Best Hair Color for Thin Hair - Toppik Blog (2024)

This post was originally published on December 19, 2019.

For those of us with fine, thin hair, a new hair color doesn’t just revamp your entire look. A good hair color for fine hair can actually make thinning hair look fuller! With the right techniques, your colorist can add subtle hints of depth and dimension to your that will leave you with a natural appearance of volume. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the best color for thinning hair.

Choosing the Best Color for Thinning Hair

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1. Opt for Multi-Tonal Highlights

A single, allover hair color can be a mistake for thinning hair. Why? Because allover color is high maintenance. And if you’re not able to visit the salon often enough to keep the color looking fresh, then you may end up with a faded or grown-out shade that’s unflattering for thinning hair.

Instead, opt for multi-tonal highlights that blend seamlessly with your natural hair color. The highlighting technique you choose is up to you! Face-framing highlights, balayage, and babylights all work as hair colors for fine hair. In between hair appointments, use Root Touch-Up Spray to cover roots and grays.

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2. Try Shadow Roots

Avoid a stark line of demarcation (the line where your colored hair meets your natural color) by asking your colorist for shadow roots. With shadow roots, your colorist will add a subtle color that will blend your natural hair color with your colored hair. This means that your hair will still look beautiful as it grows out, and you won’t need to visit the hair salon as often. Less hair coloring means less damage for brittle hair. Plus, it saves you money!

Shadow roots have another benefit: they add dimension. By adding a slightly darker shade at the roots, this color for thinning hair creates the appearance of more volume.

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3. Stay Close to Your True Color

It also helps to choose a color for thin hair that’s close to your natural hair color. This is especially true if your hair is naturally light-colored or gray. Dark, rich shades may look beautiful on fine hair, but as your hair grows out, light-colored roots will create the appearance of bald patches. If your hair is naturally light-colored, opt for a shade that’s the same shade or slightly lighter than your natural color.

Those with dark hair should avoid dramatically lightening their hair. Lightening hair requires bleaching agents which can dry out and damage hair, leading to breakage and further hair thinning.

Tips for Coloring Thinning Hair

Although coloring hair can put your locks at risk for breakage when hair is fine, there are some techniques that can be used to help minimize damage while maximizing color results. The safest thing to do when coloring your hair is to go to a professional. But if this isn’t an option for you, be sure to read and follow the full instructions on the box when coloring hair at home.

Here are some expert tips to guide you along the way:

  • Spot test to verify that your hair and scalp won’t have any adverse reactions to the hair dye.
  • Hair dye works faster on fine, thin hair so it has the tendency to come out darker or more extreme. Be mindful of the time and don’t leave it on longer than described in the instructions.
  • Divide hair up into multiple sections and color small areas at a time to ensure that the application is even and precise across the hair, especially thin hair.
  • Mix a variety of tones and highlights to add dimension and depth.

Enhance with Products

Enhance any color for thinning hair by styling with products that add color in addition to the appearance of thickness to your hair. Toppik Hair Building Fibers cling to roots, adding pigment and the appearance of density where you need it most. The secret? Toppik Fibers have an electromagnetic charge, which allows them to add the appearance of thickness without any sticky glue.

What do you think is the best color for thinning hair? Let us know in the comment section below!

Colleen Welsch

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Colleen Welsch is a freelance beauty writer and blogger specializing in hair care, hair growth education and beauty.

Best Hair Color for Thin Hair - Toppik Blog (2024)

FAQs

What is the best hair color for fine, thin hair? ›

For those with thin hair, opting for lighter shades is often advisable. Shades like honey blonde, light brown, or even a soft pastel can add depth and dimension to thin hair, making it look fuller.

What hair dye is good for thinning hair? ›

She suggests you ask about vegetable-based dyes, cellophanes, and hennas, all of which are gentle options for thinning hair. Also, ask your stylist about products that are ammonia- and peroxide-free. And avoid bleach.

What hair color makes hair look the thickest? ›

Darker shades tend to absorb more light, making your hair appear denser and fuller.

What makes thin fine hair look thicker? ›

How to Make Thin Hair Act Fat
  • Snip in plumpness with a bob or lob. ...
  • Get highlights to make hair look and feel fatter. ...
  • Flip the part to get instant volume. ...
  • Change your shampoo and conditioner to beef up body. ...
  • Style in realistic-for-you body. ...
  • Use mousse and a blow-dryer for lift.
Dec 14, 2023

What color hides thin hair? ›

Pro Tip #1: Try Rich Dark Brown Shades To Hide Thinning

Harth says darker shades, such as black or dark brown (as seen on Emily Ratajkowski above), can create the illusion of fuller hair by providing contrast between the hair and scalp. “This can make the hair appear thicker and less transparent,” Dr. Harth said.

What not to do with thin fine hair? ›

7 Mistakes To Stop Making If You Have Fine Hair
  1. Using Too Much Product.
  2. Getting the Wrong Haircut.
  3. Using Too Much Conditioner.
  4. Keeping Hair Very Long.
  5. Forgetting About Your Scalp.
  6. Using the Wrong Blow-Drying Technique.
  7. Bringing on the Breakage.
Jan 31, 2023

Is dying your hair bad for thinning hair? ›

Dying your hair will not affect new hair growth or cause permanent thinning, but damage to the color-treated hair may increase shedding and breakage. People who frequently color their hair often experience thinning hair or hair loss due to breakage and increased shedding instead of permanent hair loss.

What hair color makes you look younger? ›

When it comes to youthful hair colors, honey blonde is always sitting near the top of our recommendations list. Firstly, lighter hair colors are synonymous with a more youthful look. Secondly, this particular shade incorporates warm, golden honey tones which will soften the blonde and add warmth to your complexion.

Is there a scalp dye for thinning hair? ›

A provider uses thin, small needles to deposit tiny dots of pigment (color) on the scalp. These dots give the appearance of thicker hair. Scalp micropigmentation pigments are cosmetic-grade, permanent inks. When a skilled technician performs scalp micropigmentation, it can hide thinning areas on your scalp.

What color makes fine, thin hair look thicker? ›

Brightened-up colors, such as golden blonde, can work wonders when applied to the money pieces around your face. Likewise, rich colors—like chestnut or caramel brown—can create a shadow effect throughout that feigns depth and thickness.

Should thin fine hair be layered? ›

Long layers are an excellent option for thin hair, says Toth, because the look "preserves most of your hair's thickness while still allowing for some movement and volume around the face."

Can thin hair get thick again? ›

Can thin hair become thick again naturally? A person cannot change the texture of their hair. However, the hair may grow back after chemotherapy or pregnancy, for example.

How can I permanently thicken my fine hair? ›

The most permanent way to achieve thicker hair and keep it is by having a surgical hair transplant, which is quite safe and common these days, so don't let the idea of hair loss surgery put you off. Hair transplants have a very high success rate.

What is the difference between fine hair and thin hair? ›

"'Fine hair' just means that the strand of hair itself is tiny," says Goss, master stylist and owner of Hairfolk Salon in Birmingham, Alabama. "You can have a lot of fine hair. But if you have 'thin hair,' that refers to the amount of hair you have."

What Colour makes thin hair look thicker? ›

Try Lowlights

Lowlights are darker ribbons of color that are used to add depth and dimension to your hair, both of which can help make thin hair appear thicker and more plentiful.

Is fine thin hair better short or long? ›

“If you're thinning you want to stay away from longer, straighter, hair styles that may make the thinning hair more apparent,” she says. “The best bet is to move to a medium length, with a blunter cut, that will create the look of fuller hair.”

How can I make my thin fine hair look good? ›

7 Easy Ways to Style Thin, Fine Hair
  1. We've learned a thing or two about how to style our specific hair type by this point. ...
  2. Go For Beachy Waves. ...
  3. Braid It. ...
  4. Give Yourself A Blowout. ...
  5. Embrace Your Natural Texture. ...
  6. Use Rollers. ...
  7. Bed Head, But Better. ...
  8. Pull it into a Sleek Bun.

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