Here’s Exactly How to Make Thin, Fine Hair Look Thick and Voluminous (2024)

When not styled correctly, thin or fine hair can look thin, brittle, flat, and lifeless. However, with the right products and know-how, your hair has the potential to look as full and voluminous as you want. Celebrity hairstylist Bridget Brager, who works with Margot Robbie and Kristen Stewart and has fine hair herself, knows a thing or two about this tricky hair type. Luckily, she's here to help. Below, Brager dispels common myths about thin, fine hair, and shares her expert advice on how to achieve thicker-looking results.

1. First, figure out the difference between fine and thin hair. Though the two are often lumped together due to similarities, fine and thin hair are not actually the same thing. According to Brager, here's how to easily figure out the difference:

  • Fine hair is when the diameter of a strand of hair is small. To test if you have fine hair, grab one strand of hair and rub it between your pointer and thumb fingers. If you are not able to feel it or barely able to, that means the strand is fine.
  • Thin hair is when the number of strands on your head is lower (low density). So, if your scalp is easily visible when you part your hair or if the base of your ponytail is very small, that means you have thinner hair.

While some people with fine hair also have thin hair, it is possible and common to have a lot of fine hair and vice versa. That's why it's important that you're shopping for products that are designed for your specific needs and styling your hair accordingly.

2. Don't be afraid to use conditioner! All hair types — especially finer textures — need it. According to research by Procter & Gamble, 29 percent of women use conditioner less than once a week. Fine-haired ladies often skip conditioner for fear it'll weigh down their strands, but doing so leaves their delicate hair unprotected. You might also feel as though you're getting more lift when you don't use a conditioner, but that depleted volume is more so due to the conditioner not being rinsed out thoroughly. If the idea of a creamy conditioner still scares you, Brager suggests trying the Herbal Essences Bio: Renew Foam Conditioner instead, which is light, airy, and washes away easily.

3. Use dry shampoo... even on wash days. With oily hair like yours, you're likely familiar with the benefits of said magical spray on dirtier hair days. But it's just as good to use as a styling product on day one. Oftentimes, fine hair has too much slip to hold its shape; dry shampoo works in the opposite way on clean hair, adding a bit of texture to the strands to create the grip that most styles need to last. After Brager is finished styling her clients' hair with hot tools, she finishes with a blast of dry shampoo throughout the length of the hair, not the roots, to achieve an even fuller effect. Try the IGK Jet Lag Invisible Dry Shampoo.

4. Scalp and root covers are great for concealing thinning areas, but save them for special occasions. A root touch-up powder or eye shadow applied with a small makeup brush works wonders for camouflaging an obvious hair part. Fill in sparse spots where you need when you need to, but take a break every once and a while so you don't obstruct the hair growth process. Brager says that if you're constantly using thickening agents and sprays, over time the product can block hair growth if the strands aren't strong enough to break through the skin on your scalp.

5. Exfoliate your scalp to encourage new hair growth. If you use root concealers and dry shampoos, make sure you're exfoliating your scalp once or twice a week with a clarifying shampoo or scalp scrub. This type of formula cleanses the pores and breaks down debris from product build up, which can block the growth of new hairs. Brager recommends massaging your scalp with Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt to unclog the pores on your scalp. However, it's all about finding a healthy balance with your products. Exfoliating too often will cause oil to rush to the surface of your head to protect it, leaving you with oily hair.

6. Opt for alcohol- and silicone-free styling products. Formulas with alcohol dry out your hair, and ones with silicone can lead to product build-up — both of which cause breakage over time. Stylers without filler ingredients, however, wash away after each use, making them the ideal choice to use daily. Brager always recommends using alcohol-free mousse and hairspray, which add texture and memory, and a silicone-free styling oil (yes, oil even on fine hair!), like the Herbal Essence Bio: Renew Coconut Milk Oil-Infused Crème, on damp hair to protect it from heat styling.

7. Changing your hair color can alter your hair's texture and allow it to hold styles better. To get styles to last for many of her clients during big press tours, Brager suggests bleaching their hair and then re-coloring it back to the original shade. "If your hair doesn't cooperate when you style it, get highlights throughout your hair, and then color it back with a demi-permanent, which just deposits color without lifting anything, for amazing texture." Brager says this trick will also make your hair feel thicker since it opens up the cuticle and create the illusion of fuller strands.

Here’s Exactly How to Make Thin, Fine Hair Look Thick and Voluminous (5)

Here’s Exactly How to Make Thin, Fine Hair Look Thick and Voluminous (7)

Brooke Shunatona

Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.

Here’s Exactly How to Make Thin, Fine Hair Look Thick and Voluminous (2024)
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