Photography by Getty Images
You’ll never worry about limp hair again
Date August 16, 2023
If you’ve ever contemplated a short bob cut, chances are you’ve questioned if you could actually pull it off. Celebs like Hailey Bieber and Zendaya are making the case for the eternally cool style, but if your hair lacks body and volume, going short can prove to be intimidating.
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Don’t get us wrong: mastering a fabulous bob cut isn’t a challenge reserved for fine-haired folk. Product buildup, excess sebum and using the wrong products for your hair type can all contribute to flat, dull strands, even if your hair is thick and textured. To help you on your journey in achieving a bouncy, face-framing bob, we’ve rounded up the best volumizing powders, sprays and leave-ins designed to take short hair to new heights.
DesignMe PUFF.ME Volumizing Treatment Whip
If you tend to shy away from hair masks in fear they’ll weigh your strands down, we’ve got great news for you. DesignMe’s latest launch, the PUFF.ME Volumizing Treatment Whip, provides all the benefits of a hydrating hair treatment minus the heavy feeling. Thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid and hair-strengthening extracts derived from rosemary leaf and bamboo, hair looks and thicker and fuller while still feeling silky-smooth.
Olaplex Volumizing Mist
Cutting down on the amount of products you use can help keep your short bob cut feeling light and airy. Combine heat protection and frizz control with a volumizing blow dry mist, like this option from Olaplex. Safe to use on both wet and dry hair, the shine-enhancing formula speeds up blow-dry time, smooths hair and also smells amazing.
JVN Embody Volumizing Hair Foam
Finally, a mousse that adds fullness without any crunch. JVN’s Volumizing Foam includes clean ingredients like marshmallow root extract to enhance natural hair texture and increase body, while biotin stimulates keratin production to encourage thicker-looking strands. Finally, plant-derived hemisqualane acts as a silicone alternative to nourish the hair sans the sticky residue.
Function of Beauty PRO The Lift Legend Volumizing Hair Goal Concentrate Mix-In
Interested in a full hair routine overhaul? Try out Function of Beauty’s new volumizing concentrate, which is meant to be mixed in with the brand’s lineup of ultra-customizable shampoos and conditioners. Simply add the concentrate into your existing Function of Beauty product, shake it up, and you’ll have extra lift and bounce with every hair wash.
Moroccanoil Volumizing Mist
If your hair is on the extra-fine side, the lighter the texture of a product feels, the better. For those days (or nights) when you need to hold your style in place, try Moroccanoil’s ultra-light volumizing mist. It adds volume at the roots while sealing your look for hours.
Hair Rituel by Sisley-Paris Volumizing Spray
Don’t be fooled by the fine mist, this incredibly luxe volume spray is a total heavy-hitter. Formulated with plant-based ingredients like texture-enhancing boswellia gum, rice bran protein and resin, it works to strengthen hair over time and build volume before heat styling.
Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo Spray
Dry shampoos are known for their ability to bring greasy strands back to life, but this supercharged formula from Batiste takes it to the next level. Formulated with keratin, rice starch and nourishing inca inchi oil, it’s the only product in Batiste’s lineup of dry shampoos that is specifically formulated to add volume. Whip it out when the desire to tease your hair to the high heavens strikes.
Schwarzkopf OSiS+ Dust It Mattifying Powder
Hair on the oily side? Give your locks a matte appearance by dusting roots with Schwarzkopf’s volume-boosting powder, which adds extra hold and plenty of texture. It also makes the hair appear thicker, making it an excellent option for bob cuts.
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray is a classic for adding oomph to hair, and for good reason. This tried-and-true texturizing spray absorbs oil at the roots while adding substantial volume, all while keeping hair touchable, soft and smelling great.
Virtue Volumizing Primer Spray
Start building volume from the get-go with a leave-in pre-styling spray, like this option from Virtue. Keratin, vitamin B5 and hydrolyzed wheat protein work to strengthen hair, leading to a thicker, voluminous appearance without adding heaviness to the hair.
KMS Add Volume Leave-In Conditioner
Thinner, shorter hair doesn’t mean you should skip out on hydrating leave-in conditioners. Swap your usual leave-in cream for a weightless conditioning fluid that adds fullness and shine before you start styling. This option from KMS claims to add 40 percent more volume while also detangling hair.
R+Co Bleu Highest Volumizing Mousse
Score sky-high volume in a flash with a dollop of R+Co’s whipped styling mousse, formulated with styling resins for long-lasting hold. Not only is the vessel undeniably chic, but it’s also made with post-consumer recycled materials to help reduce waste.
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