
Celebrity hair stylist Sarah Potempa shares three ways you can help add volume to thin hair without using extensions.
Tip No. 1: Pancake Method
Pancaking is a technique where you loosely pull on the braid to make it appear fuller. Follow these simple instructions:
- Add texture beforehand by adding dry shampoo to ends.
- Use two or three strands to braid.
- Use tight braids to start, so pulling will make hair look thicker.
- Once braided, pull each loop out a little bit to get big texture throughout.

Tip No. 2: Double Hair Doughnuts
Use two hair doughnuts before bed to add fullness and body to thin hair. This method uses the wet-to-dry concept to physically change your hair.
- Shower to wet your hair.
- Split damp hair in half and make a bun on the top of your head, rolling hair away from your face.
- Add a second bun on the bottom half of your remaining hair, rolling the hair away from your face to add wave to the bottom of your hair.
- When you wake up, twist and style to get the look of the supermodel wave.

Tip No. 3: Double Pony Tail Thickness
- Split your hair and use the top portion to create a high ponytail.
- Pull up the remaining hair into a ponytail below the top ponytail, keeping the two close together to give the appearance of more volume.
- Conceal with a scrunchie or strand of your hair.
- Back brush the top ponytail so it nicely falls over the bottom one.
- Add curls in different directions.
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