How To Get Fluffy, Voluminous Hair: 6 Easy Steps, From Top Hairstylists

Call it the '90s effect, but fluffy hair is back in action. It seems every time I open up my TikTok app, I come across some user instructing the masses on how to achieve glossy, voluminous locks. Nostalgic beauty is certainly on-trend—and with the resurgence of glossy lips, icy shadow, and (gasp!) skinny brows, it's no surprise that the big '90s blowout is making a comeback. 

That said, you don't necessarily need to grab the blow dryer to nail the bouncy look. At its core, fluffy hair is really just healthy, moisturized hair (with the help of some expert-approved styling tricks). Here, we asked the pros for a step-by-step guide. 

Here's how to get fluffy hair—both with and without hot tools: 

As any hair expert will tell you: A great style starts in the shower. If you're after definition, use curl-enhancing shampoos and conditioners; if you'd like to focus on hydration, grab a moisturizing set. And if you're gunning for a fluffy, bouncy 'do—consider volumizing formulas your new best friends. 

Especially if you have finer hair that tends to appear flat at the root, a volumizing shampoo can lift your strands, create the illusion of fullness, and give your mane much more body. Of course, you don't want to forget about hydration entirely (remember: Fluffy hair appears soft and weightless, so moisture is key). You'll want to use a nourishing leave-in conditioner post-rinse, ideally one that smooths and softens without weighing down the strands. 

Next up: "Towel dry and apply a volumizer," says Matos. "This will help lift the roots and add hold to the body of the hair. Spray at least 8 to 10 inches away from the roots." Depending on your hair's texture, you may want to towel-dry your locks a bit before spritzing. As hairstylist Anthony Dickey once told us about applying stylers post-shower: "If you put product on when it's sopping wet, it's just going to be flatter." (On the flip side, if frizz is a main concern for you, it's best to slide in a styler as soon as you can so you can seal in as much moisture as possible.) 

If you do opt for the towel-dry, "be careful and be gentle with your locks, and use a microfiber towel," says Fitzsimons. "We often forget how fragile our hair is!"  

Now, for the main event, you'll want to use a blow dryer. Before even thinking about picking up a hot tool, make sure to give your damp hair a good spritz with heat protectant (find our favorites here). Then separate your hair into sections: The specific number of sections will depend on how much hair you have, but if volume is your goal, taking relatively larger sections of hair will offer more bounce (smaller, concentrated sections tend to lie flatter). 

"I like starting with three sections—one on each side at each temple and one in the front," Dickey previously told mbg about blow-drying hair. You can also add a fourth section at the crown and perhaps one or two extra in the back if needed. Matos prefers using a boar bristle round brush for the blow-dry, as it can create more tension (and, therefore, lift) while preventing breakage. 

If you'd like to stick to an air-dry, that's perfectly fine—feel free to skip this step and head straight for the setting tip below. 

Consider rollers your secret weapons for fluffy hair. To achieve a bouncy look that lasts, you'll need to set the hair while it's still hot. Reach for Velcro options, as these rollers tend to have a wider diameter, which gives you that fresh, just had a blowout mane (while sponges or flexirods often result in tighter ringlets). 

You can also do this with an air-dry: "Towel dry your hair very carefully, and wet-set your hair with Velcro or silicone rollers," advises Fitzsimons (wet-setting with rollers is a great way to manipulate and enhance your natural curl pattern without using heat). As always, make sure to place the pins or clips gently in your hair; you never want the rollers to tug or pull at the strands. 

"Once your hair is set in rollers, spray a light hairspray," says Matos. "Set the blow-dryer on cool and apply to each roller." The shot of cool air will further set the look, especially if you opt for an air-dry. "Once it's cool, take out the rollers, flip your head upside down, and apply more hairspray," adds Matos. "Use your fingers to shake [out] the roots while applying the hairspray. Flip your head back, and you're all set." 

Just know that the longer you wait to shake, the more definition you'll have. If you shake the roots too early, your fluffy hair may fall. It's a delicate dance, as everyone's hair is different—find the wait time that works best for you! 

If you've reached this point, you now likely sport a head of fluffy, '90s-inspired hair. Sweet! To maintain the look for as long as possible, both Matos and Fitzsimons recommend investing in a silk or satin pillowcase. "This will help keep the hair intact throughout the night without tugging or damaging your strands," Fitzsimons explains. 

To really give the volume some staying power, Matos suggests flipping your head upside down and creating a loose, top-knot bun before bed—you'll just need a few hairpins and perhaps a silk scrunchie. "[The] key is not to make a tight top-knot," she warns; otherwise, you may create a dent in your style or promote breakage. 

Big, fluffy blowout hair is not so difficult to achieve at home—and you don't even need a blow dryer to nail the look, if you choose. While a layered cut is key to the bouncy, flattering shape, it's really all about healthy, weightless volume. Feel free to check out our full guide to heatless curls for more inspiration, from big, barrel curls to tighter ringlets.