Decibel Hair – Turning Up the Volume Without Turning Up the Fuss – Having spent more than twenty years working in the hair and beauty industry, I have seen countless products promising bigger, bouncier hair. Most delivered a temporary lift, while others left hair feeling heavy with product build-up. So, when I was invited to the launch of the new Decibel Hair range, I was intrigued to discover whether this latest innovation could genuinely offer something different.
What immediately stood out wasn’t just the sleek branding or the science behind the products, but the story behind the people who created them.
Decibel Hair has been founded by husband-and-wife team Jonelle and Michael Sampson. Jonelle is a third-generation award-winning hairdresser whose career has taken her from Chicago and New York to Los Angeles and Austin. After more than two decades behind the salon chair, she recognised that one request came up time and again, regardless of age or hair type: “How can I get more volume?” Rather than accepting the limitations of existing products, she and Michael set out to create something entirely new, a collection dedicated solely to solving that problem.
The couple’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Plans for a new salon changed dramatically following the devastating Palisades fires, prompting a fresh start and ultimately the birth of Decibel Hair as a standalone brand. It’s a reminder that sometimes the biggest setbacks can lead to exciting new opportunities.
What makes Decibel different is its laser focus. Rather than producing dozens of styling products, the founders have concentrated on one category: volume. Their proprietary 140dB™ Complex combines specific acids and peptides designed to visibly thicken each hair strand from within, creating fuller-looking hair without the build-up often associated with traditional volumising products. The range includes a professional in-salon treatment alongside a shampoo, conditioner and at-home treatment to continue the results.
The products are also vegan, Leaping Bunny certified, colour-safe and packaged using post-consumer recycled materials, which is always a welcome bonus when choosing a new beauty brand.
Now for the important part—did it work?
I have only used the at-home trio once, so it’s very much early days, but I must admit I was pleasantly surprised.
The first thing I noticed wasn’t actually the volume, it was how incredibly soft my hair felt. That result was immediate and genuinely unexpected. My hair felt smoother, healthier and much more manageable after just one wash.
As for the volume, there was certainly an improvement, although it wasn’t dramatic. Personally, I don’t mind that. Decibel doesn’t promise an instant, gravity-defying transformation. Instead, it explains that the technology is progressive, with results building over continued use rather than coating the hair with heavy ingredients. That feels like a far more realistic and sustainable approach, and one I’m looking forward to testing over the coming weeks.
Another aspect I appreciate is the simplicity. The beauty industry can sometimes convince us we need shelves full of products to achieve good hair, but Decibel has taken the opposite approach with a streamlined routine that takes only a few minutes.
As someone who has reviewed many beauty products over the years, I’m always cautious about first impressions. One use is never enough to give a definitive verdict. However, I can honestly say Decibel has made a promising start.
The softness alone impressed me far more than I expected, and if the volume continues to build as the brand suggests, this could become a genuinely interesting addition to the professional haircare market.
For anyone whose hair has gradually lost body over time, whether through age, colouring or simply nature, it is certainly a range worth keeping an eye on.
I’ll definitely be continuing my own Decibel journey to see just how loud my hair can get.
Poppy Watt