We get asked about volume more than almost anything else behind the chair here at Sølvi Salon in downtown Boise. Fine hair that looks great at 9am and goes flat by lunch is one of the most common things our guests bring to us, and the dry Idaho air does it no favors. So here are our honest stylist notes on the Davines Volu Shampoo, what it does well, and who should probably skip it. I'm Mara Lindqvist, a senior stylist at Sølvi, and this is the one I keep reaching for on fine-hair days.
What it actually is
The Volu Shampoo is a liquid volume shampoo built for fine, flat, or lifeless hair. It runs $29 on our retail shelf for the 250ml bottle (8.45 fl oz), which lasts most of our fine-haired guests a couple of months since you only need a small amount per wash. It is part of the Davines Essentials Volu range that we keep stocked because our stylists genuinely reach for it on the floor. The job it is designed to do is simple. Build body and lift at the root without leaving heavy residue that drags fine strands back down. If you want the deeper breakdown of the whole line, we also wrote the complete guide to Volu Shampoo.
Notes from behind the chair
What we notice on fine hair is that a lot of volumizing products overpromise and then coat the hair so much that you lose the lift you were chasing. This one stays light. On guests with fine hair that falls flat by mid-day, we see noticeably more body and the style holds longer through the day. I had a guest this spring with baby-fine blonde hair who swore nothing held past noon. We washed with Volu, did a quick root-lift blowout, and she texted me that evening that her roots were still standing up after a full shift at work. That second part matters in Boise, where afternoon dryness can flatten a morning blowout fast and leave roots looking tired by the time you head out for the evening.
We also like that it does not leave that squeaky, stripped feeling some volumizing shampoos give fine hair. Fine strands are fragile, and over-cleansing them tends to backfire. The Volu cleans without that harsh drag, which is part of why it has stayed on our shelf instead of getting swapped out.
It also plays well with color. If your fine hair is color-treated, this is safe to use, which is not something we can say about every volumizing shampoo on the market. We use it in the studio on color clients without worrying about it stripping tone.
How we use it
Our routine is straightforward. Shampoo and condition as usual, working the Volu through the scalp and roots where lift starts. Pair it with the matching Volu conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends so you keep the body up top without leaving the rest dry. For guests who want extra height, we follow with a root mist on damp hair before blow-drying and lift the roots with a round brush. You do not need a lot of product. Fine hair responds better to a little than a lot, and overloading is the fastest way to lose the body you just built.
Who it is for, and who it is not
This is for fine, flat, or limp hair that needs help holding shape. If that is you, it earns its spot in your routine. If your hair is thick, coarse, or already heavy, this is not the shampoo for you. It will not weigh thick hair down in a helpful way, and you will likely want something built for moisture or smoothing instead. We would rather tell you that now than have you buy something that does not fit your hair. That is the honest read.
One more note. Volume products manage how hair behaves, they do not permanently change its density. If you are looking for a fuller look long term, that is a conversation worth having at the chair, and we are happy to walk through options on our services menu.
The bottom line
For the right hair type, the Volu Shampoo does what it says without the heavy build-up that sinks most volumizers. It is a fair value at $29 for the 250ml bottle, it is color-safe, and it is one we trust enough to use on our own guests. If you want us to look at your hair and tell you honestly whether this fits, come see us at 104 S Capitol Blvd in downtown Boise. You can book an appointment here and we will sort it out together at the chair.