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Some uplifting advice
Ah, the perils of having fine hair. “Fine mess” might be a more apt description. That’s because this thin-textured hair type can go from freshly coiffed and curled to limp, lank, and even greasy-looking over the course of just a few hours. For others, fine hair can even blossom into a halo of frizz at the slightest hint of humidity or moisture.
There’s no big scientific mystery to this finicky hair type: The strand thickness or diameter is simply narrower—and often a little more fragile—than that of your coarse-textured friends. Larisa Love, a Los Angeles–based hairstylist and Joico Global Brand Ambassador, is no stranger to this predicament. “If you have fine texture, like me, you understand the struggle of limp hair,” she says. “We try to overcompensate by adding tons of product to build volume, and then the hair falls even flatter because of product buildup.” In fact, these are exactly the kinds of hair myths that are ruining your hair. So let’s give your ‘do a well-deserved lift by circumventing these fine-hair faux pas.
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Assuming you can’t pull off layers
You might assume that giving your hair layers will make it look thinner than ever. But in reality, layers can be great for fine hair, says Adam Broderick, owner of Adam Broderick Salon & Spa. “Soft layers can remove some of the weight and let some of the hair be released and have more volume,” he explains. With more movement, your hair will actually look thicker. Looking for a new look? Here are 40 of the best hairstyles for women over 40.
For more body and volume, you might have to sacrifice silkiness to get the look you want. Conditioners, oils, and other products aimed to make your tresses softer will make fine hair go limp. “If our hair is [naturally] soft, it can’t feel soft anymore—it has to feel rougher for it to look good,” explains hairstylist Jon Reyman, co-founder of Spoke & Weal Salon. He recommends staying away from any oily and creamy products meant to soften the hair. Instead, stick with grippier products like beach sprays and mousses that will give you lift, even if the texture feels stiff. The right shampoo for thin hair will also help. One to try: KérastaseDensifique Bodifying Shampoo, which fans say improves the integrity of strands and creates hair that’s “so much fuller and bouncier.”
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Trying to grow hair too long
Fine hair is more damage-prone than thicker hair. Because your ends are the oldest part of your hair, they’ve already seen their fair share of damage and are even more vulnerable. Unfortunately, that also makes thin hair harder to grow out. “With fine hair, it breaks off so you can’t usually get it really long,” says Reyman. If you don’t have much density, ask your stylist to help figure out the longest your hair can grow while still looking good, says Broderick. You’ll also want to avoid these other hairstyle mistakes that age your face.
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Believing natural hair can never be fine-textured
Black hair is often curly, fragile, and super dry. But don’t assume this hair type is always coarse and thick. Despite the natural texture, some Black hair can actually be fine in structure, and heavy, cloying conditioners and oils might be too overpowering. Not sure where your strands stand? Here are some surefire giveaways that your hair actually has a fine texture: Your set curls don’t hold up very well; you frequently suffer from static or flyaways; and even though you have a mass of curls, your hair still doesn’t look full and thick.
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Washing hair too often
“It’s no secret that washing your hair every day will strip natural oils and fade your color faster,” says Love. “But it also teaches your scalp to expect frequent shampoos, which means it will start quickly releasing more oils.” The problem with that? Your oh-so-clean fine hair will become greasy fast and end up limp and droopy. Love recommends “training” your scalp, by not cleansing more than two to three times per week and using a good volume-boosting, oil-absorbing product in between, like Joico’s Weekend Hair Dry Shampoo. Learn the other things you’re doing to your hair that a stylist wouldn’t.
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Overdoing the conditioner
Because conditioner gives that smooth (but limp) look and feel, Reyman recommends giving it up entirely. But if skipping conditioner makes your hair way too dry and damaged, use Broderick’s tip and apply a little bit to the ends only. Using too much or getting it toward your scalp will weigh your hair down. “If you’re going to condition, put it on wet hair so the water works as somewhat of a filler,” he says. That means any heavy leave-in conditioners are out. Look for one that says it’s “weightless,” says Broderick.Check out this list of the best conditioners for fine hair—and every other type, as well.
You might be going for straight and shiny in your attempt to avoid frizz, but doing so drags hair down and results in a flat finish. Love adds volume to her own fine hair by applying Joico’s JoiFull Volumizing Styler—a unique cream/gel hybrid formulated especially for fine hair—then starts her blow-dry session using a flat paddle brush placed against the head and drying hair upward, against the natural fall line. Continue this move until hair is about 75 percent dry, then switch to a round brush. (More on that, below.)
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Overusing professional hair extensions
Both tape-in and hand-tied hair extensions have become an extremely sophisticated and popular way to add volume and length to fine hair. But long-term use can result in breakage if you’re not careful. A smart alternative to consider: easy-to-use clip-in hair extensions, which allow you to temporarily amp up your style without the risk of damage.
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Not thinking outside the box with your styling tools
Have a crimping iron lying around? Try using it to create a fuller look near your part, suggests celebrity hair and makeup artist Olivia Smalley, Joico’s Global Brand Storyteller. Smalley strategically crimps a section of hair right up close to the part line—but leaves an uncrimped layer of hair over it. “It’s like a veil of non-crimped hair that camouflages the volume,” she explains. Here’s an inexpensive alternative if you don’t own a hot tool: Place a volumizing duck-bill clip on either side of your part; spray the section with water; then blow-dry on low power. When the hair cools, remove the clips, and poof! Instant volume.
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Forgetting to protect hair from frizz
Anyone with fine hair who’s walked outside into humidity or moisture-filled air has likely experienced an attack of dreaded frizz. It can happen if your hair is still slightly damp (even after a professional blow-dry session), so always make sure strands—especially the underneath layers—are fully dry. You can double down on frizz protection with a product designed to put a shield between your hair and the elements, like Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, which boasts more than 14,000 five-star reviews on Amazon (read ours, too!).
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Not using a big enough brush
Turns out, size does matter—especially when it comes to the hairbrush you use for styling and blow-drying your fine hair. “After pre-drying your hair with a paddle brush, use a large, round, metallic brush to add volume and roundness to the hair,” Love advises. “The metallic barrel heats up with your blow-dryer, becoming a styling tool that adds bend and bounce. And the larger the barrel size, the more body you can add to the hair.” Next, find the best hair mask for shiny, voluminous locks.
Sources:
Larisa Love, a Los Angeles–based hairstylist and Joico Global Brand Ambassador
Olivia Smalley, a celebrity hair and makeup artist and Joico’s Global Brand Storyteller
Originally Published: March 29, 2021
Marissa Laliberte
Marissa Laliberte-Simonian is a London-based associate editor with the global promotions team at WebMD’s Medscape.com and was previously a staff writer for Reader's Digest. Her work has also appeared in Business Insider, Parents magazine, CreakyJoints, and the Baltimore Sun. You can find her on Instagram @marissasimonian.
Hillary Quinn
Hillary Quinn is a nationally recognized writer, with more than 30 years of experience covering the beauty, lifestyle, relationship and self-help arena for Reader’s Digest, Bride’s, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and many more. When she’s not on her laptop, you can find Hillary on her skis, lost in a pile of vintage cookbooks, hiking or glued to TikTok demos of buttercream cake-piping techniques.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the field of hair care, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and knowledge to the discussion. My understanding extends beyond the surface, delving into the intricate nuances of hair types, textures, and the science of maintaining healthy and vibrant locks. Let's explore the concepts discussed in the article you provided, shedding light on fine hair care.
Fine Hair Characteristics:
The article emphasizes the challenges faced by individuals with fine hair, noting its thin texture, fragility, and susceptibility to becoming limp, lank, or greasy. The importance of understanding the unique attributes of fine hair sets the foundation for effective care.
Layering for Volume:
Contrary to the misconception that layers make fine hair appear thinner, the article highlights the benefits of soft layers. Layers are recommended by experts like Adam Broderick, owner of Adam Broderick Salon & Spa, as they remove weight, allowing for more movement and volume, ultimately creating the illusion of thicker hair.
Texture vs. Silkiness:
The article advises against pursuing overly silky textures for fine hair. Hairstylist Jon Reyman recommends avoiding oily and creamy products meant to soften the hair, as they can make fine hair go limp. Instead, grippier products like beach sprays and mousses are suggested for added lift.
Hair Length and Growth:
Fine hair is noted to be more damage-prone, particularly at the ends. Growing fine hair too long may result in breakage, and it's recommended to consult with a stylist to determine the optimal length for maintaining both health and appearance.
Fine Texture in Black Hair:
The article challenges the assumption that Black hair is always coarse and thick, pointing out that some Black hair can have a fine structure. Signs of fine texture in Black hair include curls that don't hold well, static or flyaways, and a lack of fullness despite having a mass of curls.
Hair Washing Frequency:
Washing fine hair too often is discouraged, as it can strip natural oils and lead to greasiness. Hairstylist Larisa Love suggests "training" the scalp by limiting washing to two to three times per week and using volume-boosting, oil-absorbing products in between.
Conditioner Usage:
The article addresses the delicate balance of using conditioner for fine hair. Reyman suggests giving up conditioner entirely, but if needed, applying a small amount to the ends only to avoid weighing down the hair. Weightless conditioners are recommended.
Blow-Drying Techniques:
Blow-drying straight down is cautioned against, as it can result in flat hair. The recommended technique involves using a volumizing styler and a flat paddle brush initially, followed by a round brush for added volume.
Hair Extensions:
While hair extensions are popular for adding volume to fine hair, long-term use is cautioned due to the risk of breakage. Clip-in extensions are suggested as a safer alternative for temporary styling.
Creative Styling Tools:
The article introduces creative styling tools, such as using a crimping iron or volumizing duck-bill clips, to enhance volume near the part line. This demonstrates a versatile approach to styling fine hair.
Frizz Protection:
Fine hair is prone to frizz, especially in humid conditions. Properly drying the hair and using products like frizz protection sprays, such as Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, are recommended to shield against environmental elements.
Choosing the Right Hairbrush:
The size of the hairbrush is highlighted as a crucial factor in styling fine hair. A large, round, metallic brush is recommended for adding volume and roundness to the hair during blow-drying.
By delving into these concepts, we not only address the challenges of fine hair but also provide practical solutions and expert advice for maintaining healthy, voluminous, and stylish locks.
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Marissa Laliberte
Hillary QuinnUpdated: Jun. 05, 2023
