I want volume in my hair!

Whether your hair is straight or fine, curly or thick, by morning the verdict is often the same: it has fallen flat. Your last cut was months ago, your most recent colour has left the ends looking tired, and the mane you once loved is starting to resemble a curtain. Perhaps it never really had volume in the first place — some hair is naturally flat, and you have to work with what you have. The good news: you can give it a serious boost. Be warned, though: what works for one head of hair will not necessarily work for yours. Pick and choose from what follows according to your hair type — and if you have a tip or product that genuinely works, the door is open, so share it!

Mousse, root spray, volume powder and dry shampoo lined up on a bathroom shelf

First things first: a trip to the hairdresser

If it has been a long time since a professional went near your hair with scissors, start there. Good volume is built first with a fresh cut and a shape that suits you — not with a wonder product applied to ends that are pulling the whole style down.

Mixed-heritage young woman leaning forward, hairdryer pointed at the roots, in a bright bedroom

Generally, a layered cut is recommended: long or short, straight or curly, it stops the lengths from weighing everything down and gives the hair more lift. If your hair is fine and sparse, a short or shoulder-length cut is usually better. If your hair is thick, both long and short styles can work — but bear in mind that with length, lasting root volume becomes trickier, because the weight of the hair naturally flattens it.

Root lift: think before you book

Online and in the salon, you may hear about a root lift, a treatment similar to a perm that creates volume at the roots. Be wary of solutions presented as one-size-fits-all: they do not suit every head of hair.

The principle borrows from perming, with a difference — the treatment is gentler and uses large rollers, creating volume without curling the hair as a classic perm would. It is still an aggressive process: it dries and sensitises the hair, so think twice if your hair is already damaged, coloured, dry or simply very fine. And the results are not the same for everyone: for some it takes beautifully, for others not at all. Ask your hairdresser, who can judge according to the condition and nature of your hair.

Mousses, sprays and shampoos: what to expect

Not keen on aggressive chemistry? When it comes to volumising mousses and shampoos, we have heard it all, and plenty of people swear they do not work. For many, that is largely true — hair reacts very differently to styling products depending on its type. There is only one solution: try brands until you find the right one for you.

Hair-specialist brands are often well regarded — think plant-based haircare ranges, hair laboratories or established styling brands. They are rather expensive, admittedly, but generally good quality. The technique matters as much as the product: apply mousse to damp hair and, if you do not mind a hairdryer, dry upside down rather than letting it air-dry. The difference is far from trivial.

The drying move that changes everything: arms up, head tipped forward, work the roots before lifting upright. It is simple, costs nothing, and this is often where the body comes from.

Round brushes, rollers and pitfalls to avoid

Avoid straighteners, which literally flatten the hair — this is not the moment. If you are a fan of blow-drying, invest in a large round brush: use it to dry the roots by pulling each section upwards (pull, but not too hard!), or by winding the section right at the root for a lifting effect. In practice, this little drying workout is worth more than any spray in the world.

Why not try rollers? Choose self-gripping rollers, which are much easier to put in, and if you are short on time, just do the sections on top of your head, applied to damp hair. Dry with a hairdryer, then unroll gently and set with hairspray. A very simple trick for a bit of lift, even on rushed days.

Caring for hair without weighing it down, and brewer's yeast

Just because your hair is flat does not mean it does not need pampering. The key is to choose treatments that do not weigh it down, and to apply masks and conditioners to the mid-lengths and ends only — not the roots, unless the product is specifically formulated for them.

On the food and supplement front, some products are traditionally associated with hair beauty and density, particularly brewer's yeast. Autumn is often when people think of it, when hair seems more tired and shedding feels more alarming. But do not swallow just anything on a whim: if it is really bothering you, speak to a healthcare professional, who can guide you.

In a bright salon, a stylist trims the ends of a young East Asian woman with shoulder-length hair

Budget

On price, a salon cut usually sits between £30 and £60, and more in a big city or with a well-known stylist. For a volumising shampoo or mousse, expect £10 to £35 — the size makes all the difference, so compare the price per litre before deciding. A root lift, when a salon offers it, usually costs between £45 and £100 depending on length and technique. For tools, a large round brush costs between £8 and £25, and a set of self-gripping rollers between £5 and £12. These ranges vary widely by city, product line and current promotions: always ask the price before settling into the chair, as this is the kind of service where the bill can climb quickly with length.

You have got the message: volume is not about one single product, but about a fresh cut, your drying technique and lightweight care. Let us be honest, it takes a little method — but when it works, what a difference! And if you have a home-grown tip that saves you, it is worth every aisle in the pharmacy.