Having naturally thin hair is one thing, but creating thin hair by having bad hair habits is an entirely different beast. If you want big hair, dealing with either is a pain, but you can make thin hair look fuller by using products that help you to break your bad hair habits.
I fall in the latter category of hair thinness, though both are equally as annoying. For years I detangled my hair in the shower while it was wet — a no-no, as hair is its most fragile when wet. I also became best friends with using my flat iron at its highest heat without heat protectant, which I learned is one of the worst hair habits of all.
Now, I’m devoted to heat protectant if I ever do straighten my hair, and I live by a great repairing deep conditioning mask. For me, it’s about avoiding hair stress — and yes, your hair can get stressed out. From the tugging of using combs to the pulling from those black ponytail holders, it all causes hair stress that leads to fine, thin hair that breaks.
If you want to know how to get fuller looking hair while showing your stressed out strands some TLC, read on for the best products to break bad hair habits.
1. Stop Tugging Out Knots — Use A Detangling Spray To Work Through Them
Klorane Leave-In Detangling Spray , $18, Amazon
If you find yourself fighting with knots when detangling, skip detangling wet hair in the shower and use a hair-softening spray instead. This one has moisture-rich oat milk to make detangling easier on your hair.
2. Stop Pulling Your Hair Out With A Comb — Try A Brush, Instead
Cricket Ultra Smooth Detangling Brush, $10, Amazon
I often find myself pulling full on chunks of my hair out of my wide tooth comb when I detangle — it terrifies me every time. A brush like this with multiple detangling bristles and a blend of argan and olive oils, plus keratin protein-infused plastic will stop tugging and reduce hair loss.
3. Avoid Stripping Your Hair With A Sulfate-Free Shampoo
It's A 10 Miracle Volumizing Shampoo, $14, Amazon
Sulfates are what cause shampoo to create all those suds, but it's also the same thing that dries hair out, making it brittle and prone to snapping off. This rich shampoo cleans deeply, while creating light volume and adding shine.
4. Outdated Hot Tools Cause Breakage, But Moisture-Replenishing Blow Dryers Lock In Hydration
Vidal Sassoon VS783 1875-Watt Professional Anti-Static Ion Dryer and Styler, $22, Amazon
This blow dryer has multiple attachments that allow you to detangle and blow dry at the same time, and it's even created with ionic technology. That's important, as it's this feature that allows the tool to seal in moisture in your hair.
5. Don't Go Straight To Flat Ironing — First, Shield Your Hair With a Smoothing Heat Protectant
InstaNatural Thermal Protector Hair Spray, $14, Amazon
And before you do any blow drying and flat ironing, make sure to use a heat protectant to create a protective barrier between your hair and the heat. This one has 100 percent organic argan oil to repair damaged hair, castor oil to promote growth and vitamin B5 and sunflower seed oil to keep hair from looking dry and lifeless.
6. Stop Teasing Your Hair — Use A Dry Shampoo With Hold For Volume
Clique Volumizer Dry Shampoo, $18, Amazon
Teasing hair has long been a solution for thin hair, but it can cause more damage to delicate strands. Instead, use a powerful dry shampoo like this one, and concentrate your spray at the root for refreshing lift and hold without the friction.
7. Don't Let Damaged Hair Inhibit Growth — Repair Thin, Limp Strands With A Deep Conditioning Mask
Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask, $36, Amazon
When all is said and done, nothing is quite as beneficial to your thin, damaged hair like a repairing mask. This oil-rich conditioner is free of parabens, silicones, or phthalates, and makes for a great conditioner for stressed out strands.
8. Reduce Strand Loss With Tug-Free Hair Ties
No Crease Ribbon Bands, $3, Amazon
Whenever I take my hair out of a ponytail, I see several of my strands have gone with it. Go for ouchless hair ties like these that won't tug and rip your hair out.
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Images: Pexels(1); Amazon (8)
