5 Tips For Styling Fine And Thinning Hair According To Celebrity Hairstylists

When it comes to hair, you always want what you don’t have. Curly-haired gals often wish their mane were straighter, while those with straight hair would love a little wave. People with thick hair wish it would dry faster. And, for anyone with fine or thinning locks, the desire for any amount of volume or texture is real (I write from experience!).

If you are looking to add a bit of body to your ‘do, it can be hard to know where to start. While over-the-counter supplements and professional treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can promote hair growth and health, you’d be amazed how far a good haircut and color can take you. To better understand how to style fine or thinning hair, we assembled a panel of celebrity hair experts. Keep scrolling for their volumizing tips!

1. Consider a Blunt Cut

“If you have fine or thinning hair, I suggest blunt haircuts because they will help create the illusion and feeling that their hair is much thicker than it actually is,” says Chad Wood, a celebrity hairstylist and FEKKAI brand stylist partner. Fellow celeb hair guru Ashley Streicher agrees. “Almost always, shorter, blunter haircuts prove to make fine thin hair feel and appear much fuller,” says the Garnier celebrity hairstylist. If you are in need of inspiration, look no further than the super sleek bob Woods created for January Jones.

2. Try a Richer Hair Color

Adding depth and dimension isn’t as much about changing your hair’s hue as it is about enhancing it. “If you have fine or thinning hair, chances are you have a lot of baby hairs.” says Nikki Lee, Garnier celebrity hair colorist and co-founder of Nine Zero One salon. “To give the illusion of thicker hair, you want to choose a rich color that can deepen those baby hairs in addition to the rest of your hair.” She says “boosting” your current locks by just a shade or two — a la Lea Michele's brunette strands below — will “make a big difference.”

Oh, and if you don’t color your hair, you might want to start. “People who have finer hair tend to stay away from color, but color can actually give your hair a nice texture to make it feel fuller,” Lee shares. “You don’t have to jump to a permanent color. You can try a demi-permanent color to start.”

3. Incorporate Volumizing Products — Sparingly

When looking to add some oomph to your ‘do, both Streicher and Wood recommend starting with volume-boosting shampoos and conditioners, like the Garnier Fructis Full & Plush collection or FEKKAI Full Blown Volume Shampoo and Conditioner. From there, Streicher says that less is more. “Contrary to some beliefs, I find that after getting out of the shower and not brushing your hair flat and then letting it air dry with that texture is the best way to add natural volume,” she shares.

If you’re looking for additional texture (like the beachy waves above!), Streicher suggests adding a few waves with an iron — but be sure to keep the heat setting low. “High heat can actually flatten fine hair,” she warns. And, while fine hair requires a bit of help to stay in place, don’t overdo it with loads of styling products. “Keep products to a minimum,” she says. “But a light finishing spray is always recommended.” She’s a fan of the Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray and the New Invisible Dry Shampoo, and Wood likes to finish off his styling with “a spray of FEKKAI Full Blown Volume Dry Texturizing Spray.”

4. Strengthen Your Strands

No matter your hair type, protecting strands from heat styling and chemical processing is a non negotiable. “When styling, it is always best to use a heat protectant before using hot tools to create a protective barrier on the hair,” Lee shares. “Masks and treatments are also very helpful in promoting the health of the hair after coloring and heat styling.” The In Common Magic Myst is a great prep step, she says. And, if you are looking to preserve your color, she recommends the Garnier Nutrisse Color Revivers because they treat the hair while boosting color.

For clients using heat and color on their hair frequently, Wood suggests a weekly treatment mask like the FEKKAI Technician Color Powerful Flash Mask. “I think they work best if you apply to dry hair, leave on for as long as you can, and then rinse in the shower,” he says. Hair growth supplements can also fortify locks, and both Lee and Wood recommend Nutrafol.

5. Keep Your Scalp Healthy

It should come as no surprise that healthy hair requires a healthy scalp. “It’s very important to be good to your scalp,” Wood says. “Good hair starts there.” Whether you have naturally fine hair or are experiencing hair thinning or loss, keeping your scalp in tip-top shape will ensure your locks grow long and strong like Emily Ratajkowski. Use gentle formulas that won’t clog pores and refrain from allowing styling products (think: dry shampoo) to build up. “It is very important to treat your scalp like you would your skin,” Streicher shares. “Don't over wash or dry it out too much.”