Thin hair - can it be long?

Hi everyone,

Just having a dilemma about what to do with my hair. My hair is very fine but according to the hairdresser, I have loads of it. It always looks great and full when I get a professional blowdry but I never seem to be able to replicate it at home and my hair goes flat very quickly and looks thin and stringy. I've been growing it for a year and it's now around bra-strap length, so pretty long. I have a side fringe and layers put into it when I get my hair cut every few months but it grows fast, so they grow out quickly and my hair soon looks flat and drab again.

The hairdresser reckons a long bob would be much more flattering as my hair would look much thicker and would 'swing' more instead of just sitting there. I agree but I also like being able to do so much with long hair - buns, side plaits, all that stuff I couldn't do before! Does anyone else have fine hair which they've grown long? Should I just get it cut or try to persevere with it and find a way to make it more flattering?

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

I have long hair that's baby fine. Like you, I have lots and lots of it, just that it's uber fine. I'm currently trying to grow mine, after bleaching it to within an inch of its life. It's about the same length as yours. I have a natural kink in my hair so
It's straight on the top and then it waves from about my shoulders down, and I find that when I leave it like that and don't straighten it, that it looks much fuller and thicker. You could try just loose ghd curls at the end of your hair? I always backcomb my hair a little on the top to just make it look that little bit more full but, definitely long hair suited me much more than long bobs or a cut with lots of layers.

Aoifums

My hair is pretty thin overall, both the strands and the overall amount I have and it seems to be about the same length as yours. I prefer it long. If it's going to look bad at this length then I don't see how chopping a few inches off will make it hang better. That's just on me though, yours could especially if it's thicker overall.
Nothing can beat being able to shove my hair in a bun if I'm having a bad hair day.

cactusgal

Hi, I have the same type of hair as you and I wear human hair clip-in extensions to add volume. They're a bit longer than my own hair but not much as I wear them for volume rather than length.

SusieBlue

I have the same problem, except my hair is about waist length. If I just leave it dry naturally after I wash it, I look like I've been drowned. Its limp and drags down and basically does nothing for me at all. Its just "there", so I can sympathise.

I put a lot of work into my hair but its worth it. Firstly, consider getting extensions. Like PP I wear mine for volume rather than length and they make a massive difference. I got two long clip in pieces for about €40. So worth it.


You should also invest in some volumising bulking products. vo5 have a fantastic, affordable range. I love their "Plump it Up Amplifying Blow Dry Lotion". Another good option is their moose. I always double up on the moose as directed by my hairdresser - One small thin layer when hair is soaking wet, then dry till its 60% dry and then another small layer. Works wonders. There are lots of similar products to the vo5 amplifying lotion on the market, so play around and see what you like. Buzz words such as thickening, volumising, etc. are what you are looking for.

You should also learn how to blow dry your hair to its full potential, buy yourself a good round/vent brush and watch some youtube tutorials on how to do it yourself. There are literally hundreds of them.

I know its not to everyones taste but I love the look of back combed hair. I'm not talking about a big 80's bouffant style, but some subtle back combing around the crown makes hair look twice as thick. It makes a huge difference.

Basically, what I'm trying to say, is that fine hair can be lovely with some effort put into it. Granted, I don't go through that routine every day, I'm more of a ballerina bun/side plait kind of girl during the week, but I go all out for the weekend, with the products, proper blow dry, extensions and back combing.

If you aren't happy to put extra time into it I'd cut it if I were you. A long bob sounds really nice and flattering. But in my own personal experience there is such a massive difference between what my hair looks like when its left to dry naturally and when I actually "do" it that I'd consider changing up your routine a bit. You'd be surprised what difference using a few inexpensive products can make to your hair

pinkypinky

Definitely worth considering the long bob. I was in a similar position (mine is now growing back) and my hairdresser talked me into much shorter hair and I haven't looked back. It did mean sacrificing the ability to tie it up but over all, it looks a lot better.