How To Replicate TikTok's Fluffy Hair Trend

Every month, over one billion people around the world use TikTok, per CNBC. The relatively new social media platform was launched in the U.S. in August 2018 when it merged with Musical.ly, according to TechCrunch. It quickly grew in popularity, particularly with Gen Z, and Charli D'Amelio became the first person to get 100 million TikTok followers in November 2020. 

Over the years, TikTok has become the go-to place to find out about the latest trends, tips, and techniques for fashion and beauty. For instance, the platform is full of tutorials for updating your makeup, like the viral TikTok makeup trend for blush. It can also give you inspiration for trying a new look, like the universally flattering dress on TikTok. So of course, the latest hairstyles can be found on TikTok too. One hairstyle trend with nearly 800 million views is #fluffyhair, and here's how you can try the fluffy hair trend yourself.

Fluffy hair is a combination of looking natural but elegant with plenty of bounce. "The loosely styled look [of fluffy hair] is part of the overall vibe that Gen Z has been styling on TikTok," Laura Polko, a brand ambassador for Aquage, told The Zoe Report, and it works best for medium to long hair. TikTok creator @maivi0let styled it on her shoulder-length hair, but it would be tricky to get the full effect with hair that's much shorter than shoulder-length. It can work on both thick and fine hair as well as natural hair, per PureWow.

If you want to try fluffy hair yourself, remember that volume is the key. To help boost volume in the shower, use volumizing shampoo and conditioner, suggests L'Oréal Paris. And for those with fine hair, consider reverse washing — conditioner first and then shampoo — to help ensure your hair isn't weighed down with product.

After washing your hair, blow dry with your head upside down for more volume. Use some volumizing mousse when it's slightly damp to help your hair hold the curl as well as keep the hair shiny and fluffy and not frizzy. If you're going to use heat to make the curls, don't skip out on heat protectant to help keep your hair healthy.

Once your hair is dry, it's time to add curls. There are a couple of different ways to get the bouncy, seemingly effortless curls of the fluffy hair trend. You can use rollers, which are ideal for thin hair. Both TikTok's favorite hot rollers and Velcro rollers will work for a fluffy hair style. Celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan tells The Zoe Report that "hot rollers will give more defined curls and Velcro rollers will give a softer, fluffier finish," so it all depends on which curls you prefer.

In terms of roller size, aim for one that you can wrap your hair around 2.5 times and roll your hair away from your face, per The Zoe Report. One suggestion from TikTok creator @zara.howey is to give the hair sections a little outward curl with a straightener before rolling it. For Velcro rollers, let the curls set for at least an hour, per Mane Addicts. And for hot rollers, keep them in until they're cool to the touch.

If you want to use a curling iron or curling wand, section off the top of your hair so you can concentrate on adding loose curls in layers, suggests ThatsHeart. Same as with the rollers, curl away from your face. Using a larger barreled curling iron will help keep the curls loose. And to get a longer lasting fluffy hair look, pin the curl in place to help it set, according to Color Wow Hair. Use dry shampoo to help extend your fluffy hair over a few days, and sleep with your hair covered, via L'Oréal Paris.

The fluffy hair style on TikTok gives major Cindy Crawford in the '90s vibes — retro hairstyles are all over TikTok. Proving that trends end up coming back around, Adele has rocked fluffy hair on the cover of British Vogue. Another famous Brit who's rocked fluffy hair is Kate Middleton, via Vogue India. And one popular influencer rocking fluffy hair on the reg is Swedish influencer Matilda Djerf. If you want more inspiration beyond #fluffyhair, try #matildadjerfhair, which has 80 million views.