If your thin, straight hair loses all its volume too quickly, teased hair is going to be your saving grace. It is an easy and stylish backcombing trick that helps lift your locks and add body to them in no time! Hairstylists often use this method to give hairdos that extra oomph and much-coveted lift. Apart from volumizing your tresses, it also creates a base for various updos and intricate hairstyles. However, attempting to tease your hair without knowing the right way to do it can result in a tangled mess on your head. This article shows you how to tease your hair and style it right. Keep reading!
Before You Get Started
Hair teasing involves backcombing to create natural volume and a ‘nest texture’ at the roots. It adds lift to your limp hair and pairs well with other hairstyles. Whether it be flowy tresses, ponytails, braids, or blowouts, this technique can add extra flair to every hairstyle.
Jessica Shults, a Licenced Hairstylist, says, “Teasing isn’t just for adding height, it is also a secret weapon in advanced coloring techniques. For instance, in my Balayage method, I use the Teasy-lights technique where I gently tease the hair before hand painting highlights. This creates a beautifully blended, subtle ‘sunkissed’ effect, proving that teasing can be as much about creating dimension as it is about building volume.”
Further, this is a genius styling hack if you have thin or fine hair and have often pondered how to make thin hair look thicker to create voluminous-looking hairdos. Typically, the hair is teased at the roots and then smooth sections lay above to give you a well-defined look. It also works with clip-in hair extensions as it helps hide the tracks and blends them seamlessly with your natural mane. However, be careful not to overdo the tease as it can tangle the hair.
The most important thing in hair teasing is the products and tools used. The next section elaborates on the importance of tools used in the hair-teasing process
The tools you use also play a significant role in the success of your teasing efforts. A teasing comb is perfect for precision and creating a more structured, defined look. This tool works exceptionally well for finer hair or when you need volume in specific areas. On the other hand, a teasing brush is better suited for creating softer, more natural volume and is ideal for thicker or coarser hair. The bristles on a brush tend to distribute tension more evenly, making it a gentler option. Experimenting with both tools can help you determine which one works best for your hair type and styling preferences.
Incorporating volumizing products into your teasing routine can significantly enhance your results. Applying a lightweight volumizing mousse or spray to your roots before you begin can provide a solid foundation for teasing. These products help the hair hold its shape while giving it an extra lift. After teasing, a light mist of hairspray can lock in the volume and ensure your style lasts throughout the day. Avoid heavy creams or oils, as these can weigh down the hair and diminish the effectiveness of your efforts.
Combining effective techniques with the right tools and products allows you to create stunning teased hairstyles that look polished and professional. Make sure you use the right tools and hair-protecting products before teasing to keep your hair healthy.
Let us find out if teasing can damage your hair in the next section.
While teasing is suitable for all hair types, you need to do it with precision to avoid damaging your hair. Teasing will not ruin your hair if you carefully follow all the steps. You can also leave the task in the hands of an experienced hairstylist. But if you do it on your own without the right tools and technique, you are most likely to damage your hair. Different hair types need different tools and hair products for a smooth teasing process.
Thin hair and fragile strands are prone to breakage and roughly teasing your hair can damage hair cuticles (1). A hair type that gets tangled easily needs extra care as backcombing is likely to create tangles and knots to your hair. To detangle it, you can gently brush it from the roots to the ends with a soft-bristled brush. Work each section separately and rub some serum in the hair once you are done to keep it moisturized and healthy.
While thick or coarse hair may experience minimal breakage during teasing, you need to use styling products, such as mousse or wax, to easily work through your hair and give it more grip. Teasing can disturb the structure of naturally curly hair; hence, it is advised to backcomb the parts that can lay under the unteased parts to conceal the teasing.
Whether you attempt to tease your hair on your own or have someone do it for you, it is important to know the steps involved in it. The next section outlines that for you.
The right tools and methods can make teasing hair a breeze. We discuss how to tease and style hair below.
Tease Hair For Volume
Ready to add some gorgeous volume to your hair? Follow the step-by-step process to learn how to do so.
What You Need
What To Do
Maria, a blogger, often teased her hair and shared her teasing routine. In her blog, she wrote, “The No. 1 rule for teasing long hair is – hair products! Your teased hair is like a building, you need to build a solid foundation before going higher. So before I hit the comb I apply mousse to my entire hair.
She further stated, “Having your hair cut in layers is also a huge help. I do want to have long hair, and I will probably only cut the most top layer frequently for that Patricia Morrison look….Then there’s the biggest teasing trick of all – the brush. Some people use a thin comb, some use a special teasing comb. However, for my thick, heavy long hair I use a round brush.”
Pro tip
Skip conditioner when washing your hair as it will make it smooth and may prevent you from creating texture with the teasing method. If you have dry hair, use a small amount of conditioner only on the ends of the hair
Plan where and how much you want to tease. You do not want to tease the same place more than needed as it may damage your hair and create more texture than desired.
What You Need
What To Do
What You Need
What To Do
If you are leaving your hair down, you can step out after completing the last step. But if you want to style your teased hair, keep reading.
‘80s Style For Teased Hair
ShutterstockTeasing was almost a necessary hairstyling step in the ‘80s. The voluminous hair bouffants and victory rolls needed to be bumped up for full effect. Now that you have already added the needed volume, let us see how to style big teased hair for an ‘80s hairdo.
What You Need
What To Do
Although teasing allows you to curate beautiful hairstyles, there are also certain risks that come with it. Keep reading to know about them.
Like any other hair styling technique, hair teasing also has some cons discussed below.
Quick tip
Apply a leave-in conditioner when you want to untangle the tease as it provides lubrication and minimizes damage.
Women have used the hair teasing method for a long time to add extra body and lift to their flat hair. It forms the starting step for most hairstyles. All you need to do is section your hair and backcomb using a rat-tail comb. After finishing the teasing process, smooth the top layer of the hair to create a natural look. Although people with any hair type can use this method, it is best suited for thin hair as it creates instant volume and adds height.
Does teasing hair make it look thicker?
No, hair teasing makes the mane look voluminous but not thicker. The thickness of the hair refers to the width of each hair strand while volume means fullness.
How do you tease your hair to cover bald spots?
Backcomb the hair around the bald spot with a rat-tail or fine-tooth comb to create volume and hide the bald spots.
Is a teasing comb or brush better?
A teasing brush is gentle compared to a hair teasing comb. The hard teeth of the comb pull and tear the strands, while the soft and flexible bristles of the brush do not put much strain on the tresses but separate and lift them.
Can you tease your hair without a teasing brush?
If you do not have a teasing brush, you can use a fine-tooth brush or rat-tail comb to tease your hair.
Teasing your hair without proper care can prove to be more harmful than you think. The video below shows you how to tease thin hair without unleashing damage on it or making it tangled. Click the play button to learn more.
Watch our step-by-step video to learn safe hair teasing techniques. Discover how to add instant volume, choose the right tools, and protect your strands. Watch now!
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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker
Jessica is an expert hairstylist with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in all areas of hair color and is exceptionally skilled at balayage and best-in-class gray blending techniques. After two decades of hairstyling, she launched Twisted Scissors Salon, a full-service hair salon.
Read full bio of Jessica Shults
Pahul Nanra is a content writer with two years of experience crafting engaging articles on fashion, hairstyles, lifestyle, and tattoos. An English Honors graduate from Delhi University with a diploma in Fashion Designing from YMCA, she seamlessly blends her academic background with her passion for beauty and self-expression.
Read full bio of Pahul Nanra
Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.
Read full bio of Subhrojyoti Mukherjee
Aparna Harry is a beauty and lifestyle content writer with over three years of experience in writing for different genres. She has a master’s degree in English Literature from The English And Foreign Languages University and a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Mysore.
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