Caring for Fine Hair

Fine hair can be flat and dull, but you don't have to live with unattractive locks. A full, vibrant style is within reach. Read on to learn how to pump up the volume.

Fine hair can be frustrating. While it seems like everywhere you look you see full, luscious locks, your own seem cursed — limp, flat and lifeless. But fine hair can be vibrant and attractive. Here’s how to make it shine.

First, realize there’s a difference between fine hair and thin hair. With fine hair, each individual strand is thin. There many be many strands per square inch, though. Thin hair means the spaces between hairs are bigger. Of course, it’s possible to have both fine and thinning hair.

To make baby-fine hair look its best, the right cut is key. Talk to your stylist about the most attractive cuts for your hair type and the shape of your face.

• Bobs work well for lots of fine-haired folks; vary the length depending on the shape of your face. You can also try a modified bob, with uneven ends instead of a blunt edge.
• Bangs often work well for people with fine hair.
• Try a short, tapered cut — the angles can add volume.
• If you want a longer look, try layers. You can likely go shoulder-length or a bit longer — any more and you’ll lose the fullness. Having the ends notched in an irregular edge can lighten them and add a bit of volume.
• For longer cuts, have your hair angled so it’s longer in the front and shorter in the back. This cut will help give your style more shape.
• Try styles you push behind your ears, which will make your hair appear fuller.
• Pull long hair into a high ponytail or bun while you sleep and let it down in the morning for more body.
• Braid your hair before bed and in the morning you’ll have waves that can last all day.

Short hair styles will need regular trims to maintain their shape. But longer styles should get trimmed frequently as well, to keep their appearance up and clean up split ends.

To maintain your flattering cut, there are a slew of shampoos, conditioners and styling products on the market designed for caring for fine hair. Wash your hair every two or three days, and use conditioner only on the ends so you’re not weighing down your hair. Fine hair can be oily, as the oils produced at your scalp can easily work their way down the fine, straight strands. Use products designed for oily hair if you’re seeing greasy strands.

Mousse or gel can add volume — apply the product to your roots, then blow-dry your hair upside down for maximum volume. Spraying your roots with hairspray will also add long-lasting fullness.

Your stylist can help with treatments that can add volume to fine hair.

• Colored highlights add depth to your hair visually, and can also increase your hair’s texture.
• Perms aren’t the horrors you remember from the 80s. Talk to your stylist about how a perm might add body to your hair.