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Fluffy hair is a ‘90s-inspired look that’s making its rounds in 2024. Here are our favorite ways to try the fluffy hair trend, from doing a blowout to using rollers.

Trending Now: Fluffy Hair Is Back and Better Than Ever

Fluffy hair is a ‘90s-inspired look that’s making its rounds in 2024. Here are our favorite ways to try the fluffy hair trend, from doing a blowout to using rollers.
Trending Now: Fluffy Hair Is Back and Better Than Ever

As millennial editors, the resurgence of ‘90s hair trends gives us major nostalgia. Between claw clips, scrunchies, and the grunge revival, we can’t help but feel like we’re reliving our childhood every time we peruse our social feeds. Recently, we’ve spotted another ‘90s trend blowing up on TikTok: fluffy hair, likely inspired by a certain clueless movie character from the era.

Achieving that coveted fluffy hair look isn't just about good luck or genetics; it's a combination of proper care, the right products, and a few trusted styling techniques. If you long for voluminous, airy locks, follow this comprehensive guide to help transform your flat hair into a fluffy masterpiece.


What Does Fluffy Hair Look Like?

Unlike perfectly defined salon blowouts, fluffy hairstyles embrace imperfections like undefined parts and tousled texture. Fluffy locks should strike a balance between being subtly messy yet still sleek and glossy. Envision bouncy, airy hair you can run your fingers through, created with lightweight products that won’t weigh hair down.

What’s the Difference Between Fluffy and Frizzy Hair?

The words frizzy or poofy are often used interchangeably with fluffy, but they’re actually very different. Frizzy hair is typically untamed and not created purposefully (despite your best styling efforts), while fluffy hair is an intentionally ‘undone’ blowout look. It’s bouncy and voluminous but still looks smooth and put together. If you find yourself with more frizz than fluff, check out our article, The Ultimate Guide to Frizz, for insight on managing poofy hair so you can try the voluminous hair trend the right way.

Good hair day by @torielynnbliss.

Who Is Fluffy Hair Best For?

This trend is customizable for all hair types, whether you want to try it on curly hair or add fullness and body to straighter strands. It’s worth noting that the most common fluffy hairstyling technique, the blowout, will require you to use heat. Therefore, fluffy hairstyles generally work better on hair that’s healthy and strong enough to withstand the potentially damaging effects of hot tools. If you think your mane has a long way to go before getting the fluffy hair treatment, pick up a strengthening haircare range. One of our go-tos is Redken Extreme, a regimen that cleanses, strengthens, and restores damaged hair while also preventing future breakage. Shop the six-piece collection on Redken.com.

How To Make Your Hair Fluffy With a Blow Dryer

As mentioned, blowouts are the most common way to give your hair volume, bounce, and a soft, textured look. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get fluffy hair with your dryer.

Step 1: Prep your hair

Your blowout is only as good as the products you create it with. We recommend using lightweight heat protectants that promote shape memory, like Biolage Professional Hydra Source Blow Dry Shaping Lotion. The hyaluronic acid and aloe-infused formula protects hair from up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, reduces dry time, and leaves hair with a long-lasting style (up to 48 hours!*).

Hair mousses also pair well with fluffy hairstyles. These products feature whipped consistencies that are even lighter and bouncier than lotions and creams, providing flexible yet natural movement that won’t weigh hair down. You can’t go wrong with Redken’s Full Volume Mousse, which conditions and volumizes hair from root to tip for increased lift and body. See how the results speak for themselves in our Redken Full Volume Mousse Review.

Regardless of your chosen styler, remember that the less of it you use, the fluffier your hair will be. Start with less product than you’d usually use, adding more only as needed.

*Hydra Source Blow Dry Shaping Lotion vs. non-conditioning shampoo

Step 2: Rough dry your hair

Hair is in its weakest state when wet, so you’ll want to avoid doing a blowout on sopping wet locks. Instead, use your fingers and the airflow from your dryer to gently tousle your hair until it’s about 70% dry. Once this process (known as rough-drying) is complete, you can then go in with your round brush.

Pro Tip: Help your roots defy gravity by rough drying them upside down. Whether your hair is long or short, this age-old trick gives your roots a bit of a lift, enhancing the fluffy effect from top to bottom.

Step 3: Divide your hair into sections

Separating hair into sections makes the blowout process much more manageable and ensures that every part of your hair dries properly. Many pros suggest drying the hair around your face separately to create a face frame effect. First, gather about an inch of your hair from either side of your part line and clip it at the top of your head. Then, clip your hair on each side of your head into two smaller sections.

Step 4: Start blow-drying

Starting from the bottom sections, dry each section of damp hair by pulling it taut with a round brush and directing the airflow down from your dryer nozzle. As you move through each section, twist the direction of your brush in different ways to create a more natural flow of movement throughout your hair. When you reach the bottom of your hair, wrap each section of hair over the round brush and twist it under to tuck your ends in. Finish by moving to your face frame and blow-drying these pieces inward, curling them toward your face. When you finish each section, blast your hair with cool dryer air to help set and smooth the curl.

Step 5: Set your look

Use a light-hold hairspray to lock in your fluffy hairstyle without making it too stiff. Matrix Fixer Hairspray provides continuous lift, fullness, and volume to any style while making strands shinier. Plus, it offers all-day humidity resistance to keep frizz under control. You can also hit your roots with a few spritzes of dry shampoo to add texture and nip grease in the bud.

Good hair day by @brenna.monet.

How To Get Fluffy Hair Without A Blow Dryer

There are also ways to score voluminous looks without switching on your hot tools. Ahead, we’re outlining a few of our favorite methods and hair volume products to help you achieve bouncy hair.

Use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner

The hair products you use in the shower set your style up for success. Prepping your hair with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner helps add lasting body to your strands without weighing them down. We suggest using Shu Uemura Art of Hair Muroto Volume Shampoo and Muroto Conditioner to leave strands with a supple yet weightless finish. Or, if you want to tame frizz, a duo like Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo and Conditioner can help smooth and detangle hair while adding softness and shine.

Opt for a new haircut

Hair products aren’t the only way to achieve fluffy hair—your haircut can also create the illusion of fluffy volume. Whereas short, choppy layers create a shaggy, textured look, long blended layers are best for giving your mane an airy appearance. Ask your stylist for a long layered haircut or a blunt cut with face-framing layers that begin at your jawline. Be sure to bring plenty of photo inspo to get you both on the same page.

Another popular way to get fluffy hair—no styling required—is with a hush cut. This Korean-inspired style haircut features wispy bangs and face-framing tendrils with feathered, blended ends for lightweight movement. The hush cut works especially well on straight or finer hair, giving strands built-in fluffiness.

Those with short hair can also join in on the fluffy hair trend. Layered bobs, tousled bixies, and mushroom lobs are just a few cropped styles that lend themselves to extra body. But don’t just take our word for it—find your next salon transformation in our 35 Short Fluffy Haircuts roundup.

Try hair rollers

If you're dealing with damaged hair or tend to stay away from heat styling, Velcro rollers can give you fluffy strands without sacrificing your hair’s health. An oldie but goodie in the styling world, these heat-free tools are ideal for creating long-lasting volume and buoyant waves. We recommend using them on damp hair to help set your hair into its fluffy shape as it dries.

First, prep hair with a volumizing spray like Pureology’s Style + Protect Instant Levitation Mist, a menthol-infused formula that elevates hair with 24 hours of weightless volume. Then, divide your hair into sections that are slightly narrower than the width of your roller. Working with one section at a time, position your roller underneath the end of your hair and roll it up toward your scalp, away from your face. (Be sure to maintain tension while rolling to keep your hair from falling out.) Use a duckbill clip or bobby pin to secure the roller in place. Repeat throughout the head and let your curls dry. Once finished, shake them out and set them with hairspray or shine spray.

Fluff Hair: The Bottom Line

When armed with the right blow-drying techniques, hair volume products, and styling inspo, the fluffy hair trend is a stunning throwback look with serious staying power. If you have more questions or want more personalized styling tips, use our salon locator to book an appointment with a pro near you.

Next Up: 30 1990s Hairstyles That Are Still On-Trend Today

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