How to Style Fine Hair, According to Kristen Ess

If every day feels like a struggle to keep your strands from falling into a limp, flattened sheet against your head, we’ve got some stylist-backed tips for you. Kristin Ess (aka the woman behind at least a third of the dreamy twists and buns you have saved to your Pinterest and Instagram boards) has a game plan that she employs any time she needs to add lasting volume to thin hair.

1. Use a volumizing product right out of the shower.

“I am a big believer in getting volume from the start. What I mean by that is, you need to lay down a base of a thickening spray or mousse before you style your hair to get that extra height up top,” explains Ess. “Whichever one you use, be careful not to overdo it. Too much product can weigh down your hair, so if it’s a spray, start with a few light spritzes, and if it’s a mousse, work a small, palm-sized dollop of [it] through your roots to ends.”

2. Blow-dry your hair upside down.

“Flip your head over and start rough-drying (editor note: using just your hands) to get your hair going in direction of way you want it. Stop when it’s about 70 percent of the way dry and finish drying with a brush, being careful not to pull too hard, which can flatten things,” says Ess.

3. Let it set.

And lastly, the pièce de résistance of this whole operation: While your hair is still warm from the blow dryer, pull it into a loose bun on top of your head using a soft scrunchie to secure it. Leave it up there for 15 to 20 minutes while you finish getting ready to let it cool. According to Ess, this is an absolute game changer for adding volume. Take it down before you head out the door and enjoy that extra bouncy hair, y’all.

Your toolkit: Kristin Ess Instant Lift Thickening Spray ($14); Kristin Ess Instant Lift Volumizing Mousse ($14); Slip Silk Scrunchie–Large ($39 for three)