TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. – Silk, frog fur, horses mane, kinky, smooth, heavy … do any of these descriptions sound familiar? The stylist’s job during a consultation is to assess the hair. As negative as these descriptions may sound, they aren’t meant to be insulting. Because familiar visuals are helpful in establishing exactly what is needed to provide the client with the best style possible.

Establishing what kind of hair texture you have can be challenging. First, there is the size of the hair strand, which can be fine, medium and coarse. Second is the density, which can be fine, medium, or thick. Third is the texture, which can be straight, wavy, curly, afro and everything in between. Therefore one can have straight, thick, fine hair, just as one can have curly, thin, coarse hair.

I was recently asked to write specifically about how to work with thin, fine, straight hair. Fortunately there are a few things your stylist can do, combining different techniques with some amazing products which will create the illusion of thicker, fuller, hair. Regardless of the texture a good haircut is the basis for any great style. When dealing with this type of hair it is best not to put too many layers as this can make it too airy. Finer hair types need weight to keep the shape of the cut and the hair in control. Along with a good haircut adding color will help build density. Generally going lighter will help rough up the cuticle and give great texture. The lighter the color gets the more texture will be created.

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Once a professional has had their way with your locks it’s time to take over at home. An appropriate shampoo and conditioner like Bumble and Bumbles Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner or Oribes Shampoo and Conditioner for Magnificent Volume give finer hair more texture.

Remember the next three important steps: foundation, styling and finishing. For finer hair a good foundation spray is Bumble and Bumbles Prep. It’s “full of herbs and vitamins that condition the hair and soothe the scalp,” or Oribes Foundation Mist. Next is a styling product, try a texture product like Bumble and Bumbles Texture or Styling Creme and Bed Heads Hard To Get; this can also come in the form of a volumizing product such as Oribes Volumista and Bed Heads Superstar. Last but not least, a light finishing product like Bumble and Bumbles Does It All or Oribes Supershine will add even more texture without weighing the hair down. It is good to get into the habit of not washing every day. Dry shampoos like Bumble and Bumbles Hair Powder and Oribes Dry Texturizing Spray will absorb oil and help build volume and texture.

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Tips and Tricks

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow … just not in the bathroom! As we gear up for another dry winter, a great natural remedy for that dry, itchy, flaky, scalp is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic qualities and will clear up those scalp issues in no time. A general rule for measurement is one drop of tea tree per 1 oz. of shampoo. (Of course more can be added if desired). There are also products like Bumble and Bumble’s Tonic Shampoo and Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Special Shampoo that can take the guess work out of it.