I’ve spent a fortune on hair products over years – here are the 9 that actually give fine, flat and lifeless hair volume (plus the mistake to avoid)
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I have a lot of thin, straight hair; long and healthy ones (can’t complain about that), but usually too soft to put back into a bun. And even more annoying, it’s the kind that flattens out as soon as I sleep (so I’ll always wash it in the morning).
In the paradox of wanting what you can’t have, I’ve spent a lot of time and money finding products that add volume and fullness to my hair in a light and airy way without weighing it down. And I’m happy to report that there are nine volumizing hair products that make their way into my rotation (of course, I don’t use them all at once).
My thin, straight hair immediately after washing
What are the best volumizing products for thin hair?
Different volumizing products will produce different results depending on their formulation, ingredients and intended use. For those with thin, straight hair, Anabel Kingsley, Consultant Trichologist Philip KingsleyIt recommends lightweight products containing volumizing ingredients to give hair volume and a fuller, thicker appearance.
If your style fails at the end of the day, Kingsley says to add volume with dry shampoo and/or texturizing spray. In terms of volume, ‘a strengthening spray is great for styling hair because it lifts the roots to make the hair look thicker and fuller.’
Kingsley emphasizes the importance of using a heat protectant when heat styling your hair to keep it healthy, fuller, and therefore more voluminous. ‘Thin hair is naturally more fragile,’ she adds, so keeping your hair in good condition with weekly strengthening masks will also help strengthen body and maintain fullness.
What ingredients should you look for in a good volumizing product?
Just like skincare, the ‘active’ ingredients in haircare make a big difference to how well a volumizing product actually works. Polymers are true ‘volume builders’ for fine, straight hair; they coat each strand with a lightweight film to instantly thicken and provide greater hold. Cellulose is a popular plant-derived polymer often used in volumizing products.
Kingsley says another ingredient that is effective in volumizing thin hair is keratin protein. It strengthens and repairs each strand from the inside, making it smoother, more flexible, and better able to hold lift and fullness during styling.
I can’t vouch for the ‘daily’ claims as I only wash my hair twice a week, but I can verify the ‘densifying’ claims. This shampoo makes my hair look visibly thicker and shinier.
Specially formulated for thin, flat, lifeless hair – containing phylloxane, a patented molecule that expands and thickens hair fibers – this conditioner leaves my hair soft, shiny and with natural bounce.
I like to use a mask instead of conditioner every time I wash my hair. While evaluating the masks in Kérastase’s Densifique series, my new favorite is the Olaplex Weightless Nourishing Mask. I leave it on for about ten minutes after shampooing and it makes my hair feel thicker.
A quick fix for my straight hair (especially when it’s on day 2 or 3), this spray adds instant volume and texture. And it smells delicious.
One of the few products on this list that I would use on my dry hair, this volumizing powder is a hairdresser’s favorite, and for good reason: it really lifts the roots.
This powder to mousse switch was recommended to me by Hershesons hairstylist Gemma Rebelo and I’ve been using it too. I apply it to damp hair, focusing on the roots, and I see that it instantly adds volume without creating stickiness.
Prefer a volumizing spray? Before I start blow-drying my hair, I like to apply this heat-activated spray to damp hair, once again focusing on the roots (can be applied to all lengths for overall volume).
This volumizing mousse truly lives up to its name, delivering va-va-voom volume in just a few pumps’ worth of product. I like to use it on towel-dried hair, but it can be used on dry hair as well. It also comes with three types of heat protection.
Styling products can do wonders for increasing volume, but so can the right blow-dry technique. At home, I tried to do a salon-worthy blow dry with a round brush and a hair dryer, but I couldn’t do it. Replacing this round blow dryer brush from Amika was the best decision I’ve ever made.
Are there any volumizing products you should avoid if you have thin hair?
As tempting as it may be to head to Boots and load up on a bunch of different volumizing products, there’s too much of a good thing. “If you have fine hair, you’ll want to avoid overloading it,” warns Kingsley.
Instead, she recommends choosing lightweight products like texturizing sprays and root-enhancing sprays. ‘Preferably ones that don’t contain rich oils, lots of silicones or heavy moisturizing ingredients to prevent hair from weighing down.’
Which hairstyles and haircuts add the most volume?
While volumizing products provide instant lift to thin, straight hair, the right hairstyle or haircut naturally strengthens body and movement, making the hair appear fuller and thicker.
fluffy blow dry
A bouncy blow dry is one of the best ways to achieve salon-level volume at home. For maximum volume, Kingsley recommends using a root-boosting spray like Philip Kingsley Maximizer Root Boosting Spray (above), which volumizes and lifts fine, flat, flyaway hair. ‘This award-winning formula is heat-activated and thickens hair while providing instant root lift and frizz control, perfect for a vibrant blow-dry.’
Hollywood waves
To get those big, voluminous, S-shaped waves, a heat protectant is an absolute must, protecting against heat while providing natural hold, shine, and volume. Kingsley recommends Philip Kingsley Perfecting Primer (£25) for its anti-frizz formula, which nourishes the hair and scalp with the help of lipids and elastin, revealing smooth, shiny hair with extra volume. ‘Think leave-in conditioner with added protection.’
short hair
Kingsley’s clients often find that, due to hair thinning and texture changes, a shorter cut allows them to achieve more volume as they age. But aging is not the only factor. ‘Women experience hormonal changes such as postpartum hair loss; “The drop in estrogen after having a baby brings the hair to the stage of shedding,” she explains. ‘Many customers find that short hair not only looks thicker, but is also easier to comb at this stage of motherhood.’
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