Fine hair can be a mixed blessing. On the upside, it tends to be naturally smooth and shiny, responds well to heat styling tools and takes a mere five-minutes to blow-dry. On the downside, it’s prone to oiliness and can fall flat, lacking the natural bounce and body found in our coarse-haired friends. The good news? There are plenty of volume-boosting products available that promise many a big hair day ahead.
“Fine hair refers to the actual diameter of the hair strands,” says Michelle Sultan, Imbue creative director and ambassador. Not to be confused with thin hair – fine hair is small in diameter while thin hair is lacking in density. “Those with naturally fine hair have more hairs on their scalp than any other hair texture,” adds Annabel Kingsley, trichologist at Philip Kingsley. “And as each hair follicle has an oil gland attached, fine haired individuals have more oil glands on the scalp – meaning it becomes greasy and limp fast.”
Oil aside, this hair texture can also fall flat. “Due to the small diameter of individual strands, fine hair lacks body and movement and often doesn’t hold styles for long periods of time,” explains Kingsley. While frustrating, it’s not all bad news. As Adam Reed, legendary London hairstylist and founder or Arkive Headcare, points out: “it’s often referred to as the best hair type by hairdressers because it’s easy to style and easy to cheat volume.”
To give fine hair a bit of oomph, turn your head to the latest volume-boosting products making waves in the industry. “Look for lightweight formulas that won’t weigh hair down,” says Sultan. Staring with shampoo, Kingsley recommends gentle-lathering formulas that contain natural cellulose and keratin proteins to thicken and strengthen strands. “For styling, priming products and root texturisers are incredible for adding volume,” says Reed.
For the best way to guarantee long-lasting bounce – look to our round-up of the best volumising shampoos and styling products for fine hair below:
BEST SHAMPOO FOR FINE HAIR
Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo
Thank you, Jen Atkin, for bringing this brilliant shampoo to our beauty shelves. Lightweight and volumising, Ouai’s fine hair shampoo boasts keratin and biotin to strengthen strands alongside hemp seed extract and chia seed oil to deliver hydration. Hair is left lifted, bouncy and full of oomph – it seriously is a mane-changer (and one of the best we’ve tried).
BEST BODY-BUILDING SHAMPOO
Philip Kingsley Body Building Shampoo
Limp, lacklustre locks? Turn your head to this body-building shampoo from Philip Kingsley that’s laced with natural cellulose and keratin proteins to plump up each and every strand for fuller-looking results. It can be used daily, too – which is ideal for fine hair that’s prone to oily roots.
BEST LUXURY SHAMPOO FOR FULLER-FEELING HAIR
Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo
This luxury shampoo is a real treat for the tresses. Loaded with nourishing oils and extracts (including plant collagen and caffeine), the hard-working formula strengthens and softens strands to deliver fuller-looking, healthier hair. Our top tip? Save this one for special occasions.