Thin or fine hair isn’t a problem, but it does call for the right product. Most men with thin hair reach for a heavy wax or gel, and that’s exactly why their hairstyle lies flat after an hour. In this article: which hair wax for men with thin hair does work, what you’re better off avoiding and the routine barbers use for volume.
Three rules for thin hair
- Matte, not shiny. Shine makes strands clump together and lets your scalp show through. A matte finish makes hair look fuller.
- Light, not heavy. Oil-based pomade, heavy wax and lots of gel drag fine hair down. Choose water-based and use only a little.
- Volume starts before the wax. A pre-styler and a hairdryer do more for volume than any styling product.
Which hair wax works for thin hair?
| Product | Finish | Hold | Verdict for thin hair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matte Pomade | Matte | Firm, with movement | First choice: volume without weight |
| Hair Clay | Ultra-matte, texture | Extreme | Good for short thin hair, use sparingly |
| Shaper Styling Paste | Matte, natural | Medium, flexible | Good for medium-length thin hair |
| Fiber Wax | Light shine | Flexible | Only for wavy thin hair |
| Pomade | Shine | Strong | Best avoided: shine makes thin hair look flatter |
| Gel | High shine | Hard | Best avoided, unless you use very little on the ends |
The barber’s volume routine
With Professional Shampoo: clean hair looks fuller than hair with product residue.
Sea Salt Spray for grip and texture, or Hair Tonic for volume with heat protection.
Lift the hair at the roots with a blow-dry brush and blow-dry upwards and backwards. Finish with a cool blast.
Half a pea of Matte Pomade, rubbed out well, first at the back and only then at the front.
What you’re better off avoiding
- Putting product on the roots. That’s where the weight sits and where your hair falls flat. Work from the mid-lengths to the ends.
- Hairspray every day. Hold is fine, but with thin hair a light mist of Hairspray from a distance does more than a wet layer.
- Hair that’s too long on top. Ask your hairdresser for a cut that suits thin hair: shorter at the sides, texture on top.
Frequently asked questions
Which wax gives the most volume? Not the wax but the preparation. Sea Salt Spray plus blow-drying, followed by a matte wax, gives the most volume.
Is clay good for thin hair? Yes, for short hair. Use a little and warm it up well between your hands, otherwise it clumps.
Matte pomade or clay for thin hair? Matte pomade is more pliable and more forgiving. Read matte pomade or clay.
See all matte products under hair wax for men or the overview of hair products for men. Not sure? Ask for personal styling advice. Everything comes with our 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Deel:
Sea salt spray: what does it do, how do you use it and is it bad for your hair?
How to use beard oil: how often, how much, and beard oil or beard balm?