Help for Thin Hair

Hair thins and weakens as we age. Then we subject it to highlights, coloring, and endless blow-drying, causing each follicle to produce fewer strands. Don't stress -- it can thin your hair even faster! These seven volumizers fattened us up.

1. For Skimpy Parts

Garnier Fructis Body & Volume Root Lifter Spray ($6): Apply this texturizer directly around part and bangs. Fruit acids, vitamins B5, B6, and fructose enhance shine, and polymers coat the hair shaft so layered cuts look fuller.

2. For Thickening While Styling

Nioxin Reflectives Bodifying Foam ($13): This alcohol-free mousse doesn't disturb the delicate pH balance of the scalp and is packed with 15 proteins to fill in uneven, weakened spots on the hair shaft. Great for natural-looking waves.

3. For Fine, Color-Treated Hair

Pureology Thickening Masque ($26): A self-heating treatment and protector, it uses lightweight volcanic ash to create a jacket of bulk on the hair shaft. Smells more like creme brulee than Mount St. Helens and screens UV rays so color stays fresh.

4. For Breakage Around the Hairline

Dove Fly-Away Tamer for Fine or Thin Hair ($4): Weightless silk proteins with glycerin moisturize while silicone calms annoying broken wisps or new growth around the hairline that can make dark hair look sparse.

5. For Oily, Limp Hair

Alterna Life Volumizing Shampoo ($17): Removes excess oil and buildup on the scalp, stimulating new growth. Amino acids and ho-sho-wu, a root extract from China, soothe scalps sensitive from daily blow-dries and friction caused by pulling hair back in ponytails.

6. For Dull Hair and Sensitive Scalp

Carita Paris Perfect Serum for Hair and Scalp ($70): This brand has had a cult following since the 1960s and has now been updated with soy-germ extracts that the French claim imitate estrogen to fool the follicles into producing thicker hair. It doesn't matter -- we just know it results in shiny, sexier hair.

7. For Brunettes and Redheads with Damaged Hair

Pierre Michel Rephair Volumizer ($24): A rain forest botanical, codenamed AC-11, is said to repair strands at a cellular level. We love the way it adds oomph as a leave-in tonic before blow-drying. Bonus: brightens dark and red hair -- and one for blondes is in the works.

Originally published in MORE magazine, April 2006.

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