Need haircut place/style advice for thin hair

[frannn]

I need a haircut, and have very thin hair. Without certain styling aids, you can actually see my scalp. Being female, this is really a problem. Every time I find a haircutter I like, the place closes and a new one pops up. I would love to be able to go to less expensive places that are always around, like Lemon Tree, Fantastic Sams, etc. Are these places really that much worse than the salons that charge 25+ for a cut? Also, what products/natural remedies could help my hair to appear thicker & less frizzy? I hate the thought of a wig, and am in my 30's. TIA for your advice!

 

[Serena]

I know there are ladies here that can help, so I'll bump this for you.

 

[Planogirl]

Fantastic Sam's can actually be pretty good! I have fine hair (not quite as thin as yours though) and if I can find an experienced hairdresser, I do pretty well. I would think that experience might be the key in your case.

Good luck!

 

[poohandwendy]

I work in a hair salon, although I am a manicurist (so take my advice with a grain of salt, LOL), I think that the best style on very thin hair is a straight, layered cut, blown dry under with volumizing products added. Seems to me that everyone who has thin hair thinks that curl adds volume (which it does)...but it also 'shows off' the scalp in very thin hair (accentuating the problem, IMO). So, IMHO, keep it straight, but layered for the volume.

I am sure there are stylists on the board who will have better advice though, LOL. And I could be totally wrong...

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I have thin, straight hair although not as thin as yours. I went for years wearing it long until I finally found a good stylist who said it did nothing for me (which it didn't!).

I now wear my hair a little below my chin. They do some layering, but it is not very obvious. What they do that I really love is to give it texture with a razor. I also use a little volumizing product. I also get highlights put in my hair which I love! I have brown hair with a darker blonde and a red color. The red is a first for me and I think it is really fun!

I have found now that once my hair grows to a certain length it just gets weighed down and won't do anything.

A good stylist is the key. I am lucky to have found a great one where I live.

 

[luvmydogs]

I always had really thick, wavy hair until last February when I uderwent some medical procedures which caused me to lose a good 2/3 of it. I found that the longer that I let my hair (that I still had) grow, the worse it looked--very thin, brittle and frizzed. My stylist suggested that I keep it short and layered, which I did, and used volumizer. John Freida's Frizz-Eaz(sp.?) also helped with the brittleness and flyaways. My hair has really started to grow back now, and it's coming in very curly. I'm very lucky--and happy.

 

[Christine]

I don't have really thin hair, but I do have fine hair and layering works for me. But, I know that too much layering on a person with thin hair will cause the scalp to show.

I think a chin-length "bob" with a part is your best bet. Some longer layers should be added it to give fullness at the bottom and take the weight off the hair. The "razoring" texturizing technique is a great thing to have done. I have it done everytime I get a hair cut. Also, if your hair is dark, that will be more of a contrast to your scalp. Having a highlight will not only get rid of the contrast, it will "rough up" the texture of you hair making it less fine and appear fuller.

That said, overall, I do not think you will find too may great stylists at Sam's, Hair Cuttery, etc. Not to say that some people don't get good cuts there, but let me tell you, there are some people that have really good hair and it looks good no matter where they go and have it done (I know a few friends like that). Also, it is not unheard of that a well-trained stylist will occasionally take work at a place like that if it suits her hours and schedule--but not many.

Where I live, the best "beauty school" is Graham Webb. It costs roughly $8,000-$10,000 per year to go there. These student are taught WAY more than the basics and usually have high-end salons grabbing them up for trainee positions when they graduate. The last 3 stylists I've used have gone to Graham Webb and they can do anything. Another good stylist I used when to Vidal Sasson in London.

When I went to my local-yokel shops here in burbs, the stylists had all gone to the various local beauty academies located in the suburbs. Only one of the stylists even KNEW how to texturize with a razor. She did it but she was terrified and would only do it on me a few times a year. My hair couldn't take it. After 3 years of looking bad with the $25 haircut, I had to move on. Although, some of my friends with better hair, do just fine. I've been real happy with my hair ever since. If you have VERY thin hair, you need a talented professional. That's my 2 cents.

 

[CarolA]

I suggest you also see a physician. Early thinning of your hair can be a sympton of some medical conditions. You might also try those shampoos (Nioxin?) that are suppose to help.

 

[snoopy]

I have baby fine, thin hair, but its not so thin that you can see my scalp. I agree with those that said you might want to check with your doctor - thinning hair might indicate a medical condition. Best get it checked out.

As for haircuts, I have the same haircut as Jenn Lynn has. Its really the only haircut for those with thin & fine straight hair. And whatever you do, don't get a perm. People with baby fine hair should never get perms, contrary to popular belief. At least they always were disastrous for my hair. I try not to mess too much with my hair, but I do add highlights in the beginning of each summer, and I blow it dry every day using a round brush and Matrix Amplify. Amplify is a root booster, its a miracle product for those of us with lifeless hair. I've had the same stylist for years, but I don't think my hair is any too difficult to cut. I think you could go to one of the lower end shops and get the same haircut as you would at an expensive salon -- it all depends on the stylist. If you don't already have one, look around for women who have hair like yours and when you see someone who's hair looks good, ask them where they got it cut.

 

[RhondaS]

My name is Rhonda, and I too have thin, baby fine hair.

I'd been very unhappy with my hairstyle for a LONG time. Typically just past my shoulders with bangs.

Last week, I got a new haircut. Like JennLynn and snoopy, it's now just below the chin with layers and I've been getting so many good comments about it. With past haircuts, people would say something like, "You got a haircut." Now, it's "I really like your new haircut. It looks good!"

I either blow dry it with a big round brush or just let it dry naturally and kind of messy. I like it either way.

My favorite styling product is Superstar from TIGI (Toni & Guy's product line). I put about a teaspoon of it in my palm, rub my hands together, then rub it throughout my hair and style. It adds incredible volume that lasts.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I have the same problem as you! I have had female pattern balness most of my adult life as well as very baby fine hair. I used to perm it to make it look like I had more hair, but now I wear it very short and layered and straight. Even my best friend thinks it has more volumn this way! The only down side is that I have to wash and style it every day or even multiple times if I am going out in the evening.

 

[KimR]

I have extremely thin, fine hair as well and I hate it!. I don't like the way I look in short hair, so I keep mine a couple of inches below my shoulders. It is blunt cut because my hair is so thin there is not even enough to layer. I add volume by jelling my hair, drying it, then curling the bottom few inches with foam rollers overnight. It works fairly well.

I know you said you don't like the idea of a wig, but I have a hairpiece I wear when we go out. It looks very natural. It clips on underneath my hair, so that what you see is a mixture of my own hair and the hairpiece. It adds tons of volume and a little bit of length as well. You really can't tell it's not my own hair and it feels so good to have a head full of beautiful hair! I ordered it off the internet and can send you a link if you like

Kim

 

[nativetxn]

My mil and her sister had such thin hair that you could see more scalp than you could see hair. They both used the Rogaine spray and it made a HUGE difference, it really worked for them.

 

[Dee & Greg]

But I wear mine short and layered. It will take a curl with a curling iron very easily. I don't use a blow-dryer, but a "brush".. you can buy them at beauty supply stores. Looks like a curling brush but is a blow dryer. Really gives volume. I also have highlights.
You can also look at Paulayoung.com They have great wigs, but also hairpieces that you pull your own hair through. I have bought two clip on hair pieces and they are very inexpensive (about $21) and lots of fun. Easy, too! Most come in 21 colors, so you can't miss!

 

[nativetxn]

I use one of those curling brushes, too. I love it

 

[Lemur]

I know I'm a guy .. but as I have thin(nig) hair so thought I might have a few words of sdvice.

Here in the UK we have a shampoo for guys called ELVIVE.

It's by L'OREAL.

They have a range of shampoos that has REGENIUM-XY ( don't ask me about the science.

I use it and is does make a difference.

Don't know if that helps .. hope it does !