No matter what your styling goals are, tailoring your product selection, tools, and techniques to your hair’s density is key. Figuring out how to style thin hair? The voluminous blowout of your dreams might just be one product swap or hot-tool hack away.
Whether you’ve always had thin hair or you’re noticing a change in density as you get older, there are plenty of ways to embrace your natural texture. Hair that’s naturally less heavy can hold more shape and bounce when styling, but maintaining a full-bodied look might take some extra coaxing. “The most common area of complaint in fine hair consultations is the hair appearing limp and lifeless,” says Bed Head creative director Philip Downing.
The good news? Downing says that there are plenty of pro tips and products that can help add volume, smoothness, and definition to thin hair. While you should be wary of miracle thickening claims (“It’s important to remember that our maximum hair thickness is fundamentally dictated by our genetics,” says Eleanore Richardson, a trichologist at Fulham Scalp & Hair Clinic), we’ve gathered all the expert tips to maximize your styling routine for thin hair.
Featured in this article
Kérastase Densifique Thickening Shampoo for Thinning Hair
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Virtue Flourish Thickening Conditioner (6.7 fl. oz.)
Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer Brush and Styler
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Nexxus Root Lift Thickening Spray Unbreakable Care
How to prep thin hair for styling
A few simple washday considerations can make all the difference when styling thin hair. If you have thin or fine hair (and especially if it’s straight) you may notice that it feels dirty or weighed-down sooner. “We typically say most thin or fine hair consumers will wash daily or every 48 hours,” Downing says. “The scalp oil that’s created—called sebum—can travel through the hair shaft a lot more efficiently on finer, smoother hair. And that’s what we perceive to the eye as oil or ‘grease.’”
If you’re struggling with flatness with thin hair, Vanessa Ocando, a celebrity hairstylist in New York City, recommends trying the double shampoo technique. “The first [shampoo] helps break up buildup and oils, while the second truly cleanses the scalp and hair. You’ll see more volume, bounce, and shine immediately,” she says.