YOUR VOLUME QUESTIONS ANSWERED
To help, I’ve created a BIG HAIR GUIDE which answers all the big-hair questions you’ve asked me. It's everything you need to know about adding volume, thickness and fullness to your hair.
Sam x
THE BIG HAIR GUIDE
1. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VOLUMISING AND THICKENING HAIR PRODUCTS?
There is! Hair volumisers are products that have been formulated to make your hair increase in volume and take up more space. Volumisers, like my Cool Girl Superlift, achieve this by creating lift from the root upwards and outwards to give the illusion of all-over fullness and body.
Thickening products, on the other hand, work by expanding the width, thickness, and density of each hair strand – making the hair appear thicker and fuller all over by eliminating the gaps between each hair. My new Cool Girl Care Collection enriched with hero ingredient Voluminis™ is a perfect example: Voluminis™ is a dual-action hair thickening and volumising active that is clinically proven to deliver exceptionally healthy volume, leaving your hair with up to 30% more volume and thickness from the first use, by thickening individual fibres internally, as well as pushing away strands from each other to give natural body.
2. IS THERE A PRODUCT THAT’S VOLUMISING AND THICKENING?
Yes! My one-and-done Cool Girl Volume Foam is a hair volumiser and thickener in one hybrid care/styling product. This revolutionary heat-protecting foam formulated with Voluminis™ plumps each hair strand from within the cuticle, making them thicker, denser, and fuller looking. And, when you blow dry, the Foam creates overall volume and fullness from root to tip.
To get this extra volume boost, blow dry the roots upwards or tip head upside down and blow dry until 80% dry, then flip back and smooth the mid-lengths and ends by blow drying with a hair brush.
3. IS FOAM BETTER THAN MOUSSE FOR VOLUME?
Foams and Mousses are similar products except for their texture. A foam is lightweight – almost weightless – and is easy to apply through the hair evenly. In contrast, a mousse can be a heavier texture – creamier. It all comes down to preference.
4. DOES COOL GIRL TEXTURE MIST ADD VOLUME?
It does, amongst lots of other things! I created Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist so anyone can add effortless volume and texture instantly and access my signature ‘done/undone do'. Mist a few soft layers on your roots and through the crown, lifting the hair upwards or throw your hair upside down and spray into the roots and through the lengths. It's available in a mini format, too, so you can also transform your hair on the go.
5. HOW SHOULD I PREP MY HAIR FOR A VOLUMINOUS LOOK?
Long-lasting volume starts the shower with a lightweight-formulated shampoo and conditioner that won't weigh your hair down. Avoid any deeply hydrating, richly formulated care products and treatment masks and apply your conditioner only to the ends of your hair – avoiding your roots or your Do could fall flat.
6. HOW CAN I ADD VOLUME FAST?
You only need 30 seconds for this! Tip your head upside down and spray my Cool Girl Texture Mist into your roots and through your hair, flip your head back and ‘dah dah’ instant volume and body. Watch Jen embrace her Cool Girl Energy in a matter of seconds here.
If you have five minutes, then focus on the front sections of your hair and the crown – the bits you see. Mist my Cool Girl Superlift onto your roots, grab your hair dryer and a round bristle brush and lift the hair upwards as you apply the heat, smoothing out the ends. Done.
7. HOW CAN I MAKE MY VOLUME LAST?
Start using the proper haircare – as above – and invest in a good quality styling brush. You'll get the best lift with a round bristle brush, but if you can't get the knack of using one – opt for a paddle brush. A good brush will distribute your hair's natural oils from root to tip, gently removing tangles and stimulating your scalp. It won't pull or drag the hair as you style it either.
Apply Cool Girl Superlift to the roots of your hair or Cool Girl Volume Foam all through the hair lengths. Tip your head upside down, directing your hairdryer on your roots blow drying them the opposite way to which they grow. Throw it back, then smooth it while lifting your hair in sections upwards with your brush or fingers until dry. The secret to that supermodel shine is to point the nozzle of the hairdryer down the hair.
If you are using heat styling tools, mist my heat-protecting Modern Hairspray through each section before styling and use it to finish to add that extra staying power to your Do.
8. HOW CAN I GET THE 90s SUPERMODEL VOLUME DO?
Prep your hair using the tips in Question 5, then take the hair into sections and roll each around large Velcro rollers. Once your whole head is in rollers let them cool completely as you do your make-up and get dressed. Remove the rollers at the very last moment, brush through with a bristle brush and set with my Modern Hairspray for staying power and a shine boost.
9. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT VOLUME PRODUCTS ARE THE ONES FOR ME?
The first question to ask yourself is what kind of volume do you want? Are you looking for all-over volume? A root lift at the crown or a light volume boost? The next question is what are you willing to do styling wise? Will you blow dry or are you looking for a quick fix? Knowing the answers to these 2 questions will determine what product(s) you need to use and when.
FOR ROOT LIFT
Spray my award-winning Cool Girl Superlift Volumising Spray onto your damp or dry roots for a day after refresh and blow dry, lifting the hair upwards with your fingers or styling brush. Perfect for long lengths or hair that falls flat.
SUPERSIZE YOUR DO. SUPERSIZE YOUR CURLS.
Mist my Easy Up-Do Texture Spray through dry hair in sections before backcombing the hair lightly at the roots for the ultimate long-lasting big-volume 'Do.
ALL OVER BIG HAIR ENERGY
If you have time to blow dry, my weightless heat-protecting Cool Girl Volume Foam does it all – root to ends va-va-volume and can transform even the finest hair into a big deal Do whilst leaving it soft and touchable.
After some more inspo? Check out our answers to all your Volume questions here, and take a look at our TUTORIALS page for all the tips and tricks from #TeamMcKnight.
DISCOVER THE POSSIBILITIES WITH OUR FULL STYLING COLLECTION.
Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist
Cosmopolitan's Best Dry Volume Spray 2023
Cool Girl Volume Cleanse Shampoo
Marie Claire's Best Volumising Shampoo 2024
Modern Hairspray Styling Mist with Heat Protection
Awarded Best Hairspray 2023