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Hilary Duff‘s hair situation always deserves its own headline. We’re talking that windswept, beachy, slightly tousled texture that looks like she rolled out of the Pacific and onto a magazine set. No stiff curls. No overdone waves. Just movement, body and that elusive lived-in softness that makes you tilt your head and think, “How?”
Fortunately, we have all the answers to how Duff achieved that “just step out of the ocean” look for the May cover of Sports Illustrated Swim. According to celebrity stylist Barb Thompson, the entire look was built around one Aussie-born brand: BondiBoost. The label served as the official styling partner for Duff’s cover, and Thompson reached for one product in particular to nail that gorgeous, bouncy hair.
Get the BONDIBOOST Thickening Hair Thickening Spray for $29 (originally $33) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
“For Hilary’s Sports Illustrated Swim cover, we wanted hair that felt effortless, sun-kissed and naturally powerful, like she had just stepped out of the ocean with that perfect wind-swept texture,” Thompson said. “The look is all about movement, softness and healthy dimension.”
Here’s the part that caught our attention: Thompson didn’t reach for a curling iron or a heavy mousse. She misted BondiBoost’s Thickening Therapy Volumizing Styling Spray at Duff’s roots and lightly through the crown, then lifted with her hands instead of a brush. No tugging, teasing or endless amounts of scrunching involved.
If you’ve spent the last decade chasing volume that doesn’t collapse by lunch, this is the kind of behind-the-scenes detail worth bookmarking. Hair tends to lose density and bounce over time, and the products that promise lift usually deliver one of two disappointments: weight that drags everything down, or a sticky finish that turns your hair into a helmet. Thompson’s technique sidesteps both problems, and the spray itself is built to keep things airy.
What makes it work is the formula. Epsom salt gives strands a touchable, slightly textured body (the kind you actually want to run your fingers through). Hyaluronic acid plumps each strand from the inside, which is the real secret to fullness that looks natural rather than puffed-up. Biotin and vegan collagen do the strengthening work, so hair looks visibly fuller over time instead of just in the moment. The base is aloe, and the formula skips silicones, sulfates and parabens, which matters if you’ve been trying to clean up your routine without sacrificing performance.
“To build fullness without stiffness, I misted Thickening Therapy Spray at the roots and lightly through the crown, lifting with my hands instead of a brush to keep it airy and organic,” Thompson explained. “The overall vibe is healthy, strong and naturally sexy, movement-driven hair that feels authentic for Hilary.”
If you’ve been eyeing the cover and wondering whether the look is achievable at home, the honest answer is yes. The thickening spray does most of the heavy lifting, and at under thirty dollars, it’s one of the more accessible celebrity beauty tips floating around right now!
Get the BONDIBOOST Thickening Hair Thickening Spray for $29 (originally $33) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
