How to Add Volume to Your Hair

Adding Volume in the Shower

Wash your hair with a volumizing shampoo. Some shampoo formulas can weigh your hair down, so choose one that is specifically designed to add lift to your hair. Common volumizing shampoos include Pantene Pro-V Full & Strong, Matrix Biolage Volumebloom, Kiehl's Ultimate Thickening Shampoo, and Head & Shoulders Full & Thick.

Use conditioner only on the ends of your hair. Conditioner is great for detangling your hair and locking in moisture, but it can leave a heavy residue that can weigh down your roots. Use a volumizing conditioner on just the ends of your hair to get moisture where you really need it. If your hair is very short or tends to get oily, skip conditioner altogether.

Condition your hair first, then shampoo if you still need extra volume. If your hair is dry and you need to condition more than just the ends, try applying your conditioner first. Then, use a little shampoo right at the roots to give them extra lift. Try to get the shampoo only on your roots so you don't need to condition again.

Spray your hair with dry shampoo to get second-day volume. If your hair looks limp and oily the day after you wash it, use dry shampoo on your roots to absorb oil and add volume. Spray the dry shampoo on the first 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of your hair, especially around your hairline and at the crown. Massage the dry shampoo into your roots with your fingers and let it sit for a few minutes, then comb through to the ends of your hair. This will help absorb oil throughout the length of your hair, especially right at the roots where it builds up the most.

Drying Your Hair

Apply a volumizing product to your roots. Whether you use mousse, foam, or gel, you should apply the product to your roots as soon as you get out of the shower, since volumizing products work best on wet hair. This will give you the most control as you dry your hair.

Brush 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) sections with a round brush as you blow dry your hair. A round brush gives you more control over each section of hair since it grips from all sides. Hold the brush under your hair and push it upwards to lift your roots as you dry them to give them the most volume. You should also use a nozzle attachment on your hairdryer so you can focus the air on the brush. After you dry your roots, slowly move both the brush and hair dryer down each section of hair to dry it. If you have short hair, use a smaller round brush. Hold the brush at your roots instead of moving it through your hair to avoid adding too much curl. Flip your head upside-down and blow dry your hair without the brush until it’s about 70% dry, then turn upright to finish styling. For longer hair, you can play around with different round brushes and styling techniques.

Add extra volume by brushing dry hair in the opposite direction of your part. If you normally wear your hair parted so it falls to the left, brush it over to the right, or vice-versa. Use a high heat setting on your roots for about 10 seconds, then use the cool-air nozzle on your hair to set the style in place. After your hair has cooled, brush your hair back in the direction you normally part it.

Pull your hair into a bun to air-dry if you don’t have time to dry it. If you’re in a hurry, pull your hair as far forward into a bun as you can get it. As it dries, the roots will hold their shape, so when you pull it down, you’ll have extra volume. This is a great method to air-dry your hair if you like to shower before bed at night.

Styling Your Hair

Use rollers on the top section of your hair to get extra lift. If your hair is long enough for rollers, this is a great way to add volume at your roots. Depending on the size of the rollers, section the center part of your hair — the part where a mohawk would be — into 3-4 sections. Wrap each one around a roller while you finish getting dressed or do your makeup. If you use hot rollers, leave them in until they cool. If you use foam rollers or other rollers that aren’t heated, blast the roots of your hair with your blowdryer, then leave them in until your hair cools. Gently unroll your hair when it’s cool and style with your fingers.

Back comb your hair to give it height. Teasing, or backcombing, is the process of combing your hair backwards to give it more volume. You can tease your hair using a fine-tooth comb or even a toothbrush. Hold a section of hair straight up, then comb downwards starting about 2 inches (5.1 cm) away from your scalp. When you get your hair to its desired volume, gently smooth the top layer of your hair over the teased section to hide it.

Curl your hair with a medium or large curling iron to create loose waves. Larger curling irons create soft curls that are perfect for adding volume. You can style the curls with your fingers or brush them out with a soft brush for a glamorous Old Hollywood style.

Add clip-in hair extensions for added volume. Hair extensions aren’t always just for creating length. Extensions cut to the same length as your hair can give you a huge volume boost. Tease your hair a little to hide the clips, then attach the extensions a few inches away from your roots. Make sure your hair is thick enough to cover the extensions. Clip-in extensions are usually placed fairly close to the roots, so even if your hair is on the thinner side, they wouldn't be as noticeable. If you place them a few inches away from the roots, then thin hair may not fully hide them.

Wear your hair with a deep side part for fullness on top. By parting your hair further to one side, you bring more hair onto the top of your head. This will create the illusion that your hair has more volume. Comb your hair to the side if your hair is too short for a traditional part.

Give yourself a zig-zag part for volume on both sides. Place a comb at your hairline right where your part normally starts. Comb backwards at an angle for about 2 inches (5.1 cm), then abruptly change the direction of your part to create a zig-zag pattern. This will create a lot of volume on either side of your part.

Cutting Your Hair for Volume

Cut your hair short or medium length for more bounce. Once your hair is shoulder-length, it starts to look weighed down. Opt for a cut that hits between your chin and collarbone — or even shorter, if you prefer! Fake a voluminous look on super-short hair by cutting the sides closer to your head and leaving the top a little longer. Style the top with a volumizing product and a round brush to give it lift.

Opt for a blunt cut for the most fullness. Layers can make your hair look thinner, especially if you opt for a style with a lot of layering. Instead, choose a bob or similar style with a strong, blunt line across the bottom to make your hair look fuller. Avoid blunt cuts that are done with a razor. These can cause your hair to look frizzy and can make it appear even thinner.

Push back your bangs if you have short hair. Spray your hair with a lightweight hairspray or apply a little styling gel, then comb the front of your hair so it stands up or falls backwards. This will give you extra volume right above your face, which is where most people are looking.

Get highlights to add dimension. If you don’t mind coloring your hair, highlights can create a 3D effect, making your hair seem fuller. Lighter highlights should be closer to the top, while lowlights and your natural color should fall towards the bottom.