After the age of 50, many look for a cut that restores volume without cutting everything off. Hairdressers confirm it: only one succeeds in lifting the face while maintaining movement.
With age, the fiber becomes thinner, the hair becomes heavier and the lengths that are too short carry all the weight… to the detriment of the roots. Result: even well cut, long hair can quickly appear flat, pull the features down and harden the oval of the face. Hairdressers observe that an intermediate length allows the weight to be placed back towards the middle of the hair, restoring volume to the roots. This is the secret of the success of mid-length rejuvenating cuts among fifty-somethings looking for a visible result without a radical break.
At the heart of this trend is a haircut popularized by Tom Smith, international hair stylist at Evo, that works every time. It differs from the classic lob by its slightly raised ends which create a real hair lifting effect. We are talking here about the midi flick hairstyle.
If the younger generation is rediscovering this haircut, our French icons have long adopted it as a discreet weapon of elegance. Sophie Marceau, the embodiment of casual chic, uses this technique to energize her famous gradient. The outward movement provides this “styled-disheveled” volume which blurs the contours of the face and instantly rejuvenates the look. In another register, Isabelle Huppert demonstrates the power of “flick” after 60 years. By bringing her lengths to the collarbones with the brushed ends outwards, she opens her face and counteracts the effect of gravity, offering a proud and modern head posture.
“The great strength of noon flick lies in the way it is cut, as it can adapt to a variety of hair types“, explains Tom Smith to our colleagues at Glamor UK. This length located between the chin and the collarbones acts as a counterweight system: it frees the root and allows you to increase the volume at the root in a spectacular way. Unlike the traditional straight bob, the midi flick focuses on soft layers framing the face and tapered ends which give movement. “It’s the cool fit but not too perfect“, summarizes the expert.
To successfully complete your living room makeover, Tom Smith recommends asking: “A length from the top of the shoulder to the top of the collarbone, with soft layers framing the face“. The goal is to be able to wear the hair pulled down to one side for maximum lightness. A touch-up every 6 to 8 weeks is enough to preserve the structure. To style it, apply a mousse to damp hair, dry roughly, then use a large round brush to loosen the root and give that famous “flick” movement to the ends. Discreet balayage or tone-on-tone coloring can further accentuate the feeling of density without hardening the features.
With its immediate hair lifting effect and its versatility, the midi flick stands out as THE volume solution after 50 years. An ally as flattering as it is instinctive to style.
