First, What Is Fluffy Hair Exactly?

It’s easy to explain what fluffy hair is, because it is exactly how it sounds. It’s important to note that fluffy hair looks effortless, has a lot of movement to it, and displays minimal frizz. Picture the latest conditioner commercial you saw or that TikToker that made you jealous of their long, healthy strands—we’re emulating that!

“Fluffy hair is that light, airy look that's full of volume and bounce. It's like those perfect hair days when your locks just seem to have a life of their own, in a good way! Fluffy hair is often soft to the touch and has a natural, effortless vibe to it,” says Ryan Pearl, celebrity stylist at IGK Salon in Miami, Florida.

It can be achieved in so many different ways by using volumizing products like mousse, sea salt spray, or even a braid balm. Also, the right hot tools and holding techniques make all the difference when blow-drying your hair and adding intentional curls or waves back into it.

“It’s a way of styling your hair to add fullness, layered cuts, and face framing. Adding the right products to these styles will result in full, fluffy hair,” adds Stephanie Angelone, master stylist at RPZL Hair Extension & Blowout Bar in New York City.

How Does It Differ From Frizzy Hair?

The biggest difference between frizzy hair and fluffy hair? Fluffy hair is used to create volume and sometimes even enhance your natural texture. It’s intentional and smooth thanks to the right styling techniques, and it leaves your tresses looking shiny and super healthy.

“Fluffy hair has volume, but your strands look shiny, smooth, and healthy, with just a hint of texture. Frizzy hair, on the other hand, looks dry and your strands look crispy. Frizzy hair also has volume, but it looks messy and is unmanageable,” explains Gigi Pogosyan, master hair colorist and founder of Balayage By Gigi in Los Angeles.

Frizzy hair is often a bit unmanageable as well, created or induced by hair tangles and humidity. “Frizzy hair can feel rough and dry, and the texture might seem a bit unruly. Frizz tends to happen more when your hair is lacking moisture or when it's exposed to humid conditions,” adds Pearl. Fluffy hair is not unruly or a hard-to-manage hairstyle; rather, it’s polished and intentional.

How to Get Fluffy Hair

1. Blow-Dry Upside Down

By flipping your head upside down and using your blow dryer in this position, you can create instant volume at the roots. Use a round brush while blow-drying to lift the hair and add body.

Try techniques like blow drying and using a backcombing brush. “I like The Ultimate Teaser Backcombing Hair Brush from TANGLE TEEZER to add lift at the roots, or using volumizing products that give your hair that extra oomph,” explains Pearl.

2. Reach for Volumizing Products

Incorporate volumizing products into your hair-care routine, such as mousses, sprays, or powders. Apply these products at the roots or throughout your hair to add texture, lift, and volume.

3. Tease at the Roots

Gently backcombing the hair at the roots using a fine-tooth comb can provide instant lift and volume. Be careful not to cause damage by being too harsh or aggressive with the teasing.

“Teasing, or backcombing, is a great way to add height and volume to your hair. To tease your hair, take a small section and hold it straight up, then comb toward your scalp. Lastly, if you want to add texture, texture spray is a great product to use to give you a more lived-in look,” says Pogosyan.

4. Use Velcro Rollers Hair Rollers for Added Volume

Hair rollers can help add volume and body to your hair. Opt for velcro rollers, as they provide a gentle grip without the need for pins or clips. Leave them in for a short period to create beautiful, bouncy curls and voluminous hair.

5. Use a Proper Brushing Technique

Use a large round brush when blow-drying your hair, focusing on lifting the roots to create volume. Additionally, brushing your hair upside down with a paddle brush to detangle can help add extra fullness.

6. Apply Lightweight Styling Products

Avoid using heavy or greasy hair products, as they can weigh down your hair and make it appear flat. Instead, reach for lightweight formulations that add volume without sacrificing texture. Be careful with hydrating hair products or heat-styling products, as your hair might be too thin to absorb all that extra hydration.

“For taming frizz, it's all about keeping your hair hydrated and using products that smooth the cuticle, like serums or leave-in conditioners,” says Pearl.

7. Be Intentional With Dry Shampoo 

Dry shampoo is a quick and easy way to add volume to your hair and enhance natural curls or wavy hair by refreshing your roots. Spray it at the roots to absorb excess oil, create texture, and give your hair that desired fluffy look.

8. Try Specific Cutting Techniques

Speak to your hairstylist about incorporating layers into your haircut. Layers can add movement, texture, and volume to your hair, making it appear more fluffy and voluminous.

“After the cut is done, you want to achieve volume. This can easily be done by adding volumizing products, like RPZL Volumizing Powder, to dry hair. The sphere of powder then activates—building volume quickly and easily to create height at your root and body throughout your hair. This results in full-bodied ‘fluffy’’ hair,” explains Angelone.

Remember, achieving fluffy hair is about experimenting with different techniques and finding what works best for your hair type and desired style.

“To keep up your fluffy hair, using a satin or silk pillowcase can help prevent friction and tangles in your hair while you sleep, which can help to keep it fluffy and free of frizz,” says Pogosyan.

With a little practice and the right products, you can transform your hair into a beautiful, voluminous masterpiece. Just keep practicing using your round brush and hair dryer, and soon enough you’ll be creating your own salon-worthy blowouts.

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