Are your curls falling flat by midday? Or maybe they’re stuck looking stringy and limp even when your routine feels perfect? I’ve been there—and after years of experimenting with product combinations, techniques, and tools, I’ve narrowed down a few real game-changers for volume.
This post is packed with easy curly hair volume tips—from plopping to root clipping—and how I learned the hard way to avoid certain heavy products. Let’s dive in.
Quick Wins for Curly Hair Volume
Here are 4 simple steps you can start today to get instant lift at the roots and fuller, fluffier curls:
1. Wet Plop After Styling
- Do this right after applying your curl cream and gel
- Wet plop using a plastic shower cap for 5 minutes
- Make sure you’ve squeezed out excess water so it doesn’t drag curls down
- Reference blog all about plopping – read here.
2. Root Clipping While Drying
- Use root clips or volume clips to lift hair at the crown
- This is especially helpful for people with low density or long heavy curls
- Want to learn how? Watch my Root Clipping Tutorial here
3. Trim Split Ends Regularly
- Dead ends weigh your curls down—especially if they’re dry and fraying
- Even a light dusting every 6–8 weeks helps with bounce!
4. Switch to Water-Soluble Products
- Avoid oil-heavy butters or styling creams as your base product
- Use products that dissolve in water and rinse off clean (like aloe-based gels or lightweight creams)
- Volumizing Mousse or Foam are lightweight products that can be applied to damp hair, focusing on the roots to create lift and definition. My fav mousses HERE.
- Not sure which curly hair products are best for your hair? Download this Products Guide ⬇️
What Is Hydro-Oil Weight Fatigue?
This concept changed my routine.
I first heard about hydro-oil weight fatigue from Lorraine Massey (creator of the Curly Girl Method). It describes how layers of oils and butters weigh the hair down, making it look thin and limp—even when it’s actually healthy underneath.
My Story:
In 2018, I used butter-based leave-ins and oils almost daily. My curls were always weighed down. In contrast, by 2020, I had stopped using coconut oil, and I began applying oils sparingly—only to seal after styling. My curls instantly felt lighter, fuller, and more defined.
So if you feel like:
- Your hair has low density
- You’re seeing “bald spots” or gaps
- Curls look limp or undefined
…it might not be hair fall.
You may just need a reset with a clarifying wash and a switch to lightweight, water-based products.
Rethink Your Moisture Layer: Leave-in Tips
Here’s something I always do now, especially when I want defined curls AND volume:
- Dilute or RINSE OUT your leave-in conditioner
- Use the #bowlmethod or #squishtocondish (STC)
- Avoid leaving too much “primer” in before gel—especially if you have fine or low-density hair
How I Style for Volume:
- Flip hair upside down
- Style your hair when it’s damp to help it form and define the curl pattern.
- Apply products about 2 inches away from scalp
- Rake + rope technique to create smaller clumps = more volume
- A deep side part can create the illusion of more volume, especially for thinner hair.
My Volume Tip for Diffusing:
- Bonnet dry for 10 minutes first
- Then diffuse on low heat + low speed for 5 minutes
- Great for enhancing pattern without frizz
- Learn all about diffusing here.
How I Fluff for Volume:
- Use your hands or scalp massage to break the cast at the roots
- Lifts curls and gives instant volume at the crown
Real Product Example: Treluxe Hi! Definition Gel
In one of my tutorials, I show how I used just the Treluxe Hi! Definition Gel to separate chunky curls and add instant volume to flat second-day hair. Watch it here. This gel gives:
- Long-lasting hold
- No crunch
- Great humidity resistance
Want to try it? 👉 Use this link to save 15% on your purchase.
Bonus Volume Hacks
- Layered Cut: A layered haircut can also add volume and fullness to your curls.
- Sleep Protection: Protect your curls while you sleep with bonnet to maintain definition
There’s 87 more tips where this came from—drop them in the comments if you have a holy grail trick that always works for you!
Final Thoughts
Some of us want definition. Some of us want volume. And the truth is—you can have both if your products and techniques align.
If your hair texture is similar to mine (medium to coarse curls), these tips may just give you your best washday ever.
Still struggling? Comment or DM me on Instagram. I’d love to help