It’s time to turn up the volume on your luscious locks with our thicker hair hacks
Do you feel like your dream of thicker hair isn’t within reach? Well, we’re here to tell you that with the right styling technique and haircare routine, pumping out the volume needn’t be a challenge after all…
Whether you’re looking to put some bounce back into your curls or give thin strands a little oomph, we’re with you through thick and thin. You can rely on us to provide you with all the tips and tricks you need to make your hair goals a reality. Plus, we’ve handpicked some haircare heroes which show you how to make your hair thicker – even it it’s just an illusion… (more on that later!)
1. Pick the right shampoo & conditioner
Shampoos and conditioners, it’s hard to not get lost in the thick of it all! Although the amount of choice can feel overwhelming, when it comes to thicker hair, the trick is to look for a volumising shampoo and conditioner that’s sulphate-free, to help prevent product build-up.
You need your shampoo and conditioner to feel lightweight. Too heavy and it will weigh down your strands, impacting its buoyancy and overall volume. These two must-haves have earned themselves a place in our hair washing rituals and could be just the thing you need.
Try: Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo
• Size: 300ml
• Suitable for all hair types & textures
This luxurious shampoo certainly fulfils the brief when it comes to strengthening and repairing damaged hair. Free from sulphates, it uses a concentrated bonding care complex that helps reinforce weakened bonds in the hair, which improves the strength of your strands. Plus, it helps minimise visible split ends and reduces breakage for a smoother ‘do.
Try: Redken Extreme Conditioner
• Size: 300ml
• Suitable for all hair types & texture
A little bit of this conditioner certainly goes a long way. Rub a small amount in the palm of your hands before applying to the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the root. Comb it through your wet hair to detangle and leave on for two minutes for some long-lasting moisture before rinsing – we’re sold!
2. Define your curls
Not all of us are blessed with a bouncy mane but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy curly hair. The benefit of course is that curls make your hair look thicker (even if, in reality, it’s not). Although you don’t want to start putting more heat on your hair, there are plenty of other ways you can get your curl on. We love braiding our hair and sleeping in it overnight. Alternatively, you can also experiment with heatless hair rollers too!
As for the curly headed queens amongst us, enter the Curly Girl Method. A viral trend that explains the process of caring for your curls by cutting out processes that cause damage. You can learn how to make the Curly Girl Method work for you in our helpful guide.
3. Keep your hair & scalp healthy
Our hair follicles can often get blocked up by dandruff, product build-up and dead skin – all of which can stunt hair growth. So, if you want to learn how to make hair thicker, rule number one is to keep on top of your hair and scalp health.
That means no more over-washing your hair or using products with harsh irritants. A good scrub, moisturising mask and leave-in treatment have quickly become pivotal in helping us prioritise our hair health.
Try: Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub
• Size: 250g
• Vegan & cruelty-free*
Once you start massaging these luxurious sugar crystals into your scalp, you’ll understand the hype! Both deep-cleansing and softening, this hybrid scalp and body scrub is a total delight for the skin and a must for any self-care ritual. Its blend of sugar and coconut oils exfoliate whilst balancing the skin’s moisture levels to restore calm.
Try: FUL Intense Moisture Hair Mask
• Size: 300ml
• Suitable for all hair types
• Vegan & cruelty-free*
• 4% naturally derived ingredients
• Free from silicone, sulphates, parabens & mineral oils
With an irresistible scent, this pH balanced mask is a treat for the senses as well as the hair. Using a blend of conditioning agents, it’s great for ultimate hair hydration and works by locking in moisture to give you salon-quality results that you can both see and feel – the perfect rescue remedy for dry and damaged locks.
Try: Wella Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue Step 3
• Size: 95ml
• Vegan*
• Dermatologically tested
• Suitable for colour-treated hair
Powered by AHA and Omega-9, this leave-on spray aims to deliver transformative results after just one use. The formula works to strengthen and rebuild the hair from the inside and out, making your strands stronger, smoother and less prone to breakage – tick, tick, tick! Use on wet hair only to achieve optimum results.
4. Adjust your diet to benefit your hair
Keeping your locks strong and healthy isn’t always down to the products you’re using. It might surprise you to know that small changes to your diet can actually have a big impact on your hair strand quality. Incorporating the right foods can promote healthy hair growth, who’d have thought?
Foods that are high in fatty acids (like salmon) and protein (like eggs) can be particularly nourishing for your strands. For those who experience hair loss, vitamins A, B, C and E can also prove particularly effective. A healthy diet is key. If you need help adjusting your eating habits, take inspiration from our guide, which discusses four healthy eating tips to try this year, according to experts.
5. Add hair thickening products to your regime
Who said you had to be born with thick locks? Certainly not us. We’re all about faking it till you make it by exploring a range of thickening products (good news, we’ve got plenty!). Now you can create the illusion of thicker hair just by refining your routine – it’s haircare sorcery at its finest!
Think thickening powders, sprays and serums. We love using them to add texture and lift and they’re great for styling too. Typically, you’d work these products into your roots. However, try not to pile too much on as you want to avoid product build-up where possible.
Try: VO5 Thickening Hair Powder
• Size: 7g
• Invisible, matte finish
One of our best-kept secrets to instantly volumised and textured hair – this one pot wonder from VO5 is the master of illusion. Shake a small amount of powder into your roots, work it in with your fingertips and watch it get to work. You can also wave goodbye to fall out as this formula is invisible, helping you achieve that natural, matte finish.
Try: Bed Head Thickening Spray
• Size: 311ml
• Fresh berry fragrance
With this thickening spray, you’ll truly feel like a queen for a day. Designed for long-lasting volume and thickness, this fantastic formula provides hair with salon-worthy body and lift with a light hold. Infused with triglycerides, it conditions, smoothes and softens! Spray onto towel-dried hair then blow-dry to watch your locks thicken up.
Try: Philip Kingsley Thickening Spray
• Size: 120ml
• Paraben free
• Gluten free
Known for their scientifically formulated products, Philip Kingsley are pioneers when it comes to hair health. This thickening protein spray uses unique hyper-branched polymers to give your strands an instant boost. All while providing vital heat protection with a hydrating formula that helps preserve the internal structure of the hair.
Try: Boots Volume Hair Serum
• Size: 50ml
• Suitable for all hair types
Whether you use it after a shower or as part of your styling routine, this little bottle might be mini but it’s certainly mighty. Formulated with acacia collagen and niacinamide, this super serum works to condition and smooth the hair, all whilst keeping it volumised. Use a pea size amount on either wet or dry hair, focusing on the mid-lengths to ends.
6. Experiment with your hairstyle through a strategic cut & colour
We’re back with another haircare hack. Having a strategic cut and colour can once again create the illusion that your hair has more dimension than it naturally does. A colour that’s made up of different shades, which can be achieved through techniques like highlights and balayage, can add dimension, whilst adding texture through your cut can contrast, creating more depth.
As always, when colour-treating your hair, you should always make sure you’re taking the necessary steps to avoid damage to your scalp and hair. Damage to the hair follicle can halt hair growth. Luckily, we’ve got plenty of must-haves which can lend a helping hand.
Try: L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Hair Mask
• Size: 250ml
• Can be used after colour, balayage or bleach treatments
• Leave on for one to three minutes
Designed to protect hair against copper deposits found in shower water (which can cause damage or discolouration), this innovative formula purifies the hair to enhance its vibrancy. Use after your shampoo, leave on for one to three minutes and rinse thoroughly. Did we mention it also has a sweet citrus scent too? It’s the cherry on top!
Try: Pureology Colour Fanatic Spray
• Size: 200ml
• Vegan*
Why have one benefit when you can have 21? This treatment spray from Pureology certainly packs a punch and when it comes to how to use it, the choice is yours. This multi-purpose marvel can be used as a leave-in conditioner, detangling spray, blow-dry spray and so much more. Designed with a blend of natural oils, it primes, protects and perfects all in one.
7. Protect your hair from heat damage
Ideally, you want to put down your hair tools for good. But we’d be lying if we said we don’t find that hard too. Although the less heat on your hair, the better, if you’re going to style with heat, taking the necessary steps to protect your hair from damage is essential.
Gone are the days of applying heat to your hair without any protection. Now there are a wide range of heat protectant sprays and serums which can prevent your strands from becoming parched by giving them a coat of armour.
Try: Matrix food For Soft Hair Oil Serum
• Size: 50ml
• Leave-in treatment
• For all hair types
• Protects from heat damage up to 230°C
If your locks need a splash of hydration, serve up this thirst-quenching serum. Enriched with nourishing avocado oil and hyaluronic acid, this leave-in treatment helps makes glossy hair a reality, while protecting against heat damage. Apply several drops to wet or dry hair before styling.
Try: Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist
• Size: 130g
• Notes of coconut, amber & vanilla
• Vegan*
• Leaping bunny certified
Famed for their blow-drying expertise, this must-have mist from Drybar showcases professional-quality at its finest. Infused with marula oil and heat-activated rice protein, one coat protects hair against heat up to 232°C, leaving behind a sweet scent of coconut and vanilla that’s enough to give anyone major hair envy.
Try: Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray
• Size: 51ml
• Can be used on wet or dry hair
• Non-greasy
No-fuss and no-mess is one of the reasons why we love a leave-in conditioner. This one from Briogeo Rosarco has quickly worked its way into our haircare favourites. Ultra-lightweight, yet super-hydrating, the formula contains the brands signature blend of nourishing rosehip, argan and coconut oils, which fuse to lock in moisture and diminish frizz with no build-up in sight.
Now that your haircare knowledge is growing thick and fast, it’s time to put our tips into practice. Want more haircare inspiration? We’ve got plenty more haircare advice.
