If you’re like me and have the wonderful thin hair gene, winter static and dryness are probably the bane of your existence. I can’t even tell you how many hours I’ve spent drying, styling, mussing, and tousling just for my brittle hair to fall flat again within the hour. I decided to take matters into my own hands (literally) and hunt down some products to try so I could get some more volume. Or at least look like I had taken a shower this week. Here are six products I’ve tried and the results I got.
1. Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast ($29, Sephora)
What it is: A styling spray that creates instant volume and texture for big, lasting results on dry hair. Hair Type: Straight, Wavy, and Curly Hair Texture: Fine and Medium Hair Concerns: Hold, Volume, and Color Safe
Verdict: 9/10
This product helps my hair the most out of any others. You can apply it to dry hair, either immediately after blow drying or on next day hair. I found that I had the best results when I applied it immediately after blow drying and straightening my ends. It gave my roots that added oomph that’s always missing. I paired it with a texturizing spray, so my hair had a bit of shape to it. I also tried it on next day hair after I’d slept on a blowout. It was effective but not as great as it was immediately after blow drying, and I noticed that towards the end of the work day (about 7 hours in), my hair was beginning to fall flat again. Overall, it helped my hair a lot and honestly any product that can make my hair NOT look like I haven’t washed it in over 24 hours is a win for me.
2. Drybar The Kicker Finishing Spray Wax ($26, Sephora)
What it is: A hair wax that lets you achieve tousled beach waves with soft dimension, piecey texture, and a satin finish for a perfectly “undone” look.
Hair Type: Straight, Wavy, and Curly Hair Texture: Fine, Medium, and Thick Hair Concerns: Hold, Volume, and Color Safe
Verdict: 8/10
I was pretty skeptical that this would work because I have pin-straight hair and it always dries flat. I found that the best way to use this was to blow dry my hair until it was still slightly damp, then spray a little of this on my hair. Then I shaped my hair with my fingers and scrunched it up, then dried my hair all the way while still scrunching and tousling. After my hair was completely dry, I applied a little bit more and continued to shape until I got a messy, just-rolled-out-of-bed-looking-this-good style (I can only dream). I finished with some hairspray and then did my best not to move my hair all day long (LOL). For the most part, my style stayed in all day, and it smelled amazing.
3. Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream ($34, Sephora)
What it is: A leave-in styling cream that creates smooth, frizz-free styles while infusing hair with antioxidant-rich argan oil. Suitable for all hair types, this lightweight styler tames flyaways and can be used to refresh next-day styles.
Hair Type: Straight, Wavy, Curly, Coiled, and Tightly Coiled Hair Texture: Fine, Medium, and Thick Hair Concerns: Hold, Volume, and Color Safe
Verdict: 10/10
I know that the $34 price tag is scary, but luckily Sephora also sells a smaller size for $13, which is much better if you’re looking to just try it out. But, I have to say, this is hands down the best product you could buy for your hair, no matter who you are. I first tried this years ago because my mom swears by it. We get it from our hair stylist, and it’s honestly magic, especially for thin, brittle hair. You can apply it before or after styling and it mends split, fraying ends, tames flyaways, and makes your hair so soft that you just want to touch it all day long. It smells amazing, too. Forget conditioner, forget leave-in treatments, forget masks – if you’re going to buy one thing for your hair, this should be it. Plus, you only need like a nickel-sized amount so that $34 10.2 oz bottle will last you forevaaaa.
4. Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo ($23, Sephora)
What it is: Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo features fast-absorbing powders to soak up oil and sweat, while Living Proof’s patented healthy hair molecule (OFPMA) helps remove the powders easily, for ultra-clean hair. Odor neutralizers and time-released fragrance keep hair smelling clean all day. This formula is color safe and safe for chemically treated hair. Hair Type: Straight, Wavy, Curly, and Coiled Hair Texture: Fine, Medium, and Thick Hair Concerns: Oiliness and Color Safe
Verdict: 8.5/10
Sometimes there is nothing left to do, you’re running late, you’ve already skipped your 8 AM, and you’ve just accepted that showing up to class is enough. Enter: Perfect Hair Day dry shampoo. Honestly, at first, I didn’t get the hype. I’ve tried at least ten different brands of dry shampoo and I just felt like I was wasting product. None of them ever worked at all – which is why I now own so many hats. But Living Proof also sells mini sizes, so I got one to try it out. Life. Changed. It soaked up all the oil in my hair, it didn’t go on looking all white and powdery, and it smelled soooo good. My hair looked pretty decent all day, and I even had to wear a hard had during work for a few hours. Even when I took my hat off, my hair didn’t look flat or horribly greasy. I would say this is the perfect product for a quick fix – I went back and bought the full-size bottle, then kept the mini one in my purse for emergencies.
5. Bumble and Bumble. Thickening Go Big Volumizing Treatment ($30, Sephora)
What it is: A first-of-its-kind concentrate that swells each strand for lush movement and support. Thanks to emblica technology, this heat-protecting treatment helps visibly thicken strands for lavish volume. It softens and moisturizes for healthy-looking hair and plush movement that stays up—all day.
Hair Type: Straight, Wavy, Curly, and Coiled Hair Texture: Fine, Medium, and Thick Hair Concerns: Oiliness and Color Safe
Verdict: 7/10
I learned about this product through my hair stylist as well, who applies it before blow drying my hair. My hair always looks bouncy and fresh after a blowout, so I figured I’d try it for myself and see if it’s the product or just her magic touch. After towel drying my hair, I sprayed this all throughout, concentrating on my roots, and then blew my dry. My hair looked bouncy, shiny, and generally like it had more volume than usual. I think that this product is really great because it goes on before you style your hair, but if you want to let your hair air dry, this won’t work so well. It can’t go on next day hair either, which makes lazy me sad. Overall, this product was amazing if you were planning to dry and style your hair, but I think I’d buy the travel size and use it occasionally rather than in my everyday routine.