6 Ways to Add Volume to Thin Natural Hair

Contrary to popular belief, naturals are not all walking around with voluminous, thick hair. For some ladies the volume struggle is real. And this isn’t because their hair is unhealthy or ill-treated, they simply have naturally thin hair. It doesn’t matter how many super duper extra volumizing potions you apply to your head, if your hair is thin due to genetics there’s only so much you can do with gimmicky products. Fortunately not all hope is lost. There are several tricks you can implement to create the illusion of thick and voluminous hair:

1. The Blow Dryer

Not only does blasting your roots with the blow dryer stretch your hair, it also creates volume. This hack works well if you use a comb attachment on the blow dryer. The comb acts as a hair pick and lifts your roots while the air from the dryer fluffs them up. This method works best if you use a warm setting. Too hot and the blow dryer will make the hair straight, thus not solving your thin hair problem. Just take you’re blow dryer with the comb attachment and lift up your roots, just as you would with an afro pick.





2. Rollers

You would think that a twist out would create volume for thin hair, but I often hear thin haired naturals complain that their twist outs look like limp noodle hair. However, roller sets and flexi rod sets create the volume that’s needed by eliminating scalp space. If you’d rather have the twist out look, you can set your hair with rollers in addition to twisting. The curls will give your hair body and volume. This twist and curl by NapturalElenore is the bomb!





3. Large Sections and Separating



But I hate sleeping in rollers! Ok, if you must make a final attempt at sporting a twist out, twist your hair in larger sections. Smaller twists may give you the cute little curls you’re after, but larger twist will give you the volume. Once your twists are ready to be taken down, separate your hair as much as you can without ruining the curl pattern. Separating will give you fullness. KinkyCurlyTop has a great tutorial on fluffing and separating limp twist outs.

4. Light Hair Oils

When applying oil to your hair or scalp, try not to choose an oil that is heavy. Lighter oils will keep your hair lighter in weight, but still give you the moisture and sealing that you need. Coconut oil is very light, but olive oil may be too heavy for your fine strands.







5. Change the Way You Part Your Hair

If you part your hair in the middle or on the side, try moving your part. Once you start parting your hair the same way every time you style it, your hair will become trained to fall a certain way. Additionally, changing your part to the side will create instant volume. If you already wear your hair parted on the side, try parting it on the opposite side or move your part down a little. The more hair you have on one side, the fuller it will look.

6. Shape Your Hair

You may be a thin haired natural who gets a blunt trim every year. This may not be the best cut for you. Having your stylist create a volumizing shape for your hair will work wonders. Layers and graduated cuts will give your thin hair a boost.

What are some of your tricks to make your thin natural hair appear thicker?