The Easiest Ways To Volumize Your Hair When You Don't Have Time
You wake up in the morning, with hair as flat as a pancake, and realize you have 20 minutes to get ready for work or school. Or you have a big fancy event to get to but the makeup took more time than you expected so you have to skip adding a bit of bounce to your hair. Sounds familiar? If you long to pump up your tresses but never seem to have the time to do so, no need to panic. We found some of the quickest and easiest techniques to add volume to your hair for you.
We know your time is precious, which is why we have made sure that using any of these methods takes no more than a few minutes. Whether you're late for work, have a hot date, or just don't feel like spending hours on your hair, we have you covered with these hacks.
Use dry shampoo
Dry shampoo is a miracle worker when you're in a rush and can't give your locks a proper wash and blowout before a big event. It can be either a powder or a spray, and it works by absorbing oil and perks up your hair — without any water.
Before applying dry shampoo to your hair, give that bottle a good shake. For best results, spray the dry shampoo directly onto your roots and wait a few minutes. Then, massage it in with your fingers or a brush. Using dry shampoo can make your hair a breeze to style, too, because it adds volume and texture. It eliminates excess oil, which makes your hair look flat and lifeless, and it can give the impression of thicker and fuller locks. While you are on the hunt for a dry shampoo, make sure to snag one that gives your hair extra fluffiness, too!
It is important to use the correct amount of dry shampoo to avoid leaving a white film on your hair. Use a little at first, and if that doesn't work, use more. With the right know-how and the right product, dry shampoo can be a lifesaver for getting fuller locks in a pinch.
Tease your hair
Teasing is an excellent choice if you want to add volume to your hair in a short amount of time. But it can be a bit tricky because you can cause breakage if you're not very careful. If you're new to teasing, it involves combing your hair downwards towards the scalp, preferably with a fine toothed comb or teasing comb, for a slight tangle that creates volume and height.
To start teasing, clip the top layer of hair back, and then use a teasing comb to backcomb small sections of hair at the base. Gradually work your way up to larger sections, teasing the underlayer of your hair, and remember, it's important to be gentle when teasing to prevent any hair harm. Use short, soft strokes instead of pulling too hard with the comb.
Once you've got the teased look, the styling options are endless! You can tease around the face for a wild '80s vibe, or backcomb at the crown for a subtle boost. But don't forget the hairspray — lots of it. Bobby pins can also help keep your hair in place and add some extra volume.
If you're just getting started with teasing, it's crucial that you have the proper equipment. A teasing comb is a must-have, and a high-hold hairspray will be your best friend. So, if you're pressed for time but craving some voluminous locks, give teasing a try.
Try a volumizing mousse
If all else fails, a volumizing mousse could be the answer to your prayers. The goal of volumizing mousse is to add fullness and body to your hair without weighing it down. Applying a little amount of volumizing mousse to the roots and massaging it through the hair can do wonders to get some volume. Use your fingers or a comb to spread it out evenly through your hair.
If you're blow drying or air drying your hair, using volumizing mousse could help your style last longer, making it worth the extra effort. From beachy waves to sleek up-dos, mousses can do it all. However, we don't recommend picking just any mousse off the shelf; do your research and find the best one for your hair. If your hair is thin, avoid those that weigh it down.
Mousse is a great example of too much of a good thing being bad — depending on the chemicals used within, it can do a lot of harm to your hair, so use caution while applying it (via Silkup). Start with a small amount and work your way up. With the right product and technique, you can achieve the hair of your dreams in no time.
Use Velcro rollers
Sticking to our promise of finding you the easiest ways to volumize your hair, we have one more tip — Velcro rollers. These nifty hair tools have tiny hooks that cling onto your strands, making them perfect for lifting your locks.
Using them the right way is as easy as pie. Simply divide your hair into manageable sections and roll them onto the Velcro rollers. For extra height, make sure to roll them up close to your scalp. Here's the best part: Hairstylist, Ryan Trygstad, tells Allure that "the rollers should be left in for a minimum of 10 minutes," which is great news if you're in a rush!
Velcro rollers are also super versatile and can be used to create all sorts of styles, from loose waves to tight curls, and they don't even need heat. You just have to make sure to pick the right size for your hair — smaller rollers are great for short hair or tight curls, while larger rollers work better for longer hair or loose waves. If you must use a blow dryer, use the lowest heat setting possible to avoid any damage. All it takes is a little bit of experience and the right roller size for you to achieve a variety of voluminous styles that will last all day long.