Styling fine, thin hair can sometimes be challenging. Individuals with fine, thin hair (low-density hair) often feel cheated and left out of the fun. When you surf the internet for hairstyle inspiration, you’ll notice that almost all the time, you see full and highly dense hair, leaving little or no representation for the fine-haired folks. And even with natural hair stylists and salons, it never makes it to the gram when they style thin hair. The spotlight tends to shine on fuller locks, leaving the delicate beauty of thin hair overlooked and underappreciated.
But we cannot totally blame these hairstylists, can we? Styling fine/ thin hair beautifully can sometimes be an issue. But then, with adequate knowledge, you can style your thin hair to your taste. All it takes just a little more intentionality and creativity. So, whether you want to add volume, texture, or both, several styling tips and tricks can help you achieve the desired look. In this article, we’ll look into various practical styling techniques and provide product recommendations and styling tools to help you make the most of your fine, thin hair.
How to Identify Fine/Thin Hair
Fine, thin hair refers to hair strands that are thin in diameter and sparse in density. “Fine” has to do with the thickness of individual strands, which are smaller in diameter compared to coarse hair. “Thin” refers to the overall density of hair on the scalp, meaning there are fewer hair strands per square inch than someone with thicker hair. To make it simpler, let’s outline some ways to identify fine or thin hair.
Texture
Fine hair often feels soft and smooth to the touch. If you hold one or a few strands of fine hair with your fingers, you may not feel them in your hands. It’s always very smooth, so unlike coarse hair, using products like gels on fine hair requires a very small quantity.
Visibility of Scalp
Since the individual strands of hair are few compared to thick hair, Thin hair tends to show more of the scalp, especially when parted.
Density
Thin hair may feel sparse or lacking in density. For some hairstyles that require a lot of hair, thin hair may not be able to achieve them.
Volume
Thin hair lacks volume, and so it always appears flat. When thin hair is styled backward in a ponytail, it may appear that there is no hair, except you see the ponytail behind.
Styling Tips for Fine/Thin Hair
Fine/thin hair can still appear beautiful and full if you know the correct styling techniques to explore. Below are some tips on how to style fine hair beautifully.
Avoid Heavy Products
Heavy products such as waxes or pomades should be avoided as they can weigh down fine hair. When choosing products for fine/thin hair, opt for lightweight products/ oils that will achieve the same purpose without weighing down the hair.
Use Velcro Rollers
This will make it appear to be fuller. Velcro rollers add volume and bounce to fine, thin hair. Roll sections of hair at the crown, then follow up with a blow dryer to set the volume before removing the rollers.
Make use of Volumizing Products
Use volumizing shampoos, conditioners, and styling products to add body and lift to your hair. These volumizing products are available in many beauty and cosmetics stores.
Avoid Over-washing
Washing your hair too frequently can strip it of natural oils, making it look flat and lifeless. Only wash your hair when necessary, and make sure to follow up with every other hair care practice for your Washday.
Parting Tricks
Experiment with different partings (e.g., side part, zigzag part) to add volume and create the illusion of thicker hair.
Loose Styling
Avoid making hairstyles like twists too tight. Even if you have very thick hair, making too tight twists/ braids will make your hair appear smaller and less dense. So, for someone with naturally thin hair, you want to make sure your twists are very loose. This will give your hair more volume and bounce.
Correct use of Hair Accessories
Learning how to use hair accessories will help complement your entire look. If you’re using bobby pins during hair styling, use small bobby pins. Since the hair is sparsely dense, using large bobby pins can cause a mess. Also, use accessories like headbands, clips, or scarves strategically to add volume and style to your hair.
Complementing Hairstyles
Consider your hair density before choosing any hairstyle if you have fine or thin hair. Opt for hairstyles that will complement your hair type. For hairstyles like twist-outs, you can lightly tease or backcomb the roots of your hair to create volume, but be gentle to avoid damage.
Texturizing Products
Use texturizing products such as mousses, sprays, or dry shampoos to add volume and grip to fine hair. These products can help lift the roots and create the appearance of fuller, thicker hair.
Hair Products Recommendation for Fine/Thin Hair
Volumizing Shampoos
These shampoos are formulated to add volume and fullness to hair by cleansing away excess oils and residue without weighing down the strands. An example of volumizing shampoo is Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo, which contains Oxyfusion technology, helping to give hair bounce and fullness without weighing it down. Other examples include Pantene Pro-V Sheer Volume Shampoo, and TRESemmé Thick & Full Shampoo
Volumizing Conditioners
Volumizing conditioners are designed to moisturize and detangle hair, adding volume and thickness without leaving it flat or heavy. So if you have thin hair, you should use a volumizing conditioner instead of regular conditioners. Examples of volumizing conditioners are John Frieda Luxurious Volume Touchably Full Conditioner, OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Conditioner, and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Volume Filler Thickening Conditioner.
Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a lifesaver for thin hair. It is a powder or aerosol spray that absorbs excess oil and grease from the scalp, refreshing hair between washes without needing water. It removes oils, sweat, and odor from hair, leaving it feeling clean, fresh, and voluminous. Examples include Batiste Dry Shampoo, Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, and Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk.
Root Lifting Hair Spray
Root-lifting sprays are designed to add lift and volume to the roots of the hair, providing support and structure for styles with height and body. Examples of this type of spray include Redken Guts 10 Volume Spray Foam, TIGI Bed Head Superstar Queen for a Day Thickening Spray, Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Volumizing Spray Mousse, etc.
In conclusion, styling fine or thin hair doesn’t have to be a daunting task. So, implement all you have learned the next time you want to style your fine hair type. By doing so, you can enhance your hair’s natural beauty and achieve the voluminous, textured look you desire.
Also, you must learn to embrace your unique hair texture. Unhealthy comparison can lead to self-esteem issues, perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards, and contribute to feelings of inadequacy or inferiority. With a little creativity and know-how, you can confidently rock any hairstyle.
