by Bridget Webber

Created on: April 26, 2007   Last Updated: October 14, 2010

If you have fine hair, or even thick, straight long hair, you may feel you want your tresses to appear to have more volume and body. Long hair can be heavy, causing it to look flat, and thin hair can be flyaway, lacking bounce and texture. You can effectively pump up the volume of your hair by cutting, or styling it in ways designed to add fullness..

One of the easiest ways to create volume is to opt for curls. Curly hair adds width and height to a hairstyle, and can be achieved by using large rollers or hair tongs. Short curly hair is an instant volumiser. If you wish to add mainly height, try a bun hairstyle placed high up on your head, and add flowing ringlets from sections left especially for this purpose., This is a particularly lovely style for a bride on her wedding day.

Another tip that's fast to carry out is to use hairspray, or volumizing spray, at the roots of your hair while you hold your head upside down. Then wait a few seconds for the product to begin to dry before standing up straight.

Likewise, applying hair thickening lotion to the first few centimeters of hair closest to your scalp, and drying it with your hairdryer, can add instant lift and volume to hair.

If you have a few moments more than that to spend on adding volume, with a comb, work from the roots at back-combing your hair. It's best not to overdo this, unless aiming for a beehive hairstyle! Also, always use a plastic comb, as metal combs can badly damage your hair.

If you have plenty of time go to a hairdressing salon and ask a professional to show you how to add the volume that you want. You may be told that by having layers cut into your hair, you can create a much fuller looking hairstyle that would work well for you. Your hairdresser can give you advice about the best products to use, as well as tips on how to achieve the look you desire.

Remember too, that many chemist shops and health stores carry products especially for creating volume. Some products need to be massaged into hair, while others are sprayed on, before or after hairstyling.

If your hair is especially thin you may like to check you're in good health by asking your doctor. He, or she, will be able to give you dietary advice to help you, or send you to a specialist if necessary. Hair loss and balding can be due to hereditary factors also, but there are ways to make hair appear fuller.

If you suffer from a lack of hair, you can have extensions woven into a mesh that fits invisibly onto your scalp. This method of adding volume may take some time to create, but will be easy to care for, and last for plenty of time before needing any extra attention.

Finally, a little trick to add the illusion of volume to a hairstyle is by the addition of cleverly placed hair ornaments for a special event or evening out, or clip on extensions. You can cover the clips themselves with pretty hair jewelery.

It's possible to give volume to hair, even if it's especially fine, by using creative hair accessories, styling, and by choosing a haircut aimed especially for making hair appear full and healthy.

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