The 15 Best Volumizing Hair Products of 2023

I’ll start off with a warning: This product is not for my air dry girls. But, if you believe in the power of a blow dryer, this mousse is equivalent to hair magic. Use just a few sprays, focusing on the crown of the head and the top layers, and massage it in to distribute the product evenly. Once you whip out a round brush and get all the water out, you’ll be mesmerized by the lift. A bonus? The formula contains an ingredient that safeguards against static and humidity. 

Pros: Lifts root; Great smell; Good for all hair types 

Cons: Needs heat to activate 

Mousse textures aren’t for everyone. If you prefer a mist that you can spritz without a care in the world, reach for this Ouai option. It’s a multi-tasker (we love that) and can add both extra lift at the root and increased body throughout the rest of your hair. In the end, you’ll be left with thicker, fuller-looking hair that has added texture and shine. The body building spray is balanced out with panthenol, an ingredient commonly found in skincare, to keep the hair moisturized. 

Pros: Adds both volume and body; Keeps hair moisturized 

Cons: A little sticky

Day two hair? It typically means your expertly achieved volume from the day prior has faded. That’s where ColorWow comes in and saves the day. The exceptionally lightweight formula can be sprayed right on dry hair for an added boost. Blow drying isn’t necessary, but it will give some extra lasting power. There’s no stickiness or crunchiness, and it’s safe for color-treated hair so your blonde won’t turn brassy. 

Pros: Color safe; Can be used on dry hair 

Cons: Might feel a little sticky

If you know you won’t abide by a multi-product hair routine, keep it simple and efficient with this three-in-one. It’s going to build long lasting body and volume thanks to thickening copolymers, moisturize and strengthen the hair with amino acids, and protect against environmental aggressors with Oribe’s signature complex. The biggest selling point, however, is the added UV and heat protection the formula offers. Just a few sprays and all your hair concerns are covered. 

Pros: Multi-benefit; UV protection; Good for color treated hair 

Cons: Expensive 

“My all-time favorite volumizing product is the  Bb. Thickening Go Big Plumping Treatment. It has all the yummy things, and not much of the stuff I dislike,” says Novick. “I find that my hair will still feel like hair, not tangle too much, and still have a level of shine without being greasy, heavy, or brittle.” How is it able to do it all, you ask? Give some credit to its super-powered formula, which is packed with wheat proteins and starches designed to plump up hair strands without weighing ‘em down.

Pros: Hair stylist-approved; Conditioning 

Cons: Strong scent 

Made with 100 percent clean energy and bottled in recyclable packaging, you can feel good about purchasing this product. And believe me: You’ll feel even better when you’re using it. Fifteen-ish sprays will give insane volume to even the flattest hair types. It quite literally makes the root stand up straighter. To take things to the next level (read: ‘90s supermodel volume) spray a little product in your hand and scrunch through your ends. 

Pros: Recyclable packaging; Adds softness 

Cons: Can be drying

Ingredients are everything and Kerasilk’s can’t be beat. Take this spray for instance, which is focused on both strengthening and volumizing. Its star ingredient is biomimetic silk, which has a mission to protect that hair (especially color treated hair!) from UV rays, pollution, heat styling, and UV damage. Then something called behentrimonium chloride swoops in to remove static. It may sound like no big deal, but the lack of static means lifted, less weighed down hair. 

Pros: Lightweight; Adds shine 

Cons: Tacky

Some volumizers have short lived staying power. You give your hair a healthy coating but 24 hours the next day you’re back to your flat, lifeless starting point. But with Virtue? I promise you’ll have the longest lasting volume. When I use it, I don’t add any additional product for two days. The formula is focused on hydrating the hair, so a mix of a proprietary keratin compound, panthenol, and baobab seed oil (aka a fruit oil that provides shine) create a healthier, stronger foundation. 

Pros: Creates long lasting volume; Strengthens hair 

Cons: Can get sticky

For those who want a stronger hold that has grip, texture, and a bit of stiffness, pay close attention: Maria Nila is for you. It’s non-sticky, but still gives fine hair that grit it needs to stay lifted and full. While blow drying is always an option for an extra oomph, this product is my personal go-to for air-dry days. It gives me a little extra wave, preserves my color (thank you, ColorGuard Complex), and still feels natural. 

Pros: Texturized; Color-safe  

Cons: Can be drying

Celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook used this spray on me this week and when I tell you the results were unbelievable, I mean it. The crown of my head had a solid inch of lift that lasted for a full 72 hours. That’s not an exaggeration—no hair was touching my scalp; it stood straight up. It didn’t have a tacky or stiff texture like some other options, which is my personal preference given my uber-fine texture. 

Pros: Long lasting volume; Lightweight 

Cons: Some say it’s drying 

If anyone knows volume, it’s hairstylist extraordinaire Andrew Fitzsimons. This product is not for the faint of heart—it delivers extreme volume. It’s intended to be used on damp hair and the more you spray the bouncier your blowout will be. Focus on your roots, but don’t shy away from adding a little to your mid-shafts and ends for a comprehensive hold. Just a friendly PSA: You *will* feel this product in your hair once you've blow dried it; it doubles as a texturizer. 

Pros: Intense volume 

Cons: A little gritty 

If you forgot to spray some product or damp hair or the humidity got the best of your volume, don’t worry—Living Proof is a life saver. This particular product was designed for use on dry hair, so you can whip out the bottle anytime your roots need a little pick me up. I personally like to use it right before heat styling because it doubles as a heat protectant. I’m preventing breakage and getting the added, texturizing benefit, which in my book is a win-win. 

Pros: Can be used on dry hair; Heat protecting 

Cons: Product buildup 

I can confidently say that the Sisley-Paris hair care range is just as strong as the brand's skincare. Take this volumizing spray, which has become my do-it-all lifesaver when humidity strikes. I douse my hair in product while its damp, apply heat (with a round brush for extra lift), and go in yet again with some spritzes on dry hair. The formula is packed with volumizing resin and rice brand proteins, which provide a combination of volume and body, as well as pro vitamin B5 to keep the hair shiny as opposed to overly textured. 

Pros: Can be used on damp and dry hair 

Cons: Expensive 

Oil is the enemy of volume, so this volume spray makes sure all that grease is gone. The stars of the show are two minerals which soak up oil to make sure roots have the dryness they need to stay standing up. I’ll be honest though—that can take a bit of shine out of the hair. To counteract those drying effects, the formula is infused with ingredients like calendula and mica to restore hydration and moisture. If you need a little extra love, add some oil to your ends.

Pros: Absorbs oil; Restores shine 

Cons: Can be too textures; Strong smell 

Volume at your roots is great and all, but if you want to ensure that the rest of your length gets the same TLC, reach for this deliciously rose-smelling Christophe Robin mist. It’s extremely lightweight, but still manages to give the perfect extra boost to flat strands. It’s airy and weightless so don’t be afraid to go to town with 20 or so sprays on dry or damp hair. An added bonus? It’s color safe and extremely hydrating. 

Pros: Lightweight; Good for ends 

Cons: Expensive