It's a common misconception that all coily or kinky hair is thick and dense. In reality, many of us with textured hair have strands that are fine and hair that's low in density. But having fine hair isn't a setback! What truly matters is having healthy, beautiful hair. Embrace your natural hair texture; your hair type is genetically determined, so there's not much we can do to change that. However, there are plenty of tips and tricks to help you achieve more volume or create the illusion of fuller, thicker hair.
Analyze your hair. You can differentiate thick hair from fine hair, obviously, by its thickness. Thick hair will, by definition, be coarser than fine hair; I'm not telling you anything new. Be careful not to confuse hair thickness with density. Hair density (dense or sparse) is determined by the number of hairs per cm². It is therefore possible to have fine hair with a thick texture.
HOW TO CARE FOR MY FINE HAIR?
Caring for your hair is fundamental to better understanding your hair and knowing which hair products best suit your hair type. It is very common, as with the vast majority of people with coily hair, for fine hair to be brittle or dry. You need to adopt a daily and weekly hair routine. This includes a shampoo (wash your hair once a week or less frequently, every 10 days), a conditioner or a hydrating or nourishing mask, a leave-in treatment or lotion, and a vegetable oil or butter (in small quantities)
If your hair is truly very dry and brittle, resort to an oil bath, a mixture of oils such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil... use the vegetable oils you prefer and that do the most good for your hair; they will be more supple.
When choosing your products, whether it's a gentle shampoo, an anti-dandruff product, a hair mask, or other hair treatment, ensure that the first ingredient is "water" for optimal hydration.
Your hair is well-hydrated after washing it. Daily, style your hair as usual and reapply your leave-in treatment, then seal the hydration with your oil or butter if your hair feels dry again. Do not overdose on product quantity to avoid greasy hair, which will quickly become dull.
Fine hair sometimes thins at the ends; they are damaged and fragile. If you keep them, they will compromise the rest of your hair. You can either cut them yourself, or if you don't have the tools or are unsure, I invite you to make an appointment with a hairdresser.
Detangling is a very important point; use the right techniques to avoid breakage. Forget combs, brushes, or other tools for this step; prioritize your fingers, they will be just as effective, allowing you to more easily maintain length. And don't forget, it's easier when hair is wet or slightly damp.
A massage, whether done by you or a third person, is not too much in your routine. Perfect for relieving daily tension and stress, its purpose is to activate blood circulation, which maximizes good hair growth.
Certain other practices are to be avoided, such as Brazilian straightening, chemical relaxing, chemical coloring, or overly frequent blow-drying. For drying your hair, prefer a diffuser, avoiding excessively high temperatures.
WHAT PRODUCTS FOR MY FINE HAIR?
Fine hair is fine (are you following me?). If you're looking for volume, you need to avoid all products that will hinder this goal.
Products like butters (shea), gel, or pomade will weigh down the hair fiber and give your hair a flat and dull effect if you apply them in large quantities. Be reasonable with this type of product.
Incorporate Indian powders into your routine; they will provide specific care depending on the chosen powder and coat your hair, consequently thickening the fiber and giving more volume and shine to your hair. For example, henna, brahmi, sidr, or fenugreek powders are ideal for this function.
Rice or silk proteins also work wonders for volume in addition to coating the hair.
HOW TO STYLE MY FINE HAIR?
Hairstyles that are too tight may not give you the desired effect. Instead, look for styles like twist-outs or braid-outs. Obviously, an afro is not forbidden to you, quite the opposite! You can also wear updos, like an afro puff. This will allow you to play with volume effects on the top of your head.
