Remember the days when flat irons were all the rage and we would try to remove every bit of body and volume in our hair with one??? Now, it seems I’m the exact opposite and I want BIG HAIR DON’T CARE. Give me volume and body and bed head and I’m a happy girl. But nevertheless, I’m a determined woman and I’ve been on a quest for big, voluminous hair and while I don’t quite have it down (at least getting it to stay that way all day long), I’m getting there. I was at a Christmas party recently and a friend came up to me and was like, “Your hair. It’s bigger. Are you using extensions?” And I was like, “You just paid me the highest compliment.” (I’m not using extensions but is that really the next thing after eyelash extensions that everyone’s gonna be doing?! Stop this train! I can’t keep up!)
So, I’ve tried a few products recently (at least one of which I read in the comments on my blog, so thank you, reader!). They all do something a bit different and I like them all for different reasons. Let’s dive in:
BLOW OUT SHAMPOO // I never use a clarifying shampoo (do you? Is this something everyone does but no one really told me about?), but my hair stylist suggested it, and then I did and I swear my next blow out was different. My hair was lighter and immediately bigger. Lightbulb moment. Now I’m using this one at least once a week (smells great too). It just got rid of any old product that was weighing down my hair. Ta-da!
BLOW DRYER // I’ve had this same blow dryer since probably before I married Steve (I think I got it while we were dating??? I remember thinking it was so much for a blow dryer–and it was like $7o less at the time!). Anyway, it cut my drying time way down and just gives such a nice blow out too. I think a good blow dryer is well worth it. When I’m going for a big look (so, all the time), I will blow the hair shaft opposite the way the hair naturally falls and really focus the heat on the root. That’s probably a duh to most of you.
HAIR RESORT SPRAY // This when sprayed into wet hair a) smells great and b) gives it texture. Like a slightly you’ve-been-in-saltwater-all-day feel minus the crunch. So, yeah, we use the shampoo to get our hair super clean and then we use this to get our hair to feel a little dirty. It doesn’t make any sense so don’t ask questions.
POWDER PUFF VOLUMISING POWDER // This is one that a reader told me about and when I read her comment (about her hair stylist putting it in her hair and her hair just growing (up) instantaneously I was like “in the cart, done.” More than most post-blowout products this has serious staying power. It goes on like a powder and then you work it into your scalp with your fingers and it like magically becomes almost sticky? And then volume and thickness (or the illusion of, I should say. Which is really what this is all about.)! It really does what it should. I’ll even use a bit at the base of my bangs. Apparently it can also be used on damp hair, but I’ve only ever used it to my hair once it’s dry. I’ll take a big chunk and lift it, put a bit of the powder at the base of the chunk of hair, and then part my hair like normal and work it in with my fingertips. I also think it can almost be “reactivated” by playing with your hair a bit where you put the product in throughout the day.
DRY SHAMPOO // I am still using the same amazing smelling dry shampoo and while I don’t think it gives me unbelievable volume, it does do wonders for those second or third days after a hair washing. I’ll also sometimes add it, with one of the above, for extra volume. Another of those dirtying-the-hair after cleaning-it-well that doesn’t make any sense.
And there you have it. If you’ve achieved big hair, please tell me your secrets. I still want mine bigger. This is the end goal.
Do you know, I could NEVER flatiron my hair?! Every time I went to the salon, they did it, and I hated it. Just could absolutely not go along with the trend, ever. Love this post and your tips, because I always love voluminous hair!
ahead of the times!
Haha! Probably just “stubborn and untrendy”. 😉
you have seriously pretty hair- that resort spray and powder puff stuff are headed to my cart.
xo, brittany
a realistic new year’s eve outfit is on my blog today!
http://www.notablob.com
thank you Brittany! I hope you love them both!
Dallas Thickening Spray by R & Co http://www.randco.com/all/dallas-thickening-spray.html These are the products my hair girl uses and they are amazing. I have a lot of hair but it is fine and this stuff works wonders.
Adding that resort spray and Powder puff to my next amazon order! I’m always on the hunt for bigger hair! I find when I clarify my hair once a week, and use mouse in the crown of my head before I blow dry (i use the Aveda Phomollient styling foam) my hair is really big. I also don’t brush my hair. I use a wide tooth comb to comb it out when i get out of the shower and then I don’t brush it again until after my next shower. I know for a fact that brushing it makes it flatten out. I also use my fingers to fluff my roots and blow dry my hair upside down every time. Your hair looks gorgeous!!! You’re making me kinda want bangs again!
i have to second the person above me who recommends r&co! my stylist started using these products on me this year and i’m obsessed. i actually have grossly thick/wavy/hot mess hair and so i have to use a flat iron if i don’t want major frizz, but lately that makes it TOO straight and this thickening spray is awesome.
Scene days are over, but getting big a.k.a. more volume in my hair is something I’m always trying to do especially around the roots! Will be keeping an eye on the comments for this post.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Question- what about frizz? Do these products cause frizz while making you get more volume? I would love some more volume but my hair is straight and the hair the frames my face tends to frizz. Any ideas anyone? 🙂
i haven’t had major frizz with these!
My solution? Just always hold your hands on your head like you have them in the first pic and your hair will look huge! Ha ha. I’ve tried the volumizing powders before and I find that they make my hair SO sticky. Like I can’t even get my fingers through it. A product I’ve recommended before is Sally Hershberger’s Root Envy spray. I love how it works and the volume it adds and the smell is amazing! It definitely creates volume for most of the day, if not all day and you can spray a little more to revitalize the volume later in the day if you want. It’s pricey but one bottle has lasted me forever.
http://www.sephora.com/root-envy-ultimate-root-boost-P397278
lol, laughed at that. i would walk around with my hands like that if it were normal.
Me too. ;P
Me too. ;P
You are crushing it with voluptuous (volumnious? English is hard ? ) hair. I love it. Dry shampoo for the win, for so many reasons!! Haha
Since you love Kevin Murphy (and so do I), you simply must try this:
https://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Murphy-Powder-Finishing-Hairspray/dp/B016RHITHU/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1483129900&sr=8-1&keywords=kevin%2Bmurphy%2Bdoo%2Bover&th=1
Seriously the best of both worlds. I do the same thing you do with dry shampoo with this, gives you a powder dry shampoo finish but the hold of hairspray. DREAM!