If there’s one thing I’ve learnt after years of working with hair, it’s this:

 

The more you fight your natural texture, the harder styling becomes.

 

Recently, I asked our community what they were struggling with most when it comes to styling — and two themes came through clearly:

frizz and flatness at the roots.

Both can feel frustrating in completely different ways.

But both also have their own quiet advantages — when you know how to work with them.

This guide is here to give you a new perspective (and some practical ideas) so styling feels easier, softer, and more like you.

If you haven’t already, you can read our deeper guide on building a hair routine that supports long-term hair health here:

→ Why Your Hair Feels Dry, Frizzy or Flat (and What to Do About It)

 

And if you’re more visual, I’ve also created two Pinterest boards for inspiration:

→ Frizz-friendly styles

→ Flat hair styling ideas

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Understanding the Difference

Before we get into styling, it helps to understand what’s actually happening.

Frizz-prone hair often has:

• uneven porosity
• raised cuticle layers
• a natural wave or movement trying to come through

Flat hair at the roots is often:

• finer in texture
• heavier at the scalp
• lacking lift or structure at the base

Neither is “bad hair” — they’re just different starting points.

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A Note on Tools: The Comb

One of the simplest ways to change how your hair behaves — without adding more product — is in how you handle it.

A well-designed comb helps guide the hair gently into place, rather than pulling or disrupting the cuticle.

For frizz-prone hair, this means:

• less breakage from brushing
• a smoother surface without overworking the hair
• helping distribute natural oils or treatments evenly

For flat hair, it allows you to:

• create cleaner parts (which instantly adds structure)
• direct the hair at the root for subtle lift
• refine styles without collapsing volume through the lengths

It’s a small step, but it changes the finish of the hair — making everything feel more intentional, and easier to style.

→ Explore the ROBE Comb

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If Your Hair Tends to Go Frizzy

Frizz is often treated like something to eliminate.

But in reality, it’s often just texture that hasn’t been guided properly.

A shift in approach

Instead of trying to smooth everything into submission,

think about refining the texture that’s already there — and giving it direction.

Because when texture looks intentional, it instantly reads as polished.

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Styling notes for frizz-prone hair

 

1. Don’t overwork it

The more you brush, stretch, or repeatedly heat-style, the more the cuticle lifts — which creates more frizz.

Using a comb instead of a brush here can help keep the cuticle more settled.

 

2. Work with natural movement

Loose waves, soft bends, undone textures — these styles actually benefit from a bit of natural expansion.

3. Use small styling cues to create intention

A deliberate ear tuck, a soft side part, or a slight flip in the front can take hair from feeling unruly… to feeling styled.

4. Bring in one point of structure

A statement clip, pin, or tucked section gives the eye something to land on — which makes the rest of the texture feel purposeful.

5. Hydration + light hold = balance

Frizz often needs both:

• moisture (to soften)
• light structure (to hold shape)

A lightweight leave-in or treatment can help refine the texture without weighing it down:

→ Explore the Sleek + Treat

→ Explore the Leave-In Treatment

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Styles that work beautifully with frizz

• loose, brushed-out waves
• low textured buns
• half-up styles with a clip or pin
• natural air-dried finishes with an intentional part or tuck

→ Explore more inspiration: Frizz-friendly Styling ideas

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If Your Hair Falls Flat

Flat hair can feel like it just won’t hold anything —

but it actually styles beautifully when you lean into its natural sleekness.

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A shift in approach

Instead of trying to force volume everywhere,

focus on creating shape through small, intentional details.

Because often, it’s not about more volume —

it’s about where you place it.

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Styling notes for flat hair

1. Lift is created at the root — not the ends

Volume products belong at the scalp, not through the lengths.

2. Change the part, change the shape

A deep side part or even a subtle shift off-centre can instantly create lift and structure.

A clean part created with a comb makes all the difference here.

3. Use flips and direction

A slight outward flip at the ends, or movement away from the face, adds shape without needing fullness everywhere.

4. Keep the ends clean and light

Too much product through the mid-lengths can collapse the entire style.

5. Add one styling feature

A clip, tuck, or pinned section can elevate even the simplest style — making it feel intentional rather than flat.

For added lift and long-term support at the root, a scalp-focused approach can make a noticeable difference over time:

→ Explore The Tonic

→ Explore The Thickening range

 

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Styles that work beautifully with flat hair

• low sleek ponytails with a deep side part
• centre-parted styles with a clean ear tuck
• half-up styles that lift the hair away from the crown
• tucked, polished styles with one statement accessory

→ Explore more inspiration:

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The Bigger Picture

Whether your hair leans frizzy or flat, the goal isn’t to completely change it.

It’s to support it — so it behaves more predictably over time.

And then to use small, thoughtful styling choices to make it feel intentional.

Because often, the difference between “frustrating” and “chic”

isn’t a complete transformation — it’s a subtle shift in direction, placement, or detail.

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There’s a version of your hair that works with you — not against you.

Sometimes it’s not about doing more.

It’s about doing less — but with intention.

 

If you’re working on improving manageability over time,

you can explore the ROBE system here →