8 Ways to Get More Volume in Your Hair

If there’s one person who’s been blessed with flat, thin, fine, limp hair, it’s me. And trust me, I’ve heard and read it all when it comes to trying to lift that flat hair and put some volume into it.

Here, in no particular order, all the tips that I could possibly find on getting more volume, and bigger hair:

• Change your parting. Great for those with flat hair. It is a quick, easy tip that gives a temporary lift to flat hair.

• The right haircut. Well placed layers, styles cut with a blunt end, and bobs all give volume to fine, thin hair. What to avoid: Hair cuts and styles that are heavily layered, or razor cuts.

• Volumizing shampoo and conditioners. Try volumizing formulas. If you have colored your hair though, beware – some formulas can strip and fade the color. Also, because they are giving volume and are formulated not to weigh hair down, it does not contain so many conditiong agents. I remember using a volumizing shampoo from L’Oreal Professional and while it was great, my hair was quite dry – which gave it a fluffy, volumizing effect. A good leave-in conditioner that doesn’t weigh down hair is Redken Extreme Anti-Snap. There is also the quick tip for dealing with flat hair we learnt from Allure magazine.

• Blow-drying tricks. A tip all the pros use is to blow dry your hair upside down – lifting up the roots and therefore added volume. Also, apply voluming mousse and blow dry your crown area to get lift for flat hair. Blow dry hair by lifting each section to the sky, directing the hairdryer on your scalp. What to avoid: Heavy conditioners, hairsprays and styling products that will just weigh your hair down after all your hard work.

• Dry shampoo. Here’s a general hair tip: Don’t wash everyday! Use dry shampoos for the days you don’t wash your hair – it revives greasy hair and gives slight volume. It really works – it’s one of my “miracle” products.

• Teasing/Backcombing. Backcombing your hair at the crown and smoothing some hair over it will lift hair and not make it so flat. Beware though – backcombing is very damaging.

• Coloring. Coloring your hair instantly makes hair look thicker - particularly darker colors – and well placed high-lights and low-lights can give the illusion of dimension.

• Perms. A semi-permanent, hassle free way to get volume is just to have a perm. You will save a lot on blow drying and products. A root perm will give lift to flat hair, a body perm will give you all around waves, so your hair will have instantly more body and volume. Unfortunately, perms are very damaging to your hair – it is best that you haven’t had any prior chemical treatments, and that your hair is relatively healthy. I would say that perms are the last straw, as it really is damaging. I’ve seen both extremes of perms – some were horrible (like mine when I was 15) but some were really good and didn’t seem to damage at all (my best friend). So really think about it, and please get a good stylist that will do a proper job.

• …or, just fake it! Extensions and weaves are extra hair added to your head of hair, so of course your mane will look thicker and project more volume. Research carefully though – there are some horror stories around of badly done extensions and weaves!

That’s all from me. Save to say I’ve tried them all, and my fail proof favorite is a perm, a layered haircut and dry shampoo. What do you do to get volume? If you have any more tips I’d love to hear.

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