6 Modern Ways to Style voluminous look Hair for Any Occasion

Let’s be honest: volume is the holy grail of hair. That feeling of running your fingers through thick, bouncy, full-bodied hair is a confidence booster like no other. But having voluminous hair and knowing how to style it for modern times are two different things. Gone are the days of overly-teased, helmet-like hair. Today’s volume is all about effortless texture, soft movement, and healthy-looking bounce.

Whether you were blessed with naturally thick locks or you use a few clever tricks to get that lift, this guide is for you. We’re diving into six contemporary, chic, and surprisingly simple ways to style your voluminous hair, ensuring you have the perfect look for every event on your calendar.

1. The Modern Shag: The Ultimate Textured Volume

If you think volume and a shag haircut are a match made in heaven, you’re absolutely right. The modern shag is a masterclass in strategic layering. It’s designed to remove weight while maximizing movement and texture, making it the perfect cut for anyone looking to enhance their natural volume. Unlike the shags of the 70s, today’s version is softer, more customizable, and focuses on creating a lived-in, “I woke up like this” vibe.

The key is in the layers—they are cut to frame the face, create volume at the crown, and allow the ends to flip and fray in a perfectly imperfect way. Ask your stylist for lots of internal layers and curtain bangs to complete the look. To style, simply work a texturizing spray through damp hair, scrunch, and either air dry or use a diffuser to accentuate the natural wave pattern. The result is voluminous, touchable, and endlessly cool.

2. The Effortless Voluminous Blowout

The classic blowout will never go out of style, but the technique has definitely evolved. The goal of the modern blowout is sleek yet substantial volume, not stiff or overly polished. It’s about creating a smooth, shiny base with an incredible amount of body that lasts for days.

Start with a volumizing mousse at the roots and a heat protectant from mid-lengths to ends. The secret weapon? A large round brush. When blow-drying, direct the airflow at your roots, lifting them with the brush to set the volume. For maximum effect, flip your head upside down during the initial drying phase. Once straight and smooth, wrap large sections around the brush, aiming the nozzle down the hair shaft to seal the cuticle for shine. Finish by curling the ends under or out for a soft, bouncy finish. A light spritz of flexible-hold hairspray will lock in the volume without the crunch.

3. The Textured Voluminous Ponytail

Move over, sleek pony—the textured voluminous ponytail is here to steal the show. This style takes a simple ponytail and elevates it to a red-carpet-worthy look, and it’s a fantastic way to manage a lot of hair while still making a statement. The trick is to prioritize height and texture over tightness and perfection.

Begin by lightly backcombing the hair at your crown for hidden support. Instead of pulling all your hair back tightly, leave a few face-framing pieces loose. Secure your ponytail at the crown, but not too tight. Then, gently pull the ponytail slightly up and away from your head before securing it with a second, clear elastic to create a “bump” of volume. To finish, take a small section of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the base to conceal the elastic. Gently tug at sections of the ponytail to create a fuller, more textured appearance.

4. The “Lived-In” Voluminous Waves

This is the go-to style for when you want to look put-together without looking like you tried too hard. “Lived-in” waves are all about soft, undone curls and a ton of body. They mimic the beautiful waves you get after a day at the beach or from wearing a braid overnight, but with a more polished finish.

The easiest way to achieve this is with a large-barrel curling wand (1.5 inches or larger). The key is to alternate the direction of your curls—some facing towards your face, some away—to create natural-looking volume and avoid a uniform, “pageant” look. Don’t hold the curl for too long; a quick wrap and release is all you need. Once all your hair is curled, run your fingers through it to break up the curls into soft waves. Finish with a light mist of sea salt spray to enhance the texture and add a bit of grit for hold.

5. The Half-Up, Half-Down Voluminous Topknot

This style is the perfect marriage of practicality and style. It keeps the hair out of your face while showcasing the glorious volume and length of your down hair. The half-up topknot is playful, chic, and works for everything from a brunch date to a concert.

To get this look right, you need to focus on the “pouf.” Take the top section of your hair (from about your temples back), but leave out some wispy bangs and face-framing layers. Lightly tease this section at the roots for support, then gather it as if you’re making a ponytail at the crown of your head. Instead of pulling the hair all the way through on the last loop of the hair tie, leave it as a loose bun or knot. Gently pull the bun apart to make it look bigger and more effortless. Then, gently tug at the hair just in front of the knot to elevate the volume at your crown. The contrast between the structured top and the flowing bottom is incredibly modern.

6. The Accessorized Voluminous Bun

A bun doesn’t have to be a tight, sleek ballerina style. For those with voluminous hair, a slightly messy, accessorized bun is a stunning option for more formal occasions. It highlights the thickness of your hair and serves as a beautiful canvas for statement accessories.

Start by creating a loose, low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Twist the ponytail and then wrap it around its base to form a bun, securing it with bobby pins—don’t aim for perfection. The goal is a bun that has texture and some loose pieces falling out. Once secured, gently pull the bun apart to make it look fuller. Now for the modern twist: add an accessory. This could be a bold, embellished clip placed to the side of the bun, a silky scarf wrapped around the base, or even a few dainty pearl pins scattered throughout. This instantly elevates the look and turns your voluminous bun into a work of art.