I’ll just go ahead and say it, having thin and fine hair is a pain in the you know what. Those of us who are lucky, YES! lucky, enough to have it are often annoyed by the limp and lackluster strands. However, I’m going to share my 5 favorite products for styling your otherwise meh hair. And don’t worry, I’m technically a professional. I’ve been a licensed hair stylist for almost ten years and am the proud owner of bland, dishwater, thin, sorta curly, sorta not, fine hair. Pretty sure I got into this field so I could figure out what to do with mine, so, plenty of personal experience with this type of mop.

First, I want to point out some benefits: it takes us less than a half hour to dry naturally. Some of my clients have such thick hair, it takes hours (imagine the soaked t-shirt while waiting, ew). Second, we use less products. This allows us to get our monies worth in the shower and out. Annnnd third, my claim to fame: I can pin up my hair with ONE bobby pin. I don’t know what crazy world you live in, but I lose those suckers in a hot minute and only needing one is awesome in a pinch. So take these little wins and tuck them your pocket.

Now, without further adieu, here are some of my favorite products to help with the struggle:

Matrix Total Results Pro Solutionist Instacure Leave-In Treatment– Please oh please, do not disregard the need for nourishment. I have been on the hunt for a good leave-in conditioner that would help me comb through my awful tangles after showering. If you have any bit of curl, fuzz, frizz or otherwise wacky tresses use this. It helps smooth, soften, shines you up like a diamond and smells scrumptious. Most of my fine hair clients only use a conditioner once or twice a week, so this is a perfect swap if you prefer an after shower treatment. Don’t worry, it is not an oil based product and won’t make your hair greasy at all!

Indie Gel #mixstrong– I know the word gel gives people the visual of a spiked mohawk but this isn’t that type of gluey, tacky, cement-ish gel. It works more as a foundational support system for a blow dry. If you generally blow out your hair with a round brush, this stuff smooths and holds style with a minty fresh scent. Perfect for humid days in North Carolina and even better in a cocktail with a little argan oil.

Indie Foam #bigvolume– Like a good firm handshake, this mousse offers strong hold but gentle to the touch. As we all know, fine hair is defiant and generally lazy. It likes to lay around and be boring. This products helps give the illusion of fullness but doesn’t feel gnarly. Just apply it to the crown area first then work your way down to the ends of the hair for maximum lift. Also, I am a huge fan of using mousse on damp hair before curling or braiding. It offers hold without the frizzy effect hairspray gives.

Kenra Dry Texture Spray– FINALLLLLLY, a volumizing product that doesn’t leave us limp after five minutes. As most of you know, the majority of “root lifters” fall flat or feel like wax which in turn does the exact opposite of what you set out to do in the first place. So thank you Kenra, for inventing something that holds up and doesn’t look or feel like cheese curds were smooshed into your crown. This is a lite, airy spray that boosts volume and allows for optimal hold all day. I’ve used this for curly, straight, thick, thin, and even updo’s. If anything, believe me on this one. Hands down, favorite product for the last year and I’ll be reordering for many to come.

Schwarzkopf Osis Elastic Flexible Hold Hairspray– The last styling product I want to share is this finishing spray. One major complain about hairspray is the stiff, helmet effect it has and I get it, who wants to look like a bobble head walking around? This stuff gives a strong hold with a soft look. This is probably a biased opinion but, why would you want your hair to be stiff and not sort of blow in the wind on a normal day? I want my hairspray to hold my curling iron curls or flat ironed straight hair without looking like Tracy Turnblad from Hairspray.

Now, I know this doesn’t answer all the problems that we with thin and fine hair fight, this is just a few friendly suggestions. I’m always on the lookout for a new and effective products that will actually help and often times try them on myself first, then clients. Just remember there are perks for our skinny strands so don’t battle, embrace!

~ K Busy