How to Add Volume to Air Dried Hair

Co-authored by Martin Nepton

Last Updated: November 2, 2022 References

Allowing your hair to air dry is a great way to maintain healthy hair, but sometimes foregoing the hair dryer can leave your hair flat and lifeless. There are a variety of hair products and styling techniques that can bring back the volume to your locks. If you use a volumizing hairspray or mousse, try a dry shampoo, or style your hair with a comb or curlers, you can add volume to air dried hair.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Hair Products to Add Volume

1
Use a volumizing hairspray. To add volume, flip your head downwards and let your hair dangle toward the floor. Shake your head around and flip your head back up. Hold the can of hairspray about a foot (30 cm) away from your hair and lift up individual sections of your hair with the other. Spray the underside of your strands and allow the spray to dry before moving on to another section.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you don’t have a volumizing hairspray, use a regular hairspray to get a similar effect.
- You can find a volumizing hairspray at a beauty supply store or online.
2
Spray your hair with dry shampoo. Dry shampoo can zap oil from dirty hair and add volume. To add volume near the roots, spray a small amount of the dry shampoo along both sides of your part and massage it in with your fingertips. You can also add overall volume by using dry shampoo on the underside of your hair. Flip your hair over your head and spray throughout your bottom layers to create volume.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Dry shampoos can be purchased at beauty stores, pharmacies, and online.
Advertisement
3
Try a root boosting spray. Root boosters help your hair maintain volume at its roots and can be used on either damp or dry hair. Hold the spray with one hand and lift up small sections of your hair with the other. Spray the product directly onto your roots. Afterward, use a hairdryer to lock in the volume with heat.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Root boosting sprays can be found at your local pharmacy, department store, beauty store, or hair salon. They can cost between $4 and $20 U.S.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
4
Opt for a thickening mousse. Using mousse or sculpting foam is a great way to make your hair seem fuller, and it can be used on any hair type.^{[5]
X
Research source} Shake the can and dispense the product into your palm, making sure the foam stands about an inch (2.54 cm) high. With your other hand, lift some of the product up with your fingers, and starting by adding a small amount at the root, evenly distribute it into your air dried hair. Once it is coated evenly, grab your hair dryer and work your hands through your hair from the root to the tips as you dry the product.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Use the medium heat setting on your hair dryer. If your hair gets too hot, the mousse might stiffen and make your hair feel crunchy.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- Blow dry the opposite way to where you want the hair to fall. For example, if you want the volume to show when you push back your hair, blow dry it forward toward your face. That way, you will have more volume in the back when you push your hair back.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Styling Air Dried Hair to Add Volume

1
Sleep in a scrunchie. Consider adding volume to your hair while you sleep. Gently twist your hair in a bun on the top of your head to help lift the hair from the root. Secure it with a gentle hair band like a soft scrunchie or an elastic hair band so you do not break or damage your hair.^{[8]
X
Research source} Remove the band in the morning and run your fingers through your hair to loosen up your strands.
- Let a half of an inch (1.27 cm) of your hair stick out beneath the hair tie so the tips of your hair will have a natural, relaxed look.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- Spray your locks with hairspray after removing the hair band.
2
Curl your hair with hot rollers. Hot rollers are a great way to style air dried hair to add volume. Pull a section of your hair taut and gently pull it up toward the ceiling. Leave the ends of your hair out, place the hot roller against your hair, and roll it gently toward your scalp. Place the ends of your hair beneath the roller once you have reached your scalp and secure it with the roller pin.^{[10]
X
Research source} The rollers should be left in your hair for 20 minutes.
- To achieve even more volume, push the hair-wrapped roller higher on your head before you secure it.
- After you have removed the rollers, gently work your fingers through your hair to loosen the curls, but don’t use a hairbrush. Brushing your hair can remove some of the volume or cause frizz. Secure your locks by using hairspray.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
3
Tease your roots with a comb. Create voluminous hair by teasing your hair with a comb. Lift a 2 to 3 in (5 to 7.5 cm) wide section of your hair toward the ceiling with one hand as you hold the comb in the other. Place the comb in your hair about 2 in (5 cm) away from your roots and begin to comb in a downward motion. Continue moving from section to section until you have reached the desired volume, and gently smooth out your hair with your hands or a bristled brush.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Teasing is also called backcombing.
- A rat tail comb is traditionally used for teasing.
- Spray your hair with hairspray to maintain the volume throughout the day.
- Don’t vigorously tease back and forth. This can break and tangle your hair.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
4
Change how you part your hair. A simple way to add volume to your air dried hair is to switch your part. If you typically part your hair in the middle, try a side part. If you usually part it on the left, flip it to the right. Changing the part will change how the roots lie on your head, giving your hair an immediate and lift.^{[14]
X
Research source}
5
Talk to your hairstyle about finding a new style. A new haircut can help add volume to your hair. Talk to your hairstylist about a cut that might work for you.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Long layers can add more volume to your hair while a long or ruffled bob can help give your hair a fuller shape.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}

Expert Q&A

Question

How dry is "towel dry" hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

This is a great question. When stylists say "towel dried" they usually mean as dry as you can get hair with a towel. You should squeeze the hair with the towel and blot at the scalp, then wrap the hair up in a towel for at least 5 minutes. This will leave it evenly damp.