I have always had really fine hair. My entire haircare routine is focused on building long-lasting volume and bounce. It’s a work in progress, but I’ve just about got the steps and products down to an art. And this goes for styling, not hair that’s breaking or falling out (if that’s the case, definitely see your doctor).
From proper shampoo techniques to mud masks to dry shampoo applied with a makeup brush (trust me) here are seven pieces of advice to give fine hair volume.
Shampoo your hair properly
You know when you leave the salon and your hair feels super airy and clean? It’s because professional stylists know the virtues of a proper hair wash. Just like cleansing your face, aim for a full minute massage to get rid of excess oils and product build-up.
Try a scalp mask
One of my all time favourite hair products is the Christophe Robin Cleansing Volumising Paste. It literally looks like mud but it changes the look and feel of my hair in one wash. You work it into your scalp — to begin it’s really thick but it does emulsify, so rinses clean. Nothing leaves my hair so bouncy and light, it’s magic.
Christophe Robin Cleansing Volumising Paste
Skip conditioner, or try a leave-in formula instead
In a similar vein to the above, I often use a leave-in conditioner in lieu of a regular formula, or skip the step altogether. Most conditioners weigh my hair down, and I prefer the way it feels without. If you have longer hair, you could also just try applying it to the ends. One of the best I’ve tried is the Oi Conditioner from Davines. It’s hydrating but weightless.
Davines Oi Conditioner
Use a mousse
Mousse has a bad reputation for being crunchy and stiff, but I’ve re-worked it into my styling routine and everything has changed for the better. The trick is to use a modern formula, something that’s touchable and brushes out. My personal pick is Oribe Structure Set Styling Spray — it’s fluffy and whipped, enhancing my natural wave texture while building long-lasting body (but it doesn’t feel like anything). Don’t use it like a spray, I prefer it scrunched into damp hair. Every time I use it, my hair looks better and that goes for heat styling or air drying.
Oribe Structure Set Styling Spray
Perfect your air dry
Working with your god given texture instead of against is always going to yield better results. That’s why I’ve spent the past year trialling one million products and techniques in an attempt to perfect my air dry. The steps will vary based on your individual texture, but a microfibre towel, good products and letting my hair dry in position seem to work best. And the bonus is natural volume that actually lasts.
@emilyalgar1 My lifes work – the perfect air dry cc @MECCA @@Crown Affair@@Oribe @randco##airdry##airdrymethod##shorthairstyle ♬ original sound – emilyalgar
Try the AirWrap
On the other end of the spectrum we have the Dyson Airwrap, the holy grail of hair tools. For years I didn’t get into it because it seemed too complex and I just don’t dry my hair that often, but I take it all back. It’s the easiest, most intuitive hair tool and builds volume in a way I’ve never been able to do with a classic blow dryer. I use the dryer attachment followed by the round brush.
Dyson Airwrap
Try this dry shampoo hack
Not only is my hair fine but quite oily, two enemies of volume. Dry shampoo seems like the obvious fix but most formulas leave a chalky residue I can’t stand (unpopular opinion but I don’t think they add volume, either). My trick however is to take a dry shampoo powder, such as Oribe or Crown Affair, and dust it onto my hair line with a smaller makeup brush. It gets rid of the oil but doesn’t mess up your hair. Can also confirm the Crown Affair Powder gives you a little bit of volume.
Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo
@emilyalgar1 @Crown Affair thank u #dryshampoohack ♬ original sound – emilyalgar
