How to Get the Ultimate Fluffy Hair Look at Home

All over TikTok and Instagram, the message is clear – the 90s are back in style in a big way. And one of the biggest 90s trends making a comeback right now is the fluffy hairstyle. 

This hair trend was first seen in the 90s on catwalk supermodels and in movies like Clueless. It combines movement and volume with a touchable and lived-in look, and it’s making waves all over social media.

Fluffy hairstyles have also been seen in runway shows and this trend is definitely making its way into the mainstream, which is no surprise really. After all, who wouldn’t want to have a mane of fluffy, volumized, healthy-looking hair?

Of course, there’s a skill to creating fluffy hair without any frizz. So if you’re keen to get fluffy hair at home, read on for all the tips and tricks you need.

What Is Fluffy Hair?

In the 90s, this was the cool hairstyle that everyone from supermodels like Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer to Cher Horowitz in the movie Clueless was rocking. In the 20s, we call it fluffy hair but back then, it was just a regular blowout.

This style is all about body and volume, and the fluffier the better. It’s a little bit messy and textured, and a little bit like bed hair but in a way that says ‘I’m ready for the runway’.

Your fluffy hair should look soft, natural and touchable, not at all over-styled. Depending on your hair texture, you’ll find this look fairly easy to achieve at home with hot tools and good products.

The Fluffy Hair Trend

OK, so now you know what fluffy hair is, but why is it suddenly trendy again?

Well, it’s all part of the 90s revival that’s going on over on TikTok and Instagram right now. Celebrities and influencers are really embracing the 90s look, from skater skirts to high ponytails, and the fluffy hair look is a big part of that 90s trend. 

But whereas girls in the 90s had to make do with crunchy hair mousse and sticky gel to style their hair, modern-day hair styling products and tools make it easy to create hair that is both full of body and soft to the touch.

Add in some heated or Velcro rollers and a wide-body comb, and it’s easier than ever to get the kind of volume that 90s girls could only dream of!

Fluffy Hair vs Poofy Hair- Is There a Difference?

You might think that fluffy hair and poofy hair are the same things, but in fact, they’re quite different.

Fluffy hair is a hairstyle that lies somewhere in-between messy hair and a smooth blowout. It has a shiny and bouncy appearance but also has more volume and texture. 

On the other hand, poofy hair happens naturally and is caused by the level of humidity and your natural hair texture. Poofy hair is BIG and is more like frizzy hair than touchable and tousled.

How to Get the Fluffy Hair Look

It’s super easy to get fluffy hair at home, you just need a few tools and products and a few clever tricks.

First grab a round brush, hair dryer, and hot tool to style your hair and if your hair is longer, you’ll need a set of Velcro or heated rollers. You’ll also need heat protectant spray, a volumizing product, and a styling cream. You might also need hair oil and you’ll definitely want some hairspray for the finishing touch.

If you have curly hair you can skip the round brush and rollers, and just use a diffuser.

Now you have gathered all of the tools and hair care products, here are the tips and tricks to help you achieve the fluffy hair of your dreams: 

Prep Your Hair Correctly

If you want to get fluffy hair at home, achieving this 90s look starts with preparing your hair. First, switch out your regular shampoo and conditioner for volumizing hair care products to give your hair more body. Using a leave-in conditioner designed for your hair type is a great way to give your hair a moisture boost and protect it from heat tools. 

Then, before you start drying your hair, divide it into even sections and spritz heat protectant spray all over your damp hair. This will give your hair a glossy shine while protecting it from the humidity that can turn fluff into frizz.

Blow Dry Your Hair Upside Down

Fluffy hair needs masses of volume, so one of the best tips is to blow dry your hair upside down. This lifts the strands of hair away from your scalp, and you can even use a boar bristle brush to give even more volume.

If you have bangs, blow drying them away from your face will give the movement this style needs.

Use Hot Hair Rollers

Rollers are the number one tool for anyone who wants voluminous hair. And hot rollers are even more effective at giving maximum hair volume and keeping frizz under control. Hot rollers tend to give more defined curls, while Velcro rollers create softer bouncy curls, but either will give you a 90s-inspired look that’s full of body. 

It’s vital to make sure your hair is 100% dry before you put your rollers in, and leave heated rollers to cool completely before you remove them. If you decide to use Velcro rollers, you could even sleep in them overnight.

Remove your rollers once they have totally cooled down, and then brush your hair from underneath, scooping it forward to give maximum body. 

Tease Strands

Teasing your hair is another great technique for creating a fluffy look. Lifting strands of your hair up away from your head and back combing underneath will give a fluffier, more voluminous look. This technique works particularly well on short fluffy hair, and while it might sound a little retro, it can be very effective!

Try a Hair Diffuser

Adding a hair diffuser attachment to your blow dryer is a really easy way to create fluffy hair, especially on curly locks. It disperses the air in between the strands of your hair and dries them more gently, turning them into a fluffy mass of bouncy curls with less risk of heat damage. 

Drying your hair upside down and scrunching it upwards in the palm of your hands will give maximum fluffiness.

Experiment With Dry Shampoo

It’s hard to give your hair a fluffy look if your locks are weighed down by hair products. So try using dry shampoo to absorb oil, refresh your hair and keep your hair looking fuller for longer.

Choose Proper Hair Styling Products

High-quality hair care products will help to create volume and give you fluffy hair that looks great for longer. A serum or cream will help to tame and define your locks, while a leave-in conditioner is vital for giving curly hair a soft and bouncy look.

You could also use a volumizing foam and texturizing products near the roots for more volume.

Finally, complete your 90s-inspired fluffy look with a generous spritz of hairspray to lock in the bounce.

Tips for Long-Fluffy Hair

To create this look on long hair, start by spraying volumizer on the roots of towel-dried hair to add volume and applying a styling cream through the ends to give hold.

For curly hair, you’ll proceed to scrunching and diffusing upside down.

If you have straight hair, use your blow dryer and a round brush to dry small sections upwards from the roots towards the top of your head. 

As each section of hair dries fully, roll it onto a Velcro roller and pin it securely. Make sure you pick the right size of roller, as small rollers will create tight curls instead of a fluffy look.

Rolling some sections towards your face and some away from it will give more body and movement to your style. Finish with a spritz of hairspray and then leave to dry completely, which could take an hour or more.

When you remove your rollers, use your fingers or a wide tooth comb to comb out your voluminous curls. You might also like to add a little hair oil to the ends of your hair and don’t forget the hairspray to finish.

Tips for Short, Fluffy Hair 

Creating the fluffy look on short hair can take trial and error because the technique will vary depending on your hair texture. Some people can get fluffy hair by just drying their hair upside down, while others might need to scrunch dry their hair with the help of styling products. 

Try experimenting with different products to see what works for you. If you like a more polished look, a styling cream will work well. Styling powder or salt spray will give a more beachy, matte look and can also help to amplify the volume of your fluffy locks.

If you decide to use rollers on short hair, stay away from large rollers which will create curls that are too loose and lack shape.

How to Achieve Fluffy Curly Hair

Gorgeous fluffy curls are easiest to achieve on hair that already has a natural curl, so if your hair is in the range of type 2A to 4C, you’re in luck!

The fluffy style will highlight your hair’s natural texture and add effortless volume with a matte finish. You don’t want to overly control the natural texture of your hair, just let it flow free and allow its natural beauty to shine through. 

So after you have cleansed and conditioned your locks, give them a little additional protection by applying a leave-in conditioner that’s suitable for your own hair type. Either air-dry or diffuse-dry your hair and when it’s completely dry, add a little texturizing hair spray before pulling the curl patterns apart to create volume.

The finished look should have an airy finish with just a little shape and definition.

How to Make Straight Hair Fluffy

This is possible but it will take a little more effort. So if you want the fluffy look on your straight hair, here’s what you need to do:

• Protect against the damaging effect of heat styling by using a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
• For added protection, use a leave-in conditioner to smooth and strengthen your locks
• Encourage a natural wave by letting your hair air dry until it’s about 90% dry, then blow dry upside down with a diffuser on the lowest temperature setting. Use the palm of your hand to cup sections of your hair and scrunch upwards for added volume.
• If your hair is still refusing to curl, it’s time to bring out the heated styling tools. Use a curling iron or wand with a small barrel as the curls will loosen over time.
• You could also try rag rolling your hair, or using foam rollers or braids to create curls without heat. Use a curl-defining styling product to enhance the curls and make them last longer.

Fluffy Hair FAQ 

Here are some of the most common questions we get asked about the fluffy hair trend.

How Do You Keep Hair Fluffy After Sleeping?

Lying down to sleep is definitely going to have an effect on your fluffy hair, but there are some tips you can try out. Wrapping your hair up in a headscarf or silk bonnet will protect your hairstyle, and you can also try twisting large sections and wrapping your roots. This will help to keep your style looking fluffy rather than flat when you wake up the next morning.

Can Fine Hair Be Fluffy?

Pretty much any kind of hair can rock this 90s trend. Whether you have straight or curly hair, fine hair or thicker hair, you can try this look on your tresses. Fine hair that is very silky will likely need some texturizing and volumizing products to get the desired result

How to Make Extremely Thick, Straight Hair Fluffy?

It will take some extra work to make very thick and straight hair look beautifully fluffy. If your hair is shoulder length then letting your hair dry completely on hot rollers might work. If your hair is shorter than that, you can use a curling iron to create the curls, pin them and let them cool completely before brushing them out.

Unfortunately, if your hair is longer than shoulder length, it will probably be too heavy to stay fluffy. The weight of your hair will pull the curls down, no matter what styling tips and products you use on it. You could try reducing the weight of your hair by having some layers or bangs cut in.

The Bottom Line 

Now you know how to create gorgeous fluffy hair that looks sexy, tousled, and touchable. It might take a few attempts to get the look exactly how you want, but this hairstyle isn’t meant to look perfect so have fun trying it out at home!

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