Struggling to Volumise Your Fine Hair? Follow This AB Staffer’s Routine

The hair-related conundrum I’ve never been able to solve is how to get my flat, oily hair to stop looking so flat and oily!

I’ve tried a lot of different hair products in my years working at Adore Beauty so it’s time I write a few words to help out any fine-haired friends out there.

I recently gave my hair the big old chop and it’s just as important as ever to keep it clean and floaty so it doesn’t look like I was rained on.

Normally it takes less than 12 hours and my freshly washed hair will be a greasy, flat, sad mess, so here are the products I’ve been using that extend my ‘do for a little longer.

1. Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub.

What: Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub

The first step to unflatten your hair is to give your scalp the best clean of its life.

When browsing shampoos, look for words like 'clarifying', 'purifying' or 'scrub' to lift all of the oil, dirt, sweat and other grit from the scalp.

The Christophe Robin scrub is an AB staff favourite and for good reason!

It’s beautifully bougie with a fancy little tub and an intense smell - but it works wonders as a first cleanse!

The trick is to foam it up in your hands with a little water first, then massage it around the scalp before washing it off.

2. Virtue Flourish Shampoo.

What: Virtue Flourish Shampoo for Thinning Hair 240ml

Your second shampoo is where you can treat your individual hair concerns.

This can be anything from dandruff to breakage to colour, but for the purpose of this article, I’m focusing on volume.

I’m a fan of the Flourish range by Virtue as it’s made for thinning hair - which means if you have fine hair it won’t weigh it down.

It contains Virtue’s patented Alpha Keratin 60ku that works to repair and strengthen the hair, as well as rice extracts to moisturise the hair.

The best part about this shampoo (other than the fact it leaves fine hair super clean and floaty) is the delicious scent, which in my opinion kinda smells like musk stick lollies I had as a kid.

3. Virtue Flourish Conditioner.

What: Virtue Flourish Conditioner for Thinning Hair 200ml

Since I have a bob, I’ve found that I don’t really need conditioner anymore, so it’s not part of my routine.

BUT if you have longer hair that is a bit on the drier side, I’d recommend the matching Virtue Flourish conditioner.

Remember to use a really small amount and only apply it on the ends, the more product you slather on your hair, the heavier and flatter it can become.

More of a visual learner? Watch as our Senior Beauty Editor and I breakdown my haircare routine in detail below.

4. Davroe Thermaprotect.

What: Davroe Thermaprotect 200ml

Leave-ins are great for many reasons, such as detangling, hydrating and protecting the hair, but you have to err on the side of caution if you have very fine hair.

I know a few other AB staffers who have fine hair that love an oil like the Kerastase Elixir, but I personally haven’t been able to find a hair oil that doesn’t make my hair look greasy.

Even so, heat damage exists and it’s important to protect your hair so I’d recommend the Davroe Thermaprotect.

It’s Australian-made, very lightweight and at a great price point.

However, if you have especially knotty hair and want to detangle it, go for the KEVIN.MURPHY UN.TANGLED Leave In Conditioner, which is both a heat protectant and a leave-in conditioner.

5. Silver Bullet Genesis Hot Air Brush.

What: Silver Bullet Genesis Hot Air Brush 32mm

Since cutting my hair into a bob, I’ve actually been able to *sort of* style my hair with my hair dryer and a round brush.

But when I had longer hair - no bloody chance.

So if you want some assistance styling your hair, a hot brush is where it’s at!

Let it air-dry for 5-10 minutes until it’s more damp than wet, then use a wide-toothed comb to detangle it before using your hot brush.

The trick is to gather your hair in the tool and brush upwards towards the sky, which should give a bit of volume to your roots. Then style the ends however you like them.

(Alternatively, if you have straight hair, curling your hair is one of the easiest ways to add volume! Any curling wand or hair straightener can do the trick if you have the skills!)

If you want your style to last, hairspray is your friend.

6. NAK Hair Dry Texture Spray.

What: NAK Hair Dry Texture Spray 150g

Now this is where I typically finish my routine and start my day, but if you’re looking for something to add a bit more volume or keep your style in, you might like a texture spray.

The NAK Dry Texture Spray will do the trick.

It has great hold and will add a little bit of something-something to your hair.

Just lift your hair and spray it onto your roots, then style your hair however your heart desires.

7. R+Co Skyline Dry Shampoo Powder.

What: R+Co Skyline Dry Shampoo Powder

Dry shampoo is an obvious one for second, third, and fourth-day hair onwards.

Here’s a trick I learnt from filming videos for our YouTube channel: spray dry shampoo before it gets super oily.

Say you wash your hair in the morning, before you go to bed that night, spray some R+Co Dry Shampoo, massage it into your scalp, go to beddy-byes and you should find your hair isn’t as disastrously greasy as it usually is the next day.

Side note for something different, this specific dry shampoo is a powder, not an aerosol. Very cool!

Final Thoughts.

Some final tips, make sure you’re washing your products off properly in the shower.

Especially if your water pressure is as weak as mine, you might need some extra time rinsing all the shampoo off so that your hair is super clean.

And less is more!

When applying leave-ins and texture products, start small so you don’t go overboard and weigh your hair down straight away.

Best of luck getting that va-voom!

Looking for more tips for volumising fine hair? Here are a few Beauty IQs we prepared earlier:

• These AB Staffers Share Their Voluminous, Bouncy Hair Routines

• Got Fine, Flat Hair? This $100 Hot Air Brush Was Made for You

• How To Start a Basic Haircare Routine Based on Your Hair Goals