You know something I never get complimented on? My eyebrows.
They aren’t full, bushy and cool like those French girls you see on Pinterest; they’re hardly even there (although some recent brow serums I’ve been using have helped. Anyway, I digress…)
You’ll also never catch someone complimenting my height, because I’m probably on eyesight level with a hobbit.
Though my parents didn’t pass on thick eyebrows or height, they did pass on thick hair on my head (and my legs, but we don’t have time to get into that teenage trauma right now, let’s just say there was a lot of Veet involved).
And my hair is one thing I do get complimented on!
But my big mane wasn't always compliment-worthy.
It took years of taming, styling tricks/tips and the right products to get my big, frizzy locks to behave and look ‘cute voluminous’ rather than ‘crazy/unruly voluminous’.
My crazy hair and I are so glad we’re finally here!
So I thought I’d share my current 3-products-only 'voluminous hair routine' and ask some of my Adore Beauty colleagues to share theirs too.
If you're looking to up the ante on your hair game, keep reading.
Sadaf, Senior Beauty Editor.
Earlier this year I went to my hairdresser and asked for "90s bombshell hair". This was the result:
Success!
Now how was I going to achieve that same blowout and volume myself?
While it's never going to look like how the pros do it in salons, this is my tried and true routine for achieving swooshy, voluminous hair (especially if you have a lot of it and it's not behaving).
My voluminous hair routine:
Step 1. Use a shampoo that is made to give your hair more body.
I currently have the Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo on high rotation especially when I want some extra lift (if you want the whole 411 on which Kérastase hair product is right for you, we did a whole article breakdown which you can read here.)
I also find this shampoo distributes generously through thick hair whereas I find some volumising shampoos don’t disperse enough product to cover all my hair, so if youre a thick hair girly like me - add this to cart.
Step 2. A volumising mist or styling product makes a huge difference.
Root-lifting sprays and mists are your secret weapon for giving voluminous hair a head start.
We have a whole host of volumising sprays, but I’m currently using the Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist - and no complaints here.
It didn’t irritate my scalp and it’s also infused with Olaplex's bond building technology so it’s a hair bonding treatment that repairs and strengthens your tresses while also helping amp up your roots - how.good.
Step 3: Styling technique.
As you’ll see with all my colleagues too, the way you style your hair is key in achieving volume, bounce and body.
I like to start with my blow-dryer, making sure I blast under my roots then pull my barrel brush away from my face rather than blow-drying down.
I then like to finish the styling step by giving myself some soft waves with my ghd original hair straightener. Not only does this make hair appear even bigger and bouncier, if you have really textured, thick hair like me, it helps tame frizz and give your mane a more polished look, too.
And here is the end result:
Another little pro tip: If like me your hair gets greasy after one day, you can bring back volume by zhuzhing second-day hair with a dry shampoo to restore that bounce and body without having to wash again.
Adele, Customer Experience.
"When it comes to styling my hair; I am always looking to achieve that big bouncy blow wave look.
Volume and bounce go hand-in-hand when perfecting the 90's blowout hair à la the Pamela Anderson and Cindy Crawford blowout phenomenon that is.
As for my routine I think it's fair to say I have it down pat after years of trialling and testing this particular method..."
Adele's voluminous hair routine:
Step 1. "Prepping the hair is a must."
"The Christophe Robin Volumising Shampoo is perfect in prepping the hair pre-styling. Using a volumising shampoo and conditioner is such a crucial part as you get the upper hand on giving the strands of the hair volume."
Step 2. "Prepping the hair post-wash."
I like to bring some moisture back in the hair with the Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave in Lotion 150ml and the Kérastase Elixir Ultime Beautifying Hair Oil just to give the hair some added shine.
After I like to add the KEVIN.MURPHY Body.Builder 400ml. I know hair mousses may seem scary and a thing of the past but it truly makes such a difference to the texture of the hair and the way it moves when styled. It also creates a really strong hold (we love long-lasting bounce and volume).
Step 3. "Letting the hair nearly dry."
"Allowing all the products to marinate and dry into the hair has made such a difference when it comes to the final stages of styling, this really helps the products do their thing."
Step 4. "Styling the hair with flare and fun."
The Dyson Airwrap Complete Long Multi-Styler Nickel Copper is my ride or die styling tool and is so easy to use.
A little bouncy hair hack is remembering to cold shoot the hair to make sure you set the wave.
Have fun with this part - personally, I am never too precious when sectioning the hair.
I always just go with the flow and find it gives the hair that undone cool girl look!"
Step 5. "The final product."
When it comes to a finishing spray Kevin.Murphy Doo.Over is my go-to. It feels light on the hair but gives it that grip to stay in place.
I apply it, let it set and then brush everything out so it's had time to settle in the hair and create that hold."
Jas, Beauty Editor.
Jas's voluminous hair routine for fine hair:
Step 1. "For all my fine-haired friends looking to achieve voluminous locks, here's a tip: start with a pre-styling mousse like the Virtue Flourish Volumizing Styler 120ml. Apply it generously to your damp hair, paying special attention to the roots."
Step 2. "Then, flip your head upside down and grab a round brush.
If you're a perpetually late girlie like yours truly or simply can't be bothered with your usual blow dry routine, consider treating yourself to a blowdry brush - like this one by Mermade.
They've been such a gamechanger for my morning routine, drying and styling my hair at once so I can get out the door faster (and looking 10x more put together)."
Step 3. "As you blow-dry your hair, gently guide it downward and to each side with the brush.
My mum taught me this technique years ago and I find it helps give your hair an instant lift at the roots and add body for fuller, bouncier locks."
Jess, Campaigns Marketing Manager.
"No one was more shocked than me when my internal voice told me to cut my hair.
I was getting overwhelmed by the upkeep of my long mane.
I also noticed an increase in hair fall out after I showered or brushed my hair the past 6 months. It forced me to take action. So the chop happened.
I was thrilled with the result and the freedom I felt when I ran my hands through my shorter do. But it also forced me to review my routine and research products that would aid in reducing hair fall out while still keeping up my bounce and volume.
I now also wash my hair more regularly to maintain a healthy scalp and yet because my hair is now short, I'm using less product.
After researching the best products for thinning hair and hair fall out, I discovered Virtue's Flourish range which has reported incredible results.
So naturally I purchased the entire range as I never do anything in halves."
Jess's voluminous hair routine for short hair:
Step 1. Virtue Flourish Shampoo for Thinning Hair 240ml
"This is a divine botanical smelling product (like the entire range) and gives my hair and scalp a really good cleanse without weighing it down.
I would previously need a double shampoo but with this product, I find I only need one wash.
I've also been using it for over 6 weeks and I still have plenty of shampoo left in the bottle. Thank you shorter hair!"
Step 2. Virtue Flourish Conditioner for Thinning Hair 200ml and the VIRTUE Flourish Mask for thinning hair
"I use the Virtue conditioner twice a week and the mask once a week.
Both are so luxurious and gorgeous to smell and I find I only need to use the size of a ten cent piece now with my short hair.
I apply the conditioner/mask (depending on where they fall in the rotation) on wet hair, and squeeze out any excess water before applying it.
With the mask, I'll massage this through my scalp and leave it on for 3-4 minutes before combing it through my hair in the shower.
I've also started to rinse off my hair with cold water and I leave the shower feeling so refreshed.
In my research I discovered that cold water helps with keeping the scalp hydrated and results in less hair fall out. So there is a method to my madness.
Step 3. Virtue Flourish Density Booster 120ml
Finally, the VIRTUE Flourish Density booster!
This product can be applied to damp or a dry scalp and I spritz on the areas where I find my hair falls out the most.
You also need to use it daily to really see results. Its herbaceous and citrus notes smell so beautiful.
And while I don't know if it's aided in my hair growth, it has definitely helped with less hair fall out. I'll take that win.
I still style my hair by giving it a bouncy blowout, but now it takes me half the amount of time!
Using my evo hank 35 ceramic vented radial brush, I take small sections, keep the tension as I move the brush through my hair, directing heat at the barrel as I go.
To give more volume to the new cut, I go over the blow wave with my ghd original hair straightener, adding in waves, directing them away from my face.
