Every time I go to the hair salon and the stylist asks me what my hair goals are, I have one answer. “Please turn up the volume more.” As someone with long, thick, straight hair, it usually takes an expert’s hands to inject some sort of lift into my limp, heavy hair. Normally this looks like a lot of manipulation with a round brush and a hair dryer, but I haven’t been able to adjust it well enough to recreate it at home. Thankfully, I discovered volumizing hair care products in Not Your Mother’s Plump For Joy collection, so I was able to achieve the gravity-defying lift for myself. (Proof of that is in the before and after photos further down.) And at less than $15 each, it’s a lot more affordable than making a fuss about.
I’ve tried many unique shampoo formulations, from shampoo bars to powders, but this was the first foaming shampoo I tested. It comes out like a mousse and cleanses your hair with a weightless foam and a fruity orange-mango scent.
Just like shampoo, Plump for Joy conditioner comes out as a foam, so you don’t have to worry about stressing your hair. This isn’t the most nourishing conditioner I’ve tried, so I usually only use this when I’m looking for maximum volume.
This medium-hold mousse is the first styling step in this line and lays the foundation for a full-bodied hair look. A little goes a long way and it’s just as effective as some of the more expensive mousses I’ve tried.
Use this root powder after blow drying your hair. It adds grip to your hair and helps lift it firmly from the roots. I just use 1-2 pumps per section and blend it into my hair and roots and it doesn’t show up at all, even on my dark hair.
To complete the voluminous look, use this powerful hairspray to help each hair stay in place. It helps tame pop-ups, resist moisture, and keep body in the hair.
For second-day hair or days when you don’t want to go through a volumizing routine, this spray adds just enough lift to make a difference.
A big part of being an editor is going to meetings with publicists who can showcase your client’s products and recommend products based on what you’re looking for. That’s how I was introduced to the Plump for Joy collection. To be honest, I didn’t expect to like all the products in the collection. I have tried other volumizing hair products with little success.
I started with the shampoo and conditioner and liked the novelty of the foam, so the next time I washed my hair I decided to try the mousse as well. I added new products to my routine one by one and saw my hair’s volume increase each time.
Each product in the lineup costs less than $15. This means you can try one of the stylers or mix and match for less than $25. Considering the impressive volume, it’s hard to beat this value. Additionally, the formula is vegan, cruelty-free, and considered “clean” (no sulfates or parabens).
While using the full line will certainly give you the best results, adding just one or two key products to give your hair a boost can also go a long way. In that case, we recommend starting with Plump for Joy Volumizing Mousse and Plump for Joy Instant Root Boost to get the most bang for your buck. Apply this mousse to damp hair and blow dry for a noticeable lift. I also try to start my blow-dry with my head upside down so that gravity acts on my hair and gives it as much volume as possible.
Once your hair is dry, apply a few pumps of Instant Root Boost for added lift. Simply apply the powder with a nozzle and massage until it reaches the roots and is no longer visible. It gives the hair a rough feel and helps hold it in place. This took some getting used to, but the volume payoff was worth it. After styling with Root Boost, I was able to get through the second day of breakouts at home. Although grainy, my hair is still flexible enough that I brushed it out and lightly teased my hair a little, and the volume immediately returned.
If you’re looking for a product that adds lift and volume, we recommend Plump for Joy Thickening Hair Lifter. Similar to Root Boost, it adds grip and volume to your hair. However, unlike Root Boost, it helps create a thickening effect on thin hair and can be applied anywhere on your hair. That’s why I especially like this product on second-day unstyled hair, so you can create volume in dry hair without having to go through a whole blow-dry routine.
It’s worth noting that this line also includes dry shampoos, but I don’t usually use dry shampoos in my daily life, so I excluded them from this review. However, according to customer reviews, Plump for Joy Body Building Dry Shampoo seems to be just as good as any other product.
When it comes to drugstore beauty products, these are some of my favorites. You can’t beat this result at such an affordable price.
