How Does Volumizing Shampoo Work? Is It The Way Big, Flowy Locks?

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With the trend for curly, pouty, and fluffy hair all over social media, it is fair to say that big hair is back with its bold and bouncy self. But for those of us with straight, thin, fine, and limp hair, this current trend can seem completely out of reach, unless we choose to go permanent with a costly perm.

Big hair envy is a real thing!

So what can you do if you covet the added bounce that naturally thick and beautiful hair can bring? Well, have you heard of volumizing shampoo? How does volumizing shampoo work?

In this article, we share the secrets!


Contents

How Does Volumizing Shampoo Work?

BIOLAGE volumizing shampoo

Whereas normal shampoos work to simply cleanse dirt and oil away from your hair and scalp, volumizing shampoos add something different. They are formulated to clean, as well as help limp and thin hair appear fuller and thicker.

This is because volumizing shampoos use ingredients like wheat, rice, silk, and amino acid proteins to make your hair strands stronger.

Your hair, which is made mostly of keratin protein, binds with these other natural proteins to expand the hair’s cuticles to make them look thicker and fuller.

So, if you are looking to improve the texture of your hair, then look out for a protein-rich shampoo to provide it with more body.

Your hair, which is made mostly of keratin protein, binds with these other natural proteins to expand the hair’s cuticles to make them look thicker and fuller.

You might also find collagen listed in the ingredients as well. Collagen works to repair the cellular structure of your strands, boost their elasticity, as well as reduce the chance of hair breakage.

Volumizing shampoo will also help to control the production of sebum on your scalp to reduce oiliness, which weighs your hair down and makes it appear flat and limp.

To give your hair this bouncer feel when it’s dry, volumizing shampoo also often contains a humectant called panthenol which is a non-toxic variant of vitamin B5. It increases moisture absorption of your hair strands so that they appear “plumped up”.

Other humectant ingredients that may be contained in volumizing shampoos include glycerin, propylene glycol, biotin, plant extracts, and other B vitamin complexes, which work to promote hair growth to give the appearance of a thicker head of hair.


Pump Up The Volume

There is a red flag to watch out for with regard to volumizing shampoo, though. So before you click the Buy It Now button, be sure you know what you’re doing.

It may come as a complete surprise (it did to us!), but using some volumizing shampoos on a regular basis will actually make your hair thinner.

Wait what?

Yes, you read that right!

It may come as a complete surprise (it did to us!), but using some volumizing shampoos on a regular basis will actually make your hair thinner.

Some volumizing shampoos also contain ingredients that can cause damage to your hair. For example, if they include paraffin, talc, or beeswax, the buildup of these ingredients can weigh your hair down over time. They can not only make your hair look limp, but they can lead to breakage.

And surfactants like sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, which generate foam and are used as cleaning agents, are harsh ingredients that will be damaging to your hair in the long run — especially if you shampoo your hair every day.

Some volumizing shampoos contain thickening resins that won’t rinse out after cleansing. These resins stick to your hair strands, causing product buildup.

They are designed that way. So while your hair may feel more voluminous to begin with, this is only temporary and won’t last for long.

Some volumizing shampoos contain thickening resins, which won’t rinse out after cleansing. These resins stick to your hair strands, causing product buildup.

This means that using volumizing shampoos shouldn’t be used every day, especially if you have dry hair to begin with. The ingredients used to thicken and add volume can build up over time when they are massaged into your scalp, which can eventually block your hair follicles and cause inflammation.

If you do have to wash your hair daily, then alternate washes between your normal shampoo, and the volumizing shampoo you choose to use.

Love Beauty And Planet Vegan Biotin: Vegan Biotin and Sun-Kissed Mandarin Shampoo 

Love Beauty and Planet Sulfate-Free Shampoo Vegan Biotin & Sun-Kissed Mandarin Deep Cleanse, Hydrate, Strengthen, Volumize & Shine 5-in-1 Multi-Benefit Nourishing Shampoo 32 oz
  • OUR HAIR CARE PROMISE: infused with...
  • 5-in-1 MULTI-BENEFIT SHAMPOO: this...
  • YES Safe for Colored hair, YES...
  • NOURISHING SHAMPOO FORMULA WITH 6 FREE...
  • 97% NATURALLY DERIVED SHAMPOO: this...

One volumizing shampoo that will be a healthier alternative is Love Beauty And Planet Vegan Biotin: Vegan Biotin and Sun-Kissed Mandarin Shampoo. Not only is it free from sulfates and parabens, but also phthalates and dyes.

Its 97% naturally derived ingredients combine to give your hair five rejuvenating benefits, including providing hydration, creating visible fullness, and shine with its added coconut oil.

And its delicious zesty scent will benefit all hair types looking to boost volume.  


Natural Alternatives to Volumizing Shampoo

Using a volumizing shampoo isn’t the only way to boost the volume of your hair. There are also a few ways that you can create bounce and the appearance of fullness without subjecting your hair to volumizing ingredients and buildup.

For example, you can create the illusion of fuller hair by putting your hair up into a top knot when you sleep and spraying it with hair spray like Giovanni 2Chic Ultra-Volume Big Body Hair Spray , which will maximize volume and provide long-lasting hold.

GIOVANNI 2chic Ultra-Volume Big-Body Hair Spray - Daily Volumizing Formula with Papaya & Tangerine Butter, Promotes Weightless Control for Fine Limp Thin Hair, No Parabens, Color Safe - 5 oz
  • FIRM HOLD: Our hair spray maximizes hair...
  • BIG VOLUME: Powered by our exclusive...
  • COLOR SAFE: GIOVANNI 2chic Ultra-Volume...
  • VEGAN FRIENDLY - GIOVANNI products use...
  • ECO CHIC - GIOVANNI has been bridging...

Containing organic fruit extracts like tangerine and papaya, this sulfate and paraben-free spray is especially effective on fine and thin hair.

It’s also color safe and vegan, and when you take your top knot down in the morning, you’ll be left with bouncy curls and waves that rock.

You can also try blow drying your hair upside down and then giving it a spritz of this spray while still upside down to create a fuller look. Or you can try using hot rollers to give your hair a boost, also adding some 2Chic Ultra-Volume Big Body Hair Spray before taking them out.

You can also try blow drying your hair upside down and then giving it a spritz of this spray while still upside down to create a fuller look.

Some hair sprays aren’t great for your hair, but if you choose carefully and work creatively with it, you can achieve a lot!


Conclusion

So, now you know how volumizing shampoo works to give your hair a bouncier appearance. But you also have a few other options that will also help you to create a fuller volume look.

If you choose the volumizing shampoo route, though, just make sure the ingredients don’t contain too many harsh chemicals. You may start with tons of volume, but end up with limp, sad hair.

Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).