How does my wash day look if I REALLY want to get volume in my curly hair?
These are literally the expanded notes that I have stored on my phone under ‘Max Volume Washday’.
This is what I follow when I want my hair to be BIG. When I want volume over definition and I’m willing to go all out.
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These are the products that I use for volume:
OGX Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Shampoo
Rhyme & Reason Quench & Curl Shampoo
Rhyme & Reason Quench & Curl Conditioner
John Frieda Dream Curls Curl Reviver Mousse
Here’s the full method:
Wash
1. I wash my hair with my hair forwards over the bath.
This is to lift my hair away from my scalp. I find it easy to clean my hair thoroughly this way (really reaching the underneath of my hair) and I like to start styling my hair with it forwards to give it a volume boost right from the beginning.
2. Clarify
I shampoo fist with OGX Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Shampoo.
I use a clarifying detox shampoo to remove any possible product build up that could weigh my hair down and affect the volume.
3. Second shampoo and condition
Next a second shampoo with Rhyme & Reason Curl & Quench Shampoo followed by the matching conditioner. I love this range because it hydrates my hair but it’s still light enough that it doesn’t weigh it down. Blot hair gently with a t-shirt or microfibre towel after washing to stop it dripping.
Style
4. First styling step
I go in with Aveda Thickening Tonic. This thickening spray really works! I spray it at the roots with just a fine spritz all over the rest of my hair. It’s max volume and oomph from this point forward.
5. Styling with mousse
A mousse is the best way to get big hair. I love a cream for definition, but a mousse will really give lift and body to your curls. I apply John Frieda Dream Curls Curl Reviving Mousse using the praying hands method through roots and ends.
I have experimented with how best to get volume in curly hair and mousse wins every time.
6. Scrunch!
Next is scrunching. I scrunch my hair a lot to encourage the curls and really work in and distribute all the products.
Dry
7. Remove more moisture
Next up is a moment of micro-plopping. I do this with a t-shirt or microfibre towel. I gently cup sections of my hair with the t-shirt/towel over one hand and squeeze to remove remaining excess water. Water is heavy and this step relieves my hair of water weight before I start diffusing.
8. Diffuser ready?
Let’s go. I keep my head forwards and hover the diffuser around my roots to start. Again this is because water is heavy, so drying the roots first prevents them from dragging the rest of your hair down. We want lift right from the roots to create that volume!
I use a medium heat and medium speed to ‘set’ the hair in its high-volume state.
Once the roots are dry, I will start cupping my hair in the diffuser. First I do this with my head forwards and then moving my hair from side to side.
Once my hair is fully dry I will keep my hair forwards for a couple of minutes while it cools.
The combination of great curl products in light formulas with this diffusing technique means that I can achieve MAX volume on my hair.
I would recommend sleeping with your hair in a pineapple to make the volume last until your next wash.
Let me know if you try this method!
Lauren xx