Fluffy hair is taking off thanks to its airy ‘70s texture - here’s how to get it

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

What is fluffy hair?

So what exactly 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 Matilda Djerf. Specifically, “her 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 then you might think as it's all in the brush work: how you brush your hair out or style out your hair. 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 during the summer months 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, and begin by blow drying your coils and curls using a blow dryer with a comb attachment or a paddle brush,” says Dionne. “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," she 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. Or, “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.

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

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,” he says.

But remember, fluffy hair starts in the shower. “Super clean hair is essential, and so periodic use of a deep cleansing shampoo (I love Olaplex no.4c) is a great way to ensure the hair isn't burdened by a build-up of pollution, oil or styling product,” says Tom.

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,” she 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.

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

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

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

XXL fluffy graphic fro

Fluffy layered cut

Fluffy disco curls

Fluffy shaggy midi

Fluffed fro

Fluffy Farrah flicks

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