How to give hair volume: 20 effective solutions

Often long hair and fine hair, especially if straight or slightly wavy, tend not to have volume, thus determining a decidedly flat and anonymous appearance of the hair. However, there are simple methods, products and techniques to make the hair more voluminous and to counteract the force of gravity.

How do you get voluminous and easy to manage hair? We offer you twenty effective  and very simple solutions to implement, to give volume to the hair , in this way they will be ready for a perfect style or to be left natural! It will be easier than you can imagine, just follow our tips with photos and tutorials to do at home in DIY mode.

WITH THE DIFFUSER

The diffuser , accessory supplied with most hairdryers on the market, or in some cases optional, is a very useful tool to give volume to the hair . Whether they are straight or naturally wavy, just dry them, preferably upside down, using it with small rotational movements on the roots, until you get swollen and dry hair.

In this way, the hot air of the hairdryer, combined with the volumizing power of the diffuser given both by the characteristic bell shape and by the teeth it is equipped with, will create movement, making the hair soft and fluffy hair . For a better result, you can apply some foam when the hair is still wet and then complete the style with a little hairspray .

Give hair volume with the diffuser - pic: vilamulher.uol.com.br

WITH THERMAL BIGODINI

The heated curlers can be a great help to give volume to the hair , especially if particularly thin. Usually preheated using the special container supplied, they should be applied to still damp hair on which we will have distributed a little fixing foam to keep the style solid.

Once removed after about half an hour depending on the model and the brand (timing may vary), we will get soft waves and extremely voluminous and perfectly styled hair. On this page you will find the video tutorial and our review on Cloud Nine thermal curlers and photos of the voluminous hairstyle.

The alternative to thermal curlers are the classic bogodini which have no heating effect but the hair can be dried under a hairdryer hood or with a hairdryer or simply in the open air. Our tip for more volume? Alternate the side where you wind the locks on the curlers (on a curler on the right, on the one on the left side and so on), the volume will be greater!

Voluminous hair with thermal curlers - pic: Stephania Stanley, harpersbazaar.com

COTTONING THE HAIR

The hair cotonatura is a process quite simple to implement and able to inflate the hair in a natural way. How to do? It should simply isolate the strand concerned and keep it stretched upward combing the contrary with a thin comb through clenched teeth. Then you leave the lock and comb only the outermost hair (without inserting the teeth of the comb very much and without touching the scalp).

It is preferable to carry out this operation on unwashed hair shortly before, taking care to then apply the hairspray generously to adequately fix the backcomb . In this way we will get volumized hair where we want it, either at the roots or along the length.

Give volume by teasing your hair - pic: Lulu's

Voluminous teased hair

 

WITH PLATE

 

Even the hair straightener proves to be a valid ally in giving volume to the hair. The straightener, unlike what is commonly thought, is not only used to smooth and flatten the hair but can also be used to create puffy and slightly wavy hair . How to give volume to hair with the straightener? You need to make soft curls by sliding it along the lengths through a delicate rotating movement . Insert the lock starting from the root, rotate the plate and then pull it downwards, sliding the hair.

If we want a less rigorous and easier specific volume, just undo the curls with your hands to get a rebellious and wild fold but always very light and with a nice density.

Wavy and voluminous hair with the straightener

HAIR DROP WITH PHON AND BRUSH

The crease made with a brush and hairdryer is perhaps the simplest solution to give volume to the hair . While we proceed with the drying , we just need to wrap one strand at a time around a round brush , making rotary movements until completely dry. This method allows you to lift the hair and create a soft fold like the one a hairdresser or hair stylist would do.

The hair will be shinier, because through the rotating and repetitive movement, we will close the hair scales. Plus they will become  bulky and light. It is the ideal solution for those with thin hair because it creates mass giving greater support over time.

Hair styling with brush and hairdryer - pic: cupofjo.com

WITH DRY SHAMPOO

It usually happens to have flattened hair when we have dirty hair. Dry shampoo is an excellent solution if our hair is not too clean and we don't have time to wash it, but nevertheless we want to give volume to the hair and obtain an acceptable style.

It consists of a powder that is sprayed on the hair, dabbed and removed after massaging it with a towel, possibly upside down. The powder absorbs sebum and impurities , making the hair more swollen, lighter and with good density, allowing us to comfortably postpone the washing to the next day. Here is a simple tutorial showing the application procedure.

Voluminous hair with dry shampoo - pic: greyetal.com

 

 

WITH THE IRON CURLING HAIR

 

The curling iron allows you to create voluminous curls or wavy hair that makes the hair fuller. There are really many types but if you want to give a lot of volume to the hair, it is better to choose those with a wider diameter that allow you to create larger curls. In order not to be mistaken, we advise you to read our guide dedicated to how to choose the curling iron .

To create fluffy hairstyles you just need to pass a wide-toothed comb after having made the curls all over the head. Do not use a brush because the hair could become electric and swell a lot, wig effect!

Wavy and voluminous hair with the curling iron - pic: @twistmepretty youtube

Wavy and voluminous hair with curling iron

WITH LACQUER

The lacquer is a product for hair spray formed fixing the hair keeping it much lighter than other styling products . Used on dry and styled hair, it maintains the desired volume, without weighing it down and then being removed with a brush stroke.

It is an excellent aid if we have made a soft fold or a voluminous blur and want to keep it that way for as long as possible. A good result can also be obtained on straight short hair : the hairspray will give volume and allow you to create a disheveled look by counteracting the force of gravity. To keep the hair standing, however, it is important that the hairspray is strong (strong hold or extra strong fixative). If you have fine hair this solution will be the top!

Volume hair with hairspray

DRYING THE HAIR HEAD DOWN

Giving volume to the hair is simple if we use a small trick: drying the hair upside down makes the hot air delivered by the hairdryer give a natural voluminous fold to our hair. Once drying is finished, our hair will be soft and voluminous. We can eventually give them the desired shape, using fixing products that do not weigh down but that keep the volume obtained unaltered.

Blow dry your hair upside down to add volume

 

 

Be careful not to 'shoot' an excessive jet of air on the forehead and scalp otherwise you will be ready to create the pompadur hairstyle that recalls the ladies of the 1700s, Madame Pompadour! You can aim for this style only if you want to get a retro look, like the one in fashion in the fifties with an Elvis Presley forelock or the typical wavy 80s !

 

Super voluminous 80s style hair

USING VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO AND BALM

On the market, volumizing shampoos and conditioners are readily available which, characterized by polymers and particular texturizing substances , are particularly suitable for thin hair that tends to flatten or is still difficult to keep in style.

These products help not to weigh down, are almost always very delicate and are excellent adjuvants in giving volume and body to the hair , keeping it extremely light and facilitating the creation of the fold. An example is L'Oreal's Volumetry line which includes shampoo, conditioner and anti gravity spray. Alternatively, Wella SP Volumize Shampoo and its range dedicated to hair volume.

Shampoo, conditioner, spray to give volume to the hair

Doing a high queue the day before

An excellent solution for those with long  or medium hair and who want to give volume to the hair in a very simple way, is represented by the high tail .

Making it the night before, keeping the hair taut and tied with a sponge elastic on the nape of the neck, will allow us the next morning to have voluminous hair, once dissolved, simply by moving it a little with your hands and fixing it appropriately with a hairspray. As an alternative, for those with short hair , you can put on a headband or headband before going to sleep.

High ponytail to give volume to the hair

 

 

Here is also an alternative solution to the high ponytail, ideal for those who want not only voluminous but also slightly wavy hair . Just have a t-shirt and follow this tutorial!

 

Voluminous and wavy hair using a t-shirt - pic: kayleymelissa.com

 

 

WITH VOLUMIZING PRODUCTS

 

There are professional volumizing products , such as sprays or leave-in serums to be applied on wet hair before proceeding with the brushing that allow you to give volume while keeping the hair light even once dry.

These products are useful not only to give volume to the hair , but also to protect it from heat and aggressions caused by the use of straighteners , curling irons and hairdryers and to facilitate styling, increasing its duration. For the advertising campaigns with super-voluminous hair models, blow dry and professional products are combined, and the magic is done!

A few examples? The Biopoint 100% no-rinse Volumizing Spray that brings body and volume to the roots or Tigi Superstar Be Head thickening and volumizing spray for lifted, voluminous hair.

Extra volume hair - pic: Tigi

USING VOLUMIZING NATURAL INGREDIENTS

There are also natural ingredients that have a volumizing effect on the hair. An example is certainly the Aloe Vera which, especially on curly or wavy hair, applied before drying, allows you to give definition and volume, without weighing it down.

We can use biological gels in order to respect and protect the hair , also ensuring an important moisturizing and conditioning action.

Aloe vera volumizing effect on straight hair

WITH HAIR FOAM

The hair foam , as well as the hairspray, ensure volume and an excellent hold of the fold , without weighing down the hair but keeping it fluffy in a very natural way.

Unlike hairspray, it is preferable to use a small amount of product on wet hair before drying in order to keep it soft and thus avoid an unsightly dry effect, definitely not very pleasant to see. There are many brands of hair mousse and there are both strong hold and milder ones. Our advice ? After putting the foam, squeeze the hair from the bottom up, dabbing it with a towel, you will see what a beautiful result!

Hair foam application tutorial to give volume

USING HAIR LIFTS

The hair rises are soft structures with bobby pins that attach to the hair root and allow you to create a sort of rounded effect , voluminous, replacing the cotonatura . They are also available in a rigid, plastic version. There are also hair pillows and hair dome.

All these hair accessories are suitable for creating hairstyles , once positioned, they must be covered and camouflaged with a lock of hair in order to create natural but definitely effective volumes . Particularly useful if we want to give originality for example to a high tail. Also beautiful for ceremonies and evening looks: free space for imagination!

Volume on the hair with plastic lifts

 

 

Hair lifts and hair pillows ideal for giving volume to the head

 

WITH A NEW HAIR CUT

The thick haircut is the key to having a voluminous and light hair. Climbing and pulling out the hair helps a lot to give movement and lift the locks. Your trusted hairstylist will suggest the best solution for your physiognomy. However, we prefer cuts such as the  slightly wavy scaled long bob that softens the features, is portable and is easy to manage. Remember that the longer your hair, the heavier it is, so it tends to have less volume!

Voluminous hair with a layered cut

 

 

MAKING THE FRIZE '

 

If in the 80s, after a period of darkness, the frisè , made with special plates, was very popular again. It allows you to perfectly simulate the typical volume of afro hair , with a trendy and original touch. Here too you risk getting the pompadur style if you make the frisè from the roots , but to mitigate the result you can use clips or kanzashi or you can create a beautiful braid or a semi-collected hairstyle.

Hair volume with frisè

 

 

If you don't like frisè all over your head, here's a nice little trick ! Just separate the lock of hair on the top of the head and secure it with a clip. Then proceed by making the frisè on the underlying hair but only in the upper part near the root. This will create a lot of volume on the garment. Then you can release the front section and move your hair slightly. The game is done!

 

Frisé trick for voluminous hair - pic: @samvillahair

WITH THE PERMANENT

The perm is the solution to have curly and voluminous hair over time, since the fold resists washing. It is suitable for those who want to go from straight to curly in a radical way , avoiding the worry of having to add volume to the hair.

The perm, characterizing well-defined curls , allows you to maintain volume and definition without particular maintenance except that given by the usual haircare routine with specific products. If you prefer a less lasting and lighter treatment, there is the hair support that allows you to have slightly curly and voluminous hair.

Voluminous curly hair with perm

 

 

WITH THE SUNSHINE

 

The highlights make the hair look more voluminous. Warming up your natural color with lighter shades helps to create plays of light and shadows that make the haircut full of movement and visually more voluminous. Furthermore, as soon as you make the streaks, the hair slightly increases its density and becomes a little drier: for this reason it tends to remain more lifted and also more unruly.

In this case the hairstylist comes into play and will be able to advise us on the most suitable solution for our hair and our cut.

Hair with more volume thanks to highlights

CREATING CURLS AT THE ROOT

You can give volume to fine and flat hair, creating curls at the root : in this case a curling iron with a very narrow diameter is used in such a way as to get close to the root itself, without the risk of burns.

Thanks to the curls created, helping us with our hands, we will be able to give volume and movement to our haircut, always facilitating ourselves with volumizing products designed for styling. The result will be puffy hair, raised curls, great bulk and density . Those with little hair or those with fine hair will appreciate the effect very much!

Curly hair from the root, maxi volume

We hope that our tips and tricks on how to give volume to your hair will be useful to you! What solution do you adopt to give volume to your hair? Tell us your experiences and opinions!

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