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15 Best Volumizing Hair Products That'll Take Your Style to New Heights

 

Whether you want the Kamala silk press or prefer to go the more traditional route, experts break down how to get silky straight strands without frying your hair.

The best volumizing hair products can be lifesavers for second-day hair, stale blowouts, and flatness-prone strands. Mousses, sprays, and powders (oh my!) add dimension and texture to hair that could use a little boost, using ingredients like copolymers, polymers, and resins to restore your long-lost zhuzh. Still, you don't need fine or flat hair to benefit from a volumizing hair product. Even people with naturally fuller hair can use these formulas to amp up volume. Read about the 15 best hair volumizing products to give a lift to your crown.

Best Volumizing Hair Product Overall: Briogeo Style + Treat Full Miracle Styling Foam

Why it's worth it: Yuzu powers the Briogeo Style + Treat Full Miracle Styling Foam, a volumizing mousse fit for blowout prep and hair-refreshing alike. It works wonders on wet and dry hair delivering serious, non-stiff hold. The foam also functions as a heat protectant, which is great for people who style their hair a few different ways between washes. You can play around with the amount of product you use and where you use it (roots, ends, etc.) to find your perfect volume match. If you're using it pre-blowout, though, focus on the roots for some lift.

Tester feedback: “I have thick, heavy hair that takes a lot of product and finagling to create volume, especially at the roots and middle of the shaft—but not with this aptly-named ‘miracle’ foam," explains Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin. “This airy foam gives buildable volume and hold to my curls—without crunch—all day. Plus, it defines my curl pattern, nourishes my strands, and preps me for the inevitable blowout a few days later. It's easily the best multipurpose product in my hair routine."

Key ingredients: yuzu extract, plum oil, super B complex | Who it's good for: people who want a tousled look | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Long-Lasting Volume: Hours Full-Time Plumping Mousse

Why it's worth it: The lightweight, foamy, and soft-but-mighty Hours Full-Time Plumping Mousse won a Best of Beauty Award in 2023 for its airiness and staying power. The formula puts natural fatty acids to work to hydrate the scalp and nourish the hair from the roots down. And don't be afraid of using a generous amount of product—the brand recommends a golf ball-size pump of mousse.

Tester feedback: “Listen, mousse was a dirty word to me for the majority of my life—I did my time in the crunchy curl trenches in middle school—but I've done a full 180 since discovering Hours Plumping Mousse,” raves commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann. “My hair retains a ton of water post-shower and gets weighed down super easy, but adding two pumps of this to wet hair inflates my hair like a freakin' balloon. It's also responsible for the longest-lasting blowout I've ever had—it's literally a miracle product to me.”

Key ingredients: propylene glycol, castor oil, sodium polyitaconate | Who it's good for: everyone | Fragrance-free: no

Best Heat Protectant: Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist

Why it's worth it: Olaplex makes some of the best hair products in the game, and the Volumizing Blow Dry Mist is no exception. This high-power heat protectant shields your precious strands from temperatures up to 450ºF with bamboo extract lipopeptides, all while adding a lovely lift and freshness. However, you can still use (and enjoy) this mist if you're going heat-free.

Tester feedback: "That any product could create volume on my superfine, color-treated hair is a damn miracle, which means Olaplex's Volumizing Blow Dry Mist is basically a religious deity in my eyes," says senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen. "With a few hearty spritzes of this lightweight spray along my hairline and in my roots—plus some elbow grease with a round brush, of course—I can at last achieve a style that makes me look like I have more hair than I actually do."

Key ingredients: bamboo extract, pea peptides, radish root ferment | Who it's good for: people who style with heat regularly | Fragrance-free: no

More Volumizing Hair Products We Love:

Best Classic Mousse: Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer

Why it's worth it: Color Wow's Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer, a 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner for best volumizing mousse, features a proprietary polymer complex that creates weightless body out of…what seems like thin air. The bamboo extract's amino acids strengthen and promote shine with only a few juicy pumps. Even with its thick, foamy texture, this formula won't disturb the roots of the hair and won't damage hair cuticles.

Editor's tip: This volumizer can be used before styling but looks equally as good on air-dried hair.

Key ingredients: bamboo extract, proprietary polymer complex | Who it's good for: people with damaged, color-treated hair | Fragrance-free: no

Best Volumizing Hairspray: Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray

Why it's worth it: The biggest culprit behind needs-volume hair is often post-wash-day oiliness and flatness. Whether it's been one day or four days since you shampooed, the Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray is here to help. You can also use this 2023 Readers' Choice Award winner as a light-hold hairspray for finished styles—or as a pre-styling heat protectant.

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Editor's tip: For maximum volume, flip your head upside down and spray.

Key ingredients: hydrophobic resins, starch | Who it's good for: people who prefer a one-size-fits-all product | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Breakage: Nexxus Unbreakable Care Root Lift Hair Thickening Spray

Why it's worth it: Split ends, who? Where? The Nexxus Unbreakable Care Root Lift Hair Thickening Spray (a 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner) softens the appearance breakage by thickening hair, thanks to the brand's proprietary Strand Exxpand Technology. Still, its beauty is more than spray-deep as the leave-in product is infused with keratin protein, biotin, and collagen amino acids.

Editor's tip: If you're on a hair-thickening journey, try the brand's three-step system, which includes the Anti-Breakage Shampoo, Thickening Conditioner, and, voìla, Root Lift Thickening Spray.

Key ingredients: keratin protein, biotin, collagen amino acids | Who it's good for: people with heat-damaged or color-treated hair | Fragrance-free: no

Best Volumizing Powder: SexyHair Big Sexy Hair Powder Play

Why it's worth it: If you need volume in a pinch, SexyHair's Big Sexy Hair Powder Play delivers just that. New York City-based hairstylist Mia Santiago loves this invisible powder for its ease of use. "Just sprinkle this miraculous hair plumper at the roots after your blowout or styling, and it'll immediately create lots of grit and volume at the root with a long-lasting lift," she says. Plus, it won't weigh down fine-textured hair.

Editor's tip: To reactivate during the day, massage the area where you placed the product.

Key ingredients: rice bran oil | Who it's good for: people with fine hair | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Volumizing Dry Shampoo: Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Why it's worth it: So you got a blowout yesterday, but this morning's pilates class did a number on your hair. Before you panic, Oribe's Dry Texturizing Spray is here to save the day. The floral-citrusy-scented dry shampoo keeps your hair bouncy while absorbing excess oils before they have a chance to mess up your look.

Editor's tip: Because this formula goes on transparent, it works well for all hair colors.

Key ingredients: zeolite crystallines, ginger root extract, kiwi extract | Who it's good for: people who work out or sweat a lot | Fragrance-free: no

Best Matte Finish: Unite Hair Texturiza Spray

Why it's worth it: "The Unite Hair Texturiza goes on dry hair after it's been styled," says Santiago, who uses this volumizer on clients and herself. "It's a go-to because it creates texture and volume that just won't quit, and I love that," she adds. It has a medium hold and provides thermal and UV protection. You can brush, build, and spray it to your heart's content.

Editor's tip: This has built-in UV protection, perfect for people who spend a lot of time outside.

Key ingredients: Sunflower seed extract and glycerin | Who it's good for: people who want a beachy-looking style | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Root-Lifting: Amika Rising Star Volumizing Finishing Spray

Why it's worth it: The Amika Rising Star Volumizing Finishing Spray skips stiffness and, instead, guarantees a soft but serious lift that lasts all day. Spritz away at the roots and allow the carob seed extract and hydrolyzed soy proteins to work to amp up fullness. Bonus: The antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn acts as a healthful boost to the scalp, and the spray also protects from heat damage up to 450° F.

Editor's tip: Shipin uses this spray often and notes that it works especially well when applied with her hair flipped upside-down or lifting sections and spraying upward. “This is clutch after I blow-dry or straighten my hair, which often looks limp at the roots after the initial bounciness wears off. It's the perfect finishing and refreshing spray that never leaves my hair stiff.”

Key ingredients: carob seed extract, hydrolyzed soy protein, sea buckthorn | Who it's good for: people with fine to medium hair | Fragrance-free: no

Best Splurge: Starring by Ted Gibson Shooting Star Texture Meringue

Why it's worth it: Starring by Ted Gibson's Shooting Star Texture Meringue may be a bit of a splurge but there's a reason New York City-based hairstylist Devin Toth swears by it. "This mousse-like texture never feels sticky or stiff once applied to the hair," he says. This features notes of fig, amber, and vanilla for a luxurious scent every time you apply.

Editor's tip: You can use this volumizer on wet hair, too.

Key ingredients: castor oil, vitamin E, vitamin B, glycerin | Who it's good for: people with curly hair | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Fine, Thin Hair: Joico Rise Up Powder Spray

Why it's worth it: Limp hair can be lifted to new heights with just a few pumps of the Best of Beauty Award-winning Joico Rise Up Powder Spray. The lightweight, fine powder formula delivers immediate extra volume at the roots and a light texture throughout the hair. The formula also protects against free radicals, which we can always get behind.

Editor's tip: Despite the name, this product isn't really a "spray." Rather, it comes out of the nozzle as a powdery mist that you can point directly at your hair.

Key ingredients: moringa seed extract, silica silyate | Who it's good for: people who want on-the-go thickness | Fragrance-free: no

Best Strengthening: R+Co Bleu Magnifier Thickening Spray

Why it's worth it: In Toth's experience, the R+Co Bleu Magnifier Thickening Spray creates touchable, long-lasting hairstyles that never feel sticky or stiff. "This lightweight product has nourishing proteins [like pea protein] that strengthen and plumpen fine limp hair," he explains. After you mist the spray onto your wet hair, you can style it as you normally would—a.k.a., air-drying works just as well as blow-drying.

Editor's tip: Pair the thickening spray with the R+Co Aircraft Pomade Mousse for next-level texture.

Key ingredients: biotin, pea vegetable protein, Bleu Molecule Complex | Who it's good for: people with damaged or thin hair | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Scalp Health: Verb Volume Dry Texture Spray

Why it's worth it: For lived-in waves and high-as-the-sky volume, consider Verb's Volume Dry Texture Spray. This Best of Beauty-winning formula features glycerin to lock in moisture and vitamin B5 to smooth and hydrate hair while adding body. Those with scalp dryness will appreciate the aloe vera in the formula, which soothes and reduces flakiness.

Editor's tip: We also love this spray's oatmeal and grapefruit notes. Hair perfume, anyone?

Key ingredients: glycerin, vitamin B5 | Who it's good for: people styling dry hair | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Color-Treated Hair: Biolage Volume Bloom Full-Lift Volumizer Spray

Why it's worth it: With a formula inspired by the naturally expanding cotton flower, the Biolage Volume Bloom Full-Life Volumizer plumps fine hair, no matter the length. It also features the classic Biolage fragrance, a melange of bergamot, mandarin, peach, and sandalwood, among other delicious notes. Spray starting at the roots, working down to the ends for the best effect.

Editor's tip: If hair density improvement is what you seek, try Biolage's Full Density Densifying Leave-in Spray.

Key ingredients: cotton, orchid oil | Who it's good for: people with fine or color-treated hair | Fragrance-free: no

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a volumizing hair product do?

According to Toth, a volumizing hair product lifts roots from the scalp. "Some are simply weightless, some give incredible hold and texture, and some coat and surround each strand of hair," he remarks.

Raven Hurtado, a Chicago-based hairstylist at Maxine Salon, echoed Toth. He previously told Allure, "It works great for updos, and you could also use it as a dry shampoo." Hurtado explains, "You can also touch up your second-day blowout without having any residue."

While healthy hair can benefit from hair volumizing products, they can also help support damaged locks. Cosmetic chemist Ginger King told Allure, "Heredity, stress, poor nutrition, improper care of hair, and environmental damage (such as sunlight and harsh brushing)" can all be potential causes of thinning hair. If that sounds like you, a hair volumizing product could make a big difference, either as a permanent solution or to tide you over while going on a regrowth journey.

How do I choose a volumizing hair product?

Many products claim to be effective volumizers, but before you hedge your bets on a bottle, it's essential to examine what could be suitable for your hair type and desired style outcome. Santiago recommends a root spray or mousse before blow-drying if you want your hair more touchable and smooth. "If you like feeling your hair more textured, an aerosol spray or volume powder is a great choice," she adds. If you're getting into the hair volumizing game, you might need to try a few different products before you land your best option.

What should I avoid in a volumizing hair product?

King previously told Allure to be wary of heavy oils and silicones since "not all oils or silicones are created equal." She mentions that while they can provide benefits like softening and hydrating, coconut and jojoba are weightier than other oils. Silicones also vary in weight and grade, but you don't need to be a scientist to determine what that means. "If it feels greasy on your fingers, chances are it will weigh down your hair," King advises.

Meet the experts

Mia Santiago, a New York City-based hairstylist
Devin Toth, a New York City-based hairstylist
Raven Hurtado, a Chicago-based hairstylist at Maxine Salon
Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist

How we test and review products

We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certain products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?

For our review of volumizing hair products, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, cosmetic chemists, and makeup artists—who have a range of experience studying and using these products. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture, experience, and formula. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.