Fine, thick, thin or afro, even the bounciest of hair types can sometimes feel like they lack a bit of ‘oompfh’. Some causes are just down to hair type – your hair is heavy and thick and so flattens your roots, or it’s fine or a bit thin. Or, it can be down to maintenance – there’s a build up of product, or you’ve been heavy handed with the hair oil again. Sometimes, you’ve got a mixture of both to blame.
We enlisted the wisdom of multiple award-winning hair stylist and Tweak’d ambassador Domenic Iannuzzi, who agrees that volume is often lacking, no matter what your hair texture: “All hair types including thicker hair can lack volume, especially in the crown area.” Luckily, even for hair that naturally lacks volume, there are techniques and products to inject some height and body. And no, we don’t mean furious backcombing a la emo kids circa 2006.
So why do most hair types lack volume? Domenic continues: “Grease is often the main culprit when it comes to flat hair. A combination of natural oils that your hair produces throughout the day along with dirt and pollution will weigh down and dull your hair. If I had to suggest one thing it would be to cleanse your scalp regularly, using a volumising scrub to remove oils and impurities.” We love the Rhassoul Rise & Shine Cleansing Volumizing Scrub, which Domenic says “provides a deep yet delicate cleanse, gently removing impurities and build-up while boosting the volume of your hair right from the root.”
“Using volume-specific shampoos, conditioners and styling products together is key to achieving the best results”
He makes it clear that volumising starts from the moment you step in the shower: “A perfect voluminous style starts by using the right shampoo”, but he also warns against skipping the conditioner: “What’s the point of a voluminous style if your hair looks like a big heap of dry hay?” He recommends “conditioning the hair from mid hair shaft to the tips – usually where it is mostly needed – being sure to rinse out thoroughly.”
Domenic also advises to be targeted with your styling products: “Using volume-specific shampoos, conditioners and styling products together is key to achieving the best results when looking for fuller, thicker lasting volume.” This is where hair sets come into their own, as you’ll find they address your specific hair concern throughout your washing and styling products. The Taya Coco Water Hydrating Volume Haircare Collection is perfect for dry or coarse hair that lacks volume (and the packaging will look gorgeous in your bathroom), or for fine, flyaway hair try Philip Kingsley’s Triple Volume Collection.
Incorporating a volumising styling product couldn’t be easier. Domenic says: “Before starting the drying process apply a volume-boosting styling product to damp hair, working it in from the back of the hair to the front”. This will make sure most of the product is at the crown – where volume is most lacking – and you end up with a smaller amount of product dispersed evenly and more sparingly to the front. Try Tweak’d Dhatelo Restore Conditioning Thickening Foam or Percy & Reed Bouncy Volumising Mousse for serious build, or Taya Copaiba Resin Advanced Volumising Builder and Philip Kingsley Maximizer are good spray options. “It will provide structure and support for any lift you manually create near the roots when you dry your hair, helping your style last all day – or even several days.”
When drying your hair, make sure you lift hair up from the root to encourage volume. Domenic’s time-saving tip for this is to “flip your head upside down! 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 the hair to about 90 percent dry, then do the final smoothing with a round brush – though if you have a fringe, always dry right side up first!”
Finally, enlist the help of a finishing spray. Again choose a product designed to add volume such as Color Wow Style on Steroids Texture & Finishing Spray, which gives your hair a serious boost when sprayed at the roots, or Living Proof PhD Body Builder Hairspray which has a customisable nozzle that you can turn to adjust to the amount of volume you want. It acts as your volumiser and a hairspray, and is a great pick-me-up if you find your style has gone a bit flat during the day.