Big blowouts bounced down Spring 2012 runways at Isabel Marant, Versace, DKNY and Anna Sui. If your hairstyle needs a little extra oomph to get that next level volume, you’ve come to the right place. We spoke with Juan Carlos Maciques, New York-based celebrity stylist whose clients include Michelle Williams and Alicia Silverstone, to get his expert opinion on how to get hair with volume (that actually lasts).


Hair trends: Beauty products for voluminous hair

Start with body-enhancing
shampoos, conditioners and styling products that fatten up strands so hair looks noticeably thicker. “Volumizing shampoos and conditioners are necessary to optimize body in the hair,” explains Maciques. “I like the Nigelle Silkyluxe shampoo and conditioner because it conditions without weighing down the hair.” Maciques also recommends styling products that coax volume in the hair. Look for products with ingredients like Vitamin B5, collagen, polymers, or ceramides that have natural fats to help the hair cuticle and follicle retain moisture, resulting in a thickened hair shaft and an overall boost in volume. Avoid product ingredients such as keratin, seaweed extract and natural oils like argan, olive and jojoba which are great for smoothing; however, counterproductive in the quest for thicker, more voluminous hair because they can weigh hair down.


Hair trends: Colour your hair

Girls with limp locks can really benefit from having their hair coloured. Adding colour to your hair (either single or double-process) will actually cause each individual hair shaft to swell, which results in plumped up strands giving more hair with volume. A great hair colourist can also create the illusion of more volume with carefully placed highlights and lowlights – these will add dimension to the hair.

Hair trends: Styling tips for voluminous hairstyles

“Almost all
voluminous hairstyles require height at the crown with lots of body,” explains Maciques. “Apply volumizing spray all over the roots and pre-dry hair in an upward direction on the sides and the back of head, as well as straight up on the top to achieve lift and then proceed to smooth hair section by section with a round, natural bristle brush.” For a voluminous hairstyle that truly stands the test of time (and gravity), Maciques explains that velcro rollers are the key: “Place the rollers into sectioned-out hair while the hair is still hot from drying. Use hairspray to lock the rollers into place and leave them in until you’re just about ready walk out the door.” To finish, Maciques suggests combing the hair out with your fingers to amplify the volume.


More tips on getting hair with volume and hair trends on the next page …

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Hair trends: Voluminous hairstyles to try now

“Personally, I love an updated version of a Brigitte Bardot-inspired look or a Catherine Deneuve style circa the 60s,” says Maciques. For modern inspirations of these retro hairstyles, take a cue from the voluminous hair shown at Bottega Veneta for Fall 2011: Deeply parted on the side and pinned up with tons of amazing (albeit controlled) volume, this hairstyle is holiday-office-party appropriate. For Spring 2012, Mulberry sent models down the runway with one of the best volumized looks we’ve seen in a while — perfect for your New Year’s Eve celebrations. With hair centre-parted at the front of the head, the heavily teased crown is the star of the show here: This look is a little bit bedhead and a whole lot go-go dancer with its loose, flowing ends.

For fun nights out, nothing beats a higher-than-thou hairstyle with a ton of volume. Take cues from Maciques and go beyond the typical “upside down blow dry” for big, bouncy hair that actually lasts. Use high quality beauty products — shampoo, conditioner and styling agents — to optimize height and don’t stop short of setting your hair in rollers. If your hair is naturally fine or limp, rollers (Velcro or hot) are truly the game-changer to getting serious volume that will last all night. For holiday party hairstyles, retro-inspired updos with teased crowns and big, bouncy hair in all shapes and styles are the perfect way to go from flat to totally fabulous.

Read more:
The best celebrity hairstyles
Hair trends: The side part
Hair accessories: Jewel headbands

Celebrity beauty: Short hairstyles