Dear ITG,

For years, I've been at something of a hair crossroads. It mainly has to do with volume—sometimes I have it and sometimes I don't. But even beyond that, I have no idea how to harness it on my own, to be the master of my own hair destiny and point it in the direction I want without showing up to the salon every week. Definitely don't have time for that—nor do I want to incur whatever heat damage comes from constant blowdrying. I already cringe when I see hair on my brush, in my sink, on my clothes. No, I'm not afraid of losing it all, but I do know that the more that it stays on my head, the more potential there is for volume.

I'll give you a visual reference: Monica Vitti. She is my number one hair idol and has been for a long time. That fullness! Her hair is bouncy, but it’s also smooth, almost matte, too. It's a very particular kind of late ‘60s look that I've always loved. That's how I want to wake up looking—a lot of hair, artfully messy.

I've spent a lot of time looking for a “miracle product' that gives me the style I want but also suits my “do less' personality. I'm all about easy, and spending more time doing things that are important to me. Paying too much attention to my hair isn't a priority but I do want it to be strong and healthy and I consider that when styling. But nothing's ever that easy—everything, particularly for volume, requires know-how (none of which I have).

But then a friend recommended Bumble and bumble.'s new Full Potential line—mainly because it's less about knowing how to style your hair with a new product and more about making the hair you have super bodied to the point where you don't need to style it. She thought it might help give me the Monica Vitti-oomph without the Monica Vitti-caliber team of professionals. All you've got to do is wash it (there's the Full Potential Hair Preserving Shampoo, Conditioner, and a Booster Spray). It's fitting because, for the past few months—since I grew out my bangs—I’ve just been letting my hair air dry. When I do that, I get these little cowlicks that I pass off as “a look.”

Given the fact that I like to switch up my shampoos and conditioners (I think it's good to give your hair a break from the same products), I took the advice and got the products. It sounds corny, but I noticed the difference after the first wash. I let my hair dry on its own (after a few spritzes of the Booster Spray) I had that sort of sexy-but-tamed volume that I can usually only get when I pay for it. You know, hydrated enough for no frizz, but not oily so that it weighs heavy on your head. I put my hands through it and it felt like there was more to grab—simply, it felt good.

The routine is easy to keep up—it's just lather, rinse, repeat. I like to keep the Booster spray near me since it's good for a scalp refresher midday the way you might use a Evian spray on your face. Monica Vitti volume doesn't just happen, but it doesn't have to be difficult to master, either.

x,

Daphne

Bumble and bumble products are sold at Bb. networks salons, bumbleandbumble.com, Sephora, and other specialty retailers. This post is in collaboration with—you guessed it—Bumble and bumble.