10 Hacks for Volume & Fullness in Thin Curly Hair

I have low-density curly hair that easily gets flat and weighed down. These 10 hacks have doubled my volume AND fullness. I’m also using a lot of affordable, drugstore products.

Reminder:
There’s only so much you can do for volume in thin curly hair, and we can’t compare our hair to someone with thick curly hair. These tips can enhance volume and fullness if that’s the look you’re going for.

Stop using mild shampoos and co-washes

Gentle “curly girl friendly” shampoos often are too conditioning and deposit conditioners onto the hair, weighing it down.

• Look for clear formulas versus shampoos that are opaque.
• Look for shampoos that provide an effective cleanse such as those with “sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate” towards the top of the ingredients label.
• Shampoo 2x if needed.

The Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration Shampoo is affordable from the drugstore and gives a very effective cleanse that is not stripping. It’s a good option for those with fine hair.

Stop leaving your conditioner in

Rinse your conditioner out fully so it won’t weigh down your hair. Avoid super heavy conditioners that have heavy oils and butters like coconut oil and shea butter towards the top of the ingredients list.

The Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration Conditioner is unique because it’s very moisturizing while lightweight. Apply it from your ends then work the rest up to the root.

Hacks

#1 Lift hair off the roots after rinsing out your conditioner

Rinse out your conditioner, then run your fingers through your hair, lifting it off the scalp. This prevents the hair from being stuck to the scalp and prevents the roots from being stretched out. The curls at the root will start to form.

#2 Apply your products out of the shower, upright, and on damp hair 

Styling on soaking wet hair is great for clumps but it can weigh down your hair. Damp styling allows for more volume and fullness.

• Towel dry the hair first so it’s not soaking and dripping
• Mist water so that it’s evenly wet and no frizzy areas starting to dry
• Style in front of a mirror so you can see what you’re doing to style for root lift
• Style upright instead of upside down which gives you more control over how the hair lays to cover your scalp

You can still get root lift with styling techniques. If you don’t like wet hair on your shoulders, just wrap your hair towel around your shoulders.

See below for a mist spray bottle by Bouclème and the Hair Repear Towel:

Skip your curl cream or leave-in or use one that is very lightweight

Skipping conditioning products will give you more hold, less clumping, and won’t weigh down your hair. Pick a gel or mousse that is moisturizing if your hair is dry, or use a lightweight leave-in underneath.

The Curlsmth Hydrate & Plump Leave-In is very lightweight and has ingredients to help with volume. This won’t weigh down fine hair, but you can also skip it.

#3 Brush style THEN apply your gel or mousse

I usually do the opposite and apply my gel, then brush style for full coverage because I like maximum definition and frizz control. However, if you style then just scrunch in your gel or mousse, you get slightly less coverage which equals more frizz which creates more fullness within.

Scrunch in your gel or mousse in sections for better coverage versus just at the end of styling.

Use a gel that provides texture/grit (thicker gels), opt for a mousse, or add in a volumizing/texturizing product.

Avoiding layering on a bunch of styling products which will just weigh your hair down. 

Options to style with:

• Thick gel that provides texture/grit such as the Curlsmith Shine Gel or the NYM Curl Talk Hard Hold Gel

• Mousse such as the NYM Curl Talk Mousse or the Curlsmith Invincible Volume Mousse. The Curl Talk Mousse is stronger hold, so I went with that one. The Curlsmith mousse is more texturizing but is a medium hold.

• Gel of your choice + a volumizing lotion, foam. or texture spray, etc. to add grit.

#4 Pick up horizontal sections instead of vertical ones when brush styling

Vertical sections can create separation at the root which makes your scalp show. Horizontal sections can better cover the scalp. This may also result in less clumped curls for more fullness, especially if you have curls that naturally go in all different directions. Curls will stay more separated instead of grouping back together.

#5 Separate clumps with your hands, a comb, or skip brush styling

The more clumped your hair is, the less full it will look especially if you have low-density hair. I like brush styling since it smooths frizz and gives me longer-lasting results, so I just need to make sure my hair is not overly clumped.

Pick up smaller sections when you brush style. Separate them with your hands or a comb.

The new Bounce Curl EdgeLift Volume Brush makes it nice because it separates the hair as you go, similar to a brush and a comb in one.

#6 Lift the hair at the crown up and back, using a brush to create a bend right at the roots

This technique covers the scalp and cowlicks.

• Grab a horizontal section around the crown
• Place your brush close to the root and bend your wrist so the hair wraps around the edge of the brush
• Glide it up and back for volume
• Use a handheld mirror so you can see

#7 Avoid a defined part for more root volume

A brush can help direct all the hair at the top back instead of falling to the side. A zig-zag part is a good alternative too. I prefer a short, 1-2 inch part so my hair doesn’t fall forward in my face.

#8 Shake out the roots after brush styling to hide section lines

While your hair is still wet, reach underneath and gently shake the roots to break up part lines. This can be done upside down, the flip up.

Use your diffuser prongs to lift the hair at the roots and hold

Make sure your diffuser prongs are long enough and extend out past the end of the diffuser bowl. I get the best results when doing this when my hair has started to dry some, but make sure your roots are still damp. The heat will set the hair at the roots in the upright position instead of flat to the head. This is how I’m able to diffuse upright instead of upside down.

Place clips along the top for root volume or to cover cowlicks

Root clips can help boost root volume as the hair cools and dries. This can also help to pull hair together that wants to separate.

#9 Use your diffuser to scrunch out the cast

After hair has dried and set for a bit, scrunch out the cast. Diffuse it more to get extra volume.

If you had enough hold, this should not cause frizz. If you used light or medium hold, you may get frizz.

#10 Mist hairspray or texture spray at your roots then shake them out or diffuse

For volume at the root that stays, mist a hairspray or a texture spray right at the roots while lifting them. Fluff with your dry hands, or take your diffuser and dry them for a minute for even more hold.

Final Results

I could not believe my results! It’s been awhile since I had this much volume, and it lasted. I think the mousse and the hairspray made the biggest difference in the volume, along with the styling techniques with the brush.

If you decide to try this routine out, please send me your results! Let me know what questions you have.

Still Stuck?

Need more help with your specific hair needs? Book a curl coaching session with me for personalized help, one-on-one.

For more help with low-density hair, watch the playlist here.