I’ve always struggled with fine, flat hair that seems to lose its life by midday. After years of experimenting with shampoos, I stumbled upon Biolage’s Volume Bloom and Full Density lines, both promising to transform limp locks.
But which one truly delivers?
In this article, I’ll share my experience testing these products, comparing their ingredients, benefits, and results to help you decide which is best for your hair. From root-lifting volume to scalp-nourishing density, I’ll break down the pros and cons to guide you toward your best hair day yet.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Biolage Volume Bloom | Biolage Full Density |
| Primary Goal | Adds volume and bounce to fine, flat hair | Enhances thickness and strength for thinning hair |
| Key Ingredients | Cotton flower extract, soy protein, polymers | Biotin, zinc PCA, gluco-omega |
| Best For | Fine, limp hair needing lift and styling ease | Thin, sparse hair needing density and scalp health |
| Texture | Lightweight, non-sticky | Creamy, slightly thicker |
| Scalp Benefits | Minimal, focuses on strand lift | Promotes healthy scalp, reduces hair loss |
| Scent | Floral, AromaScience fragrance | Herbal, AromaScience fragrance |
| Sulfate-Free | Yes | Yes |
| Paraben-Free | Yes | Yes |
| Price (13.5 oz) | ~$24 | ~$24 |
| Best Use Case | Daily styling for volume | Long-term hair health and fullness |
My Hair Struggles And Why I Chose Biolage
Let me paint you a picture: my hair is fine, straight, and stubbornly flat.
No matter how much I tease or blow-dry, it collapses like a bad soufflé by lunch.
I’ve tried every volumizing spray and mousse, but they often leave my hair sticky or weighed down.
Then I heard about Biolage, a brand known for its botanical-inspired formulas and salon-quality results.
Their Volume Bloom and Full Density lines caught my eye, both targeting fine and thinning hair but with different promises.
Volume Bloom is all about bouncy, lifted strands, while Full Density focuses on thicker, stronger hair. Intrigued, I decided to put them to the test.
I’ve spent weeks using both lines, alternating between them to see which one truly transforms my hair. I’m not a scientist, just a regular person chasing fuller-looking locks, so my approach was practical: wash, style, and observe.
I’ll walk you through my findings, from how each shampoo feels to the real-world results I noticed in my mirror.
Understanding Fine Vs. Thinning Hair
Before we get into the products, let’s clear up a common confusion: fine hair and thinning hair aren’t the same. Fine hair, like mine, refers to the diameter of each strand—it’s naturally thin and often lacks volume.
Thinning hair, on the other hand, is about hair density, meaning you have fewer strands due to hair loss or breakage. Biolage tailors Volume Bloom to fine hair and Full Density to thinning hair, but there’s some overlap.
If your hair is both fine and thinning (lucky us!), you’ll want to know which product addresses your biggest concern: lift or fullness.
Biolage Volume Bloom: The Bounce Booster
- What It Promises
Volume Bloom is designed for people like me—those with fine, limp hair that refuses to hold a style.
Inspired by the cotton flower’s ability to expand, this shampoo uses a blend of cotton flower extract, soy protein, and polymers to plump up strands and add lightweight volume.
It’s paraben-free, sulfate-free, and safe for color-treated hair, which is a big plus for me since I occasionally highlight my hair.
The line includes a shampoo, conditioner, volumizing spray, and mousse, but I focused on the shampoo and conditioner for my test.
My Experience
The first thing I noticed was the scent—a fresh, floral AromaScience fragrance that instantly reminded me of a high-end salon. The shampoo lathers beautifully with just a small amount, creating a rich foam that feels luxurious.
It rinses clean without leaving my hair squeaky or stripped, which is a common issue with volumizing shampoos. The conditioner is equally lightweight, detangling my hair without weighing it down.
After air-drying (I rarely use heat to avoid damage), I was shocked at the results. My hair looked noticeably fuller, with a bouncy lift at the roots that lasted most of the day.
I didn’t need to tease or use extra styling products, which was a game-changer. The volume wasn’t dramatic—like, I didn’t look like I’d just stepped out of a blowout bar—but it gave my hair that extra “oomph” I’d been craving.
Pros of Volume Bloom
- Instant Volume: Delivers noticeable lift at the roots, perfect for styling fine hair.
- Lightweight Formula: Doesn’t leave hair sticky or heavy, even with conditioner.
- Gentle Cleansing: Sulfate-free and paraben-free, it cleans without stripping natural oils.
- Salon-Like Scent: The floral fragrance feels indulgent and lingers subtly.
- Color-Safe: Works well for treated hair, preserving my highlights.
Cons of Volume Bloom
- Short-Lived Results: The volume fades by the end of the day, especially in humid weather.
- Limited Scalp Benefits: It’s not designed to address hair loss or scalp health.
- Pricey for Daily Use: At $24 for 13.5 oz, it’s a splurge if you wash your hair daily.
- Not for Thinning Hair: If your main issue is sparse hair, this won’t add density.
Biolage Full Density: The Thickness Champion
- What It Promises
Full Density is crafted for thinning hair, aiming to make strands look and feel thicker while promoting scalp health.
Its hero ingredients are biotin, zinc PCA, and gluco-omega, which work together to strengthen hair, reduce breakage, and rebalance the scalp.
Like Volume Bloom, it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and mineral oils.
The line includes a shampoo, conditioner, densifying spray, and serum, but I stuck to the shampoo and conditioner for consistency.
My Experience
The Full Density shampoo has a creamier texture than Volume Bloom, and its herbal AromaScience scent is slightly less floral but still pleasant. It doesn’t lather as much, but it feels nourishing, like it’s doing something deeper than just cleaning.
The conditioner is thicker too, coating my strands without feeling greasy. After rinsing, my hair felt smoother and stronger, almost like it had more “body” to it.
Over a few weeks, I noticed my hair looked fuller, not in a voluminous, bouncy way but in a thicker, healthier way. My ponytail seemed a bit denser, and I shed less hair while brushing.
The results weren’t instant like Volume Bloom’s, but they built up over time, suggesting this is more of a long-term investment for hair health.
Pros of Full Density
- Thicker-Looking Hair: Expands strand diameter for a fuller appearance.
- Scalp Health Focus: Biotin and zinc PCA nourish the scalp and reduce hair loss.
- Reduces Breakage: My hair felt stronger and less prone to splitting.
- Long-Term Benefits: Noticeable improvement in density after consistent use.
- Clean Formula: Free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and mineral oils.
Cons of Full Density
- Less Immediate Volume: Doesn’t provide the same root lift as Volume Bloom.
- Creamier Texture: May feel slightly heavy for very fine hair.
- Subtle Scent: The herbal fragrance isn’t as luxurious as Volume Bloom’s.
- Slower Results: Takes a few weeks to see significant changes.
How Biolage Full Density And Volume Bloom Stack Up?
- Ingredients and Formulas
Volume Bloom’s cotton flower extract and soy protein are all about expanding the hair shaft to create the illusion of volume.
It’s like giving your hair a temporary boost, perfect for styling.
Full Density’s biotin and zinc PCA, however, target the root (pun intended) of thinning hair by strengthening follicles and balancing the scalp.
If you’re after instant gratification, Volume Bloom wins; if you want lasting improvement, Full Density is your pick.
- Application and Feel
Both shampoos are easy to use—apply to wet hair, lather, and rinse. Volume Bloom’s lighter, foamier texture feels airier, while Full Density’s creamier consistency feels more nourishing.
The conditioners follow suit: Volume Bloom detangles without weight, while Full Density adds a bit more moisture, which can feel heavy if overapplied. I found both easy to incorporate into my routine, but Volume Bloom edged out for its salon-like lather.
- Results and Performance
After using Volume Bloom, my hair looked like I’d spent an extra 10 minutes styling it. The lift at the roots made my hair appear fuller instantly, but by evening, it started to flatten, especially in humid weather.
Full Density, meanwhile, didn’t give me that immediate “wow” factor, but after a month, my hair felt stronger and looked denser. If you’re prepping for a big event, Volume Bloom is your go-to; for everyday hair health, Full Density shines.
- Price and Value
Both lines are priced similarly, around $24 for a 13.5 oz bottle, which is standard for salon-quality products. Volume Bloom feels like a luxury splurge for its instant results, but Full Density’s long-term benefits make it a better value if you’re committed to consistent use.
If you wash your hair daily, the cost can add up, so consider alternating with a budget-friendly shampoo to stretch your investment.
My Styling Routine With Each Product
To get the most out of these shampoos, I tweaked my styling routine.
With Volume Bloom, I’d wash, condition, and air-dry, then use a round brush to enhance the root lift.
A quick spritz of the Volume Bloom Full-Lift Spray added extra bounce for special occasions.
For Full Density, I focused on scalp massage while shampooing to stimulate follicles, then applied the conditioner only to my ends to avoid weighing down my roots.
I also used a wooden brush to minimize breakage, as Full Density seemed to make my hair less fragile.
Who Should Choose Volume Bloom?
If your hair is fine and flat but not necessarily thinning, Volume Bloom is your best bet. It’s perfect for those who want a quick fix for limp strands, especially if you style your hair daily or need a boost for photos or events.
It’s also great for color-treated hair, as it won’t strip your dye job. However, if you’re dealing with humidity or want lasting volume, you might need additional styling products to lock in the look.
Who Should Choose Full Density?
Full Density is ideal for those with thinning hair, whether due to genetics, stress, or breakage. If you notice more hair in your brush or a sparser ponytail, this line’s scalp-nourishing ingredients can help.
It’s less about instant volume and more about building stronger, thicker hair over time. If you’re patient and prioritize hair health, Full Density is a solid choice.
Which One Wins?
After weeks of testing, I’m torn. Volume Bloom gave me the confidence of fuller, bouncier hair right out of the shower, perfect for days when I want to feel put-together without much effort.
Full Density, however, made me feel like I was investing in my hair’s future, with stronger strands and less shedding over time. If I had to choose, I’d lean toward Volume Bloom for its instant results, but I plan to keep Full Density in my routine for long-term care.
Why not both? You could alternate them based on your needs—Volume Bloom for styling days, Full Density for maintenance.
Tips For Maximizing Results
To get the best from either product, here are some tips I learned:
- Don’t Overdo Conditioner: Apply it mid-length to ends to avoid weighing down roots.
- Massage Your Scalp: This boosts circulation, especially with Full Density’s scalp-focused formula.
- Use Cool Water: Rinse with cool water to seal the hair cuticle and enhance shine.
- Pair with Styling Products: Volume Bloom’s spray or mousse can amplify results, while Full Density’s densifying spray adds extra thickness.
- Be Consistent: Full Density needs time to work, so stick with it for at least a month.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Volume shampoos, like Volume Bloom, add lift and bounce to fine hair by plumping strands. Density shampoos, like Full Density, increase hair thickness and scalp health to combat thinning.
Yes, Volume Bloom is excellent for fine hair, providing lightweight volume and bounce, but it’s less effective for thinning hair needing density.
Absolutely, Full Density strengthens thinning hair, reduces breakage, and promotes scalp health with ingredients like biotin and zinc PCA.
Full Density is the best choice for thinning hair, as it targets density and scalp health for fuller, stronger strands over time.
Conclusion: Your Path To Better Hair
You’ve got fine or thinning hair, and you’re ready to make a change. I’ve been there, and after testing Biolage’s Volume Bloom and Full Density, I can say both deliver, but they cater to different needs.
Volume Bloom is your go-to for instant bounce and styling ease, while Full Density builds thicker, healthier hair over time. Whether you want a quick lift or a long-term fix, these products can transform your routine.
Try them, experiment, and find what makes your hair sing—you’ll thank yourself every time you catch your reflection.