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Short, straight hair does not necessarily mean a flat, blah do that just lies on your scalp. A root lifter slightly raises the hair off the scalp and provides fabulous amp. Use one of the best root lifters recommended by an expert and build some flair into your hair by pumping up your hair's attitude.
Ample Angora Mousse by Shu Uemura
Daniel Jones, co-owner and creative director at Muse Salon and Spa in Alpharetta, Georgia, uses Ample Angora Mousse for clients wanting a soft, touchable hold. Distribute the product at the roots for root lift. Noting the mousse's versatility, Jones points out that the mousse works to add body to your entire hairstyle when distributed throughout.
L'Oreal Professionel Texture Expert Lift Extreme Mousse
Jones also uses the "powerful" L'Oreal Extreme Mousse for "ultimate volume" in the root area. "Allure" magazine suggests that the nozzle on this mousse allows easy spraying directly on your damp roots. Bonus: It smells like grapefruit and also conditions!
SACHAJUAN Root Lift
The choice of Reagan Breinholt, stylist at Whittemore House Salon in New York City and writer of the Hairdresser on Fire blog, SACHAJUAN Root Lift provides "great hold." If you have fine hair, Breinholt recommends placing the product in your hands, then applying it to your hair. For women with thicker hair, apply it directly to the roots before blow-drying. She further declares that blasting the roots with cool air from the blow-dryer after the hair is dry "closes the hair cuticle, sealing the style in." Wanting extreme boost at the root? Breinholt says that "a little backcombing never hurt anyone!" Take a few sections of hair at the crown and gently backcomb. Use a two-way mirror to check that the results are smooth and even.
Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray
A "huge fan" of the Oribe line of products, éle, owner of Medulla NYC in New York City, reaches for Maximista Thickening Spray when lifting the roots of clients with short hair. He recommends spraying directly onto the roots, massaging into the scalp and blow-drying using your hands. He provided this trick for extra oomph: After applying the product and massaging it into your scalp, "flip hair upside down to blow-dry. While doing so, pull hair from the scalp down to the ground away from the head to add extra lift." He further recommends listening to your stylist as he may know further tricks that would maximize the product's effectiveness.
Wonder Boost Root Lifter by Matrix
In the beauty biz for 25 years, Maria Fontana, cosmetologist and owner of Maternity Salon in Manasquan, New Jersey, has tried many root lifters. She recommends Wonder Boost for its lightweight texture and the "volume and versatility" it lends. She further explains that "products are only as good as they're used." Use the tips you've learned and you'll get that boost for your short, straight hair.

