I Stopped Using Heat Tools on My Bob—This One Product Gives Me the Perfect Amount of Texture

My hair routine has become significantly less complicated since I cut my hair into a bob. Gone are the days of spending ages blow-drying and styling my hair or reaching for my curling wand to add some shape and movement. The beauty of a shorter style is that I can apply a couple of products and leave it to air-dry. However, there is one thing I do still need to do: add texture.

My hair is naturally very straight, and while I love the sleek, blunt look of a freshly cut bob on others, I personally prefer mine to have a little more movement. I don't necessarily want big, bouncy waves or an overly styled finish—I just want that slightly undone texture that stops my hair from looking too flat and, dare I say it, a bit boring.

As a beauty editor, I've tried my fair share of texturising sprays, mousses, and styling creams over the years, but finding something that gives my hair body without making it feel stiff, sticky, or greasy is harder than you might think. This is especially true now that I'm not regularly using heat tools. A lot of volumising products are designed to work alongside a blow-dry, which is great if you have the time and patience, but not so helpful when your entire styling routine consists of roughly two minutes spent in front of the bathroom mirror.

I've been using the new Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Body Plumping & Volumising Cream on my bob since it launched a few weeks ago, and it has quickly become a firm favourite—especially as it makes my hair look like I've put much more effort into styling it than I actually have.

Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Volumising Cream

My Experience

More than just a styling cream, the hybrid formula is designed to plump and fortify each strand for fuller, thicker-looking hair with lasting volume and lift. It also helps to strengthen and protect the hair fibre, whilst offering heat and humidity protection to help keep frizz at bay, so it's a real multitasker. Plus, although it's suitable for all hair types, the formula is particularly beneficial for fine, fragile, colour-treated, or damaged hair.

For me, though, the biggest selling point is just how easy it is to use. After washing my hair, I simply run a small amount through my towel-dried lengths and leave my hair to dry naturally. That's it. There's no blow-drying required, no complicated styling technique and absolutely no need for heat tools.

The cream itself is incredibly lightweight and almost gel-textured, which is important for my hair as anything too rich can quickly make it look flat. Instead of coating my hair or weighing it down, it gives my naturally straight lengths a little more grip and movement. Once dry, my bob looks fuller and more textured, but still feels silky-soft and touchable.

I've also found that it's a great option if, like me, you don't want that obvious feeling of product in your hair. There's no crispiness, stickiness or greasiness, and it doesn't leave my hair looking overly styled. Instead, it gives me the kind of effortless, slightly undone texture that I would usually rely on heat styling (or the skilled hands of a hairstylist) to achieve.

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