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How To Master Your Fine Hair Routine - The Dos And Don'ts, Pro Tips And Products To Know
From top-tier formulas specifically designed to promote new growth to expert advice for creating thicker lengths.
Fine hair can feel like the bane of your beauty routine – if you let it. As writers and editors who have tried everything from hair extensions to volumising shampoos, we know how overwhelming the options can be. From countless products to treatments and quick fixes, the market is flooded with promises, but not all solutions can stand up to the challenges of brittle, thinning, or flat hair.
Luckily, we've done the hard work for you, separating the truly effective from the overrated, and compiling an array of expert-approved tips and tricks. This ultimate guide to caring for fine hair will equip you with the essentials for washing, styling, and perfecting your thin hair routine, while also narrowing down a list of the best fine hair products to try now. Think hair growth serums, lightweight oils and body-building sprays that actually deliver that all-important bounce.
How To Care For Fine Hair
When it comes to caring for fine hair, many of the usual rules apply. Invest in a silk pillowcase and hair ties that won't snag or cause split ends (Rok n Dol offer a range of pretty colourways). Use a regular hair mask to aid bond building and hydration to dry, brittle lengths. Try heatless styles in place of high temperature tools. The list goes on.
For fine hair, however, there are a few specific points to keep in mind:
- Choose your shampoo and conditioner carefully. Hairdresser Hadley Yates says: 'Use a lightweight or clarifying shampoo two to three times per week, and choose a lightweight or volumising conditioner, applying it only to the mid-lengths and ends to avoid weighing hair down.'
- Use two drops of lightweight oil. 'Michael Lendon, creative director at Aveda, adds: 'It’s super important to choose a lightweight oil that won’t weigh your hair down.' Dense oils will work against your lengths, leaving a greasy finish and limp, lifeless lengths.
- Invest in heat protectant. 'Always apply a heat protectant before styling, and steer clear of heavy oils, which can make fine hair look limp,' says Yates. Remember, fine hair is more susceptible to heat damage.
What To Do And Not To Do When You Have Fine Hair, Including Products To Avoid
If you're looking for additional expert tips to live by, here's what the experts have to say about caring for, styling, and cutting fine lengths:
- DON'T be too harsh with your hairbrush. 'When detangling, use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair, starting at the ends to prevent breakage,' advises Yates.
- DON'T use too much styling product. 'The key is balance – smoothness without sacrificing volume. Fine hair loves sleekness, but too much product and it loses all its natural movement,' says Lendon.
- DON'T over bleach your hair. 'Hair colour can help to make hair feel a little thicker, but stay away from over high lighting as this can make the hair too brittle and prone to breaking,' says Tim Crespin, Creative Director at Neil Moodie Studio.
- DO use a vented hairbrush. Lendon says: 'MdLondon and Denman make the best ones. They have holes in the hairbrush to actually "ventilate" your hair whilst you dry using upward sweeping motions.'
- DO opt for a blunt cut. 'Blunt, shorter haircuts are better as they make the hair look thicker, for example, one length bobs, or shorter cuts,' says Crespin. 'Don’t have too many layers - this makes hair look thinner.' As fine hair is prone to split ends, a trim every 6-8 weeks is essential to keeping healthy ends and preventing breakage.
- DO add a volumising product at the root. 'Apply Aveda Volumising Tonic at roots, directly where you want to add lift,' adds Lendon. 'You want the mist to touch your scalp and root area as this will give the product a chance to actually lift it up form the roots. Spritz it on your finger tips and massage the roots for even better application.'
The Best Products For Fine Hair
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Best volume spray for fine hair
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Astrolift Reparative Volume Spray
Read review - 5
How To Style Fine Hair, From Creating Volume To Locking In Hold
As with any hair appointment, reference photos will be your best friend when choosing a cut for you. Whether you're looking for a glossy summer bob for thin hair, or a fresh pixie for fine lengths, take a range of imagery and allow your hairdresser to curate the cut to your specific face shape.
'When it comes to styling, less is more,' says Yates. 'Don’t overload your hair with product. Avoid heavy, chunky layers, and instead ask your stylist for subtle, invisible layers or point cutting. These techniques add gentle lift and movement without compromising volume.'
From bouncing straight styles to textured waves, a quality hair tool will also help to keep your tresses looking full and chic. 'If using a tong for waves, use a tong that is smaller than the desired movement or curl, allowing for a bit of droop will ensure a perfect finish,' says Lendon. 'For ultimate style longevity, allow your hair to dry from damp wrapped around velcro rollers. The change from wet to dry will have the best chance of beating the sag. '
When it comes to styling products, mousse will be your very best friend. 'It's a lot less bossy than a gel which can be overbearing unless incredibly lightweight. Aveda Invati Ultra Advanced Thickening Foam is my favourite,' he says. 'Used in damp hair, it adds genuinely instant fullness with the power of Amla power and all-day volume. Mousse is a product mixed with air, making it easy to distribute, without over doing it. Mousses are my all time favourite; I love the buildabilty, and the swishy, smooth but grippy finish. They're ideal for finer hair.'
15 Of The Best Hair Care And Styling Products For Fine, Thin Hair Types
While there are plenty of incredible volumising shampoo formulas on the market, this lightweight cleanser is the everyday blend we keep coming back to. It uses hydrolysed keratin and biotin to strengthen brittle lengths, while hemp and chia seed oils aid in hydration and shine.
Product Specifications
| Size | 300ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Thickening, Shine |
Olaplex's latest conditioning formula is perfect for adding softness and shine to fine lengths, eliminating greasy textures while keeping your hair full of body. With flexible polymers to boost volume and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to deliver gloss and hydration without weighing down your tresses.
Product Specifications
| Size | 250ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Volume, Shine, Hydration |
Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist
A favourite among beauty editors, this texturising mist works beautifully on all hair types, though fine lengths will especially love its weightless finish and light, airy application. It gives a coveted, undone finish worthy of a '90s supermodel, and it can hold its own against the unpredictable British weather. Not to mention, it smells divine.
Product Specifications
| Size | 250ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Volume, Texture |
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Astrolift Reparative Volume Spray
When it comes to styling products for fine hair, volume sprays often spark controversy. While many deliver impressive lift, they frequently leave behind crunchy finishes and unpleasant textures, often necessitating a full rinse by the end of the day. This K18 formula defies those issues entirely, providing instant body to lacklustre lengths without a brittle finish. The best part? It can be applied to both towel-dried and dry hair, with or without heat styling.
Product Specifications
| Size | 118ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Volume |
Fine hair often struggles to retain style, making a lightweight, flexible hairspray a must-have. This airy spritz, in our opinion, earns gold-tier status. It secures your lengths in a glossy or textured look while maintaining a touchable, soft finish that lasts all day. Say goodbye to the crunchy formulas of the past. Did we mention, it also features sea buckthorn to adding hydration to your scalp and strands?
Product Specifications
| Size | 270ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Hold, Hydration, Shine |
A little goes a long way with this luxurious shine oil, especially on fine lengths. Just a drop or two of this nourishing blend of wild and French camellia is all you need. Apply to wet hair before styling for a glossy layer of heat protection (for temperatures up to 230°c), or comb a tiny amount through fine ends to enhance shine and smoothness.
Living Proof Scalp Care Density Serum
If promoting new growth and increasing hair density are your top priorities, explore our curated list of impressive hair growth formulas here. Currently, this lightweight elixir tops our recommendations, featuring pea sprout extract to strengthen the scalp and amaranth peptides to encourage thicker, fuller-looking locks. Mature lengths will benefit from its grey-targeting blend of antioxidants and amino acids.
Product Specifications
| Size | 50ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Thickening, Promotes New Growth |
Philip Kingsley Styling Maximizer Root Boosting Spray
Infused with hydrolysed keratin, this heat-activated formula is expertly crafted to add texture, volume, and body to fine, limp lengths, all while taming flyaways and unwanted frizz. Simply mist onto roots after showering and gently blow-dry for maximum lift and fullness. A trichologist-backed styling product? Sign us up.
Product Specifications
| Size | 125ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Volume, Smoothing |
As mentioned earlier, a volumising mousse is the go-to product for adding lift and body to thinner hair. This viral formula has gained a massive cult following, and for good reason. It creates the illusion of thicker lengths and is perfect for achieving a bouncy '90s blow-dry look. Plus, it doesn't contain any damaging alcohols, salt or resins, which are common culprits for dry, brittle strands.
Product Specifications
| Size | 195ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Volume, Hold |
Aveda Invati Ultra Advanced Fortifying Leave-in Treatment
Aveda's entire Invati range is perfect for fine hair, but if we had to choose one standout product, this leave-in conditioner takes the crown. Suitable for all textures, from straight strands to tight curls, it reinforces the hair cuticle, helping to strengthen thinning strands and reduce hair loss caused by breakage. Impressed yet? It also reduces frizz, detangles, and protects from further heat damage.
Product Specifications
| Size | 100ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Strengthens, Heat Protection, Detangles |
Formulated with Oribe's signature watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower complex, this lightweight mist is ideal for protecting your hair from environmental damage and breakage caused by dryness. It also features pea sprout extract, red clover extract, and biomimetic peptides to stimulate the scalp while addressing unwanted flakiness. Though this boosting formula is adored by editors everywhere, remember to consult a trichologist if you have serious concerns about scalp conditions or hair thinning.
Product Specifications
| Size | 125ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Thickness, Antioxidant Protection |
With 2% glycerin and shea butter, this deep conditioning mask delivers the ultimate hydration for dry, damaged hair. Plus, the addition of castor oil enhances shine, leaving your hair nourished and glossy. Worried about greasiness? This powerful treatment provides intense moisture and shine but rinses out effortlessly, ensuring a healthy, freshly cleaned finish.
Product Specifications
| Size | 133ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Hydration, Shine, Strengthening |
L'Oréal Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Acid 8 Second Wonder Water
Hair glosses are everywhere right now, from famous celebrity salons to the most viral of TikToks. Unfortunately, they can often leave fine hair looking greasy and feeling slick. If this is a concern, try this gentle rinse from L'Oréal Elvive; a simple 10-second treatment will leave your hair enriched with hyaluronic acid. Smooth, soft and glossier than ever.
Product Specifications
| Size | 200ml |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Hydration, Shine |
Contrary to popular belief, the type of hairbrush you use truly makes a difference. Consider this: it's an essential tool you rely on daily to detangle and style your hair - of course it's going to directly impacting its health and appearance. As previously mentioned, a vented brush is great for creating volume. If you're looking to truly invest, this luxurious brush from La Bonne Brosse is gentle on fine hair, too.
Product Specifications
| Benefits | Detangles, Gentle Brushing |
|---|
Gentle on fine hair, silk hair ties are perfect for fragile strands prone to damage. Their smooth, sleek design prevents pulling, friction or tugging on your hair, significantly reducing the risk of split ends and breakage, keeping your lengths soft and tidy throughout the day.
Product Specifications
| Size | Pack of 5 |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Styling, Protects Against Breakage |
Katie Withington (she/her) is the Beauty Writer, at ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar. Working alongside the ELLE UK Beauty Team, she covers all things beauty for both print and digital, from finding backstage make-up trends at London Fashion Week and investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, to unzipping the beauty bags of Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie. Prior to joining ELLE UK in 2022, Katie studied (BA) Fashion Journalism at London College of Fashion and has previously contributed to Red, Good Housekeeping and Prima.
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![jodie turner smith new bob met gala new york, new york may 05: jodie turner smith attends the 2025 met gala celebrating superfine: tailoring black style at metropolitan museum of art on may 05, 2025 in new york city. (photo by dimitrios kambouris/getty images for the met museum/vogue)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-2213610212-688772f19e73e.jpg?crop=0.500xw:0.750xh;0.257xw,0.0204xh&resize=360:* "Jodie Turner-Smith new bob The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" - Arrivals")
