Which curly hair products actually make a difference in volume? I’m sharing my top picks and breaking down the differences between them so you can choose the best volumizing product for your curl type.

Continue reading towards the end of the post for a special announcement and giveaway!

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Mousses

Mousse is a great way to get hold and volume without much moisture. Some mousses give texture/grit, while others don’t. The airy nature of mousse helps to create volume regardless of texture/grit content. Mousse is great because it can be used as your main styler and holding product. You don’t need to use a gel along with a mousse if the mousse gives enough hold.

Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Curl Activation Mousse

Benefits: Strong hold, volumizing, humidity-protection
​Key Ingredients: Polyquaternium-46, Isobutane, Propane, Propylene Glycol
​Texture/grit: None
​Hold: Medium-strong
​Weight: Lightweight
​Proteins: None
​Hair types: All

​Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Curl Activation Mousse​
​Buy from Retailer​

Curlsmith Invincible Volume Mousse

Benefits: Volumizing, moisturizing, gel-to-mousse
​Key Ingredients: Isobutane, Polyamide-1, Linseed Extract, Olive Extract
​Texture/grit: High
​Hold: Medium
​Weight: Mediumweight
​Proteins: None
​Hair types: All

​Curlsmith Invincible Volume Mousse​
​Buy from Curlsmith​
​Buy from Retailer​

Foams

Foams have similar properties to mousse but are much more watered down. Therefore, they have less hold. Most foams are light hold and will require a gel on top. Some are texturizing, and some just help plump up the curls. Due to their high water content, they help with curl clumping.

Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam

Benefits: Volumizing, texturizing
​Key Ingredients: Pullulan, Galactoarabinan, Aloe, Glycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
​Texture/grit: High
​Hold: Light
​Weight: Lightweight
​Proteins: Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
​Hair types: All, use sparingly on low porosity + coarse

​Innersense I Create Lift Volumizing Foam​
​Buy from Innersense with code GENA15​
​Buy from Amazon​
​Buy from Retailer​

Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Volumizing Foam

Benefits: Volumizing, clumping, humidity-protection
​Key Ingredients: Propanediol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Avocado Oil, Almond Oll, Polyquaternium
​Texture/grit: None
​Hold: None
​Weight: Lightweight
​Proteins: Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
​Hair types: All, use sparingly on low porosity + coarse

​Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Volumizing Foam​
​Buy from Ouidad with code GENAMARIE​
​Buy from Amazon​
​Buy from ULTA​

Spray

There are many forms of volumizing sprays. You may have most commonly seen texturizing sprays that are an aerosol. These are often used in straight hair but could be used on curls to provide texture. Another format is a water-based spray. The one I’ve listed is not specifically marketed for volume. It’s a salt spray designed to increase curl definition, but I’ve found it creates volume and fullness. It’s not too drying but is very low in moisture.

AG Curl Trigger Defining Spray

Benefits: Volumizing, curl enhancing
​Key Ingredients: Magnesium Sulfate (salt), Polyquaternium-10, Castor Oil, Polyquaternium-70, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
​Texture/grit: Medium
​Hold: Light
​Weight: Lightweight
​Proteins: Keratin Amino Acids
​Hair types: All

​AG Curl Trigger Defining Spray​
​Buy from AG with code GENA20​

Lotion

Lotions are less common but the one I’ve listed is unique in that it has properties that help create space between the hair strands. This is sort of the opposite of a clumping product, however it doesn’t make my hair stringy, just more full-looking. Since it’s a lotion format, it has moisturizing properties but is lightweight. Those with fine hair that gets weighed down easily could use this in place of leave-in and then add a gel.

Curlsmith Full Body Thickening Lotion

Benefits: Volumizing, lightweight, moisturizing
​Key Ingredients: VP/VA Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium, Ginger, Nettle
​Texture/grit: None
​Hold: None
​Weight: Lightweight
​Proteins: None
​Hair types: All

​Curlsmith Full Body Thickening Lotion​
​Buy from Curlsmith​
​Buy from Retailer​

Hairspray

Hairspray is the strongest form of hold with the least moisture. Most provide texture and grit, so they can also help with volume. Hairsprays can be aerosol (the one I’ve listed is alcohol-free so it’s not drying), or water-based hairspray. Aerosols can be used on dry hair after styling for extra hold and grit. Water-based sprays can be used on wet or dry hair.

Curlsmith Flawless Finish Hairspray

Benefits: Volumizing, lightweight, long-lasting hold, alcohol-free
​Key Ingredients: Dimethyl Ether, Polyurethane-14, Acrylates Copolymer, Amp-Acrylates Copolymer
​Texture/grit: High
​Hold: Medium-Strong
​Weight: Lightweight
​Proteins: None
​Hair types: All

​Curlsmith Flawless Finish Hairspray – Flexible Hold​
​Buy from Curlsmith​
​Buy from Retailer​

All the products I’ve featured help increase volume and fullness, but it’s important to know that if you naturally have thinner hair like me, there is only so much we can do. When choosing your volumizing product, think about whether you like texture/grit or not because it’s going to impact the ease of refreshing. Sometimes, too much texture can be tangly or sticky on a refresh day. That may be worth it for you if you want more volume or struggle with your curls not lasting.

I am happy to help you pick the right product through my curl coaching program.

Special Announcement!

I’m excited to announce my new 6-Week Group Coaching Program! After coaching hundreds of clients through 1:1 sessions, we’ve realized there is so much more value in ongoing curl support versus a one-off call that can often feel like information overload. This group program will give you access to curl coaching from me over the span of 6-weeks, so it’s broken down into more manageable steps.

I’m offering a special early bird group rate that is discounted significantly from regular 1:1 sessions.

If you’re interested, just email me info@genamarie.co or DM me on Instagram or Facebook with the word “GROUP” to chat.

🎁 Giveaway 🎁

2 winners will win a the AG Re:Coil Cream & Liquid Effects Gel.

There will be 2 winners!

1. Subscribe to my blog by email
2. Comment on this post with a video request or what you’re struggling with
3. You must be located in the US

Winners will be chosen at random on Dec 22 and contacted by email.

Good luck