Thick Hair Tips

Adding volume to limp hair, especially those with historically delicate follicles, can be easier than you think. Some common techniques will work in most cases, giving not only the desired thickness, but also adding bounce, body, and shine. The style and the length of the hair can always be a little bit thicker, or at least to appear voluminous, even if the reality is not what it seems.

Start with the cut, keeping the length ranging from the shoulder to the chin. Shorter hair will make your mane appear depleted, and longer hair can awkwardly emphasize that lean and hungry look. By establishing maximum body, this will make your hair appear thicker, and it doesn't hurt for a style that includes layering. The next step is to consider varying the color. If you opt for a less permanent treatment; for example, demi-permanent, these treatments will coat the surface of the strands, adding a thickening to the surface, which will ultimately thicken the hair. Of course, there is always a permanent color, containing ammonia, which roughens the cuticles, causing an effective swelling. You will feel as if you have more hair. The final composition effect is to take advantage of optics. Add colored streaks (just a brief shade of variation, nothing gothic, only a shade or two off your natural shade). This will create the illusion of depth, dimension and texture, which ultimately generates the overall appearance of greater volume.

For extra assistance, especially in the shower, make certain that you choose a shampoo and conditioner that are engineered for fine hair. These volumizer formulas will prevent your hair from being weighted down, that would otherwise create the effect of limp, lifeless hair. If your hair is especially fine, then condition only the ends on a daily basis and once a week, condition the entire hair and rinse thoroughly. For lots of body and shine, make certain that just before you finish your shower, you seal the last of the conditioner into the hair. You do this by lowering the hot water and letting cooler water encompass your hair for about five seconds. You hair will squeak and retain shine and body thereafter. If this is not enough, then keep a small spray bottle, prepared in advance with a tablespoon of vinegar in a few cups of water. Spray the entire area after shampoo and conditioner have been rinsed off, then let it set and rinse thoroughly. A healthy after shower glow will manifest. After you towel the hair, use a small puff of mousse for a light hold; never use heavier gel. First blow-dry the roots, adding any fine-hair styling aid, and drying upwards. Your last efforts will be to shape the ends with a rounded brush, and in this manner you will achieve maximum height and volume.

You only have yourself to blame when it comes to common hair style mistakes. These are the ones that occur again and again. Probably, the most common culprit, is overdoing it. The idea, is that if it is good and usable, then do it more, and if at first it doesn't work, overwhelm your hair with treatment. Any treatment simply evolves into abuse, when done to the extreme.

(1). Don't color your entire hair again and again. At the salon, the stylist has likely lightly retouched the roots when they have grown through and then refreshed the ends. By doing the entire hair repeatedly the color can be uneven and the ends are over-porous. Then the ends will become dried out, making them harder to style and easier to split. Try to apply the color only to the new growth of roots, spread the color through the rest of the hair just briefly (only a few minutes), then shampoo out.

2). Use the right styling product for your hair-type. If you have fine hair and you are trying to avoid the flat look, then why do you apply heavy gel which only serve to had weight? Gel is best used thinly at the roots to lift the hair, then comb it outward to reduce frizzy hair and to give you a wet look. Even though Mousse is light, it tends to be applied too heavily. Don't drench the hair, just "encourage" it with a small amount brushed evenly throughout the hair. Always hold the can of hairspray at least a foot from your head and use momentary spritzes to once more "encourage" results, rather than to drench and cause build-ups. If the product does not seem to be working, don't hit the nail with a bigger hammer, maybe it's your chosen style that isn't suitable to start with.

(3). When setting hair on hot rollers, don't remove the rollers and then immediately start to brush. It is the heat that dries the hair, causing it to temporarily reshape itself, but it is the cool air that captures the shape. Wait for the rollers to cool before removing them. This also applies to blow drying. Once you have the desired shape and consistency, then switch from hot to cool to set the hair style that you have composed.

(4). Getting into a rut when it comes to style, is a common problem. Remember the Seinfeld episode that features "Wendy", the girl with the big hair of the 1960s? Go to any shopping mall and play the retro game. Look for the the older woman who is still attempting to wear her hair in the pageboy of her youth, or the long hair of her teenage years. As we age, our faces and bodies change, and the hair style must mature along with us. This doesn't mean that you have to choose something dowdy and old-fashioned, but it does mean that you have to be willing to relinquish your tried-and-true lifelong style. It doesn't hurt to experiment, in moderation, and with the help of an experienced stylist. Quite often the change will be overwhelming to those who have defined you, but they will get used to the change, and will soon forget what you used to look like. Remember, that the style must suit the face and personality, and you are no longer Gidget on the beach.

(5). Getting the latest fad hairstyle. In the 1940s, Veronica Lake was all the rage, and every lady wanted the style, whether it was an engineering possibility or not. There is a cute movie from the 40s which parodies this fashion trend at a school dance, when youngsters barely in their teens all appear as little moppet Veronica Lakes with their long golden tresses. You may admire the look of a Jennifer Anniston, but sometimes you have to give it a break. When Bo Derrick bounced over the beach in her braided hair in the movie "10" who would have thought that the artless mimics would be popping out all over, including the likes of recording artist, Stevie Wonder, all with beaded braids. Too cool, is often unsuitable, and can be too funny. These days the shags have overwhelmed us, and they can be right for the right face and hair, but when done to extreme, they appear odd, and that second look you are getting is not necessarily because you are being admired. They could be sizing you up to invite you to join the local freak show.

When frizzy hair decides to attack, it is primarily caused by a moisture deficiency, including a lack of water and oil. Once the frizzies attack, your hair is more subject to split ends and the electrostatic effect. Just ask your cat when you walk along a furry carpet, and greet her by touching her on the nose. By leaving your hair natural for as many years as you can, without treating with strong chemicals, especially those in coloring, simple brushing, combined with your natural oils will defeat the frizzies and give you that natural shine. When your hair is in good condition, the cuticle layers of your hair are tight together, not separated like dried-out onion bulbs. Hair that is in poor condition will have cuticle layers that are raised and damaged, and as a result the ability of your hair to retain moisture will be reduced. With good porosity, your hair is smooth. With poor moisture-holding power, your hair has that fragmented look that gives rise to the frizzies. Coarse and brittle hair fails to reflect light making your hair appear dull and lifeless.

Curly-haired individuals have a cuticle layer that is by nature upraised, making curly hair feel coarse and brittle and lacking in shine. With irregular condition, your hair is like a limp rag rather than a tight and perky sponge, a sponge that can retain water and give rise to hair with body and health. Don't think that hot oil treatments are the answer, as most oils cannot penetrate the individual hairs, causing them to leave a residue build up. When the hair can no longer breathe, your problems simply worsen. Moisture cannot get beneath the coated layers and the hair cannot be conditioned. With the inability of the oils to disperse equally, you can wind up cooking your hair in the sun. Look for shampoos containing humectants that have the ability to attract moisture, working hand-in-hand with your natural oils. Protein conditioners can then be applied to assist in repairing the cuticles. The overall elasticity of your hair can be restored to almost original condition.

Be wary of treatments that remove moisture from your hair in order to establish color or hold. Bleaches, hair dyes, and perms are the culprits. With the damage comes the dreaded split ends and hair shaft breakage. If you cannot restore your frizzy hair with one or two attempts, you would be well advised to consult a hair specialist, especially if you have experienced the onset of multiple problems. Sometimes what looks like a good solution in the short term, fails in the long run and sets off a chain of events that create even greater problems down the line. Consult a beauty specialist. It is well worth the time and money.