How to volumise flat hair

Nobody wants flat hair. Roots deserve to be pumped full of volume – easy when you have thick curly hair. Not so easy when your hair is flat and poker straight. So how do you inject it with some va-va-voom?

Here are some tips from Beauty Editor about how to get some pizzazz in your barnet.

1. Change Your Parting

Chances are, you have a favourite place to part your hair. It’s where your hair likes to fall naturally (somewhere in the middle or off-centre), or on the side closest to it. Problem is, that’s also where your hair lies the most flat, and you’re training it to stay that way.

Flipping your part to the opposite side creates instant volume at the crown; if you’re worried about looking lopsided, then do it while your hair is still wet. To build the most height, try a deep side part on the opposite side in dry hair, misting lightly with hairspray to hold. This is the model-esque swoosh I’ve been talking about lately, which is a little bit ’80s and VERY sexy.

2. Back-Brush It

Teasing has a bad rep. It doesn’t have to mean aggressively back-combing your hair with a fine-toothed comb to create massive tangles (which are a nightmare to get out in the shower). You can actually create soft volume by back-brushing the roots, using a large paddle brush instead.

One technique is to pin up the uppermost layer of the hair, and then back-brush the rest, working section by section. Holding each section taut and away from the head, brush in a downward motion at the roots in three quick strokes. To make the volume last, spray each back-brushed area with hairspray. Once you’ve completed all the sections, let down the rest of the hair, leaving it smooth.

3. Blow-Dry Upside Down

Haven’t perfected your blow-dry technique? No worries—the best shortcut to a voluminous blowout is just flipping your head upside down. I know it sounds too easy, but it’s exactly how my hairstylist dries my hair every time I get a haircut. (Then he finishes off my ends with a flat iron, for a “straight with volume” look.)

The reason this works is because upside down, your roots are automatically lifting off your scalp, which is how you want them to dry. I like to use this method to get my hair about 90 percent dry, and then I might do my final smoothing with a round brush. Note: If you have bangs, always dry them right side up first!

4. Boost Your Roots

Root-boosting products are your friends. Think of them as the scaffolding to your hairstyle. They provide structure and support for any lift you manually create near the roots, helping your style last all day (or even several days).

Look for a product specifically designed for fine hair, so it won’t weigh you down, and apply it all over the head, right at the scalp. Make sure you use it on damp hair—root-boosters won’t work once hair is dried. And don’t be afraid to layer your volume-building products, adding mousse and/or blow-dry spray through the lengths.

5. Put in Hot Rollers

Everybody forgets about hot rollers. But hot rollers are awesome! Unlike curling irons and flat irons, there’s no special technique required; just throw them in while you’re doing your makeup and 20 minutes later, you’ll have sweet volume. This is a great trick if your hair is already dry and it’s too late to build volume into your blow-dry.

All you need to do is choose which direction you want your waves. Rolling away from the face gives you glam Hollywood waves, while towards the face creates a more vintage, Veronica Lake effect. To make your volume last, mist each section with hairspray before rolling, and let the rollers cool completely before taking out. Then brush out and shape your waves for a soft, modern look.

6. Use a Volume-Building Shampoo

It’s a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at the difference a good shampoo makes to your volume goals. My rule of thumb is to use products that are clear or at least translucent, since they’re the least likely to be loaded with heavy conditioning ingredients. Nothing white and creamy for my hair, please! And yes, it IS possible to find volume-building shampoo that doesn’t strip your hair and is colour-safe.

Also go easy on the conditioner. I only apply it to the bottom half or third of my hair, and I make sure to rinse it extra-thoroughly.

La Biosthetique Volumising Lotion is a blow-drying lotion gives fine hair more volume and lasting and reliable medium to strong hold. This blow-drying lotion gives all hair types bounce. Even the finest hair is perfectly styled with Volumising Lotion.

A unique care complex moisturises and protects with an integrated UV filter. Fine hair is given clearly visible, practically weightless volume and reliable hold without making the style too stiff. In addition, Volumising Lotion calms static and flyaway hair.

• Cationic wheat peptides: improve texture and volume without making the hair stiff
• Fixing copolymer: provides reliable hold and keeps the style in shape
• Sunflower polyphenols: prevent structural damage by free radicals
• UV filter: protects the hair against sun damage