There’s nothing like that Victoria’s Secret bombshell hair look. It’s voluminous, it’s vivacious, and it can be amped up or toned down for an everyday look.

But if your hair is naturally fine, limp, or straight, it can feel impossible to create and hold that showstopping style you see on all of the celebs. What’s a girl to do?

Fortunately, nowadays there are tons of hair products that can help you add texture, encourage bounce, and secure longlasting volume. In fact, it can almost seem like too many products to choose from. Should you reach for a texturizer, a volumizer, a mousse, or a salt spray? Is a finishing spray the same as a hairspray? And is it really possible to get volume overnight?

If it all seems a bit overwhelming to you, you’re not alone. Keep reading as we explore the world of texturizing sprays, how to add volume to fine hair, and how to select the right products for your hair type and needs.

How to Add Volume to Thin or Fine Hair — The Basics

Most volumizing products are targeted to those with fine or thin hair — but remember, there’s a big difference between the two!

As we explained in our Guide to Fine Hair, fine hair describes your hair’s texture, while thin hair refers to the density of the strands on your head. Fine hair strands are smaller in diameter and tend to weak, usually requiring lightweight products and a lighter touch overall. Keep in mind it’s entirely possible to have hair that is both fine and thick, or coarse and thin.

If your hair is thinning but not necessarily fine, you might be able to handle heavier products (especially if your hair is also dry or damaged). Thin hair may also benefit from products designed to plump up your roots, like a mousse or volume spray. (More on these specific products later!)

Of course, you’ll also want to consider your natural texture. If your hair is fine and naturally curly, a styling cream and some handiwork with your diffuser (don’t forget the heat protectant!) may be all you need to coax your hair into a voluminous style. But if your strands are stick-straight and tend to just… hang there… you might need a cocktail of volumizing and texturizing products to achieve your desired look.

And if you have the oh-so-difficult combination of fine and frizzy hair, make sure you have a product that can also reduce frizz and nix flyaways.

Once you’ve defined your hair type, consider a few of these basic tips for adding volume:

1. Start with the “root” of the problem. All volume starts at the root, so grab a volume-boosting shampoo to start your style in the shower. Our Miracle Volumizing Daily Shampoo, for example, frees your hair of residue buildup so its natural beauty and volume can shine! It’s sulfate-free and ideal for delicate, fine, thinning and short hair.
2. If your hair is fine or tends to get oily, make sure to only apply conditioner toward the ends of your hair.
3. If your hair can handle it, try showering and shampooing and night and sleeping with wet hair up in a topknot. Apply your styling products right before going to sleep, and then release and tousle in the morning. (Note: this strategy doesn’t work for all hair types, so test it out on a lazy weekend when you have time to re-style if needed! It’s also not the best for super fine hair, as your strands are prone to breakage — especially if you’re tossing and turning all night.)
4. Amp up your blowdry routine. Flip your hair upside down and direct your hair dryer down starting from your roots. When it’s about 70% dry, stand up straight and use your hands to rough dry. Touch up with a curling iron or flat iron where needed.

Next, let’s talk about some of the specific products on the market meant for adding volume to fine or thin hair.

Salt Sprays and Beach Sprays

Salt spray and beach sprays are usually synonymous, both marketed for a tousled, piece-y style — like you’ve spent the day at the beach, dipping in and out of the surf. These sprays are typically formulated with sodium chloride (salt), which is a natural texturizer that adds grit. But be careful, because salt sprays can be incredibly drying and abrasive. Not a great combo for those of us with super fine hair that’s prone to breakage, or color-treated hair prone to dryness.

Texturizing and Volumizing Sprays

If salt sprays are too drying, look for a texturizing or volumizer that also incorporates hydrating and nourishing ingredients. Sprays are great for straight, fine hair that needs a little root boost (since you can direct it right at your roots) and a bit of grit. Sprays also tend to have a heavier consistency than other products, so look for one that’s specifically formulated to be lightweight if your hair tends to get residue build-up.

• Our Miracle Texture Fiber is great for adding volume to short hair, including pixie cuts and men’s hair. It’s a lightweight, non-greasy paste that guards against frizz while enhancing layers and leaving you with a piece-y, tousled look (without the drying effects of a salt spray!).
• Grab our Miracle Blowdry Volumizer if you’ll be using heat to coax your hair into your desired style. This product decreases your blow drying time and acts as a heat protectant, while also smoothing your hair and eliminating frizz. It’s perfect for fine hair because it’s so lightweight! Spray onto damp hair prior to styling, work it onto your roots and then combing it through to ends.

Volumizing Mousse

Looking for more of a carefree, bouncy, and touchable style? While mousse sometimes conjures up images of crunchy, 80s-style curls, this product has actually come a long way over the years! Most mousses now, like our Miracle Styling Mousse, provide a lightweight, never-crunchy hold with nourishing and strengthening ingredients to boot. Wavy- and curly-haired girls especially should grab mousse for softer, defined curls

Styling Balms and Creams

Remember our tip earlier of sleeping on wet hair and waking up to volume overnight? This trick can create several different looks, including beachy waves, loose bouncy curls, and even a faux-crimped ‘do. But if you want the results to last all day, you’ll need to reach for a styling cream before you hit the sack. Our Miracle Whipped Styling Balm is part cream, part gel, and part mousse, formulated to smooth frizzy hair and soften strands. Apply to damp hair, style as desired, commence beauty sleep, wake up to gorgeous style!

Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo has certainly had its time in the spotlight lately, but it’s important to note the distinction between that and texturizing spray. Dry shampoo is typically formulated to clean — or at least, provide the illusion of clean) hair. Texturizing spray, on the other hand, is ideal for adding grit — something that fine hair usually lacks. So if you’re styling your fine hair in an updo that needs grip to stay in place, you’ll be better off using a texturizing product throughout your locks.

Moreover, fine hair also tends to get oily at the roots. And sometimes, a dry shampoo just doesn’t cut it. You might get an immediate boost, but the results may not last throughout the day. Think: limp, lackluster hair by lunchtime. Everyone’s hair is different, so consider your hair type and experiment with products until you find what works for you.

Heat Protectant

We know, we know… heat styling isn’t the healthiest option for hair. But when you need a little oomph, your blow dryer and curling iron can be your best friend. And that’s ok — just as long as you’re armed with a trusty heat protectant, too! All of It’s a 10’s Leave-In Products, for example, are a great primer for any styling you plan to do.

Finishing Spray

Last but not least, don’t forget the finishing touch! Hairspray or finishing spray is a must-have for fine hair. While the two are similar, think of it this way: a finishing spray doesn’t set right away, so you can still play around with your hair as you’re getting ready. It’s also a great option for reviving second-day hair. With our Miracle Whipped Finishing Spray, for example, you’ll get touchably soft hair that’s never sticky or dull. Plus, we’ve added nourishing and strengthening ingredients for an added boost. And who doesn’t love a double-duty hair product?

Now let’s see that va-va-voom volume! Explore our full collection of salon haircare products here.