Flat Hair: Why It Happens And How To Pump Up The Volume

Don’t let flat hair get you down. It's possible to fight the flat with the right products at your disposal.

We spoke to Eric Pfalzgraf, French Kérastase and Shu Uemura Art of Hair stylist, for his insight on the tips and tricks to change your hair game for good. Whether you have dark brown hair or dirty blonde hair, pay attention to these tips.

Flat hair be gone—bring on the volume.

A cut above the rest.

A one-length, long hairstyle can have the unfortunate side effect of making your hair look the two dreaded F-words: finer and flatter. A lot of length can weigh down your locks, while a one-length style minimizes depth. Sometimes it’s better to go for a mid-length or short cut.

Before you go for a dramatic cut, bear in mind that there's a lot going on behind the scenes.

“Cutting hair does not necessarily provide volume," Pfalzgraf says. "A too-pronounced gradient can even have the opposite effect—you have to sculpt the hair."

Sculpting can be achieved in the form of layers to make the texture bouncier for maximum movement. Your stylist will be able to provide personalized recommendations that suit your texture and hair type, helping you fight the flatness.

Color me voluminous.

Surprisingly, it’s also possible to create the look of more volumized flat hair with strategic color choice and placement. Carefully-positioned color can transform your hair into a fuller style, using contrast to create dimension. This can be achieved with highlights, lowlights, and babylights.

You not only get beautiful hair color but also volumize your hair at the same time. Who said you can’t have your cake and eat it, too?

 

Style it right.

Styling your tresses is a big part of upgrading your locks from flat to where it’s at. Our pro has some tips on where to start.

“The more you blow dry hair, the thinner it can look," Pfalzgraf explains. "The less heat you apply to the hair, the more voluminous it looks.”

It’s time to keep heat out of reach and embrace your natural locks and air dry your hair as much as possible.

If your hair falls on the curlier spectrum, Pfalzgraf has some advice for you.

“It’s important to define the curls, which provides a controlled density,” he adds.

Next up, it’s dry shampoo’s time to shine. You should know that your dry shampoo can be used for refreshing hair between washes. This multitasking product also adds new life to flat hair.

Our resident pro Pfalzgraf explains how to do this in three easy steps:

"First, apply dry shampoo to the roots. Then, with your head down, work the strands starting at the nape of the neck. Finally, move up to the top of the head."

Just like that, you'll be seeing a newly lively mane.

 

Care for flat hair.

Using the right products is essential when it comes to flat hair.

“It all depends on your hair’s tendency to become greasy, but it is important to adapt your shampoo to how often you wash your hair," Pfalzgraf says. "For fine hair, it’s a better idea to go for a gentle shampoo."

It’s essential to avoid overly-rich shampoos if you’ve got fine locks, as the formulas can weigh your mane down. We recommend Kérastase Bain Densité Shampoo, a bodifying shampoo for hair visibly lacking density.

When in doubt, consult your stylist before making any big product switches. Make flat hair a thing of the past with these pro tips.

Interested in cut or color customized for flat hair? Use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.

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