Tips for Low Density, Thin Curls, and Fine Hair + Wash Day Routine

Do you have thin curls (low density) and/or fine curly hair? It can be so tough to get fuller looking curls and everything seems to weigh down your hair.

I’m compiling my best tips for managing low density curls, a wash day routine for definition AND volume, styling tips, and what haircuts and styles are best for thin curls.

I first want to preface that it’s imperative that you learn to embrace your thin curls, and know that they are stunning just how they are. I try not to compare my hair to others that have thick, long curls because I know that is not attainable for me. I’ve come to love my low density hair over the years, and there are so many ways to get a fuller look if that’s what you love.

Fine Curly Hair vs. Low Density Hair

These 2 characteristics are actually very different, although many people use these terms interchangeably.

Texture is how wide a single strand of hair is. If you have fine curly hair, your strands are very thin and cannot easily be felt between your fingers. They often break easily, and are wispy in texture. Medium texture is in between fine and coarse. Coarse textured hair strands are very thick, can easily be seen and felt between your fingers. They often can have kinking too.

Density refers to how much hair is on your scalp (quantity of hairs). If you can easily see your scalp and your hair is more “transparent,” then it’s low density. High density hair is very thick, and medium falls in between.

How to Test your Density

1. Gather all your hair in the middle of your head with a skinny elastic
2. Measure the base of your ponytail with a flexible measuring tape

Low density: less than 2 inches in diameter
Medium density: 2-3 inches in diameter
High density: more than 3 inches in diameter

Wash Day Routine Tips

• Clarify frequently to avoid scalp buildup that can weigh down your roots
• Avoid ONLY using a co-wash. Alternate between shampooing and co-washing.
• Deep condition on dirty hair, and shampoo after if your hair gets weighed down from masks
• Use lightweight styling products
  • Avoid products with butters (shea butter, cocoa butter, etc.)
  • Avoid heavy oils (coconut oil, castor oil, etc.)
• Use products such as leave ins, milks, lotions, mouse, foam, and gels
• Dilute creams and gels with water

Styling Techniques & Tips

• Avoid applying products directly to the root, and focus on the lower half
• Careful when scrunching to not get too much product on the scalp
• Avoid creating large curl clumps. Separate clumps when hair is wet.
• Check the back of your hair with a handheld mirror to place the curls evenly over the crown area to cover and scalp that’s showing.
• Avoid creating a defined, straight part

Haircut & Hairstyle Tips

• Get a trim! Even a small trim will instantly make your ends look thicker.
• Get a “blunt” cut for fuller ends
• Avoid getting layers which tend to thin out the ends
• Go for short and medium hair lengths instead of long curly hair. The longer thin hair gets, it tends to appear more sparse.

Products Used

• Wash Day Delight Water-to-Foam Shampoo
• TréLuxe Untie the Knot™ Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner
• Innersense Organic Beauty Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner
• Innersense Organic Beauty I Create Lift Volumizing Foam
• Innersense Organic Beauty I Create Finish Finishing Spray
• Denman Classic Styling Brush 5 Row D14
• Hair Repear Towel – Use code GLAMMEUP for 10% off
  • or get it on Amazon reg. price

Related videos from the Curly Haircare for Beginners series:

Differences between Clarifying, Shampooing, & Co-Washing
Wet Styling vs. Damp Styling Curly Hair Compared
How to Correct Protein Overload | Protein vs. Moisture 101
How to Get Volume, Prevent Flat Roots, & the Triangle Shape with Curly Hair
How to Manage High Porosity Curly Hair
How to Diffuse Curly Hair without Frizz for Beginners