Haircare Products I Use For My Over 50 Thinning Hair
My hair has always been baby-fine, poker-straight, and very thin. Add menopause and thyroid issues to the mix, and you have the perfect storm for hair loss. It’s always a struggle to find a hairstylist who knows how to cut my fine hair, so I’m thrilled to have discovered one near me. I’ve learned from experience how tough this all is and how no one ever talks about it. For that reason, I’m sharing how I’ve been updating my haircut and the products I use for my over 50 thinning hair. I hope this post helps you feel less alone if you’re also suffering from thinning hair, and this gives you hope in discovering new products.
Hair Loss in Women
Let me start by saying…midlife hair loss is not unusual for women. In fact, it is way more common than you think. While it’s talked about in men all of the time, it seems to be rarely talked about in women. I’m here to tell you that you are not alone. I know firsthand how it can impact your confidence and cause you to feel embarrassed. Sometimes even to the point of wanting to avoid your hairdresser.
I’ve discovered that the way my hair is cut, the products I use, and how I blow dry it are my best hope to camouflage hair loss and make it look thicker and fuller.
My Over 50 Haircut
As your hair changes and thins, you will likely need to change up your typical haircut and possibly go even shorter. This is why finding a stylist you trust is so important. Having someone knowledgeable about what will look best is crucial.
My old haircut shown in the video is a short, blunt bob with no stacking in the back. It’s the same length in front as it is in the back. Then she cut a blunt layer around the top of my head which allows me to get some lift.
But recently, my hair has gotten so thin that my stylist and I agreed it was time to grow out my layers and go a bit shorter. The result looks dangerously like a bob. I say dangerously because bobs feel so expected on a woman with fine, thin hair, and I’d prefer a more unique style. It’s the best haircut for my current hair, so I’m getting creative with products and experimenting with new ways to style it. Below, you’ll find a picture of my new haircut.
I’ve made a little video you can watch here to help deconstruct my haircut, the products I use, and the process I go through to style it.
I use a round brush, mousse or gel, dry shampoo, and hairspray. I use a lot of products, yet when I’m done, it doesn’t look like helmet hair.
Best Treatment for Thinning Hair in Females
Products to Use for Regrowth
My physician suggested I try 5% Rogaine for men to slow the thinning and encourage regrowth. It’s something that I truly can’t live without. I’ve found the best pricing on Amazon and order 3 bottles every 3 months. If you stop using Rogaine, the new hair will fall out, so I continue to use it daily.
You can see how I apply it to my hair in this blog post.
I’ve dabbled with other shampoos and conditioners but never found one that I preferred in every way until I switched to Olaplex. Every product in their line is paraben, sulfate, phthalate, gluten, and cruelty-free, so I feel as good about using them as they feel on my hair. It’s highly moisturizing and leaves my hair feeling healthier and looking shinier. The No.5 Maintenance conditioner helps hydrate my hair without weighing it down.
Once a week, I spray the No.0 Bond Building on dry hair and let it saturate for 10 minutes.
I am a big fan of this Kevin Murphy Anti-Gravity Oil-free Gel. It adds volume but isn’t greasy, no matter how much I apply.
Any dry shampoo helps make your hair look like it has more volume, but this Perfect Hair Day is my very favorite.
I recently tied this Color Wow On Steroids styling spray, and it’s amazing. It doesn’t have the dry shampoo feel, yet it adds tons of body.
I spotted this hair foam with the same BioPeptin Complex as the brow serum and decided to give it a shot. This is not a budget item, but it makes a big difference in my hair which feels thicker all over. I still use my Rogaine, and then I add a tiny dollop of the foam directly on the spots around my hairline that are receding the most and comb through. I only use it once daily in the front, so 1 bottle lasts me close to 6 months. Reviewers say they’re going through the bottle way too fast to be cost-effective, so I assume they’re using much more than I am.
I love this round brush for helping to add extra body too. I have several sizes based on how long my hair is.
I’ve also discovered that just being gentler with my hair has made a big difference. I now squeeze the water out of my hair with my towel rather than rubbing it vigorously. I comb it with this wide toothcomb before I add any products.
I swear by these velcro rollers. My ultra-fine, thinning hair needs all the help it can get, and a few moments in these rollers while I shower gives it some nice lift.
I use these hot rollers on my freshly washed and dry hair for tons of volume.
I also upgraded my drugstore hairdryer to this Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer last year. It’s got a cult following that I now understand. My hair dries in half the time it used to take just using medium speed and heat which is much gentler on my hair.
More Products to Help with Thinning Hair
While I haven’t used these products before, I have heard good things from others about each of them and wanted to share.
Do you struggle with thinning hair?
What products do you use? I’d love to hear what has worked for you!
You are awesome! Thank you for sharing — I have exactly your hair and losing at the temples…I know I need to get it shorter to keep it from looking like Tom Petty by noon! Your video was wonderful!!!!!!
LOL, I loved Tom Petty 🙂 I like my hair a bit longer too but it looks so much thicker now that I’ve had a few inches taken off.
My hair is VERY similar to yours. I have taken a page of notes while watching – pausing – watching this extremely helpful video. I think I will probably watch again as I style my hair today! Also I’ve been looking for a new way to cut my hair, and you explained yours so well. You have the look I’m going for, I’m excited to know it will work for my hair! Thanks!
I too have thyroid issues and very fine hair. When I started thinning at the crown, it was noticeable within a few months. I started using women’s Rogaine (subscription from the Rogaine website) foam and in 6 months, I’m practically back to my old head of hair. It takes me about 15 minutes per day to use, because I do section my hair and rub it into the scalp. I’ve had zero irritation or problems. The bit of residue at the root took a little getting used to as I don’t like the feel of products in my hair, but it’s no worse than many root lifters in feel. My hair washing habits didn’t need to change. Highly recommend that people give it a try.
Thank you for this post and video – I’m going to try the anti gravity gel as I struggle with hair styling and thinning hair. I’d love to see a post about your eye and eyebrow make up products and styling 🙂
I discovered your blog about two weeks ago and today’s opening statement really got me. First of all, I’m 5’2’’ with broad shoulders, a long torso and narrow hips, petite 4 on the bottom and a size 8 on top. I also have baby fine, straight, thin hair, so everything you say relates to me personally. Thank you so much for your great insights today on hair and for your fashion tips. I will continue to look forward to my daily AWSL fix!!!
P.S. We also love to go places with our travel trailer.
Thanks for being part of our community, Jan 🙂
Excellent styling tips for all of us!!!!!!!
Love your hair style. I have curly hair with straight sides.
I too wear it in a style very much like yours. Lots of product.
You gave me some great tips that will help out with this combo hair of mine.
Thanks.
thanks for the video! i have coarse hair, perfectly straight. I am thinning on top in the front, like a man’s hair does. I am jusing a thickening product by Aveda which seems to give me some lift. I like your hair spray trick! i will try that and see if it works. I tend not to use a lot of product since I only wash my hair every 3 days.
I love the smell of Aveda products.
Enjoyed the video Jennifer. I also have thinning hair. I dry mine similar to how you do and then put in three large velcro rollers at the top and each side. I leave them in while I go about other things in the morning – about 15 minutes and it gives me great volume! LIke you, I don’t brush all the way through when I take them out. I don’t use a dry shampoo, but I use Kenra’s volumizing hair spray underneath near the roots and then lightly over the top. This also ensures that my style stays full all day.
When my hair was longer I did the same with Velcro rollers. They really do the trick!
Thank you for this! I too have the baby fine, stick straight thin hair like you and I always struggle with styling and haircuts. I just had my stylist move away and am on the search for a new one which I’m sure you can understand is a very daunting experience. I will try the dry shampoo when styling, I only wash my hair every other day and usually will use dry shampoo on the second day to give it some lift.
Good luck on your search. It took me almost two years after our move to find this gal.
I have fine and thin hair too. After chemo my hair grew in healthier and I think not coloring it makes it appear thicker. I always had hair almost exactly like yours but now I can’t seem to grow it out because it gets so thin on the ends. I feel I will be stuck with a pixie forever! The only good thing is it’s a lot easier to style now. I use Kenra Curl Glaze Mousse. Really helps.
Pixie cuts are cute and easy. I wish one looked better on me
This was an awesome video..thank you for sharing as I too have thin fine hair and have to use hair products to get body. I’m curious if you have to wash your hair everyday? When I use dry shampoo, it makes my hair feel heavy and weighted so I quit using it. Maybe I’m using too much. I need to invest in a round roller as mine is half moon shape and wondering if a round would give me more body. My hair usually gets stuck in a round one so that’s why I quite using one…LOL And…that blue sweater is so pretty on you too.
I try to go two days between shampoos. The second day never looks as “fluffy” but I sense it’s better to give my hair a rest.
Totally appreciated this video Jennifer as to how you style your hair and the products used. My forehead has always been similar to yours and I particularly like your wisp of bangs though I do wear my hair parted ‘n smooth with an angle cut from the chin to the ears allowing it to be worn behind the latter for a different look. However, due to so many lock downs its style has slightly changed which I find is taking less maintenance. i.e.: Sides and front have remained pretty well the same but now I wear it considerably shorter in the back where it always appeared to grow faster and texture always seemed thicker; which results in less salon visits as can trim the front ‘n sides myself. Also as I dye my own hair it is quicker to do plus now it is closer to a wash ‘n wear, with a quick blow dry and just a light touch-up (mostly on the ends) with a curling iron. -Brenda-
P.S.: I agree that products used does make a difference and will definitely look into the Dry Shampoo that you recommend as feel for myself, it would be ideal for emergency use.
I have thinning hair as well. I had chemo and also Hashimoto’s so it’s been a battle. I did find a shampoo and conditioner that are helping on Amazon. It’s called Purador and I also use Hair Biology thickening treatment as well. These products have helped a lot!
Hope this information helps someone else as well!!
I love your style and color!!
I’ve been very curious about Hair Biology. I see a lot of influencers working with them. Which product do you like?
I have been known to trim my hair too but try to control the urge because my results are seldom stellar😁
Through your blog, I discovered the amazing Kevin Murphy anti-gravity spray! It is a bit expensive but I may use a total of 4 quick shots each time I style my hair. The lasting lift and body are simply wonderful. After blow drying my hair, I try to finish the styling with my fingers. My hair is shoulder length with bangs. I lift the front section loosely with my fingers and spray and do the same with the back, crown area. I can go 3 days before a full shampoo is necessary. On day 3 , I usually do a soft up style, using a hair clip.
Love your video and product reviews!
His products are fantastic!! I usually use his hairspray but ran out so I’m finishing up what’s under the sink.
I just have to say that reading all the comments from your viewers is so heartwarming. Dealing with thinning hair can be such a personal misery and even difficult to talk about with others. I feel such a kinship with all these ladies and really appreciate that you opened this dialogue. Thank you for sharing your journey and giving us all good, solid ideas to manage our own unique journey.
I’m so proud of this community for sharing honestly. It helps us all!!
I too, had experienced the dreaded “five head” balding temple spots and started taking Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails a couple of years ago. AMAZINGLY, I have new growth in the temple area, my hair feels thicker, nails grow longer, and any skin improvement is just a bonus!
I can relate to this post, thanks so much.
Have been using Mens Rogaine for years and it maintained my hair thickness, even though I’ve never had a lot of hair. I have course, not fine hair, and low thyroid. Curious if you stopped using Rogaine as discussed in a previous post.
I use a similar hair tool. Does this act as a hair dryer? Hard to tell.
Would love a follow up post to see how Nutrafol works for some.
Happy Spring!
I am still using Rogaime and have been taking Nutrafol for the last 6 months. I can’t really say that I see an improvement from the Nutrafol so will give it a it longer. It’s expensive so if the verdict is no I will stop.
Thank you so much great tips! I have very similar hair.
I’ve been looking forward to this post! Thank you for your excellent tips. My gray hair is thinning and dry – lack of hormones, age, and thyroid issues. I’ve been blowing my hair dry with my head upside down and it sometimes even gets too poofy. I’ll try your method. I don’t use any gel or product other than conditioning oil, so I’ll look into those products. I’ve seen excellent reviews for R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening shampoo and conditioner and am probably going to order the travel sizes to try them out. Any other tips are appreciated. Thank you again.
I tried upside down too but my bangs in front always ended up looking goofy on me.
I enjoyed watching the video. I don’t have baby fine hair but I’m not good at styling my hair. I just had my hair cut this week and my stylist did a beautiful blowout. He told me…lots of hair product so I need to make some additional purchases.
Products have come a lot way so the more the merrier is working for me
Your hair looks lovely and that’s a great cut. I’m a brunette, age 59 and I too have always had baby fine straight hair and I guess I’m experiencing hair loss. It’s thinner at the top.
I’ve used henna as a natural thickener and been very happy with it. Real henna adds red highlights which always looked really nice and natural. Now I have enough white hairs that I’m afraid of too much red so I switched to “neutral henna” which is technically not henna but a different plant. It also makes the hair thicker but adds no color. I buy it on Amazon. It’s very inexpensive.
I didn’t know that about henna. Thanks for sharing Marian
Thank you for sharing your cut and style tips! Your hair looks beautiful! I also have baby fine hair, but learned a few years ago just how curly it is. I always thought it was just annoyingly wavy in certain places. My stylist at the time (still miss her since she moved across country) convinced me to go from a bob to adding in some layers for volume. As she was cutting, spirals started popping up all over! She was so surprised, she called over the other stylists. It took me some time to find the right products for curly, fine hair (as evidently most curly girls have medium to course hair), but I now only wear it curly. It’s by far easier, as on humid TX days it will only curly up anyway. I wear it in a similar cut to yours (I think), and when exercising, weekends, and actually most days since COVID quarantine began, I just put on a cute headband to hold my bangs back and keep it off my face and neck.
I’m 48, was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism last year and my hormones have always been wacky. I’m now experiencing hair thinning, especially at the crown and it separates like a new cowlick is suddenly there. I’m going to try the products you mentioned, as my current root lifter is doing nothing there. My gynecologist (a complimentary Med) just recommended a supplement called NUTRAFOL Women’s Balance. I just started it this week, so can’t attest to its effectiveness yet. I’m going to give it 3-6 months and then assess with before and after pics. It’s pricey, but I figure if it works, less expensive than other options down the line. Besides vitamins & minerals your hair needs, it contains some herbs, so you’d want to check with your doctor or research on WebMD/other sites for any interactions if you’re taking any meds.
Hope this helps others.
I hope it works for you. I started the Nutrafol several months ago and think I am seeing some thickening, but it’s really too soon to say for sure.
Would love to see a picture! My hair is more on the straight side with a wavy ness in parts. Going to the beautiful parlor tomorrow and want to have a picture. Thanks.