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How To Care For Low Density & Fine Curly Hair

ByDelilah

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Struggling with flat, weighed-down curls? If your hair looks see-through, flattens easily, or gets greasy fast, especially at the roots, you might have fine, low-density curly hair. And I get it. That was me, too.

When I first started wearing my hair curly, I could never get the volume I wanted. It always fell flat. I even asked my DevaCut stylist for help, and she basically told me volume just wasn’t in the cards unless I was ready to chop off a lot of length.

But after over 3 years of following the curly girl method (and wearing my curls much longer than that), I’ve learned what actually works for my fine, low-density curls.

Here’s what I wish I knew from the start.

What is fine curly hair?

Fine hair means each strand is thin in diameter, more delicate and prone to breakage. It has nothing to do with how much hair you have. You can have a ton of fine strands or very few.

Because fine curls don’t hold as much moisture, they can easily become limp or frizzy, especially when weighed down by heavy products or buildup.

hair texture chart with fine normal and coarse hair

What is low density curly hair?

Low density means you don’t have a lot of strands overall, so your scalp may show through more easily. You can have fine or coarse low density hair, but when your hair is both fine and low density, it’s even trickier to work with.

This combo often struggles with:

  • Volume
  • Definition
  • Greasy roots
  • Frizz
  • That “see-through” look

But the good news is, once you understand how to work with your hair instead of against it, things get a lot easier.

hair density chart with low medium and high

Product tips for fine curly hair

Here are the top things that helped me stop overdoing it with products and start getting healthy, defined curls:

Use Lightweight Products

Heavy creams and oils are a no-go for me. Even though my hair is more curly than wavy, it acts like wavy hair, it gets weighed down super fast.

Look for shampoos, conditioners, and stylers labeled “lightweight,” “volumizing,” or “for fine hair.”

Check out my full list of recommended lightweight products here.

Stick to One Styling Product

I’ve tried layering leave-in, mousse, and gel. It always left my curls dull, greasy, and heavy. Honestly, I’ve always stuck with just one styler because it works. And turns out, both stylists I’ve seen did the same thing.

Less is more.

products for fine curly hair EVOLVh smart curl line in bathroom sink in a row

Use Less Conditioner

I emulsify a small amount in my hands first, then smooth it over my wet hair. This helps it spread more evenly without overdoing it.

Pro tip: Squish to condish to help lock in just enough moisture without the extra weight.

Use Volumizing Products

Look for mousses, foams, or lightweight leave-ins that mention volume or root lift. These help my hair look fuller without feeling coated.

how to tell if a product is lightweight and suitable for low-density fine curly hair
Read more about lightweight products here.

Deep Condition on Dirty Hair

When I deep condition clean hair, it’s too much. My curls get soft but lose their shape. So now I apply deep conditioner before shampooing, on dirty, damp hair. This helps balance out the moisture.

I only deep condition once every month or two

Use Low Poo & Clarify Often

My high porosity hair absorbs everything, so product buildup happens fast. I use low-poo shampoo regularly and clarify often to keep my curls bouncy and shiny.

Try Protein Treatments

Fine hair benefits a lot from protein. It gives strands more strength and structure, helps hold curl shape, and can even make hair feel thicker. Check out these recommended protein treatments.

My Favorite Lightweight Products

These are the ones I keep going back to:

Shampoo:

Conditioner:

Stylers:

Want more recs? Here’s my full product list.

If you want help choosing products based on your hair type, check out the Curly Product Handbook.

Styling Tips for low Density or Fine Curly Hair

Once your product routine is simplified, these tricks help boost fullness:

  1. Don’t apply stylers at the roots (start from the ears down)
  2. Style upside down or sideways to lift hair off the scalp
  3. Break up large curl clumps
  4. Squeeze out as much water as you can with a hair towel
  5. Flip your head side to side while diffusing
  6. Use dry shampoo between wash days
  7. Sleep with your hair in a buff
  8. Fluff with your fingers or a pick
  9. Scrunch out the crunch as soon as your hair is dry
  10. Change your part daily
product and styling tips for fine low density curly hair

Some of these are pretty obvious but I will expand on a few. If you need visuals watch the YouTube video.

Tips for low density, fine curly hair

Bottom Line

Fine, low-density curly hair can be frustrating, but it’s not impossible.

Track what works, keep it simple, and don’t be afraid to tweak things until your curls feel healthy and defined. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress.

Your hair doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. You just need to figure out what works for your hair

More Posts On Fine Curly Hair Care

Want to remember this? Save Tips For Low Density & Fine Curly Hair to your favorite Pinterest board.

the best tips and tricks for fine curly hair for volume, definition, and bounce

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Delilah Orpi is the founder of The Holistic Enchilada, a blog about curly hair and conscious beauty. She followed the Curly Girl Method to bring back her curls and is passionate about using more ethical products. Delilah is a trained Curly Hair Consultant and has been featured in Curl magazine, GLAMOUR, and Yahoo. She writes to create awareness about the clean beauty movement and simple curly hair care.

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