Best Hair Routine for Fine Hair + Products 2024

Welcome, fellow fine-haired friends! 

If you’re feeling frustrated with your silky strands for falling flat or not holding style like you’d wish, you’re in the right place. 

I understand all too well.  The struggle is real, but there’s is good news!

 Your fine hair can look voluminous and full of life with the correct hair care routine. 

This guide will walk you through the best hair routine for fine hair, featuring top styling techniques to add volume to your flat hair, volumizing styling products, and haircare tips specifically designed to bring out the best in your beautiful, fine locks. 

So, let’s dive in and explore the world of oh-so-fine hair care together!

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Understanding  Each Type of Hair

Straight hair

This hair type is straight and can range from fine and thin to medium to thick and coarse. Straight hair tends to be glossy but can also lack volume.

Wavy Hair

This type has a texture that lies between straight and curly, forming an “S” shape. Wavy hair comes in loose and fine and a bit more defined, and curly waves that are more prone to frizz.

Curly Hair

This hair type forms distinct, springy curls that resemble a corkscrew. Curly hair ranges from big, loose curls to tight, densely packed ones.

Coily or Kinky Hair

This type has tight, small curls or zigzags right from the scalp. It can range from fine to coarse, with strands often densely packed together.

Fine hair, thick hair, and Coarse hair (oh my!)

Let’s break down the differences between fine, thick, and coarse hair:

Fine Hair

This type refers to the thickness (or rather thinness) of each strand of hair. Fine hair has a smaller diameter, which means each hair strand or hair follicles are thinner.

Fine hair tends to be more delicate and can be prone to breakage.

Fine hair can often struggle to hold volume and style, and may get oily quickly as there’s more surface area in contact with the scalp.

Thick Hair

When we say “thick” hair, it can mean one of two things. Sometimes, it refers to high hair density, which means you have a lot of individual hair strands on your scalp.

In other contexts, “thick” hair refers to the width of individual strands, which in this case is the same as “coarse” hair.

Coarse Hair

Coarse hair has the largest diameter of individual hair strands.

The strands are stronger because they have more keratin protein structure, and they can tolerate heat, styling, and coloring treatments better than fine hair.

Coarse hair can be more resistant to damage, but it can also be more prone to becoming dry and frizzy.

Understanding Finer Hair

“fine hair” refers to the thickness of individual hair strands.

People with fine hair have strands that are smaller in diameter compared to those with coarse hair. This makes fine hair prone to breakage, and damage and often lay flat and appear to be a bit lifeless.

People with fine hair can also have straight, wavy, or curly hair.

Challenges of Having Fine Hair

Lacks Volume

One of the most common challenges with fine hair is the lack of volume.

Fine hair is often flat and lacks the natural lift that coarser hair types might have.

This can make it difficult to achieve certain hairstyles that require a lot of body or volume.

Can’t Skip Wash Days (Oily Roots)

Fine hair tends to become oily very quickly. This is because the oil from your scalp can easily travel down the thin hair shaft, making your hair look greasy.

This might require you to wash your hair more frequently, which can, unfortunately, strip your hair of its natural oils and make it dry.

Tangles Easily with Hair Breakage

Fine hair is more prone to tangling and breakage than thicker hair types.

Because each hair is so thin, it’s more fragile and easily breaks. You must be extra gentle when brushing using a blow dryer or other heat-styling tools. 

Lacks Texture

Fine hair can sometimes lack texture, making it tricky to hold certain hairstyles.

Curls may fall out quickly, and updos may slip out. This often means using more products to achieve and hold your desired style.

Gets Weighed down easily

Heavy hair care products can easily overwhelm fine hair. Anything too thick or heavy can weigh down your fine hair, making it look even flatter. This means you need to be very selective about the products you use.

While these challenges might seem daunting, they’re all manageable with the right hair care routine and products. It’s all about understanding your hair and giving it what it needs.

The Best Hair Care Routine for Fine Hair

Ok!  We’ve gone over the types of hair, how you can know if your hair is classified as fine hair and what the challenges are folks with fine hair face.

 Now for the solutions.  I’ve got a full haircare routine for fine hair, including the best hair care products, styling products, and tools, along with some great tips to add volume for thicker-looking hair in no time.

Best Products for Fine Hair

The right products can make a significant difference in managing fine hair. Here are my recommendations based on personal experience and professional knowledge.

The Best Hair Care Products for Fine Hair

Getting your haircare products rights is the first line of business.  Using The right shampoo and conditioner will do magic on your lifeless locks in no time. I promise.

Key Ingredients for Healthy Hair

When looking for hair products for fine hair, you’ll want to keep an eye out for certain ingredients that can help boost volume, add texture, and avoid weighing your hair down. 

Key Ingredient List for healthy hair:

Proteins: Ingredients like keratin, collagen, and other proteins are great for fine hair. They help to strengthen and thicken the hair strands, giving your hair more body and volume.

Panthenol: This ingredient, also known as pro-vitamin B5, is a humectant, meaning it helps to retain moisture. This can be beneficial for fine hair as it adds moisture and shine without adding weight to your hair.

Biotin: Biotin, or Vitamin B7, promotes hair strength and growth. This can be beneficial for fine hair as it can help to prevent breakage and thinning.

Amino Acids: Like proteins, amino acids help strengthen the hair strands, adding volume and thickness.

Vitamin E: This vitamin is known for its antioxidant properties. It can help protect your hair from environmental damage, keeping it healthy and strong.

shop haircare products for fine hair

Shampoo, Conditioner, and Deep Conditioners

The Best Shampoos For Fine Hair

Volumizing Shampoo

This type of shampoo is designed to add body and volume to your hair. It works by gently cleansing your hair without stripping it of its natural oils, which can cause your hair to fall flat.

Clarifying Shampoo

A clarifying shampoo can be very beneficial for fine hair, as it thoroughly cleanses the hair and scalp, removing product buildup that can weigh your hair down. However, it can be a bit harsh, so it’s best to use it sparingly, maybe once a week.

Purple Shampoo

Purple shampoo is magical potion for those of us with blonde, silver, or gray hair.

This special shampoo is packed with purple pigments that work wonders in banishing those unwanted yellow or brassy tones from our locks.

Say goodbye to brassiness and hello to beautiful, vibrant hair. Trust me, purple shampoo is a true lifesaver for light-colored hair.

This is a fantastic purple shampoo for fine hair! Love it!

The Best Conditioners for Fine Hair

Lightweight Conditioner

A lightweight conditioner is a must for fine hair. It provides the necessary hydration and nourishment without the heaviness that can weigh your hair down.

Volumizing Conditioner

Similar to volumizing shampoo, volumizing conditioner is designed to add volume and body to your hair. They typically have lighter formulas and focus on hydrating the hair without making it heavy.

The Best Deep Conditioner Treatments for Fine Hair

Protein Treatments

Fine hair can benefit greatly from protein treatments. Since fine hair is more prone to breakage, these treatments can help strengthen your hair, making it less likely to break.

Hydrating Masks for Fine Hair

a hair mask can provide a deep moisture level to your hair. For fine hair, look for a leave-in treatment with a lightweight formula that won’t weigh your hair down.

Scalp Treatments

Scalp treatments are super beneficial to scalp health. These treatments can help balance oil production, help to prevent hair loss and stimulate new hair growth,  and moisturize the scalp. 

shop styling products for fine hair

The Best Styling Products for Fine Hair

Sure, let’s discuss different types of styling products and how they work to enhance fine hair:

Volumizing Mousse

This is a lightweight product that’s applied to damp hair before blow-drying.

It works by coating each strand of hair, making it appear thicker and fuller. It also provides a bit of hold to help styles last longer.

Texturizing Spray

Very similar to hairspray, texturizing spray is used on dry hair.

It adds ‘grit’ and texture to the hair, making it easier to style and hold volume. It’s perfect for creating tousled, beachy looks or adding body to straight styles.

Lightweight Hairspray

Unlike traditional hairsprays that can be heavy and stiff, lightweight hairsprays offer a flexible hold that doesn’t weigh hair down.

They can hold a style in place, tame flyaways, or add a bit of volume.

Root Boost

This product is heaven-sent yall!

Designed to add volume directly at the roots, it’s typically sprayed onto damp hair at the roots, and then the hair is blow-dried, lifting the roots away from the scalp.

This creates noticeable lift and volume at the crown of the head.

I Love, love, love me some root boost!

Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is a fantastic product for fine hair. It absorbs excess oil at the roots, weighing fine hair down. It also adds texture and volume, making it perfect for refreshing hair between washes or adding a bit of body.

Sea Salt Spray

 Sea salt spray adds texture and waves to your hair, giving it a beachy, tousled look.

It works by roughening up the hair cuticle, creating more body and hold.

Hair Oil

While it might sound counterintuitive, lightweight hair oil can benefit fine and curly hair.

It can help tame frizz and add shine, making your hair look healthier. Just be sure to use it sparingly to avoid weighing your hair down.

Heat Protectant Spray

Trust me on this one: If you’re using hot tools to style your hair, a heat protectant spray is a must.

It helps to shield your hair from the damaging effects of heat, preventing breakage and keeping your hair looking healthy.

Best styling products for fine hair

Styling tools for adding volume to fine hair

When styling fine hair for volume, the right tools can make all the difference. 

When combined with solid haircare and styling products-these, tools are worth their weight in gold for adding volume to fine hair.

Here are some of my favorite styling tools for my fine hair:

Hair Dryer

A hairdryer is not just for drying hair. It can be a powerful tool for styling and adding volume as well.

This is the dryer I’m using now, and I love it. It has three temps, two speeds, a cold shot button, is not too loud, and is super lightweight. (and it’s inexpensive!)

(stay tuned for blow-drying tips coming below)

Volumizer Dryer Brush

A Volumizer dryer brush is a game-changer for fine hair.

This innovative hair tool combines a hairdryer’s power with a round brush’s styling ability, making it a fantastic ally to add volume to your hair.

It’s a fantastic tool for achieving that salon-worthy blowout at home, especially for those with fine hair.

I use this volumizer styling brush about once a week and for special occasions. It’s the bomb y’all!

Round Brush

A round brush is necessary for anyone looking to add volume to their hair. You can use it while blow-drying your hair to create lift at the roots and subtle waves for added body.

Curling Iron or flat iron

Both culing irons and flat irons can also create volume in fine hair. By adding some loose waves or curls, you can create the illusion of thicker, more voluminous hair.

Hot Rollers

Hot rollers can be an excellent tool for adding volume to fine hair. They create lasting volume and are relatively easy to use.

Volumizing Crimper

Yes, crimpers aren’t just for the 80s! A small amount of crimping at the roots can provide long-lasting volume.

Teasing Comb or Brush

A teasing comb or brush can create additional volume at the roots. Just be careful not to overdo it and cause damage.

Velcro Curlers

Velcro curlers are a fantastic, heatless way to add volume and gentle waves to your fine hair.

These curlers grip onto your hair without needing any clips or pins. You can use them on damp hair and let them dry naturally, or give them a quick blast with a hairdryer if you’re short on time.

The larger the curler, the more volume you’ll get, so opt for bigger ones if it’s volume you’re after!

Related article: How to use Velcro rollers for Fine Hair 

Best Hair Routine for Fine Hair

Here’s a step-by-step guide on a daily routine for fine hair. Remember, what works for one person might not work for another, so feel free to tweak it to fit your needs.

1. Good Morning Brush out

First thing in the morning, use a good-quality brush to brush out your hair. Start from the ends and work your way up to detangle your hair.

If your hair tangles during sleep, consider tying is back using a silk hair tie or wear a silk or satin hair bonnet.

Another thing you can do to avoid breakage is to use a silk pillowcase. Your hair and your skin will thank me!

2. Shampoo and condition hair

Use your volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Remember, conditioner is mainly on the dry ends!

3. Towel dry wet hair

Gently pat your hair dry to avoid causing breakage.  Use a wide-tooth comb designed for wet hair to untangle hair gently.

 If your has tends to be tangled, It’s a good idea to use a good quality leave-in conditioner before combing out hair. 

If I’m not ready to style my hair, I put it up in a turbie-twist towel while I do my skincare routine.

Related article: The Best Morning Skincare Routine

4. Prep Hair

Before blow-drying, apply a volumizing mousse or root boost spray to your damp hair.

This will give your hair a bit of a lift and provide a base for the blow-drying to build upon.

Second, apply a heat protectant to protect hair from heat damage that excessive heat styling can cause.

5. Blow Dry Thy Hair

Here are some super awesome blow-drying tips and techniques for voluminous locks for days.

Upside-Down Drying

One of the simplest ways to add volume is to flip your head upside down and dry your hair in that position.

This technique lifts your roots away from your scalp, creating natural volume. The longer you are upside down, the more volume you will achieve.

Use fingers to move hair around at the root for best results.

Use a Round Brush

Round brushes are fantastic for creating volume.

As you’re drying your hair, use the brush to lift at the roots and pull the hair upwards and outwards. This not only adds volume but also smooths your hair for a sleek finish.

Section Your Hair

It can be beneficial to blow-dry your hair in sections, especially if you have a lot of hair.

This allows you to concentrate on one area at a time and ensures that you’re thoroughly drying each section, which will contribute to the overall volume.

Start drying from the bottom and work your way up to the crown of your head.

I use these hair clips from dry bar to section my hair.

Always Use the Cool Shot Button

Most hairdryers have a cool shot button, and it’s there for a reason!

After you’ve heated and shaped your hair, use the cool shot to ‘set’ the style. This will make your volume last longer.

Focus on Your Roots

When you’re blow-drying, focus the majority of your effort on the roots. Lifting and drying the roots will create the foundation for your volume, and the lengths of your hair will follow suit.

Don’t Overdry

Overdrying your hair can cause it to become flat and brittle.

Stop blow-drying when your hair is still slightly damp, and let it air-dry the rest of the way. This will help to keep your hair healthy and prevent it from falling flat.

6. The Big Finish: Dry Shampoo + Finishing spray

PRO TIP:  Use Dry Shampoo after blow drying.  

Using dry shampoo on clean hair is a surefire way to add a ton of volume that lasts for days, and it will help control oil too! 

Last but never least, finishing spray, or as we called it back in the 80s-hairspray. Make sure it’s the nice flexible hairspray I talked about earlier. 🙂

And Voila! Beautiful, thicker-looking voluminous hair!

Shop the best dry shampoo for fine hair

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is fine hair the same as thin hair?

A: No, fine hair refers to the thickness of individual strands, while thin hair refers to the overall density of hair on your scalp. You can have a lot of fine hair (high density) or a little coarse hair (low density).

Q: Why does my fine hair get greasy so quickly?

A: Fine hair tends to get greasy quickly because there’s more surface area for the oil from your scalp to spread. Using a lightweight, volumizing shampoo can help manage this.

Q: Can I use hair oils on my fine hair?

A: Yes, but moderation is key. Using too much oil can weigh down your hair. Instead, use a small amount on the ends of your hair to add moisture and shine.

Q: Does cutting fine hair make it thicker?

Cutting your hair doesn’t make it grow back thicker. However, a good haircut can make your hair appear fuller and more voluminous.

Q: What should I eat to make my fine hair stronger?

A balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals can help improve the health of your hair. Foods like eggs, berries, spinach, and avocados are all great for hair health.

Coming soon:  The best haircuts for fine hair

Conclusion: The Best Routine for Fine Hair

And there you have it, my fine-haired friends!

We’ve journeyed through the ins and outs of the best hair routine for fine hair, covering everything from recognizing your hair type to the ideal styling tools, techniques, and the ultimate products that help your delicate strands stand out.

Remember, every strand of hair on your head is unique, just like you.

With the right care, knowledge, and patience, you can transform your fine hair routine into a joyous ritual that celebrates your hair’s natural beauty.

Here’s to embracing your fine hair and all the volume and shine that it can offer.

After all, it’s not about having the hair type that everyone else wants; it’s about making the hair you have to look its absolute best!

 Keep shining, and keep being you!

XO, Christine