I’ve always been a fan of BIG hair. You know, the kind of ‘do that is widely accepted in the Southern US and generally tolerated here in the Great White North – except perhaps in the early nineties, when grunge-inspired hair necessitated flat, unkempt locks. (Also known as: the WORST hair trend known to womankind.)
And, since I just happen to have the least envied hair texture – that unsexy combination of fine and frizzy with a cowlick in the back, greasy roots and dry ends and oh, just a hint of a kinky curl that resembles crimped hair at best and a treasure troll at its worst – I tend to invest a lot of time and energy in fighting Mother Nature. *Shakes Fist*
In fact, if there’s consistently one type of product I’ve always sought out, it’s the ones that promise full-bodied and voluminous hair. Bodifying shampoos. Volumizing mousses. Big and bold finishing sprays. And a back-comb at the roots, for good measure. So when John Frieda (read: hair-styling GOD) recently released his lineup of Luxurious Volume products, I was more than a little curious. I was a little obsessed.
MUST. TRY. NEW. PRODUCTS.
WILL. SOLVE. ALL. OF. LIFE’S. PROBLEMS. WITH. BIG. HAIR.
So what’s the “big” deal? Here I am pre- Luxurious Volume – after a quick blowdry with my current go-to mousse (ahem, which shall remain nameless), I’m left with smoother hair but decidedly zero pizzazz. I look like a 30-something gal with fine locks and a hint of hair happiness. This is actually what my hair looks like every day before I pull it into a ponytail – so I suppose if you popped by my house unannounced, this is the Lena who would likely greet you at the door.
I decided to photograph myself relatively unstyled, because if I put a large-barreled curling iron to the ends, backcombed my crown and added a bit of FRIZZ-EASE Extra Strength hair serum to the ends, I’d fool you into thinking I had more hair than I really do. So as far as “before” shots go, there I am.
Now thanks to the good folks at John Frieda, I received the most wonderful press drop – you guessed it, all the products you see above.
The following “after” pictures are once again, unstyled – I wanted to show you what I could achieve with the collection before finishing my hairdo. This way, I’m comparing apples to apples – you can see exactly how much volume the products pumped through before I smoothed down the flyaways and tamed the ends. Et voila! I do believe I’m a little closer to God – Luxurious Volume has taken my hair to new heights!
Here’s what I used, in order:
TOUCHABLY FULL SHAMPOO – Patented formula contains specialized volume building technology paired with cleansing agents. The formula gently cleanses and detangles fine hair as it applies volume boosters, then rinses clean. Volume boosting technology is activated during blow dry to enhance hair’s natural volume, for hair that feels naturally full and soft.
TOUCHABLY FULL CONDITIONER – Weightlessly detangles for volume that looks and feels natural.
VOLUME BUILDING MOUSSE – Lightweight formula contains specialized blend of styling polymers that boost volume and hold style. Specialized polymer blend wraps around hair strands, increasing hair diameter, lifting at the roots. Resists humidity for long-lasting hold. This formula also contains panthenol, a protein, which helps strengthen and protect the hair.
ROOT BOOSTER BLOW DRY LOTION – Root lifting complex combines triple polymer system that boosts hair from the roots and thickens strands, for natural-looking and natural-feeling volume that lasts.. Contains heat protection polymer and Panthenol, known to protect and strengthen hair.
ALL-DAY HOLD HAIRSPRAY – Lightweight, ultra-fine spray provides extra hold for natural looking volume that stays full and uplifted all day.
I used a large-barreled iron on my ends to smooth them over and finished with a pea-sized amount of frizz serum. Next, I lighted sprayed my whole head with hairspray to hold the look all day. Curling the ends did deflate my hair just a bit – but I’m happy to trade just a bit of volume for a more polished look. A pair of hoop earrings and a swipe of fuchsia lipstick, and I was good to go!
Completely in love the Luxurious Volume collection by John Frieda. If you’re like me, and believe bigger is better, it is a must try!
I’ve used JF’s other products but not this so will defnitely have to give a try..thanks for the review!
IF you could only purchase one of the items in this line, which do you think it would be?
You’re welcome Kathy! Now, would you forgive me if I told you to purchase two products? The Volume Building Mousse and Root Booster Blow Dry Lotion would be my picks. I tried them separately first and they didn’t really do much for me, but together – well, you can see the results. Simply distribute the mousse through damp hair first – toss your hair around to work it into the roots, and then spray the lotion at the roots, ensuring even coverage all over (about 8-10 quick spritzes does it for me). I find using the two products together is the ticket to building the volume so it lasts all day. Good luck!
Thanks Lena!!! I spend sooo much on beauty products so trying these 2 instead of the whole line sounds alot easier on my wallet!
It’s my pleasure! I continue to use just those two products with great success – LOVE them! Good luck and let me know what you think!
Wow! What a difference! I also suffer from thin lifeless hair..although your before picture is not bad and I’d be happy with even that amount of volume..I am definitely going to try these products!
Please do Mandy! Check out my suggestion above to Kathy – if you only purchase a few products from the line, make sure you check out the mousse and root booster!
Wow. what a difference. My hair never stays up but I am going to try these ones out. You look amazing.
Thanks Doreen! Please give John Frieda a try, and let me know what you think!
Oh Ya, there is a huge difference.I, too, love volume in my hair but have never tried John Frieda products. Thanks for the review and pictures. I am definitely going to try John Frieda products now. By the way, you are very pretty and I love your eyebrows!
Thank you Lee! I think you’ll really like them. I’m a believer!
I just love JF products… and big hair :-) Sounds like (and looks like from your photos!) a really great new line! :-)
Thanks for sharing!
Any time Suzanne! I forgot to mention that I also used a John Frieda round brush – wonderful quality.
Wow! That’s an amazing difference! I too suffered from very high hair in the early 90s and cringe at the photos!
Thanks
Haha well I suppose we all had hair periods we’d rather forget about – for me, the entire 80’s!
Dont hit me okay? I like your before pics better….but in my defence Im a big John Frieda fan too. I’m just in love the 3Day Straight spray; gimme those flat locks =D
I agree with you! I was a bit hesitant to say that :) With all my honesty, the hair in the second picture looks like someone’s wearing a helmet !! May you already have naturally thick hair Lena? Never tried JF till now, maybe I’ll give it a try.
Hahaha I’m dying of laughter over your helmet comment, Mary :) No, I definitely do not have naturally thick hair – I can actually tie a ponytail with hair ties meant for babies. I’m serious. But, keep in mind that the “after” picture was taken of unstyled hair – once I curled the ends to add some movement the hair deflated a bit and looked less “helmet-y”. But, I wanted to show you all just how voluminous your hair can be with the products without fussing with the hair too much :)
LOL I would never hit you Lisa! My husband said the same thing – he’s actually a fan of the “before”. I think because I have such thin hair I love fattening it up and taking it high – but I think both styles have a certain look that works!
What a huge difference oh my word! That is great! I will have to give it a try.
Please do Ashley – I think you’ll love it!
Wow! That is incredible! You can really notice a difference. You’ve got gorgeous hair to begin with! Great pics, btw!
Thanks Christine!
You look lovely before and after Lena!
Too kind Deborah! Thank you so much!
Whoa nice hair before and after! The after shot looks amazing though — I need a miracle like that!!
You can get it Victoria! JF is very affordable and I believe it’s on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart this week!
Your hair looks so good! :)
Thanks Tanisa!
Thanks for the great review. I’m going to try it now :)
Please do Jackie, I think you’ll love it!
wow, i need to try that product. i have been triing to make my hair look bigger. thanx for doing a review on this product
My pleasure Mandy – hope you love it!
…It sounds like a great product and your hair looks great…Think I’ll give it a try…Thank you.
You’re welcome Colleen! Please let me know if you try it!
I have SUPER fine hair and a lot of it! I may just have to give this stuff a try. Your hair looks great!
Thanks Alisha! Good luck!
Wow, I have never even heard of this Luxurious Volume product! I love big hair too, and you can bet your bottom dollar that this is soon on my shopping list!!
Amazing! So happy to have introduced it to you!
AMazing results! I am going to have to try this as I have such thin, blah hair.. Thanks!
Good luck!
wow what a difference
Yup, great results!
It does look like it really works! My hair texture is similar to yours so I’ll have to try this and see if it works for me too!
Please do Susan!