my finished results and show you how my curls look by Day 3. That’s important to me because a styling routine isn’t just about how your hair looks immediately after wash day. I also want to see how the definition holds up over the following days.
[Watch the Flip Section Method tutorial on YouTube]
Is the Flip Section Method Worth Trying?
If you struggle to get definition at the back of your head, this technique is worth experimenting with. Working in sections can help you give every area more attention instead of focusing only on the curls you can easily see.
Just remember that your results will depend on your curl pattern, hair density, products, brush technique, and drying method. You may need a few attempts to figure out what works best for you.
And don’t worry if your results don’t look exactly like someone else’s. The goal is never to recreate someone else’s curls. It’s to understand your own hair and find techniques that make styling easier.
Have you tried the Flip Section Method? DM me on Instagram! Let me know how it worked for your curls!
Your hair gets the final vote. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and build a routine that works for you.
Thank you for watching and reading!
HONESTLIZ
