Bad Hair Day?

Fine and Thin Hair Tips

Everyone has had a bad hair day at one point or another, but if you have thin and/or fine hair, you may be struggling on more days than not. This particular hair type can be a bit difficult to manage if you aren’t using the right products or giving it the best cuts.

You don’t have to struggle with your thin hair any longer, use these handy thin hair tips to help you better understand your hair type, and the best ways to handle it. While we can’t promise that you will never have a bad hair day again, we can help make them few and far between.

The Different Hair Types

In order to determine whether your hair is thin, fine, or a combination of both, you need to understand the various hair types. Hair is classified into a number and letter system that describes the aspects of the strands.

Straight hair is Type 1 hair

1A: This hair type is baby-fine, and it generally doesn’t hold a curl very well. It can be difficult to style, and it often looks limp and oily if not kept clean. People with 1A hair usually have to wash it every single day, and they avoid greasy conditioners like the plague. The actress Dakota Fanning has 1A hair.

1B: This hair is also straight, but it tends to be a little fuller. It may have a little bend at the ends, but it doesn’t have any real wave or curl to it. It is a little less fine than 1A hair. The reality star Kendall Jenner has 1B hair.

1C: Although this hair type is straight, there may be a little bit of waviness hidden underneath. It is usually thick, a little dry, and prone to get frizzy. This type of hair can usually hold a curl quite well. The actress Sienna Miller has 1C hair.

Wavy hair is Type 2 hair

2A: Those people that walk around with natural bedroom hair, likely belong to this hair type. There are a lot of waves or bends in each strand, but no true curls. Many people with this hair type rely heavily on their flat iron. The actress Kate Hudson has 2A hair.

2B: People with natural “beach” waves fit into this category. These strands generally look best the less you touch them. Duchess Kate Middleton has 2B hair.

2C: This type of hair is thick, wavy, and has a few bouncy curls in it. It tends to be on the drier side, and regular deep conditioning treatments are a must. The singer Lorde has 2C hair.

Related: Which Hair Straightening Technique Is Right For You?

Curly hair is Type 3 hair

3A: This hair type has the largest curl sizes, and a few strands may be closer to wavy than actual curls. People with this type of hair find it easy to straighten, but it can easily succumb to heat damage. The singer Shakira has 3A hair.

3B: This hair type is characterized by spiral curls that are stretched ou and grow down towards the shoulders instead of outward from the scalp. People with this type of hair usually find that air drying is the best method for dealing with it. The actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell has 3A hair.

3C: The curls found in this type of hair are very thick, and they can often get frizzy. The size of the curls can be as big as a marker or as small as a pencil, but they are clearly defined curls. The actress Tia Mowry has 3C hair.

Realted: The Curly Hair Showdown – How to Care for Those Curly Locks

Coily hair is Type 4 hair

4A: This hair type consists of a full head of miniature curls about the size of a pencil. The ringlets will shrink to half their size when dry, and it is most manageable when simply washed and air-dried. The creator Issa Rae has 4A hair.

4B: This type of hair is easier to characterize when it is wet because that is when the true shape is most visible. The coils will range from S to Z shapes, but if not properly cared for the strands can become quite frizzy. The singer Janelle Monae has 4B hair.

4C: This type of hair is dense like 4B, however, it doesn’t have as much definition. This hair type is actually quite delicate, and it needs proper care to avoid breakage. The actress Lupita N’yongo has 4C hair.

How to Determine Your Hair Type

Knowing your hair type is the single best way to properly care for your hair. You will never be able to buy the right products or use the right styling tools if you don’t know where you land on the scale.

The first thing you want to look at is how straight your hair is. If your hair is dead straight without a bend or wave in sight, it is safe to say you are a Type 1. Next, you want to look at the density of your hair and the individual strands.

If you separate out a single strand of hair, and you can barely see or feel it, then you are likely a 1A which means your hair is thin and fine. Congratulations! This article is for you.

Thin hair doesn’t mean that you will become bald or that your hair is falling out. It is just the natural configuration of your hair strands. There are products out there that claim to thicken your hair, and while they may help a little bit, you probably aren’t going to get anything dramatic.

Eating a healthy diet is probably the most sensible thing that you can do to thicken your hair, as what we put inside our bodies is often reflected on the outside of our bodies. However, the best thing to do is to embrace your thin and fine hair. Style it to the best advantages, and you will find that you like it much better.

Fine and Thin Hair Tips – Best Products and Tools

There are a few products that will help you get the most fullness and body from your thin and fine hair. These include:

• Texturizing Spray: This product adds a little bit of grit and texture to your hair which may help you hold a style. Thin and fine hair will often slip out of braids, clips, or ponytails, but with the texturizing spray, you have a better chance of holding your style.
• Root Volume Spray: Flat hair at the roots is a common issue for those with thin and fine hair, but you can add in a little extra volume by using a root spray. This lifts up the roots and gives the illusion that your hair is much fuller than it actually is.
• Dry Shampoo: Oily hair tends to go along with the thinness, and dry shampoo can be a great way to cut out the grease. For those that look a little oily after the gym or trying to stretch a hairwashing another day, dry shampoo is a real lifesaver.

When you are choosing your shampoo and conditioner, make sure that you aren’t picking up a bottle that is intended for people with dry hair. Any products that say “hydrating” or “nourishing” are going to be too heavy for your hair and make it look limper. Instead, choose products that are balancing, clarifying, or volumizing. Clarifying shampoo is actually a great way to get product build-up off of your hair and give it a little extra bounce and shine.

Fine and Thin Hair Tips – Best Cuts

Unfortunately, those that have 1A hair shouldn’t wear it very long. The longer you let your tresses grow, the thinner your locks will look. Everyone’s hair tends to taper at the ends, but when your hair is already fine to begin with, this tapering can make it look stringy. If you want some length for a special occasion, it is best to get it by adding extensions instead of trying to grow it out.

This tapering means you also don’t want to put too many layers in the hair. Opt for blunt cuts that hit around shoulder length or shorter for the most bounce and fullness. Bobs are always a great look, and a shag can also do well with fine and limp hair if you mind the layers. If you are brave enough to go really short, a pixie can also be a great style for 1A hair.

Related: Who Knew Choosing a Hair Brush Could Be So Complicated?

Styling Fine and Thin Hair Tips

When it comes to styling thin and fine hair, things can get quite difficult. Unfortunately, 1A hair doesn’t hold a curl well (or at all), and it can even be too fine to stay in a braid sometimes.

According to celebrity hairstylists, you should start all of your updos by curling all of your hair. These curls are not likely to stay in ringlet form, but they will add a bit of volume and girth to your hair. This will make it look better, no matter what type of style you are attempting even if it is just a ponytail.

If you don’t have time to whip out your curling iron, you can get a similar effect by teasing sections of hair. This will give you the same type of texture as the curls, and it will make it easier to keep the hair in the desired style.

Avoid brushing your hair while it is wet. Instead, use a wide-toothed comb to get the tangles out. Wet hair will stretch and break, and you definitely don’t want to cut down on the amount of hair you have by breaking it all off.

If you want to keep your hair down, but still want to add a lot of lift and volume, you can try velcro rollers. Once you finish blow-drying your hair, you can use velcro rollers to add lift to the crown. They will work best when used in conjunction with the texturizing spray. You aren’t going to get big and bouncy curls, but you will get a boost of volume.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Summer Hair Troubles

Fine and Thin Hair Tips for Adding Volume

One of the biggest issues that people with 1A hair have with their strands is the lack of volume. There are a few things you can do to keep your locks at their fullest with relative ease.

The first thing you will want to incorporate into your daily routine is the way you condition your hair. Adding conditioner to the roots of your hair will weigh it down and make it look even thinner and finer than usual. Only apply the conditioner to the tips of your hair, and never go up any higher than your ears for best effect.

Another thing that can be done to pump up the volume is changing the way that you blow-dry. If you want to get your strands looking extra full, tip your head over and dry your hair upside down. This process will add lift to the roots and give you a fuller look.

If you don’t mind adding a little color to your hair, having highlights put in will actually boost your volume. The dying process will add texture to your strands, and this will transform your strands that are normally so limp and allow them to hold a style a bit better.

Those that feel the need to shampoo every single day won’t like this next bit of advice, but if you can stand it, try to cut down your washing to about four times per week. This will increase the amount of volume in your hair. Keep that dry shampoo handy to eliminate the grease.

In Conclusion

No matter your hair type, there are always going to be things that you struggle with when it comes to styling and caring for your hair. However, if you take the time to learn the methods that work best with your specific type, you will have much better luck.

Starting loving your hair, even if it is fine and limp, with the fine and thin hair tips and tricks found in this article. Your bad hair days will be a thing of the past in no time at all. 

More Great Thin Hair Tips Resources:

11 Ways to Get Thicker Hair

Thin Hair Care Guide

Pro Hairstylists Share 8 Life-Changing Tips for Fine Hair