Aging gracefully is about feeling confident and content in who you are. One way to bolster that confidence is through your hairstyle. For seniors, achieving volume can make hair appear healthier and more vibrant. This listicle will walk you through 12 easy hairstyles that add volume, along with some tips on maintaining healthy, voluminous hair.
Why Volume Matters for Seniors
Volume can make a significant difference in how hair looks and feels. With age, hair tends to thin out, losing the fullness and bounce it once had. Adding volume can create an illusion of thickness, making your hair look more youthful and lively. Plus, a voluminous hairstyle can frame your face beautifully, enhancing your overall appearance.
1. The Classic Bob
The classic bob is a timeless hairstyle that never goes out of fashion. Its length typically hovers around the chin, making it perfect for adding volume.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Here is a step-by-step guide to achieve the perfect classic bob:
- Wash and Towel-Dry Your Hair: Begin by washing your hair with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. After rinsing thoroughly, gently towel-dry your hair to remove excess water.
- Apply a Volumizing Mousse to the Roots: Dispense a small amount of volumizing mousse into your hand and apply it to the roots of your hair. This will help lift the hair at the roots and add volume.
- Blow-Dry Using a Round Brush: Using a blow dryer, start drying your hair while lifting it at the roots with a round brush. Work in sections to ensure each part is thoroughly dried and lifted. The round brush helps create volume and a slight curl at the ends.
- Finish with a Light Hairspray for Hold: Once your hair is completely dry and styled, lightly spritz it with a hairspray to hold the volume in place. This will also add a touch of shine and keep your style looking fresh throughout the day.
2. Layered Pixie Cut
A layered pixie cut is both chic and practical. The layers add texture and volume, giving your hair a fuller look. This style is perfect for those who want a low-maintenance yet fashionable haircut.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to achieve the perfect layered pixie cut:
- Consult with Your Phoenix Barber: Begin by discussing with your barber the specific look you want to achieve. Mention that you are looking for a pixie cut with layers to add texture and volume to your hair. Your barber will help determine the best length and layering technique suitable for your hair type and face shape.
- Wash Your Hair: On the day of the cut, make sure your hair is freshly washed. Use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner to give your hair a good foundation for styling.
- Apply a Volumizing Spray: After towel-drying your hair to remove excess water, apply a volumizing spray. This product will help lift the hair at the roots and enhance the texture created by the layers.
- Blow-Dry with Your Fingers: Use a blow dryer and your fingers to dry your hair. As you blow-dry, lift the hair at the roots to create volume. Using your fingers, rather than a brush, helps keep the natural texture and give a more tousled, modern look.
- Style as Desired: Once your hair is completely dry, you can style it further if needed. Use a lightweight styling cream or wax to define the layers and add a polished finish. A light mist of hairspray can also be applied to hold the style in place.
- Regular Maintenance: To keep your layered pixie cut looking fresh, schedule regular trims with your barber every 4-6 weeks. This will help maintain the shape and prevent the layers from growing out unevenly.
3. Soft Curls
Soft curls can instantly add volume to your hair. This style is especially flattering for seniors, giving a soft and elegant look.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Below is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect soft curls:
- Prep Your Hair: Start with clean, dry hair. You can wash your hair beforehand using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to keep your locks moisturized and smooth. If you prefer, you can use a heat protectant spray to safeguard your hair from potential heat damage caused by styling tools.
- Section Your Hair: Divide your hair into manageable sections. Depending on the thickness of your hair, you can separate it into four to six sections. Use hair clips to hold the sections in place, ensuring you have a systematic approach to curling each part evenly.
- Heat Your Curling Iron: Turn on your curling iron and set it to a medium heat setting. For soft curls, a 1-inch to 1.5-inch barrel is ideal. Allow the curling iron to heat up completely before you begin curling to ensure consistent curls.
- Curl Each Section: Take a small section of hair from your prepared segments. Place the curling iron a few inches away from your roots to avoid direct heat on the scalp. Wrap the hair around the barrel, holding it for about 10-15 seconds before gently releasing it. Continue this process until all sections are curled.
- Finger Comb the Curls: After curling, allow your hair to cool for a few minutes. This helps the curls set and hold their shape. Once cooled, use your fingers to gently separate and loosen the curls. This step adds volume and creates a softer, more natural look.
- Apply a Light Hairspray: To maintain the curls and ensure longevity, lightly mist your hair with a flexible hold hairspray. This product will provide a lasting hold without making your hair feel stiff or crunchy.
- Final Touch-Ups: If needed, you can refine any sections that need a bit more curl or volume. Use your curling iron to touch up specific areas and a little more hairspray to secure the style.
With these steps, you can effortlessly achieve beautiful, soft curls that add volume and elegance to your hair, perfect for any occasion.
4. The Voluminous Updo
An updo can create the illusion of thicker hair while keeping it off your face and neck. This style is not only practical but elegant, suitable for various occasions from casual outings to formal events. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you achieve a voluminous updo:
Step-by-step Guide:
- Prep Your Hair: Start with clean, dry hair for the best hold. You can add some texturizing spray to give your hair more grip and a bit of volume.
- Gather Your Hair into a High Ponytail: Brush your hair to remove any tangles. Gather all your hair at the crown of your head and secure it with a strong hair tie. Make sure the ponytail is tight and smooth, avoiding any bumps.
- Tease the Ponytail: Lightly tease the hair in your ponytail with a teasing comb or brush to add volume. This step is crucial for creating a fuller bun.
- Twist the Ponytail: Take the teased ponytail and start twisting it gently. The more you twist, the tighter the bun will be. For a looser, more relaxed look, twist it less.
- Wrap It Around to Form a Bun: Wrap the twisted ponytail around the base of the ponytail to form a bun. As you wrap, tuck the ends of your hair under the bun.
- Secure with Bobby Pins: Use bobby pins to secure the bun in place. Make sure to pin the bun firmly to your scalp to avoid it unwinding throughout the day. Use as many bobby pins as necessary to keep the bun stable.
- Finish with Volumizing Spray: Once the bun is secure, finish with a volumizing spray to add more body to your hair. This will also help keep your updo in place and give it a polished, voluminous look.
- Optional Touches: If you want, you can pull out a few strands of hair around your face to frame it softly and add a touch of casual elegance.
With these detailed steps, you can effortlessly create a stunning voluminous updo that enhances the thickness of your hair and keeps it stylishly off your face and neck.
5. The Classic Blowout
A blowout adds volume and shine, making your hair look salon-fresh without stepping out of your home.
Step-by-step Guide:
- Apply a Heat Protectant Spray: Before you begin, ensure your hair is clean and slightly damp. Apply a heat protectant spray evenly throughout your hair to shield it from the potential damage caused by heat styling tools. Focus on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, as these areas tend to be more vulnerable.
- Blow-dry Your Hair in Sections: Divide your hair into manageable sections to make the blow-drying process easier and more effective. Start by separating your hair into four main sections – two at the front and two at the back. Clip the sections that you are not working on out of the way. Using a large round brush, take one section at a time and begin blow-drying. Start at the roots, pulling the brush through your hair while following it closely with your blow-dryer. This technique smooths the hair cuticle, adding volume and shine. Make sure to work your way down to the ends to achieve a sleek finish. Repeat this process for each section until all your hair is completely dry.
- Finish with a Lightweight Serum for Shine: To complete your blowout and add a touch of salon-quality shine, apply a lightweight serum. Dispense a small amount of serum into your palms and rub them together. Lightly run your hands over your hair, focusing on the ends and any areas prone to frizz. Be careful not to apply too much product to avoid weighing down your hair. The serum not only adds shine but also helps tame flyaways and keeps your hair looking smooth and polished.
With these detailed steps, you can easily achieve a professional-looking blowout at home, leaving your hair voluminous, shiny, and ready for any occasion.
6. The Layered Lob
The layered lob (long bob) is perfect for adding volume while still keeping some length.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Consult Your Barber: Start by visiting your Phoenix barber and requesting a lob hairstyle with layers. Explain that you’re looking for a balance between volume and length. Your barber will know how to layer the hair in such a way that it creates movement and fullness, making the lob appear more voluminous.
- Prepare with Volumizing Mousse: Once you have your layered lob, it’s essential to use the right products to enhance the volume. Begin by applying a volumizing mousse to your damp hair before you start blow-drying. Dispense a generous amount of mousse into your hands and work it evenly through your hair, focusing on the roots for added lift.
- Blow-Dry for Extra Volume: To achieve the maximum volume, flip your head upside down while blow-drying your hair. This method allows the roots to lift away from the scalp, giving your hair a bouncier look. Use a blow-dryer with a nozzle attachment to direct the airflow and a round brush to smooth the layers as you dry. Once your hair is about 80% dry, flip your head back up and continue to blow-dry by sectioning your hair and using the round brush to refine the shape and style.
By following these detailed steps, you can maintain the volume and movement of your layered lob, ensuring it looks fresh and lively every day.
7. Beach Waves
Beach waves can give a relaxed, voluminous look that’s perfect for any occasion. Achieving this effortless style involves a few simple steps that make you look like you’ve just spent a day by the ocean.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Start with Sea Salt Spray: Begin with clean, damp hair. Spritz a generous amount of sea salt spray all over your hair. This product is essential for creating the texture and tousled look characteristic of beach waves. Make sure to distribute the spray evenly from roots to tips for a consistent result.
- Braid Your Hair: Divide your hair into sections and braid each section. Depending on the thickness of your hair, you might opt for either two or more braids. For tighter waves, create smaller, tighter braids; for looser waves, opt for larger, looser braids. Secure the ends with hair ties to keep the braids intact.
- Allow Hair to Dry: This is a crucial step that requires patience. Let your braided hair dry completely. You can either air dry for a natural approach or use a blow-dryer to speed up the process. If you opt for air drying, consider braiding your hair at night and sleeping with the braids in for convenience and optimal wave formation.
- Undo the Braids: Once your hair is thoroughly dry, gently undo the braids. Avoid using a brush to maintain the natural wave pattern. Instead, use your fingers to lightly comb through your hair, separating and styling the waves as you go. Finger-combing helps to keep the waves defined and adds volume without causing frizz.
- Final Touches: Finish the look with a light mist of texturizing spray or hairspray to set the waves and add extra hold. If you desire more definition, you can twist individual sections of hair around your finger or use a curling iron sparingly to perfect any unruly strands.
By following these steps, you can create stunning beach waves that offer a relaxed yet voluminous look, ideal for any setting.
8. The Textured Bob
Adding texture to a bob can give it a voluminous, modern twist.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Follow this step-by-step guide to achieve the perfect textured bob:
- Prepare Your Hair: Start with clean, damp hair. For the best results, wash your hair with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner to create a solid foundation for adding texture.
- Use a Texturizing Spray: Apply a texturizing spray evenly through your damp hair. This product will help to create grip and volume, which are essential for achieving a textured look. Focus on spraying from the mid-lengths to the ends, lightly scrunching your hair as you go to encourage natural movement.
- Blow-Dry with a Round Brush: Using a blow-dryer, start drying your hair with a round brush. As you dry, lift the hair at the roots to create volume. Work section by section, curling the brush under at the ends to create a slightly curved shape. The round brush will give your bob a soft, textured appearance with added body.
- Finish with a Texturizing Paste: Once your hair is completely dry, use a small amount of texturizing paste to amplify the look. Emulsify the paste between your fingers to warm it up, then work it through your hair, focusing on the ends and mid-lengths. This will help to define the texture and add separation, making your bob look effortlessly cool and modern.
- Style and Set: Finally, use your fingers to tousle and shape your hair into the desired style. You can twist small sections around your fingers to add extra definition and movement. If needed, finish with a light mist of hairspray to hold the style in place without making it feel stiff.
By following these steps, you can achieve a trendy and voluminous textured bob, perfect for any occasion.
9. Side Part With Volume
A side part can add immediate volume and dimension to your hair.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieving this look:
- Create a Deep Side Part: Start with clean, damp hair. Using a fine-tooth comb, create a deep side part on either the left or right side, depending on your preference. The deeper the part, the more volume you will achieve. Aim for a part that aligns with the arch of your eyebrow for a naturally balanced look.
- Use a Volumizing Powder on the Roots: To give your roots a lift, apply a volumizing powder directly to the parted section. Gently lift sections of your hair and sprinkle the powder close to the scalp. Use your fingers to massage the powder into your roots, ensuring it is evenly distributed. This will help to create texture and hold, giving your hair the volume it needs.
- Blow-Dry the Parted Section with a Round Brush: Set your blow-dryer to a medium heat setting. Starting at the roots, use a round brush to lift your hair while directing the hot air towards the roots. Move the brush under the sectioned hair, rolling it inward as you drag the blow-dryer down the length of your hair. Continue this process until the parted section is completely dry. This technique will maximize volume and create a smooth, polished finish.
By following these steps, you can create a stylish side part with added volume that will enhance the overall look of your hair.
10. The Curly Shag
The shag cut is back in style and perfect for creating volume with its layers and curls. This trendy hairstyle adds a fun, effortless vibe with plenty of movement and texture. Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect curly shag:
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Consult with Your Stylist: Begin by scheduling an appointment with a stylist who is experienced with curly hair and shag cuts. Discuss the look you want to achieve, emphasizing the need for layers that will enhance your natural curls. Ask for a shag cut with well-placed layers that will add volume and definition to your curls.
- Use a Curl-Enhancing Cream: After your haircut, it’s time to style your curly shag. Start with clean, damp hair. Apply a generous amount of curl-enhancing cream to your curls from root to tip. Curl-enhancing creams help to define curls, reduce frizz, and add shine. Make sure the product is evenly distributed throughout your hair to ensure all your curls get the same amount of hold and definition.
- Diffuse Your Hair While Drying: To maintain the shape and volume of your curls, use a diffuser attachment on your blow-dryer. Set your blow-dryer to a low or medium heat setting to avoid damaging your hair. Gently scrunch your curls and position the diffuser close to your roots, working your way from the bottom to the top of your hair. The diffuser will help to dry your curls without causing frizz, preserving their natural shape and bounce. Continue until your hair is completely dry.
By following these detailed steps, you can rock a modern curly shag that is both stylish and full of volume, ensuring your curls look their best every day.
11. The Bouffant
The bouffant is a retro style that’s all about volume, making it perfect for seniors looking for a glamorous look.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Prep Your Hair: Start with clean, dry hair. Apply a volumizing mousse or spray to the roots of your hair to provide extra lift and hold. This will help in achieving and maintaining the voluminous look that is essential for a bouffant.
- Section Your Hair: Divide your hair into sections. Start with the crown section, as this is the area where you want the most volume. Use hair clips to keep the rest of your hair out of the way.
- Tease the Crown Section: Take the crown section of your hair and begin to tease it. Use a fine-tooth comb to backcomb the hair at the roots. Hold each section taut and comb downward from the ends towards the roots. Repeat this motion several times until you achieve your desired volume. Remember, the more you tease, the higher the bouffant will be.
- Smooth the Top Layer: Once you have teased the hair sufficiently, take a soft brush and gently smooth the top layer over the teased section. Be careful not to flatten the volume you have created. This smooth top layer will give your bouffant a polished and neat appearance.
- Pin It Back: Gather the teased and smoothed section of hair at the crown and gently pull it back. Use bobby pins to secure the hair in place. Cross the pins in an “X” shape to ensure they hold firmly and stay hidden.
- Style the Rest of Your Hair: You can leave the rest of your hair down, curl it, or pin it up, depending on your preference and the occasion.
- Finish with a Strong-Hold Hairspray: Spray a generous amount of strong-hold hairspray over your entire head, focusing on the crown where the bouffant is. This will help to lock in the volume and keep your style intact throughout the day or night.
By following these detailed steps, you can achieve a bouffant hairstyle that exudes glamour and sophistication, giving you that timeless, voluminous look.
12. Loose, Voluminous Ponytail
A high, loose ponytail can add lift and make your hair appear fuller. Follow this step-by-step guide to achieve the look:
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Use a Volumizing Spray: Start by applying a volumizing spray to your damp hair. Focus on the roots and mid-lengths to ensure you get maximum lift and fullness. The volumizing spray will help your hair maintain the added volume throughout the styling process.
- Blow-Dry with a Round Brush: Use a round brush while blow-drying your hair to add extra volume. Begin by lifting small sections of your hair with the brush, directing the airflow from the dryer at the roots to create lift. Roll the brush through the length of your hair to add smoothness and body. Continue this process until your hair is completely dry.
- Gather Your Hair into a High Ponytail: Once your hair is dry, gather it all towards the crown of your head to form a high ponytail. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to gently smooth out any tangles while maintaining the volume you’ve created. Avoid pulling the hair too tight to keep the ponytail looking loose and full.
- Secure It Loosely: Secure the high ponytail with a hair elastic, ensuring it is tight enough to hold, but loose enough to keep the volume intact. If necessary, use a few bobby pins around the base of the ponytail to help hold it in place and add extra lift.
By following these steps, you can create a high, loose ponytail that adds lift and makes your hair appear fuller and more voluminous.
Conclusion
Achieving volume in your hair can make a world of difference in how you look and feel. These simple hairstyles not only add volume but also bring out the best in your natural beauty. Ready to elevate your hair game? Try these styles and experience the transformation. For a personalized haircut that suits you perfectly, visit your local Barber. Transform your hair today. Visit Phoenix Barbershop for a style consultation.
