How to get big, bouncy, fluffy hair

Honestly, we're so here for a bit of oomph. Because what says I've arrived like big, beautiful, self-assured strands? That's why fluffy hair is one of our favourite diva hairstyles for drama, volume and a whole lot of style. Just as well it's having a resurgence since its heyday in the ‘70s, '80s and ’90s – then…

According to Google data, searches for “fluffy hair” are up 83% year on year heading into 2025 making it one of the biggest hair trends to have on your radar (behind the kitty cut, mouse haircut, Sabrina Carpenter-inspired bangs and micro bobs). “2025 is the year to embrace the fluff,” insists Nicole Petty, hair expert for Milk & Blush. “The style is a playful nod to the big-hair days of the ’80s, but with a softer, more effortless twist. This trend is all about texture and body, and achieving a slightly wild and airy finish that’s both romantic and rebellious,” she adds.

What is fluffy hair?

"The term 'fluffy hair' is used to describe a hairstyle worn by those with curly, coily, wavy or straight hair. It involves blow drying freshly shampooed and conditioned hair to achieve a stretched, wispy and voluminous look, (think Diana Ross or Farrah Fawcett)," says celebrity hair stylist, Dionne Smith. It should have “an effortless, cushioned texture that gives a weightless and airy look,” adds Tom Smith, pro hairstylist, trend forecaster and ambassador for Evo Hair and Olaplex.

And, like the style itself, it's getting bigger with the hashtag #fluffyhair scooping up over 1.2 billion views on TikTok. “Fluffy hair is a huge trend that has had a revival recently,” concurs Dom Seeley, celebrity hair stylist and Color Wow ambassador. “It's inspired by the ‘70s and ’80s. Think: Farrah Fawcett but more modern, or your disco divas of the '60s,” he says. For inspo, look to the likes of Zendaya and Julia Roberts, or influencers like Hannah Hohman. Specifically, “the bangs, wispy texture and face-framing curved layering,” says Dom. Or tap up Solange Knowles, who regularly channels some retro-glam volume with seriously fluffed-out graphic ’fros.

How easy is it to achieve?

“Fluffy hair is actually a lot easier to achieve than you might think as it's all in how you brush your hair out. It gives major volume and pillowy airy texture and can create some really cool shapes and hairstyles,” says Dom. “You can achieve fluffy hair on the majority of lengths as long as it's layered heavily so you can get that width and volume. If it's all one length you will struggle to get the fluffy texture. It's much better in my opinion on just past shoulder-length hair or breast-length, again with a lot of layers around the face, this really allows the hair to have bounce and movement,” he adds.

Why wear your hair fluffy?

“I think wearing your hair fluffy gives it an edge especially if you want to lean into a certain era of a look you want to channel. It can be a mood or a vibe or just simply if you want to add a ton of volume to your hair,” says Dom. “The vibe is definitely ‘60s-'80s era, leaning more towards the ‘70s hippie era but there are also Motown elements from the ’60s, with inspo from Cher in the ‘70s and Farrah Fawcett in the ’70s and '80s,” he adds.

“It's a great style to wear if you're wanting to get that ‘70s, ’80s alternative look,” agrees Dionne. Plus, “it can be achieved on various hair lengths, from long and layered hair, to chin or shoulder-length hair, or even a top-heavy pixie cut,” she says.

How to get fluffy hair if you have curly or coily hair

“Curly or coily hair can be fluffy naturally due to the curl pattern but you want to be a bit more delicate with this texture,” says Dom.

“After shampooing and conditioning your hair, apply a good leave-in oil and heat protector serum," says Dionne

"Begin by blow drying your coils and curls using a blow dryer with a comb attachment or a paddle brush,” Dionne says.

“Go through hair section by section, curving the paddle brush outwards when blow drying the hair towards the end to create the flicks (a barrel brush can also be used for this too). I recommend using a hair drying brush because it maintains volume and it gives hair more texture," Dionne adds.

“You can use a hair comb or pick to encourage extra height and volume from the scalp if you're wearing your hair natural,” says Dom. Or, “once the texture has set and dried, you can use your fingers to gently massage any areas that are naturally ‘fluffing up’,” says Tom. “This will ensure curls look intentional, yet effortless.”

“If you'd like the flowy look without the flicks, simply go through each section and when finished, part hair (decide where your parting will be) and plait in sections. You should have 10-12 plaits, or more for longer hair,” explains Dionne. “Once finished, wrap hair with a silk or satin headscarf (making sure plaits are facing down and wrapped around head), then after four to five hours, take the plaits down and unravel them carefully,” she adds.

“If you want to smooth out the curly or coily hair, you would do a blowout or silk press, depending on curl pattern, and then add some curls to it afterwards. Allow them to cool and set, then brush gently and toss your head back and forwards to encourage that fluffy texture,” says Dom. Tom recommends adding a mist of invisible shine spray like Evo's Love Touch.

"Once your hair has that ‘70s style, you’re ready to rock it with a nice pair of hoops and some denim," says Dionne.

TikToker, Candice Sabiduria, showed how she creates fluffy hair with an extra soft blowout routine. She starts by oiling her plaits and roots before gently shampooing. She unravels her plaits then uses a hairdryer with a comb attachment from Pattern to stretch and dry, then swaps in the brush attachment to stretch further. Finally, she combs through everything or major volume.

For a quick touch-up, TikToker Lana Curls, showed how she simply rakes her fingers through her hair and shakes to reinstate fluffy volume in her curls.

How to get fluffy hair if you have straight or wavy hair

“Wavy hair is a lot easier to get fluffy than straight hair as you have the wave or curl pattern in place already, so it will just need a little product and a brush,” says Dom.

“A great product to use is the Color Wow Style on Steroids, as it gives touchable texture and hold but adds the pillowy, airy texture. This is perfect for adding fluffy texture, especially if you have straight hair as you need to encourage as much volume as possible,” Dom says. Nicole agrees that styling mists are the way to go. “Achieving the fluffy look doesn’t require intense heat styling. Instead, focus on building volume with lightweight mousses, volumising sprays, and diffusing techniques. Adding texture with a bit of sea salt spray or styling powder can also help enhance that airy, full effect without weighing your hair down,” she says.

For straighter-haired girls, pay attention to how you blow dry your hair as this is where you'll lock in oomph. “Starting off with damp hair, use a hair dryer (with nozzle attached) along with a round brush and go through the hair section by section," says Dionne.

“Flicks in the front layers of the hair can be created by curling hair with the brush (curling outwards and downwards) and using the blow dryer and nozzle to create the flicks. The key is to curve the brush outwards when you reach the end of the hair,” Dionne adds.

To give it longevity, “set it in rollers or curl your hair in directions away from your face and then mist the Style on Steroids throughout and brush, brush, brush,” says Dom. "A great tip is to lean your head to either side when brushing and also toss your head backwards and forwards to really get some volume and to shake all the curl pattern out," he says.

“Once blowdried, using dry shampoo pre-emptively will give an airy, fluffy finish to your fresh blowdry,” says Tom. "Finish up with a sheen spray, and there you have it. Big and flowy '70s inspired hair,” Dionne concludes.

Tiktoker, Hannah Hohman, shared her she creates her viral “big floofy hair moment” using the Revlon Blow Dry Brush on damp hair (that she's already washed, brushed and oiled through lengths and ends). Her advice is to “rotate the brush at the end of hair to curl it UP,” to “blowdry in the direction OPPOSITE the side [or your parting] for volume,” to “keep rotating your brush, [since] it's all about the ends,” and to “separate bangs and blowdry [while] rotating UP.”

TikToker, Lexx Aguirre, took a normal curling iron. “I like to do this underneath technique – roll it up, leave it for a few seconds and release it," she explains. "Make sure you're working fast though so that it's still hot when you're rolling it into the velcro rollers. The key is to do it really, really tightly and to secure with a little pin.” She sets everything with a strong volumising hair spray, leaves it for at least 10 minutes to cool, then unravels the rollers.

And TikToker, Emma Jean Clarke, shared the hair flip hack she swears by for volume – tossing her hair over and combing it out before flipping it back.

Want in? Here's 35 ways to wear fluffy hair…

Stretched and '70s

Flicked and voluminous

Fluffy disco fro

Sleek and fluffy

Curly and fluffed out

Brushed out curls

Fluffed-out fro

Sleek but airy

Fluffy crop

Brushed out and fluffy

Windswept and fluffy

Disco curls

Fluffed out XXL lengths

Fluffy beach waves

Graphic fluffed-out fro

Fluffed-up pink midi

Glam fluffy waves

Fluffy and side-parted

Fluffy XXL ponytail

Fluffy rollered hair

Super fluffed-out graphic fro

Mussy fluffy hair

Fluffy shag

Fluffed, voluminous curls

Flicked and fluffy

Fluffy '70s wave

Fluffy side-parted bombshell hair

Fluffy wavy cut

Fluffy bombshell waves

Fluffy glam waves

Fluffy shaggy waves

Fluffy side-swept waves

Fluffy layered cut

Fluffy disco curls

Fluffy shaggy midi

Fluffed fro

Fluffy Farrah flicks

For more from GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk.