7 Easy cut Ideas for voluminous Hair You Can Do at Home

1. The Strategic Face-Framing Layer

Face-framing layers are the holy grail for adding immediate volume and dimension without sacrificing length. This technique focuses on softening the area around your face, which automatically draws the eye upward and creates the illusion of fuller hair.

How to do it: Start with dry, styled hair. Take a triangular section of hair from the front of your head, with the point at your crown. Holding the hair straight out in front of you, point-cut into the ends at a slight angle. This means instead of cutting straight across, you snip into the hair with the tips of your scissors. Start with a longer length and gradually work shorter as you move toward your face. The goal is a soft, blended effect that removes weight from the front.

Pro Tip: Always cut less than you think you need. You can always go back and take more off, but you can’t put it back on!

2. The Root-Lifting “Under-Cut”

This is a salon secret for creating unbelievable root lift. It involves removing weight from the underneath layers of your hair, allowing the top layers to sit higher and creating natural, lasting volume from the crown.

How to do it: Section your hair horizontally, from the top of one ear to the top of the other, clipping the top section out of the way. Take vertical subsections of the bottom layer. Twisting each subsection tightly, use your shears to point-cut into the twisted hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. This removes bulk without creating a hard line. When you drop the top section, it will rest on this lighter, textured base, resulting in instant lift.

Pro Tip: This technique is especially powerful for those with thick, heavy hair that tends to be pulled down by its own weight.

3. DIY Texturizing for Movement

Sometimes, volume isn’t about length—it’s about weight. Texturizing is the art of strategically removing bulk to allow your hair to move and bounce freely. This is perfect for breaking up solid, blunt ends that can drag hair down.

How to do it: With dry hair, take small, random horizontal sections throughout your mid-lengths and ends. Instead of cutting the entire section, slide your scissors down the hair shaft (about 2-3 inches from the ends) while gently opening and closing the blades. This “sliding” technique thins out the hair internally, creating feathery ends and incredible movement without sacrificing overall length.

Pro Tip: Use texturizing shears for a more blended effect, but standard hairdressing scissors work if you’re careful. Less is more!

4. The Ponytail Crown Lift

This is a famously easy hack for creating perfectly blended, voluminous layers at home. By cutting your hair while it’s in a high ponytail, you automatically create shorter layers in the front and longer layers in the back.

How to do it: Bend over and brush all your hair forward into a high ponytail, positioned right on the center of your crown. Secure it tightly. Decide on your desired length and carefully cut straight across the end of the ponytail. When you stand up and let your hair down, you’ll have beautiful, face-framing layers that add tremendous volume and shape.

Pro Tip: For more dramatic layers, place the ponytail higher on your head. For subtler layers, place it lower. Remember, the hair will be significantly shorter when down than it appears in the ponytail.

5. Point Cutting for Feathery Ends

Ditch the blunt cuts! Point cutting is a fundamental hairdressing technique where you cut into the hair at an angle, creating a soft, feathered, and diffused line. This prevents the “shelf” effect of a straight-across cut, which can look heavy and suppress volume.

How to do it: On dry hair, take a small horizontal section. Instead of cutting straight across, hold your scissors vertically and make small, upward snips into the ends of the hair. Work your way around your entire head, focusing on the ends. This breaks up the line, removes weight, and makes your hair look thicker and fuller at the ends, which in turn supports overall volume.

Pro Tip: This technique is a lifesaver for fixing a DIY haircut that ended up too blunt or heavy.

6. The “Shag” Inspired Internal Layers

Channel your inner rockstar with this method that adds volume and texture through internal layers. This doesn’t change your outer silhouette much but works wonders on the inside to build a foundation of lift.

How to do it: Section off the top layer of your hair. On the bottom layers, take vertical sections and hold them out from the head. Using a point-cutting or slide-cutting technique, remove length and bulk from the *inside* of the section, avoiding the outer perimeter. This means you’re cutting into the middle of the hair strand, not the ends. This removes the hidden weight that flattens hair from within.

Pro Tip: Focus this technique on the hair from your ears down to the nape of your neck for a powerful volume boost where you need it most.

7. Bangs for the Ultimate Volume Boost

It might seem counterintuitive, but adding bangs (or fringe) is one of the fastest ways to create the illusion of voluminous hair. They add density and texture at the front, drawing attention and creating a focal point that makes all your hair look fuller.

How to do it: Start with a longer, wispy bang to be safe. Create a triangular section at the front. Holding the hair straight up and away from your forehead, point-cut into the ends to create a soft, textured line. Curtain bangs are a fantastic, low-commitment option that part in the middle and blend seamlessly into your face-framing layers, creating incredible volume at the crown and temples.

Pro Tip: Use a round brush and a blow dryer to style your bangs upward and then back for a seamless blend with the rest of your hair, maximizing the voluminous effect.

Styling Tips to Maximize Your Voluminous Cut

Your new cut is the foundation, but the right styling brings it to life. Always blow-dry your hair upside down for maximum root lift. Use a volumizing mousse or root-lifting spray on damp hair before you start. For texture and hold, a light-hold texturizing spray on dry hair will keep your layers separated and bouncy all day long.

Final Words of Caution

Embarking on a DIY haircut is empowering, but always err on the side of caution. Use sharp, professional hairdressing scissors—kitchen or craft scissors will damage your hair. Cut less than you think you need. You can always trim more later. And remember, these techniques are designed to enhance texture and volume; for major length changes or complex corrections, consulting a professional is always the best bet.