Hair extension scrunchies for thin hair – how to get a full updo
If you have thin hair, a hair extension scrunchie or a small ponytail extension can give you the full updo you've been missing – without tape, glue or a salon visit. The key is to choose a light hair piece your own hair can carry, a shade that blends with your hair and a base that holds firmly. Here our hairdressers show you how.
Why a hair extension scrunchie suits thin hair
With thin hair, a bun or ponytail often ends up small and flat, and it slips out easily. A hair extension scrunchie or ponytail adds volume exactly where it shows, without anything being permanently attached to your own hair. You put it on when you want and take it off in the evening, so your hair gets a rest in between.
- Nothing stays attached: no bonds pulling at your scalp over time.
- Quick: a finished updo in under a minute.
- Gentle: no need to backcomb, curl and spray for volume.
Choose the right hair piece for thin hair
The thinner your hair, the more weight and attachment matter. A heavy hair piece can pull and feel awkward, while a lighter one stays put and looks natural.
| Product | Type | Length and weight | Suits thin hair when you want |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangled Mini Ponyo | Small ponytail with a clip and built-in net | 21 cm, 55 g | A fuller ponytail – the net hides your own hair and the clip is small and light |
| Tangled Scrunchie | Curly scrunchie with an elastic | 8 cm, 35 g | A full messy bun with the least weight |
| Tangled Wildbun | Tousled scrunchie with an elastic | 16 cm, 45 g | A bigger, more tousled bun |
| Tangled Straight Scrunchie | Straight scrunchie with an elastic | 16 cm, 80 g | A sleek, straight updo – best if your hair is enough for a firm bun |
Mini Ponyo – our first choice for thin hair
Mini Ponyo is designed for you if you have thin or short hair. It has a small, light clip and a built-in net that you pull over your own bun, so your own hair is hidden and the ponytail looks as if it grows out of your hair. With 21 cm of hair, it's full without being heavy.
If you want a longer ponytail, there's Tangled Ponyo with 35 cm of curly hair, but it weighs 90 g and works best if your own hair can carry a slightly bigger bun.
How to put a hair extension scrunchie in thin hair
- Make a firm base. Gather your hair into a ponytail and twist it into a small, tight bun. Secure it with a thin hair tie and ideally a couple of hairpins.
- Give the base grip. If your hair is very fine and slippery, it helps to lightly backcomb the bun or use a little dry shampoo or texture spray, so the hair piece has something to grip.
- Put on the scrunchie. Wrap the elastic around the bun and double it if it feels loose. Mini Ponyo and Ponyo clip on over the bun instead, and with Mini Ponyo you pull the net over your own hair.
- Spread and shape. Pull the curls apart with your fingers so the hair piece covers the join, and pull out a few strands around your face for a softer look.
- Secure if needed. Wearing the style all day or dancing at a party? Push a couple of hairpins through the hair piece into the base.
Want a pretty detail? Add a claw clip above or beside the bun – read more in the guide claw clips for thin and thick hair.
More step-by-step tips are in the guide to a messy bun with hair extensions and the guide to ponytail extensions.
Choose a shade that looks natural
- Match the shade to your lengths in daylight, not to your roots.
- Torn between two shades? Choose the lighter one. It gives a beautiful ombre effect and the join shows less.
- With thin hair, the scalp shows more easily, so a shade close to your own makes the biggest difference.
Not sure? Send a photo of your hair in daylight via contact us and our hairdressers will help you choose.
Common mistakes with thin hair
- Too heavy a hair piece: the bun slides down and it pulls at the scalp. Start with a lighter model.
- Too loose a base: the scrunchie spins around. Make the bun tighter and secure it with hairpins.
- Tight hair ties every day: vary where you place the bun so the same hairs aren't under strain all the time.
Care
Wash the hair piece when needed in lukewarm water with a mild shampoo, gently squeeze out the water and let it air dry. The fibre tolerates heat up to 160 °C, so you can use a straightener or curling iron on a low setting. Read more in the guide to washing hair extensions.
FAQ about hair extensions for thin hair
Which hair extensions are best for thin hair?
For a ponytail we recommend Mini Ponyo, which has a small, light clip and a built-in net that hides your own hair. For a messy bun, Tangled Scrunchie is the lightest at 35 g.
Will my own hair show under the scrunchie?
Not if the base is firm and you spread the hair piece over the join. Mini Ponyo also has a net that covers your own bun.
Can I wear a hair extension scrunchie if I have short hair?
Yes, as long as you can gather your hair into a small bun or ponytail. Mini Ponyo is designed specifically for short and thin hair.
Are tape-in extensions an option for thin hair?
Yes, with fewer and lighter attachments. If you want volume when your hair is down, read more in the guide to hair extensions. If you only want volume in updos, a scrunchie or ponytail is the gentler choice.