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If your hairline has been looking a little sparse lately, the best hair powders for thinning hair can help by boosting volume, matching your hair color, and subtly disguising thinning areas. Hairstylists swear by these clever powders to blur visible scalp, add grip at the roots, and refresh second- (or third-) day hair. “Hair powder instantly gives thin, fine strands a boost in volume, making hair look and feel fuller,” says Amy Abramite, a hairstylist in Chicago. It also has styling perks: “It lifts the hair at the roots, giving it a denser texture,” adds Darrius Peace, a master barber and hairstylist in Birmingham, AL.
Our Top Picks
Tinted formulas take it a step further by filling in gaps and reducing the contrast between your scalp and hair. They’re especially helpful along part lines and temples, where strands tend to thin first and hair growth can be slower. Many also absorb oil and sweat, acting like a dry shampoo meets a root touch-up in one. “Volumizing powders are also great for absorbing buildup on the strands, which can give the appearance of more volume on the hair,” says Peace. So, which hair powder should you try first? Scroll ahead for editor-tested favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Madison Reed The Great Root Touch Up Powder + Brow Filler
Why it’s worth it: Madison Reed’s Root Touch Up Powder + Brow Filler is what happens when makeup and hair care team up in the best possible way. This 2024 Best of Beauty Award winner covers grays and sparse spots at your roots—and even doubles as a brow filler. The soft, micro-milled powder blends in seamlessly, stays put through sweat and rain, and rinses out easily when you’re ready. “This is really easy to color over other colors or even lift them, plus the finish is natural-looking,” bicoastal colorist Rachel Bodt previously told Allure. It’s infused with hair- and skin-care staples like keratin (for strength), argan oil (for softness), and ginseng root extract (to help revitalize), so your strands get nourishment while you wear it. Our favorite part: One compact lasts for up to 60 uses.
“After both of my pregnancies, I dealt with a horrifying amount of hair loss, and nothing worked better for me than simply applying hair makeup to my scalp to cover up the bald spots. My biggest area of concern was my hairline, which receded so far back, every time I looked in the mirror, my face just appeared off. I used this Madison Reed cover-up for both of my fourth trimesters, and loved how easy it was to powder a hairline back onto my scalp. The product has great staying powder, and easily comes out in the shower (I’d suggest a detox shampoo to really lift it out of your roots). I love that the brush helps seamlessly blend the powder into my scalp, and that it comes with a really great brow brush and spoolie to tackle your brows at the same time!” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
Best Long-Lasting: ColorWow Root Cover-Up
Why it’s worth it: This mineral-based powder instantly conceals grays, fills in sparse spots, and blends out roots with a natural-looking finish that lasts until your next shampoo. “It holds well and is easy to shampoo out,” says Gina Rivera, a Las Vegas-based hair artist. “I love the texture because it isn’t sticky. It works on any hair type, whether thinning, gray, or color-treated.” The formula clings to hair (not your scalp) for believable fullness, and the dual-ended brush makes “application a breeze,” Rivera adds.
“Losing my hair postpartum has been more difficult to deal with then I would like to admit. I love my hair, what can I say? To help get a little boost of confidence back, I use the ColorWow Root Cover-Up. I start along my hairline and work my way down my part to the center of my head, covering any spots. Blending is the key! You have to go back in with your long brush side and blend the powder into the scalp to get a more natural appearance.” —Kassidy Silva, director of social
Best for Blondes: Alfaparf Milano Invisible Root Touch Up Powder
Alfaparf Milano
Invisible Root Touch Up Powder
Why it’s worth it: Alfaparf Milano’s Invisible Root Touch Up Powder is a must-have for quick touch-ups and fuller-looking hair, especially if you’re blonde. “The lightest option is perfect for blondes,” says Sean Michael, hairstylist and owner of Salon Beau in Andover, Massachusetts. “It not only conceals thinning areas and blends seamlessly with the scalp, but also works as a root touch-up between color appointments. It can also help camouflage grays and, depending on your shade of blonde, even create a natural-looking highlight or lowlight effect.” The powder stays in place all day without leaving any residue, and the dual-ended applicator makes it versatile for covering larger or more precise areas.
Best for Brunettes: L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Precision Temporary Gray Concealer
L’Oréal Paris
Magic Root Precision Temporary Gray Hair Color Concealer
Why it’s worth it: While not a powder, L’Oréal’s Magic Root Precision Temporary Gray Concealer Brush deserves an honorable mention as one of those clever little fixes that make a big difference. Because here’s the thing: Covering grays doesn’t just make your color look fresher; it can make your hair appear fuller by reducing contrast and drawing less attention to sparse areas. The pen-like format, with a built-in brush, makes it incredibly easy to zero in on grays right where they appear, whether it’s along your part, around your hairline, or at your temples. The formula dries fast (so there’s no risk of smudging or staining your skin), blends seamlessly into your hair, and stays put until your next shampoo. It’s quick, easy, and oddly satisfying to use—there’s something about watching grays instantly (if temporarily) disappear that feels like a little magic trick.
Best Shade Range: Toppik Hair Building Fibers
Toppik
Hair Building Fibers
Why it’s worth it: Toppik Hair Building Fibers stand out for their inclusive shade range, including a white option you can mix with black or gray to perfectly match salt-and-pepper hair. The keratin-based fibers cling to existing strands to instantly create the appearance of thicker, fuller hair with a matte finish that blends in seamlessly with your natural hair. Just shake on, pat to set, and watch sparse areas blur away in seconds. The formula holds up through sweat and humidity but washes out easily with shampoo, making it a simple, commitment-free solution for adding volume to fine hair or masking thinning spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hair powder good for thin hair?
“For those with thin hair, hair powders are a great, weightless product to create texture, life, and volume,” says Jennifer Korab, a hairstylist in New Jersey. “They absorb excess oil in the hair, making it easier to style. The product also allows the hair to look fuller and more voluminous.” According to Ross Kopelman, MD, a board-certified hair restoration surgeon in New York City, “Volumizing powders are a great, non-invasive way to enhance the appearance of thin hair and boost confidence. That said, I always recommend pairing these hair styling products with a broader routine that supports hair growth—think targeted scalp care and treatments that address your individual needs.”
How do you use hair powder on thin hair?
Once the hair is fully dry, apply hair powder to the scalp area and gently massage it into the hair to build volume at the roots. “Next, brush out the powder to blend it into the remaining hairs, and add more as needed to create more volume,” says Michelle Cleveland, a hairstylist and founder of Hair Addict Salon & Extension Bar in Toms River, New Jersey. Then, style as desired.
“I always remind people to start with a small amount of product and build up as needed,” says Dr. Kopelman. “Applying too much at once can make the hair texture feel gritty or stiff. Hair powder works most effectively when used on dry hair, and it’s great for creating styles that look fuller and last throughout the day.”
What are the side effects of hair fiber powder?
“While even the best products—like hair styling powders—can be a game-changer for fine or thinning hair, it’s important to use them sparingly,” Cleveland says. “Overuse can clog hair follicles and weigh strands down, making it harder for new hairs to grow. Some powders also create a tacky or sticky texture that can lead to breakage, especially on fragile hair.” As always, a dermatologist can help identify the underlying cause of hair thinning and recommend treatments that support healthy hair growth, all while fitting into your routine.
Meet the experts
- Amy Abramit, a hairstylist and creative director at Maxine Salon, based in Chicago
- Darrius Peace, a master barber, hairstylist, and founder of Hayah Beauty, based in Birmingham, Alabama
- Jennifer Korab, a hairstylist, colorist, and founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa, based in Hillsborough, New Jersey
- Ross Kopelman, MD, a board-certified hair restoration surgeon, based in New York City
- Rachel Bodt, a bicoastal colorist
- Gina Rivera, a hair artist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, based in Las Vegas
- Sean Michael, hairstylist and owner of Salon Beau, based in Andover, Massachusetts
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
