“The higher the hair, the closer to heaven.” Although there is such a thing as too much volume (think 60’s hair!), I think curly hair looks gorgeous with lots of volume! When I first started my curly girl journey, my hair didn’t have a lot of volume. But, after I started to embrace my natural texture, it blossomed. And I also learned several techniques for increasing volume. Whether you have type 2 waves or type 4 coils, volume will make your hair appear full and healthy. In this post, we’ll explore easy ways to get more volume in your curly hair.

Here are 9 key ways to get more volume in curly hair.

1. Try root clipping.

As we discussed in the chapter on styling techniques, root clipping will train your roots to stand at an angle instead of lying down flat. Here’s a quick recap of how to do it..

You’ll need jaw clips, duckbill clips, or single prong clips. Bobby pins will not work as they do not hold enough hair. First, lean your head to one side so that your hair hangs away from your face. Take a small section of hair. Next, create an “O” as you reach your arm around your head. Insert the clip at the base of your roots, perpendicular to the hair clump. Continue until you have done your whole head. You’ll need to switch arms for the other side of your head. Leave the clips in for 10-20 minutes and then remove them.

2. Wash and style upside down.

If you want more volume, try washing your hair upside down. But, if you worry about getting products in your eyes or on sensitive skin, you can wash your hair in a sink or tub instead of washing it in the shower.

You can also try styling your hair upside down. After you have finished applying products, be sure to scrunch the hair from all directions (if you’re not plopping). Tilt your head from side to side and scrunch some more! This will ensure that your curls don’t look weird when you flip your head upright.

Note: If you wash your hair right side up, know that the way you part your hair when washing will affect your volume when it dries.

I have found that, if I wash my hair with a deep side part to the right, the crown will be more flat if I part it to the right when dry. So, instead, I’ll part it the opposite way…to the left side.

3. Diffuse your curls for more volume.

Another simple way to increase volume is diffusing. Why does this work so well?

When you air dry your curls, they tend to be weighed down by the weight of the water. This is especially true if you have fine hair, wavy hair, or low density hair.

When you diffuse, you are removing the water more quickly. This allows your curls to spring up and be more full and bouncy. Read more in this article on diffusing: How to Diffuse Curly Hair

4. Use a root pick.

Many curly girls like to use a root pick to increase the volume of their dry curls. To do this, flip your head forward. Insert the pick at the nape of your neck and gently push it forward and upward into your hair. Stay close to the scalp and avoid picking the ends or the top layer. This will cause unwanted frizz.

Next, shake out your hair, and gently use the pick to create volume around the crown. Insert the pick and pull it gently upward for a few inches. Repeat the same process throughout the crown and around your face.

If you have any particularly flat spots, insert the pick there and gently pull upward. You can also use your fingers to fluff a little more if desired. Just insert your fingers at the roots and wiggle them from side to side.

5. Get a trim.

If your curls are lacking volume, it may be time for another trim. Just ask your hairdresser for a dusting, i.e., a very short trim of the ends. Or, you can do a self-trim at home (read the chapter on haircuts for more on that).

A trim will aerate your ends, allowing more oxygen into the strands. This will encourage faster growth and allow your curls to spring up more.

6. Flip your part.

While drying your hair, flip your hair from side to side every 15-20 minutes (if possible). This will help your curls dry with more volume.

If you wake up with limp hair, you can do exactly the same thing. Try parting your hair with a deep side part. If one side looks more voluminous than the other, part it to that side. Or, if you usually part it to the side, try parting it in the center. It may have even better volume! 

7. Pineapple (during the day).

If you are at home or another casual situation, and you want to quickly add some volume, put your hair into a high, fairly tight pineapple for 20 minutes. Then, take it out. Voila! You’ll have lots of extra volume.

8. Clarify regularly.

If your hair looks flat and weighed down, it may be time to clarify your curls. How often you should clarify depends on your curl type, porosity type, and how much product you normally use. I generally rotate a gentle clarifying shampoo with a co-wash to avoid buildup, because I have low porosity hair. If you live in an area with hard water or swim in a chlorinated pool regularly, you may need to clarify weekly. Experiment until you find a balance that works for you.

9. Switch your products.

If you want more volume, you can also try switching out your products. Instead of a hard hold gel, try a lightweight mousse. Instead of a heavy curl butter, try a lighter curl cream. Cut down on how many products you use, and see if your curls bounce back with even more volume!

Also, I highly recommend using a variety of brands and products. Avoid using only one brand for an extended period of time.

Why is this important? First, your curls can adjust to the products you are using and actually start looking worse, not better. The other potential problem is that certain ingredients can build up on your hair and scalp over time. Or your scalp may develop an allergy to certain ingredients if they are overused.

In early 2020, there was a huge fiasco in the Curly Girl world around a very popular, high end curly brand. Women who had used this brand exclusively for years claimed that it caused hair loss, infertility, breast cancer, hair damage, and more. I haven’t investigated the claims, but it must have been extremely upsetting for them.

Personally, I used a gel from this brand for over a year with no negative side effects. But I rotated it with other gels and didn’t use it exclusively. If there were indeed harmful ingredients, I must not have absorbed enough to cause any damage to my hair.

Just as we need to eat a variety of foods in order to avoid developing allergies, we should use a variety of products for our hair. Don’t limit yourself to just one brand. Instead, experiment with a variety of brands and products. You can check out some of my favorite Curly Girl Products here. Over time, this strategy will help you grow healthier curls.

Let’s Chat:

What are your favourite tips for getting volume in curly hair? I recommend washing and styling upside down and diffusing your curls for more volume. You can also try pineappling during the day, root clipping, and root picking. And, don’t forget to switch up your products periodically and clarify your curls regularly to avoid buildup. 

p.s. Some of the items in this post are affiliate links. I only post about products that I love + think you’ll probably love, too! As an Amazon Associate or affiliate for other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase through my link, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you SO much for your support!