Frederic Fekkai Instant Volume Root Lifting Spray

What They Say: "Instant volume root lifting spray lifts hair from the roots and quickly creates fullness and bounce. A perfect product for fine, thin or flat hair. An emollient blend of pro-vitamin B5 and botanical extracts yarrow, oak root, kukui and cherry bark nourish and protect the hair."

Jen's Experience: Ah, another product to add to my volume-building ensemble. I'm generally a fan of Frederic Fekkai and this product does seem to do what it claims. I spray it on my hair right before I blow dry, and not only do I get great smelling hair, but also a nice amount of volume for very little effort. I'm still using my other current volumizer of choice (Rusk Being Gutsy) on the body of my hair for general fullness, but this gives extra lift at the roots that I really like.

The downside? It's a little like hairspray, so if I use too much, it definitely turns into a sticky mess. I've also noticed that my hair looks greasier sooner when I'm using this product than without. But when you've just got to have that volume, this one definitely comes through, so it's made it into general rotation for me.

Retail Price: $19.50 (Beauty.com)

Rating:

Rusk Being Gutsy Volumizer

What They Say: "This versatile formula builds volume, thickens, tames frizziness, creates separation, and provides curl definition or smooths and control. The conditioners and moisturizers actually improve and correct dry or damaged areas."

Jen's Experience: My hairstylist recommended this product when I mentioned my ongoing quest for greater volume and control for my hair. I've been using Halo Bodifying Gel mixed with Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Powder with good results, but this product may just beat out that combination. It's very thick and creamy, like a winter body lotion, but it has some grit to it. A small amount applied to wet hair, it produces very similar results to the gel/powder combination that I've been using. What's different though is that my hair is really touchable after it's dry; with the other combo I had a little bit of grit left to it. What that also means is that my hair is a little shinier and a little healthier looking. For those of you with ultra-fine hair, this is definitely something to put in your arsenal.

Retail Price: $12.00 (Visit the Rusk website for a salon near you)

Rating:

Review: Halo Root Lifting Spray

What They Say: "Uplift your style. Halo Root Lifting Spray targets volume and thickness at the roots of the hair. Exclusive Halo conditioning agents maintain hair's natural softness and smoothness while allowing for maximum body. Like all Halo styling products, this Root Lifting Spray is formulated with our exclusive Illuminating Color Protection® Technology to protect vibrant color and increase brilliant shine. It also delivers added UV and thermal protection. "

Jen's Experience: It seems like I've been testing an awful lot of hair products lately, but hair products are actually than most products because they're stackable. Pre-treatments, shampoo, conditioner, styling gel, hair powder, volumizers, shine enhancers...they can all be used on the same day if you so desire (and often I do). I've been using this root-lifting spray on most days along with my Halo gel and Aveda hair powder combo. It's a lot like a mousse that you spray directly onto your roots for extra volume.

This is one of those products that works really well when you get the amount right, but can make your hair look really greasy when you don't. I find that spraying a few lines right along my part and massaging it into the rest of my roots is quite enough for me. I also have to avoid my bangs, because even the smallest amount of this product seems to weigh them down. When I get it right, the volume is pretty noticable, but I wouldn't say it's a vital part of my hair routine.

Retail Price: $15.99 (Visit HaloHaircare.com for salon locations)

Rating:

Review: Jonathan Serious Volume Shampoo and Create Smooth Anti-Frizz Volumizing Serum

What They Say:
(about the Shampoo) "Conditioning sugar foam gives hair body. White tea, papaya, and pomegranate extracts blended with Rosemary/Sage Essential Water™ gently purify hair while sweet almond protein helps strengthen. Anti-oxidant rich botanical UV filters shield hair from damage and color fade."

(about the Serum) "The sugar conditioner softens brittle, unruly hair. Lemongrass Essential Water™ adds shine. Body-building, conditioning extracts of almond, white ginger and watercress blended with sweet almond protein help improve the look of weak, damaged hair. For curly or straight styles, smooth styling polymer controls frizz - even in high humidity. Contains a potent, botanical anti-oxidant blend to help maintain healthy hair."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow:
(about the Shampoo) This is a very interesting product. I've never felt a shampoo do this to my hair while washing before. What am I talking about? That weird somewhat dry feeling (while wet!), with very little sudsing (which is not a bad thing) and not necessarily a feeling that my hair was getting "dirty", but not that it was getting clean as we normally like it to feel. It was a little tangly and wiry feeling in the water, as if I'd added something to it that made it change greatly in texture. It felt "roughed up" in a way. I definitely was in a hurry to add a mild conditioner to ease that tangling, which disappeared immediately. (Good thing, because I really was nervous about the state of my hair's knottiness up to that moment.)

It did seem that my hair had in fact gotten quite clean while I combed it out, but it also felt a bit more textured still. After blowdrying my hair had more volume, though not extremely drastic, with no extra weight AT ALL.

(about the Serum) This is perhaps one of my favorite serums among all I've ever tried up to this point. It's not very greasy-feeling when you dispense it and warm in your hand, and when you apply it you aren't made suddenly aware that you've may have accidentally made some very vital clump of hair near your face FAR too slick. You know, how lots of anti-frizz serums have a TEENY TINY line between the right amount and EW YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WASH THIS GREASY MESS AGAIN TOMORROW? This one didn't do that. It soaked into my hair nicely (I used a little less than 2 dime-sized amounts on my not-quite-reaching-my-shoulders length hair). I of course made sure to concentrate it some on my ends and the ends of each layer, because that's where the hairs start to flip up and go crazy in humidity.

Let me just say this: You know how humid it's been in the Midwest and just about everywhere else, right? (If you don't relate please don't tell me. We don't want to hear about your fabulous temperate climate. It will only make us curse the humidity that much more.) Well, my hair stayed smooth but full of body when I was out and about on a particularly sticky day. And I had just washed my hair before heading out. Normally the first 8 hours after I do my hair is the most frizz-a-licious time until my natural oils kick back in and I've slept on it.

So, in other words? I loved it.

BONUS: For those of you interested, Jonathan products are vegan.

Retail Prices: Serious Volume Shampoo $20.00
Create Smooth Anti-Frizz Volumizing Serum $26.00 (go to jonathathanproduct.com and click "Where To Buy" to find online and local retail locations)

DeLush Ratings: Serious Volume Shampoo
Create Smooth Anti-Frizz Volumizing Serum

Special Double-DeLush Review: Jen and Melissa Try Jonathan Create Volume Thickening Foam

What They Say: "Conditioning sugar foam gives hair volume, silkiness, and shine. Superb humidity resistance means hair stays put in any weather. Gingseng, white ginger, and coltsfoot combined with Lemongrass Essential Water nourish. Sweet almond protein helps improve the appearance of damaged hair. Contains anti-oxidant rich botanicals and a UV filter for protection."

What We Thought:
Jen - (My hair is fine and requires a variety of volumizing products to have anything resembling body in the summmer.) I primarily use this product on damp hair, just before I blow dry. I use about three pumps of the great-smelling foam, which is not quite a palm-sized portion, and massage it into the scalp area, and then brush it down into the ends of my hair. I find that after blow-drying, my hair does seem thicker but still very touchable, not sticky at all. It definitely makes my hair really shiny and healthy looking, which is certainly an added benefit.

One thing this product lacks is any kind of texturizing ingredient. Because of that, my hair refuses to hold its style unless I use an additional product before styling (Jonathan Dirt Texturizing Paste is a good choice). I have a lot of layers, so losing my hairstyle is somewhat of a tragedy. My opinion of this volumizing foam may be tainted because I was previously using Paul Mitchell's Extra Body Mousse, which worked very well with my hair, giving it lots of texture and giving me a lot more options with my hair. For touchable, thicker hair, I think this is a good choice, but for those that require more texture and don't want to use an additional product, this may not be for you.

Melissa - (My hair is thick and prone to frizz; it's very "plenitful", yet fine in texture.) I tried this both on dry hair and wet hair. When using it dry, I applied a bit throughout my hair and then blowdried with a styling brush. I noticed a definite change in volume and thought to myself that if I had been getting ready to do an updo or half-updo, or even one of the new high-style ponytails, this would have helped give me lift and oomph with fairly touchable results (only a tiny bit sticky). So that I liked.

When I used it on wet hair, it was even more touchable afterward and had no stickiness. Now, may hair is a little thicker to begin with and I also have a lot of it, so I noticed no weighing down, no huge crazy poofiness on the other end of the spectrum, but just a nice "full" feeling that I could easily style to be soft and blowout-like or messy and bedheady with an additional product.

This definitely isn't so much a texturizer as it adds oomph to hair volume, so you may still want a texturizing product depending on the style you're going for and your hair type. But I have to say..I like this super-light foam. It gives hair like mine believable volume and didn't weigh it down at all. (And my husband thinks it smells good!)

Our Ratings:
Jen
Melissa

Review: Privé Finishing Texture Spray (Herbal Blend #89)

What They Say: "Unlike hairspray, this lightweight product can be used before and after heat, giving increased flexibility, as well as providing non-tacky, silky control without falling limp. It can also be used as thermal straightener, as its styling memory is enhanced with heat styling tools. Natural ingredients such as betula alba leaf extract, gingko biloba leaf extract and echinacea purpurea root extract offer:

• Glycolic extracts that freshen, rejuvenate and moisturize hair
• Antioxidants and oxygenation that protect and rejuvenate hair
• Antiseptic qualities that promote hair and scalp health
• Defrizzing agents that add smoothness
• Vitamins that protect and maintain natural shine
• Protection from environmental stress
Styling Tips
• Use hot rollers to activate the setting agent’s heat memory for an amplified style. Pin curls will also give your waves a little bump and bounce without being too “big.”
•Rework second-day styles by utilizing the spray to revitalize yesterday’s look without product build-up.
•Apply again later in the day to reduce frizz."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: I've been totally and completely pleased with this product. I usually like to to use it on my hair after it's dry, and when I do I make sure to spray mostly away from the roots and more into the body of the hair. However, I haven't noticed any oiliness as a result of using it so if you want a bit more volume and manageability there you shouldn't be too afraid to do that. I get INSTANT volume and texture without heavy weight which is fabulous. It also helps your hair hold a style without the stickiness or crunch of hairspray. Hair is still touchable! I highly recommend giving this a try.

Purchase proceeds in 2006 go toward the fight against Breast Cancer!
"Trends depart just as quickly as they appear, but one thing that never goes out of style is contributing to the fight against breast cancer. That’s why Privé founder, Laurent D., will introduce one new product a year that will donate a portion of proceeds to the Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research, the favorite charity of his long-time friend and client, Téa Leoni. And since soft lustrous waves have some major staying power, Privé Formule aux Herbes has launched Finishing Texture Spray to give to the cause in 2006. This fibrous texturizing styling product infuses a low luster shine and smoothness, while adding incredible volume and substance to hair minus the added weight or stickiness of sprays and gels. “Our efforts to raise $25,000 on behalf of Expedition Inspiration last year were so incredibly rewarding that we knew our work couldn’t end there,” said Laurent D. “To show our continuous dedication to Expedition Inspiration, we have decided to launch a new product each year that will help to fund research for this terrible epidemic.”

Retail Price: $20 (For more information on where to buy Privé Formule Aux Herbes, call 866-351-1193 or go to www.priveproducts.com.)

DeLush Rating:

Redken Thickening Lotion No 6 Body Builder

What They Say: "Thickening Lotion 06 body builder Fatten up fine hair. Lightweight styling lotion adds substance and shine."

Jen's Experience: I am always looking for a good volumizer. Generally, I choose salon products because they tend to moisturize while they thicken; they aren't full of drying alcohol.

My results with this one are mixed. Some days it looks great, some days my hair is flat or stiff. While I've never gotten stellar results with some products in the past, this one doesn't produce quite the effect I was hoping for, but here's some ways to help this thickener work its magic. First, put this on your hair as soon you've towel-dried it. This will let it penetrate the hair better to have a more noticable effect. You can let your hair air dry for a bit, but be sure to blow dry your roots before they start to dry -- that'll keep it from getting stiff. Finally, don't put too much on, and keep it at the roots.

Like I said, this isn't the greatest product out there, but it's hardly the worst. You can use this is combination with other products to really get the volume you've been craving.

Retail Price: $13.99 (salons)

Rating:

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray

What They Say: "Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray,this setting spray adds body and makes hair feel thicker, but soft, and never gummy. It also tames frizz and flyaways. It contains Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, which moisturizes, conditions and helps repair environmental or chemical damage. For all hair types, especially fine or limp. Use it for body when blow-drying. A must when using a straightening or curling iron. Spray evenly and saturate damp hair, comb through for even distribution, then blow dry."

Jen's Experience:  I've seen this product on the recommended list within every fashion magazine, and I have super-fine hair, so I had to add it to my shopping list.   Most of the salons I visit don't carry it (neither does Sephora or Ulta), so it took me a while before I ran across any Bumble and Bumble products.  I was dreaming of the day I would find it, spray it on my hair and suddenly have thick full, perfectly-behaved hair forever and ever.  That didn't happen exactly.

Before I found the Thickening spray, I always used mousse to get extra volume and body.  Sometimes it would leave my hair a little sticky or hard, but it did really work wonders on adding volume.  I figured that the Thickening Spray would do something similar -- if my hair was thicker it would look like it had more body.  I think that my hair looks slightly thicker and a little more healthy when I am using this product, but not nearly to the extent that I was hoping for.  I am really disappointed.

I've read many good reviews of this product on epinions and Drugstore.com, so if any of you have any positive experiences to share, I would love to hear them.

Tips:  The back of the bottle suggests using their Tonic spray before using the Thickener Spray.  I highly recommend this.  The Thickening effects are much more pronounced on top of the Tonic.

Retail Price: $22.00/8 oz. (Fred Segal)

Rating:

Redken Hot Sets 22 Thermal Setting Mist

I have baby fine hair, so I am always on the lookout for products that will give the illusion that I have some body hidden somewhere in those strands.  One of my friends mentioned this to me as a way to make my hair hold curl longer when I use a curling iron or hot rollers. 

What They Say: "Create heat styles that have staying power. Thermal protective setting mist locks styles in with lasting control."

Jen's Experience:  I was so excited when I first found this.  It wasn't crazy expensive, which was refreshing, and the directions made it seem pretty easy to use.  For hot rolling, you are supposed to spray your hair all over when it is slightly damp before you put in the hot rollers.  With a curling iron, your hair will be completely dry, and you are supposed to apply it by spraying it on each section before you curl it.  Well, when I started using it, I was pretty disappointed.  It smells and works a lot like hairspray.  When I used it with a curling iron, I my hair was pretty stiff and sometimes a little sticky.  But, I have to say, as long as I didn't brush it out too much, it did hold my style throughout the work day, and that was why I bought it. 

Retail Price: $11.99 (See Redken site for a salon near you)

Rating:

Garnier Fructis Style Volume Inject Mousse

When I finally ran out of my last mousse, I didn't have a lot of cash, so I thought I would try out a drugstore brand, and because I've been seeing a lot of advertisements for Garnier's hair products, I had to give theirs a try.

What They Say: Take control of your style!  Garnier Fructis Style, with fruit micro-waxes, gives you the power to create and control any hairstyle you want.  What is volume inject mousse?  It is a new generation styling product that builds weightless volume and body that lasts all day without stiffness.

Jen's Experience:  When I first started using this product, I was absolutely in love.  It didn't provide as much volume as the last mousse I was using, but it never got sticky or stiff no matter how much I overapplied it to one section or how much I let my hair air-dry.  It completely met my expectations, and I was thrilled to have bouncy but touchable hair.  Over time though, I noticed that my hair was looking less and less healthy and shiny, and though process of elimination, it seems that this mousse may be a little too hard on my hair for everyday use.  Although I am no longer using this as part of my daily routine, I do still use it for special events, with no obvious damage to my hair.   

Retail Price: $3.99 (Walgreens)

Rating:

Matrix Big Trix Mousse

You know how your hair stylist always manages to make your hair look divine, and then you wash it and poof! It all goes to hell?  Well, my current stylist makes my hair look like a million bucks, and I've learned that a lot of it has to do with this awesome styling product.  Oh sure, I've used mousse before.  But none that I would recommend so whole-heartedly.

What They Say: "Great for overall volume and a soft-tousled, sexy look, Boost-it mousse sets the foundation for a voluminous mane."

My DeLush Downlow: My hair styles remarkably well with Big Trix.  I get really incredible volume for my fine hair and it holds my style even after a long night's sleep.  Seriously, I put a brush through my hair in the morning and think, "I could skip the shower and have time for a mocha on the way to work."  My hair is even shinier when I use it.

Tips: Make sure you apply only a handful and that you dry your hair thoroughly.  Follow these simple rules and you will be in mousse heaven.  Ignore them and you will have stiff, sticky hair until you wash it again.  You have been warned.

Rating:

Reviewed By: Jen