Can I make my layers look less flippy - without cutting and without heat?

[jaine]

I have very chunky, cowlicky, sticky-outy layers but it only happens on one side. Is there a way to smooth them down without razoring them and without heat? Or at least if it must be flippy, how to make the waves & flips more uniform on both sides?

Layers on one side like to flip out, like this: http://www.stylewigs.com/products/new/fy-fashion-note_4_0.jpg
The layers on the other side flip in, like this: http://www.hairstylescut.com/images/hair-without-bangs.jpg

I know from past experience that getting my ends cut with a razor will definitely make them lie nicely for many months. But ... then I'll want another trim in 6 months when the razored ends start to look odd ... and the flippyness that I get from trimming off the razored ends will make me want razored ends again ... that's a lot of length to lose when I'm trying to grow out.

Is there any other way to smooth down my layers without cutting them? Right now I'm experimenting with different ways to wet-set it to get a different shape. Open to any suggestions though.

[Sheltie_Momma]

Yes, large velcro rollers on just dry hair will work fine on this. Set the flippy section for fifteen or twenty minutes when hair is just barely dry - it should smooth it and set the waves in the desired pattern. Alternatively, section the entire top layer into a high pony tail - then wrap that ponied section on medium sponge rollers again paying attention to the direction you roll in (you probably want to roll it down and back from your face). This is how I survived growing out my thick wavy layered hair.

[misstwist]

It doesn't have to be a Velcro roller. A magnetic roller will give the same effect in the same amount of time, as will standing pin curls. And you can sleep on standing pin curls.

[spidermom]

Oh wow - you have my kind of hair! I remember when the flip was popular in high school. One side - no problem. If flipped no matter what. The other side turned under. The few times I could get that side to flip up, it reverted within a few hours.

I don't think I ever tried to get the flippy side to turn under.

Can you do a lace braid, then pin down just behind your ear with crossed bobby-pins or a barrette.

[Lianna]

My hair is like that too on the front! A side flips out, and another in! I kinda got used to it. Big rollers are a good idea, but careful with velcro because it snags some people's hair. Like I said in the shorties thread: dampish piggy braids. :D (for those who didn't see my advice there) Wrapping is good too, if you have the time. I actually like my ponytail waves most of the time (another idea).

[jaine]

Thank you for the advice everyone! I am going to try the rollers this weekend because I have some big sponge rollers that I haven't tried yet.

This morning I did an experiment of drying it in 3 pigtail twists like this (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/album.php?albumid=6736&pictureid=91392) ... results weren't disastrous but it wasn't really what I wanted either. The flippyness was still there just moved to a different part of my head ... plus it was very flat on top with volume on the bottom which I try to avoid. I have a feeling that rollers might fix the volume distribution issue and give me more control over what flips where.

[lapushka]

When you go to bed at night, pin the sides back with bobby pins over the curve of your head. This will make them flip the same way, well... hopefully (dampening them just a little first might be better). This way, you won't have to totally wrap your hair.

[proo]

Jaine, you are the queen of the wet set - you'll figure this one out, looks like you're close.
STEP AWAY FROM THE RAZOR.

[jaine]

Haha, thanks proo :)

I actually found one method today that worked to get my hair evenly wavy with no flips - it worked for me last summer for a special occasion but I forgot about it because it took all day to dry. It definitely dries faster now that it's winter. It's the "Curly Girl" method with gel and scrunching and t-shirts blotting and whatnot. I like it! I'm still going to try the other suggestions too. I'm happy I have at least one way to wear my hair down without looking crazy. And this means I can stay away from the hair salon for now.

Anyway here's a picture of the curly girl method in my hair ... it ended up evenly wavy on both sides and the back with no flips! :)
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=6736&pictureid=91415

[lapushka]

It looks great! :)

[jaine]

It looks great! :)

Thank you! I am excited that it worked ... I tried 3 different drying methods during the day and that one was a hit. I feel like I have renewed interest in having long hair ... as much as I love pixie cuts on myself, a pixie cut can't be curly on me, but long hair can.

[jaine]

I found another drying method that didn't give me flips! This one was gelled and parted and combed into a sort of low ponytail except with no ponytail holder, and I was careful not to twist it either. I sat in front of a fan until the front was dry and then I brushed it with a paddle brush while blow-drying on the low/warm setting (with the hair dryer held far away from my head so the heat wouldn't be too much). I got loose waves with no flips:

http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?albumid=6736&pictureid=91480

I'm starting to think that the flips were caused by damp-bunning, drying it in an updo and then attempting to wear it down without restyling - all of my updos have some sort of twist or fold which probably caused the flips. Drying it loose and then wearing it loose is giving me a much better shape than drying it in a bun then trying to wear it loose...

[McFearless]

Your hair is perfect, I love your waves. They look effortless

[jaine]

Your hair is perfect, I love your waves. They look effortless

Aww, thank you! :)

[jaine]

Oops, I gave in and cut the flip. I guess time will tell if this was a good idea. It probably wasn't.

At least I didn't use a razor ... I used scissors. I cut the flippy section with a higher elevation that it had before.

Here's the flip that was annoying me for months:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=91556&albumid=6736&dl=1293399851&thumb=1

Here it is immediately after I cut it:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=91565&albumid=6736&dl=1293404558&thumb=1

Here it is after wetting it and restyling it:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/picture.php?pictureid=91599&albumid=6736&dl=1293419985&thumb=1

Curly hair hid the flip so nicely, but I couldn't get the curly style to look good for multiple days in a row. My usual drying method lasts 3 or 4 days easily. I'm a sucker for only wetting my hair twice a week.