hair talk {more ways to add volume}

So I know that the "rats nest" isn't for everyone, I'm not sure how I even got turned on to it. But now I feel so drab and just "blah" if I don't poof my hair, ha ha! Anyway, for those that asked, my gorgeous friend, Ashley, is sharing her favorite ways to add volume MINUS the ratting! And trust me, the girl knows what she's talkin' about! 

Hi! I'm Ashley and I'm here to tell you that it is possible to get Courtney's volume without the ratting! I, for one, have never been good at the whole "ratting" thing... yes, I am a Cosmetologist, and yes I learned how... but ratting is not for everyone! That's where I come in! But before I share my secrets with you, I'll tell you a little bit about myself first.

I'm married to a handsome stud named Austin, and we have an adorable 5 month old baby girl named Chandler. We're originally from Las Vegas, NV but are here in this crazy town so my husband can finish school (one year left, yay!). I met Courtney through church when I was a few months pregnant... only to find out she was just a few weeks ahead of me! Perfect! So, we decided that we better be friends. Our husbands became good friends and now Chandler and Mia are little besties too!

Now I'll tell you my secrets! I'll share with you some of my favorite products on how to go from this:

...to this! No use of a comb at all!

Here are a few products to use when your hair is wet:

Paul Mitchell Lemon Sage Thickening Spray

This stuff is super light and it smells soo good! I spray this on my roots (or all over if you have thin hair) and blow dry my hair upside down. This isn't a product that gives a ton of volume, but it gives your hair that little boost to move.

Tigi Bedhead Catwalk Root Boost

This is a product that you spray directly onto your roots. You want to be very careful with this (it sprays like spray paint; very fast and a lot comes out). So I just lift up sections of my hair and spray this in a line along my scalp. Then I take my fingers and scrub my head just to rub it in a little. Too much of this in one spot will leave a little greasy spot at your roots. This product can be used along with the thickening spray above. Just do the thickening spray first and then the root boost.

Redken Aerate 08

For me, this stuff is the mother of all volumizing products (for wet hair anyway). I bought it once just on a whim (I do that a lot) and I tried it on my client with the thinnest, finest hair... ohh man, she looked like she had the thickest, most flowing, most voluminous hair I've ever seen! And ever since then, I've been hooked. I use about a nickel size dollop of this, rub it in my hands like lotion, flip my head upside down, and rub it directly on my roots. Then I blow dry my hair upside down as well. I've found that it works best with the use of a round brush, but when I don't have time (or I'm too lazy) it still does the trick!

Now, for a few of my favorite products to use on dry hair:

Suave Dry Shampoo Spray

Okay, really any dry shampoo will work... but I won't lie, I like the smell of this one. I've found that this product works best for volume on clean hair. Otherwise, it simply works as a normal dry shampoo. Just lift up your hair in sections, spray it directly on your roots (careful, this comes out really quick too), and scrub your hair a little.

Big Sexy Hair - Powder Play

Okay guys, this one is my best friend, my absolute favorite. It's a teensy little bottle, but I promise it will last forever. This product looks like and comes out like baby powder. All you do is lift up your hair in sections around the crown of your head (the top where you want the volume), sprinkle a little (only a little, otherwise it gets pretty sticky) on your roots (it will get on your hair and that's just fine), and scrub your scalp. It's magic, I swear!

Paul Mitchell - Hold Me Tight Hairspray

This one isn't so much for volume, but more to hold the volume you've just created. This hairspray is my favorite because it's a light hold. I can't stand the hairspray that makes your hair all crunchy. And it smells good! But really, your favorite hairspray will work! Just spray a little all around and you're good to go!

Alright, there are my hair "no poofing but get volume anyway" secrets! I hope that helps for all of you that aren't quite as talented as Courtney :)