How to Volumize Fine Hair

When it comes to maximizing the volume of fine hair, some experts say it’s all in the cut. Others claim the right styling product can be the secret, and very few focus on technique. However, making a change in the way you dry and style your hair and being very particular about the types of products you use can make a volume of difference (pardon the pun!). Here are two complementary routes to bigger, fuller hair that should be effective no matter how baby-fine your strands are.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo and styling products (as discussed in section 1)
• Wide-toothed comb
• Small or medium paddle-style brush with vented back
• Hair dryer with concentrator nozzle
• A good haircut (layered styles are recommended)

Instructions

Revisit your Hair Product Repertoire

1. If you typically use a crème rinse or other after-shampoo conditioner, retire it. No matter how thoroughly you rinse afterwards, these products leave behind a smoothing, softening effect that will flatten and drag down fine hair. Concerned about untangling your hair after a shampoo? You have two options. Either apply your crème rinse in between shampoo lathers or use a spray-on, leave-in de-tangler after you towel-dry your hair.

2. If it doesn’t spray, put it away. Gels, pomades, waxes, and other semisolid products may help fine hair hold a style, but overall, they will prevent hair from achieving the fullest possible volume. Look for spray-on styling products, particularly root lifters. There are some spray-on texturizing and thickening products available too, although you may need to look a little bit harder to find them. If you’re addicted to mousse, try to use it only toward the ends of your hair rather than the scalp.

3. Try a spray-on dry shampoo in between regular wet shampoos. Many different brands have become available in recent months. By absorbing oil at the roots, they can take fine hair from flat to fuller in a matter of minutes.

4. Use a hair dryer with a concentrator nozzle. This is an absolute must for the drying technique explained in section 2. In addition, dryers with round brush attachments are also very useful in making the most of fine hair. If you haven’t upgraded your hair dryer in years, take a look at some of the newer models; they can really make a difference in how your hair looks and feels.

5. Be sure to use a wide-tooth comb with rounded teeth to smooth the snarls out of your towel-dried hair. Fine hair is fragile hair, and if your comb has sharp and/or closely spaced teeth, they can cause damage. Another styling tool you’ll need is a flat brush with air vents in the back, preferably with bristles that have rounded tips. Depending on your hair style, you'll want at least one medium-sized round brush, possibly a smaller one as well.

Styling and Drying for Volume

1. Start with the right mindset. Understand that to maximize your hair’s volume, you need to dry it in two stages. Think of it as working from the inside out; the way to build volume is by drying and lifting the roots before you spend any time styling the ends.

2. After you have towel-dried your wet hair, comb out snarls with the wide-tooth comb and then comb all of it forward over your face. (Think “Old English sheepdog.”) This will expose the roots at the sides and crown to air. Shake your head a few times and allow your hair to air-dry like this for 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Starting at the nape of your neck and working through the hair to your forehead, lift up small sections of hair and spray root lifter right at the roots. Repeat this procedure on each side of your head, starting at the earline and working up to the crown.

4. 

   Now, take the hair dryer with concentrator nozzle in one hand and the vented paddle brush in the other. Again starting at the nape of your neck, lift up sections of hair and point the concentrator right at the roots for a count of three. Repeat with sections of hair on each side. Use a warm heat setting but not a hot one, and don’t make any attempt to dry the ends.

5. Next, flip your hair back the way it belongs. Even though the ends will still be damp, it should look noticeably fuller. Use your round brush with the concentrator to dry the rest of your hair, lifting each section up and away from your head. If you have a drying with a round brush attachment, it can be very helpful here.

6. As you finish drying, use a smaller round brush with the concentrator to complete your style as needed – this will depend on the type of haircut you have. I recommend misting a bit of styling spray on each section of hair as you hold it with the brush, then point the concentrator at it. When you are satisfied with how it looks, fluff your hair a bit with your fingers (NOT a brush) and mist one last time. You should see a significant increase in volume and overall fullness.

7. If you don't wash your hair every day, use a dry shampoo the next morning and then repeat steps 3 through 6. Your hair may not look as full as it did the previous day but it will certainly look fuller than on an average, post-shampoo day!