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If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Why is my hair so flat on top?” you’re not alone. Fine or thin hair can be tricky to style–it often falls flat, lacks texture, and refuses to hold a curl. But the good news is that you don’t need a total hair makeover or pricey extensions to create volume. With the right techniques and lightweight products, you can give your strands a noticeable lift. While I have a lot of hair, the strands themselves are fine and can easily look weighed down, look limp and lifeless (especially the longer it gets). Here’s how I create volume, even when my hair gets long!
How to Add Volume to Your Hair
1. Use a Shampoo and Conditioner with Volumizing Benefits
Your hair routine starts in the shower. Volumizing shampoos and conditioners are designed to cleanse without weighing down your hair. Look for formulas that are silicone-free and contain lightweight proteins or botanical extracts that support the hair follicle. Try Divi, a brand dedicated to supporting fine, thinning hair.
Be sure to avoid overly hydrating shampoos—they’re great for dry hair, but can leave fine hair looking flat and greasy. If you do prefer a shampoo for dry hair, incorprate a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove buildup from styling products or hard water minerals that might be dragging your hair down.
You can see my full hair care routine (for healthy, strong, and shinier hair) in this post.
2. Don’t Use Conditioner on Your Roots
Conditioner is essential for keeping your ends healthy and hydrated, but it doesn’t belong near your roots if you’re trying to build volume. Applying conditioner to your scalp can weigh hair down and cause excess oil buildup.
Instead, start from the mid-lengths and focus on the ends, where your hair tends to be driest. Look for a lightweight, volumizing conditioner or a spray-on detangler if you struggle with tangles.
3. Try a Hair Growth Supplement or Serum
Long-term volume starts with hair health. If your hair is thinning or shedding more than usual, consider adding a hair growth supplement to your routine. Look for ingredients like biotin, collagen, saw palmetto, zinc, vitamin D, and protein—all of which support healthy hair growth and density.
You can also use a scalp serum or tonic to nourish the hair follicles directly and encourage growth. Healthy roots = thicker-looking strands. I personally used and saw SO much regrowth with the OneSkin hair peptide scalp serum! Use code TERILYN15 for 15% off. (See my before and after with that scalp serum in this reel.)
4. Use a Volumizing Foam at the Roots
Volumizing foam (also called mousse) is a lightweight styling product that adds lift and structure without weighing hair down. Apply a small amount to damp roots after towel-drying your hair, then use a comb or your fingers to distribute it evenly.
Look for foams with ingredients like panthenol or wheat protein, which help plump up each strand for a fuller appearance.
5. Use a Volumizing or Thickening Spray
Volumizing sprays give your hair grip, hold, and just the right amount of grit–without stickiness. Apply one at the roots before blow-drying to boost lift, and use a thickening spray through the mid-lengths and ends to bulk up the overall texture.
These work especially well layered with mousse or foam and help your style last longer once dry.
6. Blow Dry Your Hair Upside Down
This classic trick is a game-changer. By flipping your head upside down while drying, you’re physically lifting the roots away from the scalp. Use your hands or a round brush to direct the airflow toward the roots for extra lift. My favorite blow dryer is the T3 Hairdryer. (Hot take: the T3 hair dryer is better than the Dyson blow dryer.)
Finish with a blast of cool air to set the shape, and if you’ve used a volumizing product beforehand, you’ll notice an even bigger difference.
7. Switch Up Your Part
Your part might be sabotaging your volume. Wearing your hair the same way every day can cause it to lie flat, especially at the crown. Flipping your part to the opposite side adds instant root lift and a fresh feel to your style.
8. Use Velcro Rollers
Velcro rollers are my favorite easy, affordable way to get long-lasting volume. I use them on dry hair the same day I blow dry or even the day after for an easy volume reboot. Once I’ve blow-dried my hair and it’s still warm, I roll the top and crown sections away from my face and secure them with clips. Then I let them sit while I do my makeup.
They set your hair into bouncy, lifted shape without needing a curling iron. Unlike hot rollers (which can be effective but are harder to use), velcro rollers are beginner-friendly and don’t damage your hair.
Here’s how I curl my hair and make it last (even with fine hair).
9. Use the Dyson Airwrap
If you’re into tools and want salon-style volume at home, the Dyson Airwrap is worth the hype. It uses air (not extreme heat) to curl and lift, creating smooth, bouncy hair that actually lasts.
The brush and barrel attachments are especially great for building volume at the roots and creating face-framing movement. It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, the results are game-changing for fine hair.
If you want to know if the Dyson Airwrap is worth it for fine hair, here’s my honest review. And here’s a YouTube tutorial for the Airwrap.
10. Use Dry Shampoo in Between Washes
Dry shampoo is more than just a quick fix for greasy roots–it’s a volume booster in a bottle. Spray it at your crown and temples, wait a few minutes, then massage it in. It absorbs oil, adds texture, and gives your roots a bit of grit for better lift.
For an extra hack: apply dry shampoo before bed or before a workout to oily areas and sleep with your hair loosely clipped up. You’ll wake up with cleaner, fluffier hair.
Here’s my roundup of the best dry shampoos for volume + clean ingredients
11. Use a Scalp Scrub Like Anablue
Sometimes flat hair starts at the scalp. A weekly scalp scrub helps remove product buildup, oil, and dead skin that can weigh your hair down at the roots. I like the Anablue Scalp Cleanser, which gently exfoliates with Himalayan salt while hydrating with argan oil. My hair feels noticeably fuller. I use it once a week in place of shampoo for a clean, weightless feel that makes all my other volume tricks work even better.
Here’s a more in depth look at my full hair care routine.
Why Is My Hair So Flat on Top?
There could be a few culprits:
- Product buildup on the scalp
- Over-conditioning at the roots
- Heavy or silicone-based products
- Lack of root lift during styling
- Naturally oily scalp
Try clarifying once a week, switching to lightweight formulas, and using a root-lifting technique like blow-drying upside down or changing your part.
How Do I Add Volume to My Hair Naturally?
Want more lift without tons of product or heat? Try these natural tips:
- Sleep in a loose bun or braid for body overnight
- Rinse with cool water to seal cuticles and add bounce
- Use a texturizing or sea salt spray
- Massage your scalp regularly to stimulate growth
- Eat a protein-rich, nutrient-dense diet
Also consider a haircut with long layers or face-framing pieces–they naturally create movement and fullness.
With just a few simple shifts to your hair care and styling routine, you can turn fine, flat strands into voluminous, healthy-looking hair. Whether you’re layering in foam, flipping your part, or rolling it up in velcro rollers, these easy techniques make a visible difference. No extensions or salon blowouts required.
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