June 7th, 2023

Written by Ishita Garg

There are so many different hair types and textures, and everyone has their own combination of factors that make their hair uniquely theirs. At DESIGNME, we are all about embracing your hair and finding what works specifically for you. To do this, it’s important to know your hair type so that you can make style and product decisions that work best for you.

With that being said, we know that fine and thin hair are often confused because they seem similar at face value. They are different though, and knowing which you have can help you plan the perfect hair routine.

WHAT IS FINE HAIR?

Fine hair refers to the actual diameter of the individual strand of hair. The smaller the diameter of the hair strand, the finer it is. One way to tell if you have fine hair is to take an individual strand and hold it between your fingertips. If you can hardly see the strand, you have fine hair.

WHAT IS THIN HAIR?

Thin hair refers to how many hair strands you have on your head. The more you have, the thicker your hair, and vice versa. This is why you can have hair that is both fine and thick—as strange as that sounds! A good way to tell if you have thin hair is if your hair is very light (even if it is long) and if you can easily see your scalp when raking your hands through your hair.

All hair types are fabulous in their own way—it's just about styling in a way that complements your hair type. Now that you have a better idea of how to differentiate between fine and thin hair, let's talk about caring and styling them.

• Use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Your wash routine is the foundation of a great hairstyle. Using a shampoo and conditioner designed to promote volume will allow you to remove oil and build-up while leaving your hair feeling lightweight and full of body. Our PUFF.ME volumizing shampoo and volumizing conditioner are great options here and are specifically designed for those with fine or flat hair!
• Apply conditioner only to your ends. Fine hair tends to be more prone to looking weighed down at the scalp, so you want to avoid using a lot of product there. Make sure to apply a good conditioner only to your ends to focus the moisture there and keep your roots looking light and voluminous.
• Try a volumizing hair mousse. Before blow-drying your hair, coat it with a volumizing hair mousse! We recommend our PUFF.ME volumizing hair mousse, which is designed to lift the hair from roots to ends, making it look full of body and movement. What’s also great about mousse is that it offers extra hold and guards from humidity, meaning you’re likely to still benefit from the mousse even the day after your blow-dry!
• Use a hair finishing product. Using a styling & finishing product like a good hairspray can help set your hair in place and add additional volume in between sections. Our HOLD.ME 3-way hairspray on the light hold setting is perfect for styling fine hair without weighing it down.

• Be gentle while styling hair. When brushing your hair, be gentle to avoid breakage. Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush with soft bristles. Using a lightweight leave-in treatment can help detangle hair and avoid pulling on thin hair.
• Dry shampoo is your friend. Oil is more visible on thin hair than on thicker hair since the oils don't face much resistance. Keep some dry shampoo handy to keep hair looking refreshed and lively. Opt for the right dry shampoo for your hair color: lighter- toned or darker- toned hair.
• Try a shorter haircut. We know a big chop can be very scary, but it may be just what you need to find the perfect look. Whether it’s a pixie cut or shoulder-length bob, a shorter style takes some of the weight off of thin hair, giving it more bounce and liveliness.

• Try a side part. Side parts, especially deep ones, look fantastic on thin hair. Since these parts bring a lot of hair to one side of your face, it creates the appearance of more volume, making your hair look fuller. 

In conclusion, fine hair and thin hair may be similar in appearance but they require different care. Whatever your hair type, make sure you take good care of it by using the right care and styling products for your hair type. If you need a little help finding the best hair care routine for your hair type, take our hair quiz and we’ll recommend the best care and finishing products for your hair type and goals.