As full-time members of the ‘fine hair club’, we totally understand the longing for thick, bouncy, voluminous strands. Don’t get us wrong, there are benefits to having less hair – blow-drying takes no time at all, we don’t get ponytail-induced headaches and our shower drains rarely gets clogged with hair.
But if we’re being honest, we’d give all that up for a super-thick, glossy mane.
Because of our obsession with fuller strands, we’ve tried just about every hair-thickening option out there, and 90% of the time they don’t work. Sad, but true.
That being said, if you’re intrigued by the 10% of methods that actually did plump our oh-so fine locks, keep reading…
1. Wash smarter
When it comes to hair washing, sulfates are not your friend. They are foamy detergents that cut through grease in no time, but will likely leave your scalp and hair super-dry – so much so, they can damage your lipid barrier and cause irritation. Not fun.
If you’re looking for a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, try Pureology. The brand are known for having high quality formulas that cleanse and condition fragile hair, without any harsh chemicals.
The Fullfyl line helps increase hair density and leave fine strands fuller and stronger thanks to its protein-rich formula.
2. Invest in thickening styling products
It may sound obvious, but opting for styling products specifically designed to increase volume, can make a massive difference to fine hair. If you’re unsure where to start, here are my favourites:
IGK’s Trust Fund Thickening Foam, £25, is not only vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, sulfate-free AND protects against UV rays, but it also give hair bags of thickness. The lightweight spray-on foam gives texture to fine strands, instantly making them appear fuller. It also locks out humidity (so you’ll stay frizz-free), whilst conditioning and adding moisture to keep dryness at bay.
3. Waves add instant thickness
Use a curling tong to add waves through your lengths, not only will it give extra width, but the dimension and texture will make hair appear fuller. Avoid excess damage by prepping strands with a heat protection spray first.
4. Deep cleanse your scalp once a week
Thickening hair products are awesome – there’s no arguing with that, but the one downside is that they have a tendency to build up on the scalp and strands. A weekly deep cleanse with a clarifying shampoo will help to get rid of any stubborn product residue.
5. Switch up your parting
Simply flipping your hair over to the opposite side from where it usually sits, will give an instant volume boost. Add a little volume powder into the roots for extra height and hold.
6. Try tape-in hair extensions
We know what you’re thinking, we’ve all seen what happens when hair extensions go wrong, but whether you’re an extension newbie, or a seasoned pro, there’s a new alternative to traditional hair lengthening methods and it’s worth considering. Tape-in extensions. Yes, these easy-to-apply lengths of hair are stuck to the roots with a medical-grade, hypoallergenic, non-toxic tape. They look a little something like this…
We’ve tried pretty much every extension method out there (yep, bonds, micro-rings, weaves…) and decided to give tapes a go. Trust us, they’re 100% worth the hype. We opted for Great Lengths Extensions and had them expertly applied at Hershesons. The whole process took less than 45mins, so they’re perfect for the time-poor. They’re also great for commitment-phobes; tape-in extensions last up to 8 weeks (although you can have the same hair reapplied time and time again), whilst traditional methods last for around 5 months.
The best thing about tape-in extensions is the flexibility, the small strips can placed exactly where you need, giving a tailored approach to extra thickness. A good Hair Stylist will help you figure out where and how much extra thickness you need. The result? A fuller, thicker finish…
7. Define your curls
Give any wispy curls some definition with a curl cream, this will help hair appear thicker and curls fuller.
8. Hair growth tablets can be effective
Tried it all? It might be worth considering a hair growth supplement.
Opt for a trusted brand, and look out for ingredients like Iron, Biotin and vitamin B, all of which help to support healthy hair growth.
