Routine for fine or thin hair

We can’t all be blessed with thick, luscious locks. Many of us have to find ways to make fine or thin hair work, even though it often refuses to hold curls, easily falls flat, and can get oily real quick.  Fine or thin hair often requires a different routine and specific hair care products for fine hair. But first, let’s talk about the difference between fine and thin hair!

What is fine hair?

Having “fine” hair means that your individual hair strands are thin in diameter as opposed to thick hair which has coarse strands. To know if your hair is fine, simply take a strand of hair and lay it on a table next to a piece of sewing thread. If your hair is much thinner than the thread, you probably have fine hair. If it is almost the same as the thread then it is medium, and if it is the same or thicker than the thread then your hair is coarse. 

The difference between fine hair and thin hair

Fine hair can sometimes be confused with “thin” hair, which means that your hair may have fewer strands of hair on your head resulting in less volume. Thin hair means that you have fewer strands of hair growing, no matter how thick the hair strands. 

Common fine or thin hair concerns:

• Fine or thin hair can get greasy quickly
• Curls don’t hold well 
• Styles can fall flat
• Hair is easily weighed down
• Fine hair can be hard to style
• Fine or thin hair is fragile and susceptible to breakage

In this article we’ll cover how to care for fine hair as well as how to care for thin hair, and which products are most suitable for fine or thin hair. Learning to work with, and style fine or thin hair will help you get the most out of it, so let’s get into the best hair products for fine hair and how to use them! 

Routine & product tips for fine or thin hair

1. Scalp treatment for thin or fine hair

No matter your hair type, healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp. We recommend our fine-haired community use our Honey Infused Scalp Treatment once every two weeks. This will help moisturise and nourish the scalp, as well as balance out oil production. As an added bonus, the act of massaging the scalp will stimulate circulation which brings more nutrients to the hair follicle, which can in turn promote hair growth.

2. Shampoo for fine hair

Many people with fine or thin hair feel the need to wash it daily, as it tends to get oily quickly. However, we recommend avoiding the daily wash and aiming for two to three times per week to avoid stripping hair (which, ironically, can result in the overproduction of oils). Our Honey Infused Hair Wash is a great option, as it is sulfate- and paraben free, and works to gently cleanse the scalp. Make sure you really focus your shampoo on the scalp area, not the lengths of your hair. 

3. Hair mask for fine hair

As fine or thin hair can be prone to breakage, we recommend adding the Honey Infused Hair Mask into your routine once a week. This mask is enriched with Mirsalehi Honey from the Mirsalehi Bee Garden, formulated to hydrate and replenish hair while improving its elasticity, shine and health. Focus the mask on the lengths of your hair, allowing it to absorb for 7 to 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cool water. 

We often get asked whether the Honey Infused Hair Mask is suitable for fine or thin hair, and the answer is yes! As the mask is rinsed out after application, it will not leave your hair feeling weighed down or greasy. 

4. Conditioner for fine hair

After shampooing (or after your hair mask), follow up with a lightweight conditioner such as our Honey Infused Conditioner. This is the perfect conditioner for finer hair, as it is easily absorbed, and does not weigh the hair down. Make sure to apply your conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends, avoiding the scalp area as this will make your hair look oily quicker. 

5. Leave-In conditioner for fine hair

After washing your hair, always allow it to air dry until it is 75% dry before brushing it. This is important, as fine or thin hair can easily be broken or damaged when it is wet or too damp. Before brushing, apply the Honey Infused Leave-In Conditioner to the lengths of your hair to help swiftly detangle the hair and give it long-lasting moisture after washing. This will also help to prevent frizz as your hair dries. 

As fine hair is prone to tangling and breakage, the leave-in conditioner is a great product to use between washes to avoid knotting and harsh brushing. It is also a super lightweight product - perfect for hydrating without leaving your hair feeling sticky or greasy.

6. Fine hair products for heat styling

Use a pea-sized amount of our Propolis Infused Polishing Primer. Warm the product in the palms of hands before applying it through the lengths of your hair. This will help reduce drying time and ensure optimal workable hold when you use your styling tools!

For more volume at the root area, gently massage the remaining product onto your scalp, lifting the hair as you go. You can then follow with your styling routine (this is great if you go on to blow-dry your hair upside down, as this will give you major volume and shape at the root area). 

When you do choose to heat style your hair, be sure to use the Propolis Infused Heat Protecting Spray to protect your strands from heat damage and breakage. Apply the product from an arm’s length distance, brushing through to make sure it has been evenly distributed You can then style as desired. 

5 tips on how to care for fine hair

Aside from using the right products, there are some other easy things you can do to care for your fine or thin hair. Here are some of our best tips:

• Sleep on a silk pillowcase. Silk reduces friction and is less likely to damage your hair as you twist and turn your head throughout the night, often causing that “bedhead” look you want to avoid. It keeps your hair soft and healthy.
• Wash with cool or cold water. This helps your hair and scalp to retain natural oils, which keeps the scalp and hair hydrated and healthy.
• Use a brush with soft or gentle bristles that doesn’t tug at the hair. Also try to avoid brushing your hair when it’s wet and always use a lightweight leave-in conditioner before brushing through. 
• Air dry your hair to 75% before blow drying. This will shorten the drying time as well as minimize heat damage. 
• Limit the use of heated styling tools. Try some heatless curling techniques if you do want curls but don’t want to damage your hair. 
• Don’t tie your hair too tight and use silk hair ties. This will avoid unnecessary breakage.
• Use Hair Oil sparingly. While fine or thin hair tends to get oily more quickly, it's still a good idea to use Hair Oil on your ends to seal split ends, add shine and infuse dry ends with a hydration boost.  

Wrapping up

While fine or thin hair can sometimes feel tricky to take care of, following the correct care and styling routine can definitely help you get more out of your locks!