How to Volumize Your Hair

Co-authored by Gina Almona

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 References

Flat, limp, lifeless hair is a problem that plagues many women, who crave voluminous, bouncy and healthy-looking hair instead. Luckily, having volume in your hair isn't some unattainable fantasy, it's a realistic goal that anyone can achieve with a little know-how. Read on to find out the right techniques, products and hairstyles to use for fabulously volumized hair.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing and Drying

1
Use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. The first, most obvious thing you can do to volumize hair is to use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. These have a lighter formula than most other shampoos and conditioners, meaning that they won't weigh hair down, causing it to lie flat against the scalp. They will effectively clean and moisturize hair, while also leaving it light and bouncy. There is a volumizing shampoo and conditioner combo available for every budget, from drugstore favorites to fancy salon brands.
- When shampooing, use enough product to create a lather. Make sure to massage the shampoo into the scalp, as this will help provide volume once the hair is dry. Rinse your hair thoroughly, then shampoo again if necessary.
- Apply conditioner from the mid-lengths of the hair to the tips, using any leftover product near the roots. Applying too much conditioner to the roots may make it look greasy and flat.
- While the conditioner is still in your hair, comb out any tangles with a wide-tooth combing, starting at the bottom and working your way up. This will help to prevent breakage, which can make hair look thin.
2
Wash with a clarifying shampoo once a week. Most shampoos and conditioners contain plastic-type substances such as silicon and polymers which stick to the hair shaft and weigh the hair down, making it flat and lifeless. Clarifying shampoos remove these built-up chemicals and other deposits, making your hair lighter and more voluminous. Most people should use a clarifying shampoo once a week, for best results.
- As well as shampoos, hair care products such as mousses, waxes and sprays contain chemicals which build up in the hair, causing it to lose volume. In addition, things like hard water and chlorine from swimming pools can leave deposits in the hair.
- People who swim frequently are more likely to have built-up deposits in their hair, so they should use a clarifying shampoo more frequently, perhaps 2 to 3 times a week.
- If you have colored hair, choose a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo that is safer for colored hair. You can find them at your local beauty supply store, salon, or online. You may also use the product less often, such as twice a month.
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3
Apply a volumizing mousse. There are many, many hair volumizing products on the market, some of which are extremely effective. One such product is volumizing mousse, a dollop of which can be worked through wet hair from the roots to the tips to add texture and lift. After applying, you can either allow hair to air dry naturally, scrunching to achieve voluminous waves and curls, or you can blow dry the hair for a sleeker look with added lift.
- Some volumizing products can be very drying on the hair, so be careful not to overuse them.
4
Use a diffuser attachment on your hair dryer. Using a diffuser attachment on your hair dryer is a great option if you're looking for naturally voluminous curls.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Gina Almona
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 12 December 2019.} A diffuser softens the airflow from the hair dryer, so the hair is not blown straight and flat. Diffuser attachments can be purchased online, or at drug stores and hair salons. The best technique for using a diffuser is as follows:
- Allow hair to dry naturally for 15 to 20 minutes after washing, then apply a volumizing mousse from root to tip, as described above.
- Turn the hair dryer on, set the air to cool and dry hair upside down, using a scrunching technique.
5
Dry your hair upside down. Whether you're going for a straight or curly look, drying your hair upside down is a surefire way to add volume.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Gina Almona
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 12 December 2019.} Drying upside down allows gravity to lift the roots of your hair away from the scalp and enables you to brush through your hair without flattening it.
- Using a nozzle attachment on the hair dryer, flip your head upside down and roughly dry your hair for 5 to 10 minutes, using your fingers to separate sections of hair and let air through the roots. This gets rid of the excess moisture.
- Once hair is semi-dry, switch to using a round, soft-bristled brush to finish drying and add a smooth finish to the hair. If your hair is very thick, you can separate hair into sections before doing this.
6
Use dry shampoo. If you don't have time to wash and blow-dry your hair, a quick and easy way to add some volume is by using dry shampoo, in either spray or powder form. Dry shampoos work by soaking up oil in the hair, leaving it feeling clean and fresh, with an extra boost of volume. All you need to do is spray or shake a generous amount of dry shampoo into the roots and massage it in with your fingers.
- You may need to use a process of trial and error to find a dry shampoo that works for you, as some products can leave a residue in the hair or can leave hair feeling sticky.
- Like many other hair products, dry shampoo can be very drying on the hair so avoid over-relying on this handy product. You should not use it daily. Instead, use it between washes to keep your hair clean.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Styling

1
Get a haircut. The longer your hair is, the heavier it will be, which explains why long hair often lacks volume. Therefore, one of the fastest ways to add volume is to get a haircut. Some well-placed, expertly cut layers, or even a blunt-ended cut can immediately make hair lighter and fuller -- not to mention healthier looking.
- Go to a hair stylist who you trust and who listens to exactly what you're asking for. A good, professional haircut will give more life to your hair than any product or styling method.
- Bring photos of your desired style so that you can show the stylist exactly what you want. For best results, look for photos of people who have a similar face shape and hair texture as yours.
2
Experiment with color. Well-placed highlights and lowlights can give the impression of depth and thickness to your hair, making it appear more voluminous than it actually is. Dark colors will also make your hair look thicker than lighter ones, so consider going a shade or two darker to give the illusion of volume.
- A professional color job or set of highlights will do much more for your hair than a home dye kit. This is due to the fact that trained hairdressers can mix different shades and tones to find a color that's just right for you, giving your hair an added dimension that just cannot be achieved out of a box.
3
Tease your hair. An extremely effective way of adding volume and preventing flat hair is to tease (or backcomb) your hair. Teasing may seem intimidating at first, but it really is so easy to do and can be used to give some extra oomph to any and every hairstyle. Teasing works best on one or two day old hair, and requires a fine-toothed comb. Special teasing combs can be found at most beauty supply stores. The correct method for teasing hair is as follows:
- After washing with a volumizing shampoo and using a volumizing mousse or lifting spray, leave your hair for a day or two before teasing. Part your hair as normal, then take a one to two inch section of hair from the crown of your head. Comb through it to remove any tangles.
- Hold the hair vertically, grasping the ends. Insert the comb into the mid-shaft and comb the hair backwards, towards the scalp. No need to be gentle -- teasing works better when you're a bit rough. Repeat two or three times then move onto the next section of hair, working your way around your head.
- You can backcomb your whole head, or just do the top sections -- it's up to you. Don't worry if it looks like a bird's nest -- it's supposed to at this point. Next, take the comb and very lightly smooth down the top layer of hair, leaving the under-layers untouched. Spritz with some hair spray to hold and voilà! Volumized hair that's perfect for any hairstyle!
4
Change your parting. If your hair naturally lies flat once it settles in it's normal parting, you can give it an instant lift simply by changing the parting. Go for something different than usual, whether it's straight down the middle, a dramatic side parting, or even a zig-zag one! Use a fine-toothed comb or hair pick to make it look precise, then brush the hair into place before spritzing with a little hairspray to hold.
5
Use hot rollers. Hot rollers are an excellent way to add bounciness and volume to your hair, with a touch of pin-up girl glamour. If you're not looking for tight curls, don't worry -- bigger rollers will add volume and life, but won't give a huge amount of curl to hair. When using, make sure the rollers are heated to the correct temperature before putting them in.^{[3]
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- Use the hot rollers on day old hair, if possible. Comb out any tangles to create a smooth base. Start with the front sections, rolling the the hair away from the face rather than underneath. Once all of the rollers are in, let them sit in the hair for 10 to 15 minutes or until they have cooled completely.
- Liberally apply hairspray all over your head before removing the rollers. Once out, use your fingers to shake out the curls. Lightly brush through the hair if you want a softer look.
6
Get a perm. Even though most people associate the word "perm" with crazy, fuzzy 80s hair, perms are actually coming back into fashion and can be a great way to add volume and texture to hair (minus the poodle effect). Modern perms can provide any thing from corkscrew curls to soft beachy waves, depending on your personal preference. They are extremely easy to maintain and can last anywhere from two to six months.
- Just make sure to have a consultation with your hair stylist first to determine if you have the right hair type and that the two of you are on the same page with regards to how the final result will look. Bring pictures for inspiration.
- Perms are not a good idea if your hair is heavily colored or highlighted, as the perm will dry out your hair even further, causing it to look frizzy and damaged. Getting layers cut into your hair is a good idea however, as these will prevent the perm from turning your hair pyramid shaped.^{[4]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Home Treatments

1
Make an avocado mask. Avocados contain an abundance of natural oils which can penetrate the hair shaft and leave the hair feeling healthy and nourished. Healthy hair is much less prone to breakage and damage, so a weekly application of this avocado mask will make hair appear thicker and fuller over time. To make:
- Mash up two small, ripe avocados and mix with half a cup of honey, two tablespoons of olive oil and one egg yolk. Apply this mixture all over the hair from root to shaft, cover with a shower cap and leave in for one or two hours, or until the mask has hardened.
- Wash out the mask with shampoo (you may need to wash twice), condition the hair, then dry and style as normal.^{[5]
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2
Use an egg as a hair mask. Hair is made almost entirely of protein, so any treatment which contains this nutrient if going to positively benefit the hair. Egg is very high in protein and will leave hair feeling strong and thick. Simply beat two eggs well, then massage the beaten egg into wet hair. Leave the egg in for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it out with cool water. Finally, shampoo as normal.
- Don't rinse out the egg with warm or hot water, as it could cause the egg to start cooking on your hair.
- Alternatively, you can mix one egg with some hair oil, such as argan or coconut oil, and use this as a hair treatment instead.
- This treatment is good for the hair and can be used two or three time a week, if desired.
3
Try apple cider vinegar and lemon juice. A mixture of apple cider vinegar and lemon juice makes a volumizing tonic which gives limp, flat hair a boost. To make, add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of lemon to a mug of cold water. Stir to combine. Shampoo and condition hair as normal, then use this tonic as a final rinse.^{[6]
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4
Rinse with flat beer. Flat beer has been used by women as a remedy for flat hair for a long time. The hair absorbs the beer, making the strands thicker and hair more voluminous. The beer also leaves a slight residue on the surface of the hair, giving extra volume.
- To use, pop open a can and leave it for several hours to go flat. Bring it to the shower and use as a final rinse, after shampooing.
- The best type of beer to use one that has been brewed traditionally in a hop, as this type of beer contains many nutrients.^{[7]
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5
Use henna. Henna is a natural product which is usually used for color, but can also be used to add thickness and volume to hair. Make a henna gloss by adding warm water to 100g of henna powder. Mix until it forms a paste-like consistency, then set aside for six hours somewhere warm.
- Combine the henna paste with a cup of your favorite conditioner then spread the mixture through the hair. Cover with a shower cap and leave in for as long as your like. Rinse out with warm water, then shampoo and condition as normal.^{[7]
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6
Try castor oil. Castor oil helps to stimulate hair growth and prevent breakage, therefore promoting healthy, voluminous hair. Heat up some good quality castor oil until warm, then apply to the roots of the hair and gently massage into the scalp with small circular motions, using your fingertips. Shampoo to remove.^{[7]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

What products can give my hair volume?

Gina Almona
Professional Hair Stylist
Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.

Gina Almona

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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Some recommended volumizing products are root-lifting sprays or creams. These are worked directly into the roots (from the ears up) before blow-drying.
Question

How do I increase the thickness of my hair volume?

Gina Almona
Professional Hair Stylist
Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.

Gina Almona

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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Blow drying your hair upside down. When you flip your hair back, you'll have more volume. I recommend using volumizing spray as well.
Question

Are the products in the article also good for colored hair?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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You can use many of them on colored hair, including egg masks, avocado masks, and castor oil. Henna may not be a great option, since you already have color on your hair. You can use volumizing shampoos and conditioners as long as they're labeled as safe or suitable for color-treated hair.

Warnings

Some of the techniques outlined in this article, such as teasing and perming, can be very drying and damaging on the hair so they should only be used sparingly and if your hair is in good condition.

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