There’s something effortlessly cool about voluminous hair. If your hair tends to fall flat, get weighed down by products, or just won’t hold volume, you might be wondering how to get fluffy hair.
There’s something effortlessly cool about voluminous hair. If your hair tends to fall flat, get weighed down by products, or just won’t hold volume, you might be wondering how to get fluffy hair.
Getting fluffy hair isn’t just about styling. Proper hair care habits — like using the right shampoo and drying your hair correctly — gives you a great foundation for a healthy-looking, fluffy hairstyle.
We’ve put together a guide on how to get fluffy hair for men. Below, we’ll look at a few strategies for getting fluffy hair. Plus, we’ll give you some tips for maintaining your new look.
The good news is that any hair type can achieve fluffiness with the right approach. However, different hair types may require different techniques.
First, you’ll want to keep your natural texture in mind:
Straight hair tends to lie flat, so achieving fluffiness requires texturizing products, blow-drying, and volumizing techniques.
Wavy hair has some natural movement, making it easier to fluff up with diffusing and light styling products.
Curly hair already has built-in volume, but may need moisturizing hair products to keep frizz at bay while maintaining softness.
Second, you’ll want to consider whether your hair tends to get greasy or dry:
Greasy hair may be weighed down, making it harder to achieve volume. Lightweight products and good hair washing habits are a must.
Dry hair isn’t easily weighed down, but it may look frizzy, so use moisturizing products where necessary.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let's get into some fluffy hair techniques!
From smart styling techniques to a good wash day routine, there are a number of tips and strategies you can employ.
Fluffy hair starts in the shower. Since oil buildup weighs your hair down, it’s important to wash your hair correctly.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should wash your hair based on how often it gets dirty or oily. Generally, it’s a good idea to wash your hair twice or three times a week — less often if you tend to have dry hair.
Here are some wash-day tips for fluffy hair:
Use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. These help add some lift to your hair, giving it more body.
Shampoo your hair at the roots. Focus on lathering the roots of your hair and your scalp to reduce oil buildup.
Condition the lengths of your hair. Too much conditioner at the roots can weigh your hair down, so only apply it to the mid-lengths and ends.
Try clarifying shampoos. If you’re struggling with product buildup or greasy hair, use a clarifying shampoo once a week or so.
As always, it’s a good idea to look for hair products that are formulated for your hair type and texture.
Heat styling is one of the best ways to create long-lasting volume. Blow-drying your hair upside down lifts the roots and sets your hair in place.
Here’s how to do it:
After washing your hair, towel-dry it until it’s damp.
Apply a lightweight volumizing mousse or heat protectant spray.
Flip your head upside down and use a blow dryer on medium or low heat.
Blow out your hair until it’s about 80% dry, and then use a round brush to lift the roots while finishing the drying process.
While heat styling is great, remember not to overdo it. Heat damage can cause significant hair breakage and frizz. Use a medium or low heat setting, and try not to use heat styling every time you wash your hair.
If your hair texture is wavy or curly, using a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer can enhance texture while keeping hair light and fluffy.
Here’s how to do it:
Apply a curl-enhancing cream or light mousse to damp hair.
Use the diffuser and set your hair dryer to a low-heat setting.
Gently scrunch your hair from the tips to the roots as you dry. If it’s easier for you, flip your hair forward.
Once dry, shake out the curls for extra volume.
This method minimizes frizz and maximizes fullness, making it great for men with natural waves or curls.
If you have fine or straight hair, getting volume to stay in place can be tricky. That’s where styling products can come in. Just don’t overdo it — a little goes a long way.
Consider using one or more of the following products:
Texturizing spray or sea salt spray. Adds grip and movement without making your hair stiff.
Volumizing powder. Perfect for lifting the roots while absorbing excess oil throughout the day.
Dry shampoo. Dry shampoo isn’t just good for reducing oiliness on your scalp — it can help give your roots some lift.
Hairspray. Light-hold hairspray can be used to give your look some lift. Plus, they can hold curls and waves in place.
Light-hold styling creams. These can help maintain wavy or curly hair without weighing it down.
On the other hand, you’ll want to avoid very heavy styling products — gels, pomades, and waxes might be great for structured hairstyles, but they can weigh down your hair.
A great haircut can make all the difference when it comes to achieving and maintaining fluffy hair. The right cut adds natural volume, movement, and shape, making styling much easier.
If your current hairstyle feels flat or lifeless, it might be time to visit a barber or stylist who understands how to work with your hair type.
Fluffy men’s hairstyles can include:
Messy quiff. This look can keep volume concentrated at the top, perfect for a full, fluffy messy hair look.
A taper fade with volume on top. If you prefer short hair, this style can keep the sides neat while leaving enough hair on top to style for volume.
Textured crop. This short-to-medium cut with choppy layers will add natural lift and movement.
Layered medium-length cut. These are great for men with wavy or thick hair who want to enhance their natural texture.
Long, fluffy fringe. Whether you have short or long hair, a well-cut fringe can frame your face while giving you a fluffy hair look.
Fluffy layers. Want long hair? Layers are your best friend — they remove excess weight and give you a more feathered look.
A mullet. Once a fashion faux-pas, this now-trendy hairstyle can give you that healthy, fluffy hair look.
When you visit your barber or stylist, ask for:
Layers to remove excess weight and add volume.
A slightly longer length on top for styling flexibility.
Texturizing techniques like point cutting or razor cutting to enhance movement.
A natural, blended fade if you want contrast while keeping volume up top.
A professional stylist or barber can also give you pointers on how to style your hair for added volume.
If you’re dealing with hair loss, you might also want to check out our guide to the best men's hairstyles for thinning hair.
If you’ve struggled with flat hair in the past, you’ll know that getting fluffy hair is just one piece of the puzzle — maintaining that fluffy look is a challenge in itself.
Here are a few tips for keeping your hair fluffy all day:
Brush your hair with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. Avoid fine-tooth combs, which can flatten your style.
Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase. Smooth fabrics reduce friction, which can cause flatness and frizz overnight.
Refresh with dry shampoo or texturizing spray. If your hair tends to look flat or greasy the day after wash day, these products could revive volume.
Trim your hair every 6-12 weeks. Regular trips prevent split ends, which can make hair look limp and frizzy.
Avoid chemical treatments, excessive heat styling, and aggressively combing your hair. These habits can damage your strands, leaving you with frizzy hair that’s harder to style.
Remember — good, consistent hair care habits ultimately pay off!
If you want to learn more, here are some essential men's hair care tips you need to know.
Fluffy hair is easy to achieve with the right routine, but consistency is key. The more you care for your hair, the easier it will be to style and maintain volume.
Keep the following in mind:
Lightweight, volumizing products are your friend. Heavy hair products can weigh your hair down, but lightweight and texturizing products can add lift to your hair.
Heat styling can give your hair body. Try lifting your roots while using a hair-dryer — or, if you have curly or wavy hair, try using a diffuser.
Your haircut makes a huge difference. If you struggle with lifeless, flat hair, you might want to visit the barber.
You might benefit from our volumizing shampoo and conditioner. You could also check out our blog post on how to get thicker hair.
If you notice thinning hair, excessive shedding, or scalp issues, it might be worth consulting a professional. A dermatologist or hair specialist can help identify underlying concerns, whether that means nutrient deficiencies, genetics, or other scalp conditions.
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