It’s definitely easier to shave your hair off when you have naturally thin hair. After all, most people want to avoid being mistaken for experiencing hair loss.

“Ideally, I’d like to achieve a spiky look. But that’s almost impossible with fine hair like mine,” 30-year-old Jon Lin shares. “So right now, I’m resorting to keeping it at this length instead.”

The style helps to add volume and frame his face, and using volumising hair products helps add body to his crown. Even then, the 2019 A-Lister and CFO of mClinica still finds it difficult to get a style to hold throughout an event, much less the day. He is disappointed when products betray his expectations and cause his hair to fall flat.

The Barber Says

“It’s easy to assume that those with thin hair are balding. That’s not always true. Sometimes the follicles on the scalp are placed far apart, so the empty patches give the illusion of hair loss,” Ana from Sultans of Shave explains.

She also adds that thin hair is much more fragile, so it needs to be handled with extra care to avoid the strands from breaking or getting damaged.

Making The Cut

Although going for a cropped hairdo is ideal, keeping it longer like Lin is also a good decision. Ana suggests using that to advantage by choosing the right styling products to add a little volume. She advises against shaving the sides, and choosing to scissor-cut instead.

“Shaven sides can look a little too severe on someone with fine hair. Keeping some length at the sides can complement a well-styled crown,” Ana points out.

She thinks using the right styling products can definitely help. Sea salt sprays are a common go-to because they leave residue on the hair strands, creating much-needed volume that helps to give the hair texture. A bonus is that they wash off easily in the shower.

Although oils are a general no no in her books for this hair type, some volumising products use the ingredient in their formulas to create hold and give the illusion of a fuller head of hair. Ana recommends using a light touch with such products.

Red Carpet Inspiration

Ryan Gosling at the Oscars 2017 

Product Picks

Barber’s Pick: 40 Proof Sea Salt Spray, Blind Barber

Although sea salt does wonders for limp hair by effectively lending it some texture, it can dry your tresses out. The 40 Proof Sea Salt Spray counteracts that with panthenol that helps to condition and strengthen each strand so you don’t have to worry about breakage and dehydration.

Key Ingredients: Sea salt and panthenol

Styling Tip: Ruffle your hair gently to dry the hair with each spritz to add volume
Available at Sultans of Shave for $32

Our Pick: Un.dressed, Kevin.Murphy

It is often believed that those with thin hair should avoid products with oils and waxes for their tendency to weigh the hair down. But Kevin.Murphy’s Un.dressed is formulated to thicken and condition instead. To top it off, botanical extracts including black pepper and ivy in this concoction also aid in stimulating healthy hair growth.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, beeswax and botanical extracts

Styling Tip: Gently massage the product close to your roots give it more body
Available at selected hair salons for $45

Credits

Photography: Cher Him

Photographic Assistance: Zhan Hong 

Words: Syed Zulfadhli

Sittings Editor: Chia Wei Choong

Hair: Ana Nguyen/Sultans of Shave

Makeup: Eunice Wong

Special thanks to: Jon Lin