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 really lovely. This is the best tutorial that I’ve seen on the issue. I have been losing hair since 2018. I think losing my fur baby triggered the start of my alopecia. I was diagnosed with a biopsy in 2019. Stress makes it worse. While I still have quite a bit of hair, it’s about 1/3 of what it was. My hair is about your thinness but to my shoulders which means the top is pretty flat and starting to show my scalp. I also have a cow lick at my bangs which is another issue. So, I often google, “hairstyles for thinning hair when you have a cow lick and round face.” Ugh. Never can quite get the info I need but yours was pretty close and gave lots of great tips! Thank you!
Thank you, Susan, I’m so sorry you’re struggling with this. Stress is a huge contributor, I know it was for me. Hang in there and let me know if I can offer you any more help.
I’ve had chemotherapy and my hair was shaved prior to the treatment. My hair g grew back except for 1 patch about 3 inches in diameter. I use Nutritive regrow hair and it helps but takes forever. The hairdresser manages to cover it but I don’t have much success doing it myself, any suggestions? Also, everybody mentions a video but I don’t see one, is it possible to re-post it again so I can watch it, thank you.
I do have an idea, but I’m not sure if it’s medically sound so please check with your Dr…I’ve just recently heard of people micro-blading into balding patches to color the scalp. Just a thought. The video is here https://youtu.be/JYqcY2WAW8M
Jennifer,
Any chance you can share what you do for your eyebrows? They look great and would appreciate any suggestions for my thinning/vanishing brows!
Yes! I started using this Brow Conditioner and they filled back in! I’ve gotten twice as long out of the tube as the directions say too. They grew in silvery colored so I brush this tinted brow gel on each morning to add color and hold them in place.
Jennifer, Thanks so much for helping us thin haired women. I’m going to try the gel, I love the Living Proof dry shampoo. My problem is getting a hairdresser to cut my hair in layers at the crown to give it lift. May need to cut some off myself. Yikes!!
Great tips!! Thank you!!
Go easy with the scissors. It’s a fine line between lift and limp. Too much and you’ll be unhappy. Go slow. You can always cut more
Jennifer, in the early 90’s, a friend told me about her Caruso steamer roller set. I’ve been using one since that time. I wash my hair at night, use gel, bend over and blow dry on low. Comb the front opposite direction I want for the next day and spray. Every morning, I use the steam rollers, then do makeup. Like you, I don’t brush all the way thru. I spray and use my pick for lift at the crown. (I’ve used the word “brush”, but I use a big wide tooth comb and a plastic pick for lift.) Then spray and go. I’m 66 and have gone from every other day wash, to every 4/5 days. My cut is blunt, with layers near the top for lift. I’ve never thought of dry shampoo, that’s a good option to add some extra volume. But that Caruso hair setter has kept me going for 30 years (I’ve had to replace it once). Some of the ladies might want to check it out. Thank you for your column. I enjoy your bright smile and encouraging words !
I will check they set out, thanks! I’m a big believer in rollers of all kinds! 🙂
If I had to go through the regimen that you go through I’d shave my head! You must be a very patient person!
lol, I must be either patient of persistent
Dear Jennifer, Thanks for being so open with a sensitive subject. I have the same hair as you! When worse came to worse, I ordered a bunch of faux hair from Paula Young…..you can try and then return what you don’t want. But……I found a few faux hair things from PY……..and just love them! And never looked prettier! So, ladies, don’t be too afraid……it happens to the best of us. The world of faux hair is fun! There are so many really cute styles and soon you can find the right color and style. It’s all good. XOX
Those sound so fun, Thanks for sharing, Marie
Better late than never and am so glad that you posted this link (today/June 18th) since did search your blog to no avail as was wondering what brand you used as a dry shampoo. Oddly enough, during the past two months noticed a lot of hair in my brush after washing (am not sure if it is breakage or loss) and with our hairdressing salons still closed, thought I would try it. Have also read up on the subject and considering my age perhaps it is normal but feel it is worth a try. Thanks so much Jennifer as always appreciate much that you share. -Brenda-
Hair loss is so disturbing. I’m sorry you’re dealing with it too Brenda.
I just watched you video! Thank you so much. I too have thin, fine hair. Mine has a little wiggle in it, but not much. I’ve let it get long through the pandemic and most days keep it in a pony tail or loose french braid. Now thinking seriously about cutting it to a bob which is how I have worn it many times. You are an inspiration.
Thank you, Marsha. I always wished I could wear a pony tail but mine is much too thin these days. For me, just below my ears seems to be the sweet spot for looking fuller.
I have had thin hair all my life. Now that I’m in my 70s, it is so thin I’m considering a wig. A good stylist really helps, but I have trouble finding one. Any suggestions?
I think the best way is to ask around. If you see a lady with hair like yours that looks good, ask who her stylist is.
Would love to know why you use a dry shampoo like Living Proof instead of their texturizing spray to give your hair a boost. I haven’t found LP dry shampoo to give me any extra body, maybe I’m doing it wrong?
Dry shampoo coats the hair and gives mine tons of body. I’m not looking for texture, just bulk.
Aha! Thank you!
Try Monat hair products they really work great for tons of people. It helps thicken and grow hair
I just saw someone thanking a friend for introducing them to Monat. The teenage daughter had hair loss related to an illness and those products helped her.
Great video! Have you ever tried Big Sexy Hair (I know, ridiculous name) powder for volume? I have trouble tolerating breathing all the aerosols. I’ve also found a scalp darkening product called Hair Veil that really helps hide the little bald patches. Thanks for sharing!
I have not. Thanks for the suggestion. Aerosols are really unhealthy to breathe.
Hi Jennifer, are you still using minoxidil?
Yes, 5% liquid twice a day. My hair needs all the help I can give it
From an earlier post about your hair care, I bought the Minoxdil, used it a couple of times and then had to stop using it because it is not for people with heart issues. I have already had 2 heart surgeries this year, so everyone please be aware to not use Minoxidil if you have any such issues. Good luck all.
I was not aware of that! Thank you so much for letting us know!
I have the same problems like you incl. Thyroid but I was told that as much I do as worst my hair will be.
Isn’t it too much what you put on your hair which is not good for the scalp and latter is the A and O for healthy hair. Anyway you are lucky to find at least a good hair dresser and the cut is really helpful for thin hair. Suits you well and I also like the unstyled one (1st pic in the video before your dried the hair)…very modern and chic
Thank you for this post. I enjoy your blog very much, but have never posted before. However, I know how much our hair defines us and how much I want my hair to look good every day! I loved your tips and appreciated the video. My hair has always been extra fine and now is thinning with age and the effects of chemo. My hairdresser uses two products I’d like to recommend. First is Catwalk Root Boost by TIGI. It’s about $10 for a fairly large spray can (available in hair salons, drug stores and by Amazon) and lasts a long time. Spray this liberally on the roots of your wet hair and blow dry with your round brush and Jennifer’s techniques. It gives gorgeous lift to my hair and isn’t a “heavy” product that weighs down my fine hair. The other product is Dry Texturizer by Davines. This is expensive, but worth it. After blowing my hair, I spray with this (like Jennifer sprayed with dry shampoo) and then use a pick (or my fingers) to smooth slightly and make the “pieces” go where I want them. The good thing about this product is that you can make your hair look full-bodied and tousled without weighing it down. I follow with a light coating of hair spray. So, no helmet hair, but the lift lasts. And, last but not least, a great haircut is what makes it all work. I have found that working with the way my hair grows and not trying to force it to be something it isn’t (full, curly, thick) makes it behave better. I get lots of compliments on my new, messier hair.
Thanks for sharing your products! I agree, tousled is a much fuller look for me too:)
Thank you for the video. You did an awesome job. Thank you for addressing an issue that is very emotional for a lot of older women, including myself.
Not only have I experienced hair loss from menopause and hypothyroidism, but now as a long term side effect from Covid. It’s very concerning and stressful and your blog/ video was just what I needed right now.
I’m so sorry you’re struggling. Hang in there Donna xx
Jennifer as usual you are the best. I don’t have
thin hair- my hairdresser says I have alot but it is
flat!! Better when she does it but not great. I
think some of your tips and products may
work as well, for a flat hair like me!
They will! Especially the direction you let the hair cool and the dry shampoo! Let me know how it goes.
Thank you for the video. I have a thyroid issue and my hair was falling out. I discovered a product called Neocell. They sell it on Amazon. My hair doesn’t fall out when I wash it. My nails are also stronger. I buy it on Amazon. Matter of fact, I get it monthly. I also use Raw Calcium. My friend told me about it. She had a bad bone density a couple years ago. Now her bone density is normal.
Thanks for sharing your products. I’ve never heard of raw calcium. Off to google it now!
Which Neocell product do you use, there are so many to choose from. I ordered the Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Calcium, hope that’s the right one. Thanks. Deb
Hi Jennifer. So I just watched your video – thank you for that. I also have the exact same hair as you. And I also use the Kevin Murphy anti-gravity. I just love that stuff. But I’m having a hard time finding it. Amazon only has one left. Do you have a particular place you purchase yours at?
My stylist now carries it as well. Google which salons in your area carry it.
My hair is fine and my hairline is receding in the same place yours is. So far, I’m able to style it to cover the situation and color gives it more body. I do LOVE that Aveda Air Control spray and have been using it for quite a while. Light but holds just enough. Great video!
This was very helpful! Thank you. My hair is thinner than yours, but I do have wave and some body. I have to use hair fibers to fill in thin spots in the front. I’m going to look into the dry shampoo. I’m afraid most days I have helmet hair😔
Helmet hair is just fine in my book 🙂
I also have baby fine, poker straight hair. Do you wash and dry your hair every day? If not, how does it look the next day?
I try to wash it every other day. The second day, I add more dry shampoo but it is flatter.