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Very fine and thin hair styles for 50 year old

35 replies

1909sunset · 03/10/2024 08:02

Currently it’s in a one length bob a bit longer than chin length. Due to a lifetime of under active thyroid and now the menopause my hair has become unbearably thin/fine, has no texture and just sits flat no matter what product I use in fact it’s better without but then I suffer from static.

I had a teams call yesterday and don’t usually blur my background but did as my office was a bit untidy and basically it blurred my hair like it didn’t exist leaving my face looking like a sad pebble.

Do I go short short and be done with it. Any styles that can still look a bit edgy. I have a fear of shorter ageing me but I think that is exactly what my boring crap Bob is doing now.

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 03/10/2024 08:09

Oh bless I was you. A year ago. I was looking at wigs and transplants etc it was so bad. But instead I saw a consultant in hair extensions, I wasn't looking for length I just wanted thicker hair and that's what I got. She applied three rows iof weave, the exact same length as my own hair, it was life transforming. This was in January and by August my own hair had grown longer than the extensions so I have had new hair about three inches longer and it's now to the top of my boobs. My hair is sprouting and growing under neath. The hair cost me £250 and then it's £110 every 8-10 weeks to have them repositioned. Highly recommend. I am 55 btw. If you are near Brighton/Gatwick happy to share her details

1909sunset · 03/10/2024 08:24

@Doggymummar I hadn’t thought of extensions to be honest. So they don’t damage your hair? Mine feels so fragile. I’m in Northern England so a bit far to travel but thank you. ☺️

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 03/10/2024 08:37

No, my hair is much better condition now. Go to a reputable place where you live. I'm white, but I go to a salon for afro hair as they have so much more experience than local salons that are mainly cut and colour and extensions on the side.

AsACloud · 03/10/2024 09:04

Hi OP. My hair is exactly the same as yours. Literally no volume and so fine/smooth that even a butterfly clip slides right out when I tie it up! A attempted curl flattens out by the time I’ve left the hairdresser 😅 It’s very limiting as can’t do much with it, especially if I wanted to style it for any dressy occasion.

@Doggymummar
like OP I thought this would damage hair, given it’s adding weight/strain to thin and probably weaker hair. Can I ask, can the weaved area be seen? My hair lies flat on my head so I would expect the attachments would be visible, compared to someone who has thick/voluminous hair where they would be mostly hidden.

BluebirdBoogie · 03/10/2024 09:10

I'm in much the same position as you OP.

I have recently decided to stop colouring my hair (mid brown) as I'm naturally very grey now.

So I've had my hair lightened, which has really improved the way it looks. I think the bleach has kind of made the hair look thicker and the different shades add more texture.

Interestingly my hair is now in better condition then when I was box dying it

Just wondering if it might be worth trying a change of colour/highlights first?

Doggymummar · 03/10/2024 09:14

No you can't see a weave, either up or down, I am platinum blonde the very palest almost white colour and you could see my scalp like an albino rabbit before. Properly applied you can't see them at all they are probably about three quarters of an inch from the root so the hair on the section above covers them. I mainly have my hair down, but even in most updos you can't see them. Not at all like nanos or such that are always visible. Regarding the wright, I have 150g ones, but they start at 50g so not much heavier than a decent hair clip really

Startingagainandagain · 03/10/2024 09:17

I have always had thin, fine hair...

I improved it a little bit by:

  • having a shorter, textured haircut
  • using Regaine minoxidil
  • taking daiy hair supplements with biotin
  • daily multivitamin supplement
  • home made hair masks with things like castor and coconut oil & using a gentle herbal shampoo
  • still colouring my hair as I find it makes mine look thicker but I have a lighter colour now.

I am also on HRT.

All of this has helped.

KnittedCardi · 03/10/2024 09:22

@Doggymummar That sounds amazing. My hair too, is super fine, super sparse, and very platinum blonde/gone to silver grey. Colour wise no-one noticed when I went grey!! I have always had "poor" hair, but now at 58 it is just a wisp of covering. It's very depressing. It grows like anything but never thickens. My nails on the other hand are fantastic. Makes no sense.

I apparently also have inflamed follicles, but no topical treatment seems to have helped. Perhaps I need to explore your solution. It seems pretty cheap all things considered too.....

Mmhmmn · 03/10/2024 09:22

Startingagainandagain · 03/10/2024 09:17

I have always had thin, fine hair...

I improved it a little bit by:

  • having a shorter, textured haircut
  • using Regaine minoxidil
  • taking daiy hair supplements with biotin
  • daily multivitamin supplement
  • home made hair masks with things like castor and coconut oil & using a gentle herbal shampoo
  • still colouring my hair as I find it makes mine look thicker but I have a lighter colour now.

I am also on HRT.

All of this has helped.

I would try these first. Colouring it does pad out fine hair a bit.

Doggymummar · 03/10/2024 09:24

KnittedCardi · 03/10/2024 09:22

@Doggymummar That sounds amazing. My hair too, is super fine, super sparse, and very platinum blonde/gone to silver grey. Colour wise no-one noticed when I went grey!! I have always had "poor" hair, but now at 58 it is just a wisp of covering. It's very depressing. It grows like anything but never thickens. My nails on the other hand are fantastic. Makes no sense.

I apparently also have inflamed follicles, but no topical treatment seems to have helped. Perhaps I need to explore your solution. It seems pretty cheap all things considered too.....

I was surprised at the price too, very economical same price as my regular colour and cut, which I don't need anymore. I buy the hair from Euphoria 150g russian weave and have it fitted. I have three shades of silver as that matches best with my natural colour

flyingfar · 03/10/2024 09:26

BluebirdBoogie · 03/10/2024 09:10

I'm in much the same position as you OP.

I have recently decided to stop colouring my hair (mid brown) as I'm naturally very grey now.

So I've had my hair lightened, which has really improved the way it looks. I think the bleach has kind of made the hair look thicker and the different shades add more texture.

Interestingly my hair is now in better condition then when I was box dying it

Just wondering if it might be worth trying a change of colour/highlights first?

My hairdresser suggested the same thing to me and my hair looks a lot better. She bleached sections of my hair and then put a toner though.She also put some short layers in so it doesn’t look so flat. I’ve had a lot of compliments on the change of colour and style.

1909sunset · 03/10/2024 09:27

I have highlights which does make my hair more manageable. Without it has no texture at all.

I don’t know if my budget can run to extensions. I mostly tie my hair back. I’m outdoors a lot and it’s just the occasional night out or I want to look nice that my hair just makes me feel shit. I’ve tried regaine a few years back and couldn’t see much difference after 6 months do stopped. I’ve been on HRT fir around 12 months and no difference if anything it has become worse.

I have my dog clippers here and contemplating a buzz cut and be done with it.

OP posts:
BreadMachine · 03/10/2024 09:28

Hair toppers which either clip in or can be attached like extensions could work for you. You can get them in human or synthetic hair and they can look fantastic. There are lots of companies doing them, but the nicest ones I've seen are from a company called beautiful betsy, or another called Wildflower. Not cheap, but an instant result

1909sunset · 03/10/2024 09:34

Thank you all and sorry i know I sound like a dooms and gloom with alll your suggestions. Anything clip in either doesn’t stay in and just slides out but mainly you can see the clips through my hair. Honestly it’s that thin and fine. It’s like fluffy toddler her. Imagine trying extensions on a baby 😂 my hair deteriorated after my first baby over 25 years ago after my thyroid broke and believe me I have tried a lot. Hence why I’m asking about short hairstyles as my last resort.

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 03/10/2024 09:48

In that case Pinterest is your friend and go to a salon that specialises in short hair. I have had pixies and bobs and they are so hard to style if the cut isn't strong. Don't forget to show us the before and afters

lucette1001 · 03/10/2024 09:52

How about padded Alice bands? You can get fabulous ones and they hide quite a lot and make it look deliberate! May not be terribly fashionable at the moment but they are about and you'll be ahead of the trend whenever they come back in force!

Tel12 · 03/10/2024 09:53

My hairs fine and I have a short cut and use Ouai shampoo. It's around £25 but lasts for ages and makes a difference.

KnittedCardi · 03/10/2024 09:55

1909sunset · 03/10/2024 09:34

Thank you all and sorry i know I sound like a dooms and gloom with alll your suggestions. Anything clip in either doesn’t stay in and just slides out but mainly you can see the clips through my hair. Honestly it’s that thin and fine. It’s like fluffy toddler her. Imagine trying extensions on a baby 😂 my hair deteriorated after my first baby over 25 years ago after my thyroid broke and believe me I have tried a lot. Hence why I’m asking about short hairstyles as my last resort.

I have the short bob now too, but I have also gone pixie short/short. It was OK, but it felt odd!

Yes, baby hair, that's it exactly. Although both my DD's had/have lovely thick hair. I blame them, they sucked all my hair away 😂

Iheartmysmart · 03/10/2024 10:01

I’ve got really fine hair too, wispy in places and prone to going a bit odd and fluffy when it’s humid or wet out. Tried extensions but found it very difficult to hide the join, tried a bob thinking it would make my hair look thicker but it didn’t. Had a very short buzz cut which was great but started to look very harsh as I got older.

I now have something like this and use a volumising mousse to style it and a thickening powder to add texture and volume. It’s probably the easiest style I’ve had.

Very fine and thin hair styles for 50 year old
TravellingJack · 03/10/2024 10:10

1909sunset · 03/10/2024 09:27

I have highlights which does make my hair more manageable. Without it has no texture at all.

I don’t know if my budget can run to extensions. I mostly tie my hair back. I’m outdoors a lot and it’s just the occasional night out or I want to look nice that my hair just makes me feel shit. I’ve tried regaine a few years back and couldn’t see much difference after 6 months do stopped. I’ve been on HRT fir around 12 months and no difference if anything it has become worse.

I have my dog clippers here and contemplating a buzz cut and be done with it.

If the main aim is occasional nice hair, would a wig work for those occasions? There are some amazing ones out there, and not all are super expensive. I have a few friends who've lost hair for various reasons and a couple of them have amassed a collection of wigs and look fantastic in them. One said she now sees her wigs as no different from any other item of clothing - today she's blonde, yesterday dark, and copper tomorrow.

Eddielizzard · 03/10/2024 10:22

Highlights really helped mine, although doesn't help the ends so I have to have a shorter style. A good hairdresser who knows how to work with thin hair is key too.

1909sunset · 03/10/2024 12:27

Tel12 · 03/10/2024 09:53

My hairs fine and I have a short cut and use Ouai shampoo. It's around £25 but lasts for ages and makes a difference.

i currently use keratise genesis which has been one of the best I’ve had for my fine hair and I’m due to renew so going to give this a go. Looks to have decent reviews so can’t hurt. Thanks.

I have a great hairdresser who has worked with me through the ups and downs. My hair has just deteriorated this year at quite a pace so I think I need a really good consultation with him and the colourist to see if they can advise. I have an appointment in a few weeks so will update with before and after if I do anything drastic.

OP posts:
KnittedCardi · 03/10/2024 21:13

Has a tone tried any of the shampoos for hair regrowth? Like Champo, or the Cornish Seaweed stuff? Or similar? They are all expensive, but not sure if they work.

Plantur39 did nothing, HRT and various multivits did nothing. I had some success with Evening Primrose but it makes me feel a bit sick!

KnitFastDieWarm · 06/10/2024 23:38

How about a perm? hear me out 😁
Modern perm techniques can be used to put a body wave in the hair, rather than full 80s ringlets (unless that’s what you’re after). I have baby fine hair and when it goes fully grey i intend to chop it short, get some highlights and a body perm, and lean into the wispy wildness, like a debbie harry/marilyn monroe mashup. I had a similar style at 25 and can’t wait to rock it again at 60 💃

Letskeepcalm · 10/06/2025 14:09

BreadMachine · 03/10/2024 09:28

Hair toppers which either clip in or can be attached like extensions could work for you. You can get them in human or synthetic hair and they can look fantastic. There are lots of companies doing them, but the nicest ones I've seen are from a company called beautiful betsy, or another called Wildflower. Not cheap, but an instant result

I have a friend who has a topper. It looks fantastic and so natural. Expensive though.

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