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Long curly hair can get a little heavy, taking all the body and volume out of your mane. If you want a head full of bouncy, volumized curls, you need to use the right products and tools to keep your tresses from falling flat. While no one product will work for everyone, playing around with a combination of styling aids will help you figure out the volumizing formula that works for you.
Shampoo and Conditioner
When selecting shampoo and conditioner, choose products specifically labeled "volumizing." Generally, these formulas will be less heavy, so they won't weigh your tresses down and take all the oomph out of your hair. When using conditioner, don't feel like you have to slather it all over your head. Too much conditioner can make your hair fall flat, so just apply a bit to the ends of your hair so you don't weigh down your roots with too much goop.
Root Lifters
If your long curly hair tends to fall flat at the roots, try a root lifting spray. This stuff is made to pump up hair at the roots for a fuller, more volumized head of hair. To use a root lifter, spray it on your roots while your hair is still wet. If your hair isn't too fine, you can also spray more root lifter down to midshaft for a little extra puff. Next, blow dry your hair, aiming the heat on your roots to pump them up.
Light Products
Generally, the thicker the hair product, the more it's going to weigh your locks down and take all the volume out of your 'do. If you want a volumized head of long curls, stay away from heavy, sticky gels and super-hold hairsprays. Instead, try a light curl cream. Another volumizing trick is to use a light-hold hair spray after you blow dry to create body-producing air pockets. Just lift up sections of your hair, then mist with light spray while slowly letting your hair drop a little at a time.
Diffusers
Clamping a diffuser onto your hair dryer can also give your mane more body and volume. Instead of drying your locks with one huge stream of hot air, a diffuser makes the air travel through separate little fingers that separate out your locks. Using a diffuser will also help keep your long curls defined and reduce frizz.
