Some styling products promise dramatic results and leave hair feeling like it has been shellacked into place.

These five take a more wearable approach: volume that still moves, texture without a chalky finish, and shine without turning the ends greasy.

<h3>L’Oréal Volume Extra Full</h3>

<b>L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Volume Extra Full — around €19</b>

This mousse is the one I would reach for when flat roots are ruining an otherwise good hair day. It is designed especially for fine hair, adding noticeable body and strong hold without making the lengths feel unnecessarily heavy. The finish stays relatively natural, so you still get movement rather than that crunchy mousse effect many of us remember a little too well.

I find it most useful before blow-drying: distribute a small amount through damp hair, concentrating around the roots and mid-lengths. It is particularly good when you want a fuller, more polished blowout that actually survives more than an hour.

<h3>L’Oréal Flex Pli</h3>

<b>L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Flex Pli — around €26</b>

Flex Pli is more about shape than sheer volume. It is a heat-activated styling spray designed to give hair memory, grip and flexible hold, which makes it especially useful before curling or creating waves.

What I like here is the balance: it gives the hair enough structure to hold a style, but the texture remains soft rather than lacquered. Spray it lightly through damp or dry sections before using heated tools, and it helps curls and waves maintain their shape while still looking touchable.

<h3>Color Wow Style on Steroids</h3>

<b>Color Wow Style on Steroids — around €33</b>

This sits somewhere between a texture spray and a finishing product. It adds grip, fullness and definition without leaving that dusty residue traditional texturising sprays sometimes create.

It is also formulated with heat protection, so it works particularly well when sprayed section by section before using straighteners or curling tools. The result is noticeably fuller hair with more texture, but without stiffness. For colour-treated hair, another advantage is that the transparent formula is designed not to dull the colour.

<h3>Kérastase Elixir Ultime</h3>

<b>Kérastase Elixir Ultime L’Huile Originale — around €79</b>

This is the luxury option of the group, and its role is very different: shine, softness and a smoother finish rather than hold.

The lightweight leave-in oil works across different hair types and is especially lovely on dry-looking ends after styling. A tiny amount is enough to take away fluffiness and give the lengths that expensive, glossy finish without making them appear soaked in oil. The current refillable version also makes the bottle considerably easier to keep long term.

<h3>Schwarzkopf OSiS Volume Up</h3>

<b>Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS Volume Up — around €12–14</b>

For quick volume on already dry hair, this is probably the easiest product here. The booster spray adds body and lift without requiring a full wash-and-blow-dry routine.

I would use it when hair looks a little too flat on day two: spray lightly around the roots and through selected lengths, then reshape with your fingers. Compared with heavier styling products, it feels refreshingly straightforward and is one of the more affordable ways to bring movement back into a hairstyle.

<h3>Which One Would I Pick?</h3>\

For a proper blowout, Volume Extra Full wins on body; Flex Pli is better when curls need help holding their shape. Color Wow is the easy choice for lived-in texture, Kérastase gives the most polished glossy finish, while OSiS is the practical option for reviving flat hair between washes.