Flat roots are the Academy Award winners of frustration—a profile that looks studio-endorsed at the ends but blank and spooky at the top.
As dumb luck would have it, many of us blame our haircut for a lack of volume when the technical shift actually needs to happen in our routine. Flat roots often come from product placement and drying direction. If you’re loading up the top of your head with heavy “gold dust” butters, you’re defeating yourself before you even start. You need a technical shift—moving the weight to where it’s needed and keeping the roots airy and bold. It’s about doubling your wearability by creating lift where the light captures the glow.
The prep is key. Apply your “Flexible Greasepaint” stylers away from the scalp, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Mind the resistance when you dry; use root clips or dry your hair upside down to encourage the follicles to stand up rather than lie flat and moody. This “blender brush” approach to drying ensures your roots don’t look dirty or weighed down. By adjusting your workday habits and using a “slick lip coat” of volume spray at the base, you can ensure your entire profile captures the glow of incandescent bulbs. Something I think we’re all still kind of into.
—Lauren Maas