The trick hairdressers always use before a blow-dry to boost root volume
Having fine or straight hair can quickly leave your hair looking flat and lifeless. Yet a few well-chosen techniques are often all it takes to transform the result. From drying to styling and everything in between, several habits can add serious volume at the roots and give you a blow-dry that actually lasts.
Start by taking care of your scalp
The first thing to address is the condition of your scalp. Excess sebum tends to weigh roots down and cause hair to fall flat. Finding the right washing frequency is therefore essential.
Factors such as hormonal changes, the wrong products, or even pollution can all affect the way your hair looks. A well-adapted washing routine is the foundation of a light, airy result.
Well-hydrated hair is also more supple and easier to style. Nourishing and repairing treatments help strengthen the hair fibre while preparing it for styling.
Drying: a key step that’s often overlooked
Another frequently underestimated step is drying. Hair is particularly fragile when wet, but it’s also at this moment that volume is created, as the ghd website points out.
A simple trick is to dry your hair with your head tipped forward to naturally lift the roots away from the scalp. Using a high-performance hair dryer at a controlled temperature also makes it easier to set movement into the hair without damaging the fibre.
“It’s also at this moment that volume is created.”
The right products and techniques for a great blow-dry
A tailored routine helps minimise frizz, split ends, and that dreaded flat-root effect. Choosing products that suit your hair type genuinely makes a difference.
The position of your parting can also change the whole look of a style. A centre parting doesn’t suit every hair type. Shifting it slightly to the side, on a diagonal, or even in a zigzag can instantly add more dimension.
For those who want a more dramatic result, volumising products applied directly to the roots are a real asset. Combined with a blow-dry using a round brush, they help create a fuller, denser effect right from the base of the hair.
- Dry your hair with your head tipped forward to lift the roots.
- Use a high-performance hair dryer at a controlled temperature.
- Apply volumising products directly to the roots.
- Blow-dry with a round brush for added density.
- Shift your parting to the side or into a zigzag for more dimension.
Make it last with the right finishing touches
To extend the life of your blow-dry, a light-hold hairspray is often recommended. The goal isn’t to freeze the style in place, but to maintain volume while keeping a natural movement.
Professionals advise very lightly backcombing the roots before gently smoothing the surface of the hair with a finishing brush. This subtle technique adds hold without making the style look artificial.
Voluminous results that anyone can achieve
With the right routine, a few well-chosen accessories, and the correct techniques, it’s possible to achieve a voluminous blow-dry that holds for hours. Even when your hair type doesn’t seem to lend itself to it, the results can be surprising.
That said, no single isolated step will permanently transform your hair. It’s the combination of several habits, from washing to styling, that makes the real difference.
Whether you’re starting with fine, straight, or dull hair, volume techniques are within everyone’s reach. From scalp preparation to the final pass with the hair dryer, every step counts towards a natural, long-lasting result.
