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If your child has thin or fine hair, getting ready in the morning can be a definite challenge. Thin or fine hair often looks stringy, oily, limp and lifeless. With some tricks and a few different styles and products, your child can soon be on her way to bouncier, fuller-looking hair.

Cut, Color and Curl

First of all, try a new cut or some curl. A long, one-length cut will only emphasize thin hair. Try an A-line bob or other short cut with plenty of layers. Layering will give your child's hair more lift, making it appear that her hair is thicker and more bouncy, and a shorter cut will be more manageable. If you have an older daughter with straight hair, try a wave perm. This gives the hair much more body, volume and bounce without the kinky curl. If her scalp shows through, dying her hair a lighter shade will make the contrast between hair and scalp less noticeable. Only try these on your teenage daughter; a perm on a younger girl may just "fall out" and even the most gentle hair color may damage a young child's hair. To lighten a younger girl's hair, try a mild sun-activated hair lightener.

Volumizing

When you style your child's hair, keep in mind that bouncier is better. Consider using a curling iron or sponge rollers to give your child's limp, straight hair some curl. For an special-occasion look, use fabric rollers on top of your child's head at the roots, spritz with spray gel or hairspray, and blow dry. This will give your child's hair a lot more volume.

Up-dos

Try a half ponytail. Divide the hair in half from ear to ear and secure the top half with an elastic band. Curl the bottom half and the ponytail, or wind the ponytail around the elastic and secure a bun with bobby pins. To add some spunk to this style, twist the ponytail so that the strands of hair are poking upward and secure with a barrette, then leave the ends spiky or curl them. French braids also look pretty on girls with thin hair and will keep her hair out of your child's face. Do one long braid down the back clear to the ends, or stop the braid at the base of your daughter's head, put in a barrette, and curl the ends. Buns and chignons work well too, just be sure to use plenty of bobby pins to keep the style in place. For younger girls, try two pigtails or two French braids.

Products

Volumizing shampoos and conditioners will give your child's hair a fuller, thicker appearance. Gel, mousse and hairsprays also claim to add volume. Use gels and mousse at the root of the hair, and hairspray to hold the style. Applying a root lift spray will make hair stand up at its base, and thickening serums can give the hair shaft more density. Make sure any products you use on your child are lightweight; avoid products like molding muds, polishes and waxes because they are too heavy and will weigh down the hair shaft. Also avoid shine and silicone mists—they make thin, fine hair look greasy and stringy.