Q. I have super annoying fine, limp hair that makes me want to kick things. How can I make my hair easier to work with?

There are three three things that help fine hair be as good as it can be.

First, a good haircut is crucial (you probably already know that though). Cutting fine hair is not at all the same as cutting coarser hair, it require a completely different approach and in my experience, not that many stylists are very good at cutting it. If yours is, bravo!

Second, highlights can help add volume. This is because the highlights swell the hair shaft, causing it to puff up, creating more volume. But this can very easily be overdone. I've seen a great many heads of fine hair that have been bleached within an inch of their life. Sure there is more volume, but the hair is dry, not at all shiny and has none of its natural elasticity left. The same is true with all over hair colour. Fine hair can't withstand mediocre colour and application, it just gets beat up, it needs very high quality colour, applied with care and skill.

Third, (again, you may already know this), use quality shampoo and conditioner made for fine hair. Good shampoo really does make a difference over time.

And one more: straightening irons on fine hair are very damaging. I'm not saying don't use them but I suggest considering other options, especially if you've got highlights. It's very easy to loose your perspective, after a while you sort of forget what healthy hair looks and feels like, fried hair becomes "normal".

Fine hair is like having a rather exotic plant in the garden. It cannot withstand the treatment some of the tougher plants get, it needs a little more care and attention. If you want to learn a bit more about what kills hair, read "What Kills Hair", right here on this website.