15 ways to boost volume in your hair

“Having one length of hair can weigh your hair down,” says hairstylist Anthony Nader. “Ask your hairdresser for some shorter skimming layers around the interior of your haircut, which is key to getting extra lift and lots of volume.”

“If you have thick hair, lie on your bed with your head hanging over the edge and blow-dry your hair this way. You get volume in the hair but support your neck and arms at the same time. Of course, to really give yourself a fighting chance you always need to use product,” says hairstylist Jayne Wild. “I can't recommend enough a strong product like ghd volume foam. It doesn't have to be applied at the root only, it can be run through the whole length of the hair, and using a powerful hairdryer to dry the product in will enhance the results and create soft but lasting volume.”

“Check your hairdryer settings - high heat and speed can lead to flat hair,” explains Roberto Tarla, Creative Director of Keune Australia and New Zealand. “Lower the temperature and speed to dial up the volume, and use your hands to lift the hair as it dries to encourage body and a whole lot of volume.”

“My best pro tip for boosting volume in your hair is to treat every blow-dry like you’re [on] a photoshoot - so double moussing is key!,” says hairstylist Pasquale Porciello for Kérastase Paris. “Apply a first layer with Kérastase Paris Couture Styling Mousse Bouffant on damp hair then follow up with Kérastase Paris L’Incroyable Blowdry Heat Lotion to prime your ends. Dry your hair off with your head upside down, then once your hair is 80 per cent dry, go in for round two and apply the mousse on your roots. Then flip your hair again and blow-dry to achieve maximum volume and a beautiful soft, luxe finish."

“Getting good volume in hair starts with a great foundation, so try Mr. Smith Volumising Shampoo and Conditioner,” says hairstylist Elyston Hayden. “Towel dry hair by pressing excess water out, scrunch a small dollop of Mr. Smith Mousse into hair, then use a diffuser nozzle to lift hair at the roots.”

“An instant hair boost trick is to change the position of your part. It adds bounciness to your hair, without the weight of product,” says hairstylist Renya Xydis. “Another quick trick is to always apply a root lifter, such as Wella EIMI Root Shoot, when hair is fresh and wet after washing. Let your hair dry naturally with the roots of your hair coated in this for a playful and lively hairstyle.”

“I’ve been telling clients to reverse wash for years because sometimes shampoo can be too harsh or stripping on the hair and sometimes conditioner can be too heavy,” says Justine Marjan, Global TRESemmé Ambassador. “Reverse washing is genius because when you apply conditioner first, the hair absorbs what it needs, then you shampoo off the excess. It leaves the hair clean, moisturised, and bouncy!”

“Opt for 'weightless' formulas in your styling products,” says hair and makeup artist Dale Dorning. “Products such as bodifying sprays are fantastic; but be sure to choose one that doesn't dry tacky in the hair. When you dry one into damp hair, you can then re-spray any areas and re-dry into hair for extra fullness, without weighing the hair down and causing it to appear limp and lifeless.”

“An easy way to create volume and texture is to towel dry your hair really well and apply a weightless volumising cream like KEVIN.MURPHY ANTI.GRAVITY,” says hairstylist Kevin Murphy. “Then, split your hair into five sections and twist each section until you can't twist anymore, and secure with a pin. Blast hair with heat from the dryer until each twist feels dry all the way through. Take the twists out and tip your head upside down. Blast your hair with cold air to break up the sections and while your head is still upside down, gently massage your scalp so it slightly teases the root area. Finish with KEVIN.MURPHY SESSION.SPRAY and flip your head up – [you’ll have] maximum volume and texture that looks completely effortless!”

“Apply a volumising spray to your roots, mid-lengths and ends of damp hair, and dry your hair upside down so the hair is dried in an over-directed formation. This will give you the most volume!,” says Byron Turnbull, hairstylist for Edwards and Co Surry Hills.

“If you want your curls to be piecey and imperfect, keep them from clumping together in a uniform wave by spraying a starch-based dry shampoo, like Dove Dry Shampoo, all over your hair after you style it,” says hairstylist Mark Townsend. “The starch in the dry shampoo coats your hair and makes it dry and matte, covering your hair's natural oils so your curls don't intertwine and make a master wave.”

“The best way to achieve volume is to first use the correct shampoo and conditioner for this purpose, such as Pantene Pro-Vitamin Sheer Volume Shampoo and Conditioner,” says Remington Schulz, Pantene Hair Ambassador. “Styling is also key; products like mousse, volumising products and sea salt sprays are the best, and they work better with heat from a hairdryer. After drying your hair, spray roots to ends with hairspray, and twist your hair into a topknot. Use U-shape pins to hold it in place and let it set for at least 30 minutes. You’ll find that when you take the pins out, you’ll have lots of volume in your root area and a slight wave without having to use a tong!”

“Using a round hair brush, brush your hair in the opposite direction, pushing your hair up and away from you,” explains Paloma Garcia, Philips HairCare Ambassador and celebrity hairstylist. “This will help lift the hair off the scalp and create volume and fullness.”

“For extra volume, sprinkle Schwarzkopf OSiS+ Dust It before bed, then brush all your hair up to the front of your head and secure with a soft scrunchie,” says Brad Ngata, National Styling Ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professional. “The over-direction of the root combined with the dust gives maximum volume once released in the morning.”

“Wash your hair and spray David Mallett Volume Spray to damp hair,” says hairstylist David Mallett. “Then blow-dry the hair, scrunching the ends as you go. Finish by spritzing David Mallett Volume Powder in your roots to add extra oomph and create a sexy, French girl look.”

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