Best Products for Fine, Thin, & Low Density Curly Hair | Drugstore & High-End

Do you struggle with flat, limp, or greasy-looking curls? You may be using the wrong curly hair products for your thin curly hair. 

I’m sharing some of the best products for fine and low-density curly hair to help you achieve more volume, fullness, and root lift.

What is the difference between fine hair, thin hair, and low-density hair?

Fine hair: Smallest type of hair texture or strand width. Affects the weight of your products.

Low-density hair: Lowest type of overall hair thickness or amount of hair on your head. Affects the amount of product you use.

Thin hair: Another interchangeable word often used for both fine and low-density hair.

Bottom line: All of these hair types likely want to achieve volume.

What to look for in products

If you have thin curly hair, these are some of things you’ll want to look for in your products:

• More lightweight options, specifically when it comes to creamy products
• Avoid heavy ingredients like thick oils and butters that weigh down your hair
• Look for products labeled as “volumizing,” “thickening,” or “texturizing”
• Protein level will depend on your hair’s porosity aka damage level
• Hold level will depend on your hair’s porosity, desired result, and longevity needed

Shampoos & Conditioners

Shampoo and conditioners will not vary that much if you have thin curly hair. Overall, you will want to avoid co-washes as your main cleanse, use lathering shampoos, and clarify regularly.

For conditioners, opt for more lightweight options and avoid super-heavy conditioners, especially around the roots.

Leave-Ins & Curl Creams

Fine Hair + Low-Medium porosity: Lightweight with or without protein

Fine Hair + High porosity: Lightweight with protein

Gels

Fine Hair + Low-Medium porosity: Lightweight or thick formula gels (use sparingly) with or without protein

Fine Hair + High porosity: Needs sealing ingredients, lightweight or thick formula gels (use sparingly) with protein

Mousse

Fine Hair + Low-Medium porosity: With or without protein

Fine Hair + High porosity: With or without protein

Volumizers

Hairspray

If you’re looking for more help with choosing products, check out this post that guides you through building your routine.

You can also visit the shop page of my blog and use the filters for product weight, protein, protein-free, and more.