How to Make Thin Hair Look Thicker and Have Lots of Volume

If you struggle with thin, straight hair that tends to look straggly and flat, read on for some tips that will take it from flat to full and put some "oomph" in those lifeless locks. As far as length and haircut goes, long hair without any layers is your worst enemy. In moderate cases of "flat hair syndrome," the longest layer should not fall much past your shoulder. Also, to give it some lift and appear thicker, have lots of shorter layers cut. Extremely flat or thin hair should be cut short or mid-length, such as a layered bob with bangs.

Unless your hair is extremely dry, you should only condition your hair every other day or even as little as one time per week. Also, be careful of how much hair product you apply...only a dime size should be used. Otherwise, extra weight will be added to each hair strand and will cause the hair to lose any volume it might have otherwise had.

Avoid greasy products meant to smooth or shine...a lightweight gel or mousse is your best bet, followed by a light mist of hairspray at roots.

One of the most important tricks in getting volume into your hair is blow drying it with the help of a large round brush. Choose one that is metal and has little holes in it that allow the heat and air to pass through to the other side. The metal will heat up and help add extra fullness. Don't dry the hair in too large of sections at once...instead choose sections that are a few inches wide. Make sure that you get the round brush all the way down to the hair at the root when you are drying.

After blow drying, spritz the roots with a lightweight hairspray. Again, don't do too large of sections here, but section off in pieces a few inches wide.

After spritzing each section, use a fine tooth comb to "tease" the roots on the underside to really get some oomph into your style. To do this, use one hand to hold the section up at a slight angle, making sure the hair is taught. With the other hand, come the hair on the underside downward toward the roots, starting from about three or four inches up from the scalp.

After "teasing" the hair, smooth out any lumpy, uneven spots and give your entire style a few extra spritzes of hairspray for good measure.

Keep your fine tooth comb with you for touch ups throughout the day.

Just because you have fine, thin locks doesn't mean you're stuck with a straggly 'do...you just need to know a few tricks of the trade that will have your hair looking full and stylish with just a few extra minutes each day.