Color

How color reads on fine & thin hair — the shades and placements that fake depth and dimension, which highlights suit low density, when at-home color is safe, and what real correction takes.

Start here
Balayage vs. Foilyage for Fine Hair: What to Ask For
The two techniques that build the look of dimension on fine hair.
Read the pillar →
App Store screenshots of the hair color try-on screens in YouCam Makeup, HairHunt and StyleShare side by side
Tools
The 10 Best Hair Color Try-On Apps
Priya Nair · 17 min
Woman applying root touch-up color to fine hair in gloves at a bathroom mirror
At home
At-Home Hair Color for Fine Hair
Priya Nair · 8 min
A colorist applying gloss to the mid-lengths of fine hair, away from the scalp
Color safety
Safest Hair Color for Thinning Hair
Priya Nair · 11 min
Free quiz
Not sure which shade suits you?
2 minutes · skin-tone match →
A hair colour mixing bowl and brush beside a jug of cream developer
At home
What Volume Developer to Use
Priya Nair · 10 min
Fine hair with soft balayage dimension and brighter face-framing pieces
Salon
Balayage vs. Foilyage for Fine Hair
Priya Nair · 8 min
Colorist assessing fine hair with a strand test at a salon mirror with foils and a tint bowl
Correction
Why Color Correction Takes More Than One Visit
Priya Nair · 9 min
Fine light-brown hair with closely woven babylights and a soft root shadow, seen from behind
Technique
Highlights for Fine & Thin Hair
Priya Nair · 9 min
Shoulder-length fine hair with soft low-contrast bronde balayage and a deeper shadow root
Inspiration
Balayage for Fine Hair: 14 Looks
Priya Nair · 10 min
Four fine-hair color swatches side by side: bronde, caramel chestnut, sandy blonde and blended silver
Inspiration
Hair Color Ideas for Fine Hair: 16 Shades
Priya Nair · 10 min
Fine highlighted blonde hair with warm, brassy yellow tones through the mid-lengths and ends
Maintenance
Brassy Fine Hair: Purple Shampoo, Toner and What Works
Priya Nair · 10 min
Lightened fine blonde hair with short broken strands standing up from the length, showing colour damage
The honest answer
Does Coloring or Bleaching Make Hair Thinner?
Priya Nair · 9 min
The best at-home hair color for fine and thin hair: six stylist picks lined up
At home
Best At-Home Hair Color for Fine Hair
Priya Nair · 9 min
Violet-toned shampoo in a glass bowl beside a strand of pale blonde fine hair
Toning
Best Purple Shampoo for Fine, Blonde and Silver Hair
Priya Nair · 11 min
Six unbranded shampoo bottles in a row on a pale surface, representing shampoos for fine colour-treated hair
Aftercare
Best Shampoo for Fine, Color-Treated Hair
Megan Holloway · 9 min
A strand of freshly colored fine blonde hair beside a bottle of color-safe shampoo
Longevity
Why Color Fades Faster on Fine Hair — and How to Make It Last
Priya Nair · 11 min
Part line on fine salt-and-pepper hair with silver regrowth blending into darker lengths
Going gray
Going Gray With Fine Hair: Blend, Grow Out or Cover
Priya Nair · 10 min
Fine blonde hair held in a colourist's hand, showing even shine through the lengths after a hair gloss
Shine
Hair Gloss for Fine Hair: What It Does and What It Doesn't
Priya Nair · 9 min

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