Helping you better understand your naturally curly hair through easy-to-follow tutorials, science-based haircare tips, and problem-solving.
10 Hacks for Volume & Fullness in Thin Curly Hair
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10 Hacks for Volume & Fullness in Thin Curly HairI have low-density curly hair that easily gets flat and weighed down. These 10 hacks have doubled my volume AND fullness. I’m also using a lot of affordable, drugstore products. Reminder: Stop using mild shampoos and co-washes Gentle “curly girl friendly” shampoos often are too conditioning and deposit conditioners onto the hair, weighing it down.
The Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration Shampoo is affordable from the drugstore and gives a very effective cleanse that is not stripping. It’s a good option for those with fine hair.
Stop leaving your conditioner in Rinse your conditioner out fully so it won’t weigh down your hair. Avoid super heavy conditioners that have heavy oils and butters like coconut oil and shea butter towards the top of the ingredients list. The Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration Conditioner is unique because it’s very moisturizing while lightweight. Apply it from your ends then work the rest up to the root. Hacks#1 Lift hair off the roots after rinsing out your conditionerRinse out your conditioner, then run your fingers through your hair, lifting it off the scalp. This prevents the hair from being stuck to the scalp and prevents the roots from being stretched out. The curls at the root will start to form. #2 Apply your products out of the shower, upright, and on damp hairStyling on soaking wet hair is great for clumps but it can weigh down your hair. Damp styling allows for more volume and fullness.
You can still get root lift with styling techniques. If you don’t like wet hair on your shoulders, just wrap your hair towel around your shoulders. See below for a mist spray bottle by Bouclème and the Hair Repear Towel:
Skip your curl cream or leave-in or use one that is very lightweight Skipping conditioning products will give you more hold, less clumping, and won’t weigh down your hair. Pick a gel or mousse that is moisturizing if your hair is dry, or use a lightweight leave-in underneath. The Curlsmth Hydrate & Plump Leave-In is very lightweight and has ingredients to help with volume. This won’t weigh down fine hair, but you can also skip it. #3 Brush style THEN apply your gel or mousseI usually do the opposite and apply my gel, then brush style for full coverage because I like maximum definition and frizz control. However, if you style then just scrunch in your gel or mousse, you get slightly less coverage which equals more frizz which creates more fullness within. Scrunch in your gel or mousse in sections for better coverage versus just at the end of styling. Use a gel that provides texture/grit (thicker gels), opt for a mousse, or add in a volumizing/texturizing product. Avoiding layering on a bunch of styling products which will just weigh your hair down. Options to style with:
#4 Pick up horizontal sections instead of vertical ones when brush stylingVertical sections can create separation at the root which makes your scalp show. Horizontal sections can better cover the scalp. This may also result in less clumped curls for more fullness, especially if you have curls that naturally go in all different directions. Curls will stay more separated instead of grouping back together. #5 Separate clumps with your hands, a comb, or skip brush stylingThe more clumped your hair is, the less full it will look especially if you have low-density hair. I like brush styling since it smooths frizz and gives me longer-lasting results, so I just need to make sure my hair is not overly clumped. Pick up smaller sections when you brush style. Separate them with your hands or a comb. The new Bounce Curl EdgeLift Volume Brush makes it nice because it separates the hair as you go, similar to a brush and a comb in one. #6 Lift the hair at the crown up and back, using a brush to create a bend right at the rootsThis technique covers the scalp and cowlicks.
#7 Avoid a defined part for more root volumeA brush can help direct all the hair at the top back instead of falling to the side. A zig-zag part is a good alternative too. I prefer a short, 1-2 inch part so my hair doesn’t fall forward in my face. #8 Shake out the roots after brush styling to hide section linesWhile your hair is still wet, reach underneath and gently shake the roots to break up part lines. This can be done upside down, the flip up. Use your diffuser prongs to lift the hair at the roots and hold Make sure your diffuser prongs are long enough and extend out past the end of the diffuser bowl. I get the best results when doing this when my hair has started to dry some, but make sure your roots are still damp. The heat will set the hair at the roots in the upright position instead of flat to the head. This is how I’m able to diffuse upright instead of upside down.
Place clips along the top for root volume or to cover cowlicks Root clips can help boost root volume as the hair cools and dries. This can also help to pull hair together that wants to separate. #9 Use your diffuser to scrunch out the castAfter hair has dried and set for a bit, scrunch out the cast. Diffuse it more to get extra volume. If you had enough hold, this should not cause frizz. If you used light or medium hold, you may get frizz. #10 Mist hairspray or texture spray at your roots then shake them out or diffuseFor volume at the root that stays, mist a hairspray or a texture spray right at the roots while lifting them. Fluff with your dry hands, or take your diffuser and dry them for a minute for even more hold. Final Results
I could not believe my results! It’s been awhile since I had this much volume, and it lasted. I think the mousse and the hairspray made the biggest difference in the volume, along with the styling techniques with the brush. If you decide to try this routine out, please send me your results! Let me know what questions you have. Still Stuck?Need more help with your specific hair needs? Book a curl coaching session with me for personalized help, one-on-one. Book a sessionFor more help with low-density hair, watch the playlist here.
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Gena Marie
Helping you better understand your naturally curly hair through easy-to-follow tutorials, science-based haircare tips, and problem-solving.
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