This is for the girls who seethe with jealousy every time they watch a Victoria’s Secret commercial. For the ladies who have tried every single thickening spray on the market. For the women who treat the detangling process like open-heart surgery, desperate to preserve every possible strand.

This one goes out to all of the thin-haired ladies of the world — I am one of you, and I feel your pain.

Yes, I’ve battled static-y, flat, flyaway hair my whole life… and it hasn’t been fun. However, in my years of experience, I’ve also gained some pretty good knowhow about the best ways to combat thin, flat, lifeless hair. And today, I’m going to share them with you!

Quick disclaimer before we begin: I’m no hair expert — I’ve never been to cosmetology school, and I’m definitely not a “beauty guru”, whatever that even is. These are just the tricks that have worked for me. (YMMV.) Share your own tips by leaving a comment!

Related reading: Want Perfect Hair in the AM? Try These Easy Hairstyles for Sleep

Table of Contents

1. Avoid tangles like the plague.

When your ponytail’s diameter measures a half an inch, losing any strands to rough brushing is something you want to avoid. The problem is, thin hair is more susceptible to static and wind, which are both major contributors to tangly hair. Also, teasing combs and hairspray, staples in a thin-haired girl’s styling kit, can also cause serious tangling.

Of course, loading up on conditioner seems like an obvious fix. However, the heaviest, most tangle-busting formulas come with the unfortunate side effect of weighing down your hair, canceling out any natural bounce your locks may have. It’s a total catch-22.