The Quick & Easy 4-Step Routine I Use to Add Volume to My Short, Fine Hair
A newbie to beauty, before Adore, Karin worked as a copywriter in advertising and would usually buy face-wash from the supermarket. Now, she's on the skincare bandwagon and loving anything and everything Alpha-H. She's passionate about food, travel, puns and talking about hair-loss in young women.
OK, I’m going to be honest. I hate doing my hair.
I really, truly, madly, deeply do. It takes too much time and trying to juggle a round brush and hairdryer can be a nightmare.
That's why, more often than not, I don’t bother.
Part of the issue is that I have fine hair, so it doesn’t have a lot of volume to begin with. But on top of that, I’ve been diagnosed with female patterned baldness. (I've written about my hair loss journey here if you're interested, or going through the same thing and feeling alone.)
But... I'm also kind of lazy. And who wants to start their morning with that kind of energy?
So while my co-workers come into work looking like absolute goddesses, I walk in looking more like Jeff Daniels in Dumb and Dumber.
*Editor's note: Karin's hair is bloody beaut - as is she inside and out! - but she makes an excellent and very relatable point.
To get any sort of volume, I blow dry my hair upside down and flop it over to one side. But after an hour or so, like clockwork, it just falls flat. Like a soufflé.
But guys, today is a good day. Because I’ve finally nailed the PERFECT routine that not only leaves my hair super voluminous BUT also aligns well with my lazy girl persona.
This easy fine hair routine leaves my hair looking absolutely flawless and bouncy and honestly, I feel like a million bucks. And what’s even better, it only has four steps that take me 20 minutes to do.
So, wash those beautiful fine locks (FYI I have a great fine hair shampoo recommendation, too) and follow me! I’ll show you the ropes.
How to Give Hair Volume
My Styling Routine for Volumising Fine Hair.
Let's start with the before and after because, voila! Look at that bounce!!
On the left, you’ll see my hair before styling, you can see how fine my hair is. And on the right... well, I mean COME ON.
What is the best product to give hair volume? How do you get that kind of volume at home?
Here's a short list of what you'll need for this super easy look:
- Pureology Style + Protect Instant Levitation Mist 150 ml - Apply to your roots before you blow dry to help lift flat and fine hair.
- O&M Rootalicious Root Lift Mousse - A volumising mousse you work into the roots either before or after blow drying. This just adds to the volume of the mist.
- Bondi Boost Infrared Bounce Brush (101 mm) - The star of the show for fine, short hair is a good blowout brush. Use it to blow dry AND brush your hair for maximum bounce. That’s right folks, we love a bit of efficiency.
*Editor's note, in the video tutorial on how to add volume to hair below, Karin has used a brush that has since been discontinued. But don't worry friends, because there's absolutely no shortage of the best hot brushes Australia stocked on Adore Beauty which you can shop here.
- Davroe Cloud Texture Powder 8gm - A styling powder with a matte finish that's the finishing touch for a final bit more volume.
Tutorial: How to Add Volume to Fine Hair.
Now let’s move onto the actual tutorial of how we use these bad boys.
Watch my video here, or read on for all the details!
Step 1: Start with clean, washed, damp hair. You want your hair to be around 70 per cent dry.
Spray the Pureology Instant Levitation Mist directly onto your roots, or you can do what I do, which is spritz it onto your hands and work it into the roots with a squeezing motion.
Step 2: OK, now for the mousse. Shake the can and spritz some mousse onto your hands, flip your hair over and work it into your roots.
This product gives your hair extra OOMPH from the roots and a little more hold. I also like to brush it out at the roots.
Step 3: Section your hair in however many sections you need. I have quite thin hair, so I usually work in three to four sections. Then, grab your volumising hot brush of choice and section by section, work through your hair by half-wrapping, half-brushing.
I have a bob haircut so I like my hair to flick inwards at the ends. But you can also use your hot air brush to flick your hair outwards if you like, or a mix of both.
I keep the heat on the lowest heat setting because I have fragile hair, but if you’ve got strong AF hair, you can use a higher heat setting too.
Step 4: Last, take the Davroe Cloud Powder and spritz it onto where you feel like your hair usually falls flat the quickest. For me, it's my bangs. Always the bangs.
Volume Products For Fine Hair.
Finally, here's a quick review of each of what I think are the best products for volume in hair and why:
1. Pureology Instant Levitation Mist.
Throughout my hair loss journey, I’ve become a BIG fan of the Pureology brand, and this product doesn't disappoint.
Starting with the scent, it’s actually reminiscent of caramel fudge. Love that. The nozzle provides an even and light spritz, and the formula itself is not too textured.
It lifts my roots up well, but not an overly dramatic amount, so if you’re looking for a subtle lift, then you'd use this product on its own.
2. O&M Rootalicious.
I was super sceptical of this product. I have bad memories of hair mousse from the early 2000s. I was bracing myself for a pungent smell and a very sticky/gluey situation...
But I was so pleasantly surprised! The formula is super airy and fluffy, and when you work it into your hands and roots, there is zero stickiness. Bonus: The scent is very fresh and doesn’t sting the nostrils one bit.
4. Davroe Cloud Powder.
I’ve used quite a few texture powders before, but this is one of my favourites.
The best thing about it, and what sets it apart, is the even and lightweight distribution of powder. It quite literally looks like a cloud. I sometimes have to double check the powder is actually coming out.
It also gives hair a nice matte finish that doesn't look like white dry shampoo in your roots, which is perfect for someone who gets greasy hair real quick.
So there you have it! My super easy routine to add oomph into fine hair.
And trust me, as a self-proclaimed lazy routine-lover, it doesn’t get any easier than this. The real plus side is I'm now learning to love my hair again.
P.S. For more on my hair loss and fine hair styling journey, watch my YouTube video below.
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