Have you ever styled your hair perfectly in the morning, only to have it become flat and lifeless by midday? Maintaining volume throughout the day can be a challenge, especially for fine or thin hair. With the right techniques, products, and a little insider knowledge, you can absolutely achieve a voluminous mane that lasts from morning to night. Here’s a step-by-step guide, along with some expert tips and product recommendations from The Insiders.
Step 1: Prep your hair with the right shampoo and conditioner
This is the foundation and a crucial step. Start with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner that will lift your roots without weighing your hair down. These products are specially formulated to add volume and texture to fine hair. Think of our Walk on the Beach shampoo . You won’t need to use conditioner after using this shampoo either.
- Shampoo : Focus on cleansing your scalp to remove product buildup or oils that can weigh your hair down. Apply the shampoo to your roots and massage gently. The Walk on the Beach shampoo is the perfect prep for volume looks and will give you a light feel and effect after use.
- Conditioner : Apply conditioner primarily to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. Avoid the roots to prevent weight and flat hair.
Step 2: Dry your hair properly with a towel
Avoid vigorous towel drying after washing, as this can damage your hair and cause frizz. Instead, gently squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel or soft cotton t-shirt. This method reduces friction and helps maintain your hair’s natural volume.
Step 3: Apply a mousse or volume spray to wet hair
While your hair is still damp, apply a mousse or volumizing spray. This product provides a light hold and gives your hair extra volume. How do you do this? Squeeze a golf ball-sized amount of mousse (or two to three for longer hair) into your hand and distribute it evenly from roots to ends. Use your fingers or a comb to distribute it evenly.
Step 4: Blow-dry upside down
Blow-drying your hair upside down is a classic technique for creating extra volume. This method lifts the roots and gives your hair natural body.
- Technique : Tilt your head forward and use a blow dryer with a nozzle to direct the airflow from roots to ends. Use your fingers to lift the roots as you dry.
- Brush and hairspray : Once your hair is about 80% dry, stand back up and use a round brush to finish drying. Note; our trick here is to make sure you give the roots some extra lift and body. So, spritz some light, natural hairspray onto the roots and continue blow-drying. Focus on lifting the roots and smoothing the ends for a polished look. You can also consider spritzing that light hairspray into the lengths and ends while blow-drying. This will give it a few extra hours of hold! Make sure you choose the right hairspray to prevent tangles, Hold it there Finishing Spray
Step 5: Use a dry shampoo
For extra lift, apply a dry shampoo like our Hustler Dry Shampoo . This spray adds texture and holds your style in place without feeling sticky. How do you best use it? Hold the spray about 10 inches from your head and lightly mist it through your roots and lengths. You can use your fingers to lightly tease your hair and create extra natural volume, but with this product, that's really not necessary.
Step 6: Strategically tease your hair
Backcombing, when done correctly, can add significant volume to your roots. Our advice is to only do this if absolutely necessary, as it does cause some minor hair damage. Use a fine-toothed comb to backcomb small sections of your hair.
- Technique : Lift a section of hair, holding it taut, and gently push the comb down toward the roots in short strokes. Repeat with adjacent sections for even volume. Smooth the top layer of hair to hide the teased sections.
Step 7: Fix with a lightweight hairspray
Finish your look with a lightweight, flexible hold hairspray. Our Hold it there Finishing Spray is perfect for this. It’s easy to use; hold the can about 30cm from your head and mist evenly through your hair. This will help lock in volume without making your hair stiff or sticky.
Celebrities as inspiration: Blake Lively
Get inspired by celebrities like Blake Lively, known for her effortlessly voluminous hair. Blake often wears natural waves with lots of body and movement. Her secret? A combination of great products, smart styling and regular touch-ups.
Bonus Tips
- Dry Shampoo : If your roots start to get greasy halfway through the day, use dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and restore volume. You can repeat this regularly. Be careful though; dry shampoo can cause a bit of product build up, so use it sparingly.
- Avoid heavy products : Avoid heavy serums or oils that can weigh down your hair.
- Regular trims : Underrated, but super important. Keep your ends healthy with regular trims, as split ends can make your hair look thinner and flatter. But more importantly, the shorter the hair, the more volume.
So…
Achieving and maintaining voluminous hair all day long requires a mix of the right products, techniques, and a little insider know-how. By following this step-by-step guide and using The Insiders’ recommended products, you can enjoy full, bouncy hair from morning to night. Whether you want to emulate Blake Lively’s signature waves or create your own voluminous style, these tips will help you keep your hair looking great all day long.
Let us know if you have any further questions via dewi@insidershair.com or book a Styling Coach session for personal styling tips.
