Let’s be real with each other: if anyone’s in a hairstyle rut, it’s our favorite cartoon characters. Firmly entrenched in another era from a follicular standpoint, they’ll rock the same ‘do for years, sometimes decades (ahem, Marge Simpson). From Olive Oyl’s “female pattern baldness” resulting from years of tight updos to Glenn Quagmire’s waiter hair, we’ve asked top stylists for their best styling tips and product recommendations to help truncate a never-ending streak of bad hair days.

Written & Reported by Amber Katz

The only thing longer than The Simpsons reign on television? Marge’s relationship with her animated iteration of the ‘60s beehive. “She can’t walk into certain rooms without hitting her hair, and when she gets in the car her hair bends into that ‘L’ shape. Good thing she lives in the ‘burbs in Springfield, as it would be tough to hail a cab if you can’t get your head in,” says Sally Hershberger stylist Matthew Fugate.

Styling Tips: “There are modern ways to tease Marge’s hair, and she can even draw inspiration from ‘The Simpsons’’ Homer Scissorhands episode. In it, Homer creates a modern updo with Brigitte Bardot flair. It’s the modern Marge! She maintains height at the crown for a flattering head shape, but without taking it to Freedom Tower extremes. The right way to tease is to put your comb into hair and do C-shape motions, little scoops. You can use a Mason Pearson brush, a comb or a small teasing brush, depending on how thick your hair is. For thick hair like Marge’s, go for a Mason Pearson.”

At-Home Products: “Start with a volumizing or clarifying shampoo like Sam Brocato Peppermint Scrub Shampoo to get hair really clean and to make backcombing easier. Dirty hair works well for updos, but not as well for height. Apply conditioner just on the ends; you don’t want it too slidey when you’re backcombing. You can even skip conditioner, unless you have really curly or tangly hair,” says Matthew. For styling, he loves the Shu Uemura Volume Maker. “Put a little on the root and it cuts down on the amount you have to tease. Then backcomb the hair into the powder and it fattens up your hair for a good foundation.” Bonus: Even if your hair is, say, blue, the powder still blends well.

Jane Lane from MTV’s popular ‘90s show Daria has some weight problems, and we’re not talking about pounds. Celebrity stylist Sarah Potempa says, “Although Jane's look is very structured and shapely, it could benefit her to get some of the weight taken out. This happens (with a lucky few) who tend to have too much hair, creating a wide base at the bottom.”

Styling Tips: Stuck in an early ‘90s milieu, Jane has much to look forward to from a tool technology perspective. In fact, change is just around the bend with the flat iron’s emerging popularity in the late ‘90s. “Jane could combine a heat resistant spray with her new flat iron. She could use a smoothing cream on the ends of her hair to help weigh it down. She could also use some volume on top by starting with Aussie Aussome Volume Styling Mousse. I would also recommend a little ombred ends with a possible blue hair chalk moment,” Says Sarah. “Jane should ask her stylist to ‘take the weight out’ of her hair without losing the shape. This cut requires the stylist to take sections from the inside (avoiding the perimeter) and using thinning shears to remove every 5th or 6th hair. The key is to only use these shears on the bottom 3-4 inches of the hair and to use them subtly.”

At-Home Products: “Jane could benefit from a good flat iron, even though her hair is not frizzy, it’s very full. An iron could help each layer lay flatter on the bottom creating a sleeker look and it can even be used to create a cool, loose wave on her short hair,” notes Sarah. A fun, creative style for Jane? “A heavy side part and a braid across the hairline, that would also balance out the heavy hair on the bottom. The Aussome Volume Collection by Aussie would be a great way for Jane to start her day, as adding volume on top will balance out the width of her hair.”

“Fred Flintstone's hair hasn't changed since the time of dinosaurs and now he definitely needs to evolve his look into one of a modern caveman,” says Rahua founder Fabian Lliguin. “A sleeker look will benefit Fred immensely and will probably give him a raise in his salary, so he can take more vacations.” Here, Fabian’s tips on how Fred can score a decidedly more yabba dabba ‘do.

Styling Tips: “I recommend that Fred let the back and side of his hair grow a bit longer, to add movement and versatility. Keeping his hair parted on the side, he should brush the crown area of head following hair's natural growth direction, and apply some wax to avoid the hair from sticking up badly on the crown area.”

At-Home Products: “Fred should try Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner as it will make his hair healthy and respond better to his new style. For styling, Rahua Hair Wax will give control and manageability with a good shine, while keeping his hair and flyaways in place. Lastly, Fred could update his clothing look in favor of a solid color and voila, a new Fred for the modern times, that stays true to his wild caveman style.”

Betty Boop’s curly crop has too much product buildup and could use a little volume. She’ll retain her signature “boop-oop-a-doop” bob but with a 2013 take on the look.

Styling Tips: Says Herbal Essences Celebrity Hairstylist Charles Baker Strahan, “For short hair, you want to start with a great, hydrated base. After air-drying Betty should break up the curls and waves with her fingers and add wax for texture and hold.”

At-Home Products: “Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner are great for anyone, because they provide light hydration that cleans and conditions the hair, leaving it soft and shiny. I would then apply the Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Mousse to wet hair and sculpt natural waves and curls. Herbal Essences Set Me Up Texturizing Wax is a great last step for a lasting look.”

Family Guy's Glenn Quagmire has a house that reflects a ‘50s-’60s aesthetic and he appears to have held onto the same hairstyle since that time, as well. Says Mizu Salon co-owner Damian Santiago, “Our good man Glenn needs to wash that slick gel out of his hair and go with a more tousled look (stiffly gelled hair is not sexy). Perhaps something with more texture, that a babe would want to run her hands through.” Giggity!

Styling Tips: “A really good cut with more texture would set the tone properly here. With a great cut and new shampoo, a toss around briefly with a dryer using his fingers to style and setting the look with a touch of hair cream,” says Damian.

At-Home Products: He needs a good shampoo and conditioner to get rid of that shellacked center-parted style. Damian recommends Oribe's Signature Shampoo and Conditioner. “A softer styling pomade is in order,” he says. One for Quagmire to test out? Oribe's Texturizing Paste used sparingly.

Matthew says, “John Arbuckle’s hair is unruly, and as a bachelor, this isn’t the best scenario for his style. To me, the character was on the verge of when he should be getting a haircut. He never had time, because he always had to deal with Garfield and all his shenanigans. The result? He’s a fluffy dude with unruly locks.”

Styling tips: His style works for him, Matthew maintains that Arbuckle just needs a cut. He needs to calm his curls, but while still making sure he doesn’t overcompensate and progress on the hair-product spectrum to Pauly D levels of stiffness.

At-Home Products: “John should avoid sticky products like pomades and look to creams for a little texture in the curl. I like Sally Hershberger Curvaceous Curl Cream. When your hair grows to this length, I recommend putting product in while hair is dry, not wet, for a less ‘Jersey Shore’ effect. Also, for men whose hair starts getting to this length, start using conditioner.”

King of the Hills' Peggy has a very "set" look, giving it an outdated appearance. “Mrs. Hill needs to take down her up do and transform her hair into a smooth bob to soften her chin and jaw line and bring out her eyes,” says Charles. 

Styling tips: By using a strengthening shampoo and conditioner, Peggy will repair the protective outer layer of her hair, and restore its natural silky feeling. By adding a treatment for moisture, she will further infuse moisture into her hair from root to tip. To prep her hair before blow drying straight, Peggy should add a bit of the Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Anti-Frizz Crème to control frizz and protect from humidity all day long.”

At-Home Products: Peggy’s hair will look considerably softer and shinier with Herbal Essences Honey, I'm Strong Shampoo and Conditioner. The Herbal Essences Honey, I’m Strong Rinse Off Treatment should be used a couple times a week to keep her hair healthy and sleek.

Matthew says, “Everything about Olive Oyl was very tightly wound, including how she wore her hair. She’s always wearing it pulled tight back, which is rough on your strands, pulling them out. She’s always stressing out, too with her ‘Oh no, Popeye!’ schtick.

Styling Tips: Stop being so high strung, literally and figuratively, Olive! “Let your hair down, girl. Sometimes you just have to let it breathe,” explains Matthew. “Tightly pulling your hair back can cause a receding hairline, it’s common among young girls who do ballet. Such fine hair at that age causing wispy baby hairs around the hairline.” Matthew recommends that if you’re going to heat style around face, keep your flat iron on half-heat.”

At-Home Products: “As for amping up strands, Nioxin products work well. Biotin and Viviscal will help you grow your hair back, as well. Tea trea oil on the hairline helps with the stretching of the skin and hair. If you’re going to tie hair up, use an elastic that’s snag free. no rubber band. When taking your hair out of the ponytail, unravel it a few times and then pull it out manually. Don’t just tug it out, as that will encourage hair loss. Bungees are also a good option; you just pull and it comes right out without snagging.”

*Read more of Amber Katz's work on her blog, Beauty Blogging Junkie.