If, like me, you've been blessed (or cursed, depending on the day) with fine hair, you'll know the struggle: styles that fall flat, roots lose lift within minutes and adding 'just one more product' often has the opposite effect. The good news? A fuller, thicker-looking mane is absolutely achievable – and it doesn't have to take more than a few minutes.
In fact, when it comes to fine hair, less really is more. Overloading strands with heavy formulas can cause build-up, weigh hair down and make it look even flatter. Instead, a streamlined routine – tried and tested by moi, FYI – is the secret to maximising natural volume and getting the best out of your strands. So, follow these three easy steps for a hair boost!
Cleanse
Your in-shower cleansing routine is the foundation of volumised hair. And if you have fine strands, we recommend either a volumising or clarifying formula – depending on what your hair needs that day. A volumising shampoo gently lifts at the root and adds lightness throughout, giving your strands a head start before styling.
Meanwhile, a clarifying shampoo works deeper, thoroughly removing product build-up, oils and residue that sit on the scalp and flatten hair. A cleaner scalp also creates a healthier environment for new growth, meaning that in the long term, you'll notice a fuller head of hair overall.
Use a volumising shampoo regularly and slot in a clarifying cleanse once a week (or as needed) for that fresh, bouncy feel.
Philip Kingsley Body Building Duo
Aveeno Haircare Clarify and Shine+ Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Style smart
Next up in your fine hair routine comes the styling products and more specifically, volumising styling products – think mousses, root-lifting sprays or airy texturisers. However, do apply sparingly; with fine hair, even the right formulas work best in small amounts. These products help build structure and grip so that your style actually lasts.
Generally speaking, it's best to add these to hair that's 60 per cent towel dried and then blow-dry. However, every product is different, so do consult the brand label to understand how the formula best works.
Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer 195ml
Hair By Sam Mcknight Cool Girl Superlift Root Boost Volumising Spray 150Ml
Remember: Less is more!
Add heat
Finish your routine with a hot tool (and don't forget heat protectant!). A round brush and a hairdryer combo can create immediate root lift, while a hot brush, curling tong, or multi-styler adds soft, bouncy shape throughout. A blow-dry brush can be used on wet or dry hair, whereas a hot brush, like a curling tong or straightener, should be used on dry hair only.
Top tip: Directing heat at the roots (lifting upwards as you go or drying with your head upside down) makes all the difference.
Shark FlexStyle 4-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer
REVLON One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer and Styler
Simple, quick and effective! As Dolly Parton once said: The higher the hair, the closer to God...
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
