Tip No. 8: Pump Up the Volume

You have the great cut, the fabulous color, and now it’s up to you to maintain it at home. In many cases, it’s easier said than done. We all know that it’s hard to get that salon look at home, especially when it comes to getting body and volume. The following professional style tips will help you get the most from your hair, and create flattering fullness to make you look and feel beautiful.

The Pre Blow Dry

• On towel dried hair, aim a root lifter or volumizing spray directly at the roots and immediately comb in an upwards direction.
• Add a light volumizing mousse to the mid-lengths and ends. The amount will vary depending on the hair type; use sparingly and add more as you need it.
• In the palm of your hand, use a small amount of volumizing spray or thermal protector and mix with a sprinkle of baby powder (or any scented talcum powder). Lightly work this through the hair from roots to ends. This is the step that bulks up the hair, but the key is to use the smallest amount possible so as not to weight the hair down. This may take a few tries to get the correct amount, but once you do you will notice that your hair will feel thicker without being greasy or weighed down. Again, using a very light spray is the key.

The Blow Dry

• Once you have your product in, begin to blow dry your hair using medium to high heat.
• If you have a fringe, dry this section first. Then move onto one side of your head.
• Start at the roots and blow dry in the opposite direction of where the hair naturally falls. Once the root is dry, give it a blast of cool air (most dryers have a cold blast button) and continue onto the lengths and ends with warm air.

After the section is dry, leave it resting on the head (still remaining in the opposite direction) until you are finished the whole side. This allows the roots to dry in that position, so that when you flip the hair into its natural direction the roots have been shaped to stand up rather than lie flat against the scalp.

• Continue with the other side of the head using the same method.
• For the back of the head, dry the crown section straight up, then let it rest on your head so the ends are pointing towards your face. Continue until you reach the nape of the neck.
• Add the finishing touches such as a light styling cream or hairspray.
• If you have naturally curly or wavy hair and don’t wish to blow dry it straight, use a diffuser and dry your hair while bent over at the waist.

Of course, there are other ways to add volume to your hair such as setting it with hot rollers or using a curling iron if it suits your hairstyle and image.