To the untrained eye, it looks like I have thick hair because it is curly and kind of all over the place. But this is not the case, and in fact, my hair is as thin as the barnett on a cheap doll, and it drives me nuts…
Curliness creates a bit of fake volume but because of the fineness of my hair, any moisture in the air creates a weird, flat frizz. I covet thick, strong locks. The sort you can tie into a plump, swingy ponytail rather than a sad little hamster tail like mine. So, I’ve been trying out some volumising products in the hope of getting a bit of oomph lined up for autumn.
My first stop was Nanogen, which isn’t just a volume booster but a clinically researched programme for thicker hair, using amongst other things, aloe vera leaf juice to nourish and caffeine to stimulate circulation at the root. The Treatment Serum (£29.95) was my favourite from the range, perfect for a scalp massage and a definite booster for locks.
I’ve also been using Trevor Sorbie Volume Conditioner (£5.29), which contains something fancy called ‘Keratrix’ to strengthen hair and add shine and volume. What’s weird about this is that even as I am rinsing, I can feel there is more body to my hair, which normally flattens down to nothing when it’s wet. Magic? Witchcraft? You decide.
And now for the blow-drying essential for volume boosting, which I am neither very good at nor very patient with. However, I have a new hairdryer, the Elchim 3900 Healthy Ionic Dryer (£95), which has changed my attitude towards the whole thing. It has a super long cord just like at the hairdresser, it’s quiet, it isn’t arm-achingly heavy – and unbelievably it cuts drying time by up to 30%. Well worth it.
For a body boost while I’m drying, I’ve been using Blow & Go Thick Blow Dry Spray by Schwarzkopf Professional (£11.95), spritzing a bit on each section as I try and do that whirly thing with a big brush they do in the salon. It’s fabulous: both protecting and boosting. I still can’t do the back very well though.
I’ve also been loving JOICO Body Luxe Volumizing Foam (£11.95), a pump dispenser mousse which contains hydrolysed oat protein and gives a bit of height at the roots without all that crunchy nonsense. Hoorah!