11 Ways to Get More Volume in Your Hair

While I have a lot of hair, the strands themselves are fine and can easily look weighed down, look limp and lifeless (especially the longer it gets). If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Why is my hair so flat on top?” you’re not alone. While fine or thin hair has many pros (silky and soft!), it is prone to being flat since it lacks texture. But there are a few easy things to incorporate into your routine for more volume. Here’s how I create volume, even as my hair gets long.

How to Add Volume to Your Hair

1. Use a Shampoo and Conditioner with Volumizing Benefits

Volumizing shampoos and conditioners are designed to cleanse without weighing down your hair. Look for formulas that are silicone-free and contain lightweight proteins or botanical extracts that support your hair follicles. I like Divi, a brand founded by a woman who dealt with hair loss, as well as fine hair. It’s volumizing and helps stimulate hair growth.

Be sure to avoid overly hydrating shampoos—they’re great for dry hair but can leave fine hair looking flat and greasy. If you do prefer a shampoo for dry hair, incorporate a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove buildup from styling products or hard water minerals that might be dragging your hair down.

You can see my full hair care routine in this post.

2. Don’t Use Conditioner on Your Roots

Conditioner is essential for keeping your ends healthy and hydrated, but you don’t really need it at the roots. Applying conditioner to your scalp will weigh your hair down.

Instead, start from the mid-lengths and focus on the ends, where your hair tends to be driest. Look for a lightweight, volumizing conditioner or a spray-on detangler if you struggle with tangles.

3. Try a Hair Growth Supplement or Serum

If your hair is thinning or shedding more than usual, consider taking a hair growth supplement like Nutrafol. Look for ingredients like biotin, collagen, saw palmetto, zinc, vitamin D, and protein, which support healthy hair growth and density.

You can also use a scalp serum or tonic to nourish your hair follicles directly and encourage growth. Healthy roots = thicker-looking strands. I personally used and saw SO much regrowth with the OneSkin hair peptide scalp serum! Use promo code TERILYN15 for 15% off at OneSkin. (See my before and after with that scalp serum in this reel.)

4. Use a Volumizing Foam at the Roots

Volumizing foam (aka mousse) is a lightweight styling product that adds lift and structure without weighing hair down. Apply a small amount to damp roots after towel-drying your hair, then use a comb or your fingers to distribute it evenly.

Look for foams with ingredients like panthenol or wheat protein, which help plump up each strand for a fuller appearance.

5. Use a Volumizing or Thickening Spray

Volumizing sprays give your hair grip, hold, and just the right amount of grit–without stickiness. Apply one at the roots before blow-drying to boost lift, and use a thickening spray through the mid-lengths and ends to bulk up the overall texture. I recently incorporated a volumizing spray and can’t believe the difference it’s made in my hair’s fullness.

These work especially well layered with mousse or foam and help your style last longer once dry.

6. Blow Dry Your Hair Upside Down

This trick is a classic for a reason. By flipping your head upside down while drying, you’re physically lifting the roots away from the scalp. Use your hands or a round brush to direct the airflow toward the roots for extra lift. My favorite blow dryer is the T3 Hairdryer. (Hot take: the T3 hair dryer is better than the Dyson blow dryer.) (If you’re worried about frizz, you can try some of my favorite hair oils.)

Finish with a blast of cool air, and if you’ve used a volumizing product beforehand, you’ll notice an even bigger lift.

7. Switch Up Your Part

I much prefer a middle part, but wearing your hair the same way every day can cause it to lie flat, especially at the crown. Flipping your part to the opposite side adds instant root lift. This is something I do later in the day and even if I flip it back to the middle part, it helps give me a temporary lift.

8. Use Velcro Rollers

Velcro rollers are my favorite easy, affordable way to get volume. I use them on dry hair the same day I blow dry or even the day after for an easy volume reboot. Once I’ve blow-dried my hair and it’s still warm, I roll the top and crown sections away from my face and secure them with clips. Then I let them sit while I do my makeup routine.

They set your hair into bouncy, lifted shape without needing a curling iron (although I DO love curling my hair too). Unlike hot rollers (which can be effective but are harder to use), velcro rollers are beginner-friendly and don’t damage your hair.

9. Use the Dyson Airwrap

If you’re into tools and want salon-style volume at home, the Dyson Airwrap is worth the hype. It uses air (not extreme heat) to curl and lift, creating smooth, bouncy hair that actually lasts. Another option is the T3 Air Styler, which is a similar tool but much cheaper. I haven’t tried it but it has great reviews.

The brush and barrel attachments are especially great for building volume at the roots. It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, the results are game-changing for fine hair.

Here’s my full review of the Dyson Airwrap, and here’s a YouTube tutorial for the Airwrap.

10. Use Dry Shampoo in Between Washes

Dry shampoo is more than just a quick fix for greasy roots–it’s a volume booster in a bottle. Spray it at your crown and temples, wait a few minutes, then massage it in. It absorbs oil, adds texture, and gives your roots a bit of grit for better lift.

For an extra hack: apply dry shampoo before bed or before a workout to oily areas and sleep with your hair loosely clipped up. You’ll wake up with cleaner, fluffier hair.

Here’s my roundup of the best dry shampoos for volume + clean ingredients

11. Use a Scalp Scrub Like Anablue

Sometimes flat hair starts at the scalp. A weekly scalp scrub helps remove product buildup, oil, and dead skin that can weigh your hair down at the roots. I like the Anablue Scalp Cleanser, which gently exfoliates with Himalayan salt while hydrating with argan oil. My hair feels noticeably fuller whenever I use this. I wash my hair with Anablue once a week in place of my regular shampoo for a clean, weightless feel that makes all my other volume tricks work even better.

Why Is My Hair So Flat on Top?

There could be a few culprits:

• Product buildup on the scalp
  
• Over-conditioning at the roots
  
• Heavy or silicone-based products
  
• Lack of root lift during styling
  
• Naturally oily scalp

Try clarifying once a week, switching to lightweight formulas, and using a root-lifting technique like blow-drying upside down or changing your part.

How Do I Add Volume to My Hair Naturally?

Want more lift without tons of product or heat? Try these natural tips:

• Sleep in a loose bun or braid for volume overnight
  
• Rinse with cool water to seal cuticles and add bounce
  
• Use a texturizing or sea salt spray
  
• Massage your scalp regularly to stimulate growth
  
• Eat a protein-rich, nutrient-dense diet or consider supplements

Also try a haircut with long layers or face-framing pieces since they naturally create movement and fullness.

I hope these tips help! And if all else fails, there’s always extensions or salon blowouts.

Shop The Post