Your Volume FAQs

Do you dream of a day with voluminous hair, bouncy waves, and hair that doesn’t fall flat – all without struggle? We get so many people writing in who are experiencing volume challenges. Some may feel hopeless about achieving volume, whether it’s due to hair type (fine/thin hair), a mismatch of products for their hair type, stress, illness, or even hair loss, but the good news is... it’s not impossible to achieve your #volumegoals.  

Advice from experts plus the right volumizing products can easily transform your hair from flat to fabulous in no time. Our EVOLVhers speak of their quest for volume with such angst (and we really do feel their pain) that we're now sharing their volume struggles and stories along with tips and tricks to help you on your way to cracking the volume code.

Problem: My hair is fine and slightly on the dry side. However when I use a volume shampoo it builds up and makes my hair dull.

If you wonder if you fall in the fine hair category, take this simple test - pluck a strand of hair and rub it between your fingers. If you can't feel it, your hair strands are fine. Common woes of the fine haired range from struggling to maintain any hairstyle for even one day (as your hair falls flat or cannot achieve a hold), to your ends suffering from dryness while you have greasy roots, to hair that grows less quickly, to even having gaps in your hair where your scalp shows through.

Solution: While even those with fine hair can have good natural volume, it is often flattened by the invisible residue from the very products that are supposed to be providing volume. So-called “volumizing” products, shampoos and conditioners in particular, often contain silicones or polymers – essentially plastic-like substances that stick to the surface of each hair strand, to make it appear thicker. While this works on naturally strong, bouncy hair, on fine hair - the weight of the coating pulls the hair down, counteracting the extra fatness, so your hair gets even flatter – ugh. To add further insult to injury, these products (which we put in the "non-clean" category) build up on your hair, leading to dullness, dryness, and putting a damper on any volume you were hoping to achieve.

EVOLVh’s cult classic UltraShine Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner offer several advantages for fine hair, and are a fave of anyone needing a lighter touch on their strands. Performance was our goal when this duo was first introduced in 2009 and it was formulated to balance pH, increase moisture levels internally (to achieve the delicate balance needed to nourish hair, yet not weigh it down), and provide all the health benefits via short chain amino and fatty acids (which absorb into the core of your hair), and yes – even with fine hair, this duo produces immense shine.

Problem: I’m an ICU nurse and had COVID recently. During my recovery I started experiencing hair loss. I ordered the UltraShine line per my sister’s recommendation, but am also thinking of adding in some of the volume products?

Our hearts are with all of those on the front lines during COVID 19, among the brave taking care of those who need medical care. One of the more debilitating effects of many illnesses, including COVID, is hair loss.

All EVOLVh products bring strands to health and increase strength and elasticity, but while you’re waiting for hair growth to return (or experiencing thinning for other reasons including genetic thinning), you'll especially want to be mindful of choosing styling products that serve dual purposes: 1. they don't weigh the hair down, and 2. they provide volume which can help with even coverage of hair to give the appearance of fullness. That alone can help you achieve that great hair day, no matter what hair angst you’re dealing with.

Solution: Since many styling products can weigh your hair down, even more than a shampoo or conditioner can, consider clean products with ingredients that do not build up on your hair. EVOLVh’s perfect volume one-two-punch is the SmartVolume Leave-In Conditioner plus TotalControl Styling Crème.

SmartVolume, with natural flax, sprayed at the roots not only gives you all the benefits of all of our leave-ins (including locking in moisture, natural heat and UV protection, and counteracting minerals/hard water from municipal and well water supplies), but also thickens and adds fullness without drying hair. To add to your volume and to give lift at the roots to provide full scalp coverage, TotalControl, our silicone-free strong-hold botanical styler, creates soft touchable volume with fullness and natural movement. If you’re looking for a voluminous look that will last - TotalControl is for you.  

Problem: My hair falls flat by the middle of the day and it’s so oily that I must wash every day to achieve any hair style at all. And it doesn’t last long. Can you help me?

Oily hair that falls flat is definitely among the most frustrating and most common hair concerns we receive via the consult line, but rest assured, there are tips, tricks, and products available to help and even eliminate oiliness and produce volume in the process.

Greasy hair is brought on by a buildup of excess sebum, which is the naturally occurring oil produced within our oil glands. There are various reasons for an overproduction of oil: a simple kicking of the body into overdrive, hormonal imbalances, and even our own beauty routines. And those with fine hair have a particular challenge, as this hair type tends to get greasy faster than those with other hair textures. Fine hair types have more hair per square inch – and each hair has a sebaceous (oil) gland attached to it. As a result, the scalp produces more oil.  

Solution: Ready to ditch your oily roots once and for all? Here are a few suggestions...

Wash your hair less frequently. While it may seem counterintuitive, washing your hair too often may be one reason you’re experiencing excess oiliness. Washing often strips your hair of natural sebum, and your body's response is to replace the lost sebum with yes, more oil, which can lead to an overproduction of sebum. The result is often a never-ending cycle of oily hair. Try skipping shampoo once or twice a week, and if you must wash - opt for a co-wash (conditioner only) as this may help ensure you’re not overdoing the washing. It may take a couple of weeks to see and feel the rebalancing - so be patient.

Another overlooked reason for added oiliness is hair twirling. While it seems harmless, every additional touch of your hair throughout the day can affect the look and feel of your strands. Your fingertips and face also produce oil, which can easily be transferred to your hair, making your excess oil problem even worse. So hands off!  

Inspired by EVOLVhers who suffer from fine hair with oiliness, aka lack of volume, one of our newest launches is our InstaVolume Duo. If you’re looking to not only conquer excess oil, but also to achieve soft touchable hair with volume - you need look no further. InstaVolume is the first of its kind two-step regimen that eliminates the need for an in-shower conditioner. This game-changing weightless volumizing duo promotes hair and scalp health without being damaging or drying to hair, all while hydrating and detangling strands, balancing pH, detoxifying, and nourishing the scalp. The two products work synergistically together to deliver never-before-seen-results.