Thin hair? DON'T layer it. Thick hair? Wash it less: The surprising styling tricks to help you get the best out of your tresses

  • Layering makes thin hair appear even more sparse
  • Salt water and dry shampoo are excellent volumizers 
  • Thick hair should be washed less to keep it tame, and not blow-dried   

By Annabel Fenwick Elliott for MailOnline

Published: 01:39 EST, 23 April 2015 | Updated: 04:54 EST, 23 April 2015

The natural texture of our hair: a classic case of the grass is always greener on the other side. 

Those of us who possess thin locks would give anything for a bit of volume, while those of us with thick tresses get thoroughly fed up of how wild and unmanageable it can be. 

But according to a nifty new infographic courtesy of Cool Blades, there are tricks you can employ to make the best of your hair, whatever its texture. 

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Top tips: Too much layering is not a good idea if you've got thin hair like Cameron Diaz but it can be a godsend if you've got chunky tresses
Top tips: Too much layering is not a good idea if you've got thin hair, but it can be a godsend if you've got chunky tresses like Kim Kardashian

Too much layering is not a good idea if you've got thin hair like Cameron Diaz (left) but it can be a godsend if you've got chunky tresses like Kim Kardashian (right)

There are a number of minor beauty woes only afforded to those with thinner locks. Scalp sunburn, for one, as well as a tendency towards limp or greasy hair. 

Perhaps most frustratingly of all, however, is its inability to hold a curl, no matter how many hours spent slaving over a curling iron. 

Spritzing thin hair with salt spray before styling it is one helpful trick to remedy this. Blow-drying your hair upside down is a good way to maximise volume, as is using dry shampoo on the roots.

Using too much product however, will weigh it down, and applying conditioner anywhere above the tips will too. 

As for those of us with thick, course or unruly hair, conditioner is your best friend, and volume around the roots is not a good thing.

Washing your hair less frequently will help keep it tame, while blow-drying it will render it too 'poofy' and bristle brushes can be damaging. 

There are a number of minor beauty woes only afforded to those with thinner locks (left) and a number of pitfalls for those of us with thick hair (right)

There are a number of minor beauty woes only afforded to those with thinner locks (left) and a number of pitfalls for those of us with thick hair (right)

Whichever sort of hair you possess, a good haircut goes a long way in minimising your woes.

MailOnline spoke to expert stylist Skyler McDonald, creative director of Sean Hanna salons, who said the biggest deciding factor concerns layering.

'It's surprising just how many people with thin long hair get talked into over layering it,' she said.

For thin hair (left) dry shampoo is invaluable, while for thick hair (right) ombré might be the way to go

For thin hair (left) dry shampoo is invaluable, while for thick hair (right) ombré might be the way to go

'The best way to maximise thin hair potential is to keep the percentage of layers low, although you can still create the illusion with slightly shorter front sections.

'On thinner hair we would rarely recommend layering it more than ten per cent. It's also worth using a volumizing shampoo, which helps plump out the hair shaft making the hair look and feel fuller.

Using too much product weighs thin hair down (left), while blow-drying thick hair poofs it up (right)

Using too much product weighs thin hair down (left), while blow-drying thick hair poofs it up (right)

Skyler continued: 'As for thick hair, you're lucky. It's always better to have too much than too little.

'Layering can work well in reducing the hair's weight as long as its natural texture isn't too wavy. If the hair is already very bulky, layers will encourage it to get even bigger.

'And when in doubt, always reach for the smoothing serum.'

 

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