You don't have to be Amy Winehouse to appreciate that bigger is better as far as hip-looking hair goes. The A-list are living it large, whether subtly – in the case of Sienna Miller and Penélope Cruz, or to a super-sized degree – Eva Green. There's definitely something in the hair…
Maximum returns
Whatever your hair texture, encourage greater volume with cleansing and conditioning products specially developed to increase the dimension of each individual hair. For body and bounce in a bottle, try Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Daily Shampoo, £6.40 and Extra-Body Daily Rinse, £8.50 (0845 659 0012); Revlon Professional Interactives Volumizing Shampoo, £8.49 and Interactives Volumexpress Conditioner, £10.49 (020 8399 5624); or Charles Worthington Dream Hair Heavenly Body Thickening Shampoo, £5.49 and his new Heavenly Body Thickening Conditioner, £5.49.
Texture tips and tricks
Unless your hair is very curly, adding a few judiciously placed layers will introduce texture and give you more to play with.
Making it big is all in the prep. Layer products to create an invisible support system, retaining movement and swing to prevent your style looking stiff and dated. You need to be particularly careful not to overload fine hair. The root area should be singled out for special attention. Nicky Clarke Red Carpet Style Traffic Stopping Ultimate Strength Mousse, £4.29, Wella Shockwaves Boost It! Heat Defense Root Boosting Spray, £2.49 and McAdam Anti-Frizz Volume Root Lift Mousse, £3.47, all encourage tenaciously touchable texture.
TRESemmé Salon ProCeramic Volume, £30, is a 2000W salon-performance dryer with even heat distribution, ionic conditioning and ceramic radiant heat technologies. Create additional abundance by blow-drying with your head tipped upside-down so you can blast away at the roots while sweeping a vent brush through each section.
Achieve authentic levels of '60s volume with a radial brush such as TIGI's Hardcore Medium Barrel Brush, £8.50, (www.tigi.co.uk). Use it to lift hair up at the roots directing it towards the back of the head. Round brushes can also be used like rollers, wind hair around the barrel, blast with heat, cool down and then unwind.
Create volume, curl or waves with heated or conventional rollers. Remington's Protect & Shine Fast Heat Ionic Rollers, £29.99, (www.remington.co.uk) are new and Denman Thermoceramic™ Self Grip Rollers, from £2.50, (www.denmanbrush.com) are a classic. Whether a head-full or a handful, the result is a hefty dose of glamour.
Big tease
Big hair and backcombing go together like sleek locks and straighteners. Whether you're aiming for the slightly dishevelled or the massively mussed-up, conventional tailcombs with closely spaced teeth such as Kent's 8T Tailcomb, £3.75 (www.kentbrushes.com), should be your weapon of choice. Comb hair towards the scalp instead of away from it to roughen the cuticle and create that must-have gutsy effect. The most hair-friendly technique is to do it in one continuous motion. Backcombing also creates the perfect foundation for a retro-redux red carpet up-do beloved by the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Gwen Stefani. Grasp the comb at the teeth end and use the tip of the tail to carefully tease out your pleat or beehive.
Style sexer-uppers
Aveda's pocket-sized plumper Pure Abundance Hair Potion, £16.50, (www.aveda.com) is a power-packed powder formulated with kaolin clay and organic acacia gum. David Cruz, Fashion Week lead stylist for Aveda says, “I used Potion backstage and loved it. It gave hair instant texture and grab, making it easier to create an updo, while giving great hold and height.” By contrast, Kylie has got her haute couture head around texture with a plethora of pin curls, waves and upswept finishes. Achieve rock 'n' roll ruffle with Sexyhair's Short Sexy Hair Double Header Volume + Texturising Spray, £14.40, (www.sexyhair.co.uk). Whatever your take is on big, bold glamour, freeze the moment with firm yet flexible Matrix Vavoom Size Me Up Finishing Spritz, £9.95, (01753 441253).
Blow and grow
For truly voluptuous proportions follow Headmaster's creative director Zoe Irwin's guide to the 'Velcro Blow Out.'
1. Prep hair with styling spray or thickening mousse and blow-dry using your nozzle attachment and a round bristle brush.
2. Divide hair into roller-sized sections, and position the velcro roller at the back section close to the roots.
3. Drag the roller along the hair to the ends at a 45º angle to encourage root lift. Smooth ends around the roller, coil hair to the base and clip into place.
4. Repeat as necessary as a general guide place three on the top of your head, two either side and three at the back.
5. Once in place, blast with hot air and allow to cool thoroughly. Remove and shake your head whilst lightly running your fingers through your hair. Don't brush!
