As someone who used to style hair for a living, I’ve worked with every hair type, texture, and styling product you could imagine.

And what I learnt is this:

When hair is prepped with intention — acknowledging its natural texture and the result you want — styling becomes significantly easier.

The results feel more effortless.

And that’s when hair looks its best.

Prepping the hair well can also reduce the amount of heat, tension, and force needed to style it — which leads to healthier hair over time.

If you haven’t already, you can read my guide on styling frizzy vs flat hair here:

→ Styling Tips to Work With Your Natural Texture 

 

Prepping Hair That Falls Flat

When prepping hair that tends to fall flat, the goal is to create lift, structure, and support from the very beginning.

Start before you even wash your hair

Using a scalp brush in circular motions across the scalp before you get into the shower helps to:

• lift the hair away from the scalp
• improve circulation
• and create a better foundation for volume

When done regularly, this can even help “train” the hair to sit in a more lifted position over time.

→ Explore the ROBE Scalp Brush 

⸻

Build structure in the wash step

For body and volume, I recommend:

• Thickening Shampoo

    → Find it here

• Clean + Finish as your conditioner

    → Find it here

 

The texturisers in Clean + Finish act as built-in body builders — helping to:

• create lift
• support the shape of your style
• and build what I call “style memory” from the moment you wash your hair

 

Rinse properly (this matters more than you think)

Use the scalp brush again while rinsing to gently remove all traces of product.

Even though Clean + Finish builds lightness, it’s still nourishing — so rinsing thoroughly is key when working with fine or flat-prone hair.

⸻

Prep the roots and lengths differently

After washing:

• Mist Tonic through the scalp

    → Find it here

• Use the ROBE Comb to direct the hair back and away from the face

    → Find it here 

This helps create lift right from the root.

Then apply a small amount of Leave-In Treatment through the mid-lengths and ends:

→ Find it here 

This might feel counterintuitive, but improving elasticity in the hair actually helps it hold body and shape more easily.

⸻

Dry in a way that creates volume

Instead of drying your hair in one direction:

• tip your head in different directions
• use the comb to lift the hair at the root as you dry

This reduces tension and prevents the hair from setting flat against the scalp.

Once fully dry, you may find this is enough —

or you can refine the ends with a round brush or Airwrap.

(See previous blog for brush recommendations)

 

Prepping Frizz-Prone Hair

With frizz-prone hair, the goal is completely different:

You want to keep the cuticle smooth, sealed, and controlled from the very beginning.

 

The most important timing shift

Apply your smoothing products while the hair is still damp — before frizz has a chance to form.

Once frizz appears, it takes significantly more effort (and heat) to smooth it out.

 

Use the shower to your advantage

This is why I recommend keeping a comb in the shower.

Use the ROBE Comb to distribute your conditioner evenly through the hair:

→ Find it here 

This helps:

• align the cuticle
• reduce tangling
• and create a smoother base before you even step out of the shower

 

Your prep product combination

For smoothing and control:

• Youthful Shampoo + Conditioner

→ Here

• Leave-In Treatment

  → Here

• Sleek + Treat

→ Here

After gently squeezing out excess water (a soft t-shirt works best — see previous blog), apply your leave-in and Sleek + Treat straight away.

Focus on areas prone to frizz, applying until the hair feels smooth and slightly “slippery.”

 

Dry with intention (this changes everything)

 

Using a hairdryer with a nozzle attachment:

• set to high speed, medium–high heat
• always direct airflow downwards

You can hold the ends of your hair with one hand, while directing the airflow along the hair shaft.

Think of it like steaming creases out of a silk shirt.

This technique smooths and seals the cuticle —

giving you a longer-lasting result with far less effort later.

 

Refine, don’t overwork

Once the hair is almost dry:

• use a round brush only where needed
• avoid repeated passes (this creates more frizz over time)

If using a straightener:

Instead of dragging it down the hair, try gently tapping sections, while lifting the hair slightly with your comb.

This allows you to smooth the hair without flattening it —

so it still feels soft and natural.

 

The Bigger Shift

Whether your hair is frizz-prone or tends to fall flat,

the key isn’t in how you finish your style.

It’s in how you prepare it.

When the prep is right:

 

• styling becomes easier
• results last longer
• and you don’t need to rely on excessive heat or effort

 

Good styling shouldn’t feel like a fight.

With the right preparation, your hair starts to work with you —

and everything becomes simpler from there.

Happy Styling!

 

Lxx

Explore the ROBE system here