Nanogen vs Toppik: I Used Both Hair Fibres, Here’s the Difference

Toppik and Nanogen sit about six inches apart on the shelf in Boots. For years I walked straight past one to get to the other, every single time, out of pure habit.

Toppik was my thing. For a solid year I didn’t leave the house without it. Dry shampoo, Toppik, check the parting, done. About 45 seconds. Nanogen was just the the bottle next to it that I never picked up. Then I finally bought one, and now I can tell you how the two compare from my own head rather than the shelf. Both are keratin fibres, both are at Boots, and they each do slightly different things well.

Short answer if you’re standing in Boots right now: the fibres themselves are close to a toss-up, and both come in a shaker bottle, so they go on the same way. Nanogen is lovely on diffuse thinning. Neither one does much over a bare patch of scalp.

Buy from▾Where to buy each one

Toppik Hair Building Fibres

• Boots, every shade and size on one page

Nanogen Hair Thickening Fibres

• Boots, fibres and the Fibre Locking Spray

Boost N Blend (cotton, vegan)

• Amazon
• Boost N Blend UK store, direct from the brand

All three are listed again, open, further down the post.

What hair fibres actually do (and what they don’t)

Hair fibres are tiny strands that cling to the hair you’ve still got and make it look denser. That’s the whole trick. They won’t grow anything or treat your scalp, and they need existing hair to grip onto. If your thinning is diffuse, with fine hairs still spread across the top, fibres can look really convincing. If an area is basically bare skin, there’s nothing for them to hold and you can tell.

Toppik and Nanogen are both keratin-based, which matters for one reason. Some people itch with keratin fibres. If that’s you, swapping between these two won’t fix it, because they’re the same base. A cotton-based one like Boost N Blend is the swap to try instead, and I’ve covered it further down.

(If you want every fibre and scalp concealer I’ve used in one place, Korean ones included, that’s my best hair fibres and scalp concealers roundup.)

Toppik: the one I used every day for a year

Toppik is the one I’d hand someone who says just tell me where to start. It shakes on easily and blends well, and it looks convincing in person and in photos. There are loads of colors to pick from too. For me it’s the benchmark and everything else gets measured against it.

I tap the bottle rather than shake it. Shaking sends half the fibres into the air and then onto your shirt, a specific misery I’ve had more times than I’d like to admit.

And the rule that isn’t optional: blend them in with your fingertips while you’re applying them, but once they’re set with hairspray, your hands stay out of your hair for the rest of the day. I learned that one the hard way. Brown fingers, stained nails, not fun times.

Buy the Toppik fibres hereAt Boots, every shade and size

Nanogen: the one I finally tried

Nanogen is excellent on diffuse thinning. With fine hairs still there to grab, it gives a fuller and more natural look, and applied with a light hand it’s really convincing. Bare scalp is where it falls down, and that’s not a small caveat.

The hairline is where heavy application shows up first, so that’s the bit I slow down on and build up gradually instead of going in confident.

I sprinkle it on lightly from the bottle and blend with my fingers, which is what Nanogen tell you to do anyway.

A spray over the top afterwards makes a real difference to how long it stays put. It helps in wind and rain, though a heavy downpour will still win.

Buy the Nanogen fibres hereAt Boots, with the Fibre Locking Spray

If keratin makes you itch: Boost N Blend

This is the one I’d reach for if Toppik or Nanogen left my scalp itchy. It’s 95% cotton and fully vegan, so there’s no keratin in it at all. It comes in a shaker too, and it blends into thinning areas without looking powdery.

Buy the Boost N Blend hereAt Amazon

Nanogen vs Toppik: which is better?

Here’s where I land. They’re about the same to use, and on the fibres alone I couldn’t split them. A total beginner still gets Toppik from me, purely because it’s the one I wore every day for that year. If you already own Nanogen, there’s no reason to switch.

What they share matters just as much. Neither works without existing hair to cling to, they’ll both transfer if you touch your hair, and they wash out with your normal shampoo.

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How I apply hair fibres so they stay where I put them

Concealer first if I’m using one, dusted lightly along the parting. Then fibres, tapped or sprinkled, built up slowly only where I need them. While I’m doing that, I lay the end of a comb down the center of my parting so the fibres can’t fill it in, and the parting stays a clean line. A toothbrush or the handle of a makeup brush works just as well (whatever’s closest to hand, honestly).

Near the hairline, I put on a soft, stretchy cloth headband first so it covers my forehead and keeps the fibres off my skin. (Or if you happen to have an old visor cap lying around, those work really well too. You can find cheap plastic visor caps on Amazon.)

Do your fibres before your makeup, too. If any strays land on foundation, they’re a pain to get off.

Then a light mist of hairspray or locking spray over everything to set it, because without that step they end up on your coat collar.

Both brands sell their own spray for this step, Toppik’s FiberHold Spray and Nanogen’s Fibre Locking Spray. I found regular hairspray, used lightly, worked just as well.

You can get a spray nozzle for both, by the way. Toppik and Nanogen each sell a pump applicator that goes on in place of the sifter top. My preference is the salt shaker style, but you might find it easier with the nozzle!

They wash out completely with normal shampoo. No build-up, no staining. (And if your scalp needs more than a wash, my scalp care routine is the other half of this.)

Where to buy Nanogen and Toppik in the UK

Boots stocks both, which is where I buy mine, and it’s the easiest place to compare shades in person before you commit. Stock varies by branch, so check before making a special trip. Superdrug carries a different line-up of fibres, so if you’re specifically after Toppik or Nanogen, Boots is the one.

• Toppik Hair Building Fibres: Toppik at Boots
• Nanogen Hair Thickening Fibres and Fibre Locking Spray: Nanogen at Boots
• Boost N Blend: Boost N Blend on Amazon, or direct from the Boost N Blend UK store

FAQ: Nanogen vs Toppik hair fibres

Is Nanogen better than Toppik?

They’re close, and for me the fibres are a toss-up. Both brands sell a spray to set them afterwards, though I found regular hairspray, used lightly, worked just as well.

Which is better for a beginner, Toppik or Nanogen?

Either, since they go on the same way. Toppik is the one I’d hand someone brand new, because it’s the one I’ve used longest.

Are Toppik and Nanogen both keratin?

Yes. If keratin fibres make your scalp itch, switching between these two won’t help. Try a cotton-based fibre like Boost N Blend instead.

Do Nanogen hair fibres work in the rain?

Not brilliantly. The locking spray helps, but treat it as showerproof, not waterproof.

Can you buy Nanogen and Toppik at Boots?

Yes, both. That’s where I buy mine.

Do hair fibres work on bald patches?

Not really. They need existing hair to cling to, so they look best on diffuse thinning.

How do you stop hair fibres filling in your parting?

Lay the end of a comb along the parting while you apply them, so it blocks the fibres and keeps the line clear. The handle of a toothbrush or a makeup brush does the same job.

How do you keep hair fibres off your forehead?

Wear a soft, stretchy cloth headband or an old visor cap over your forehead while you work near the hairline, and do your fibres before your makeup. Strays are a pain to get off foundation.

Can you get a spray applicator for Toppik and Nanogen?

Yes, both sell one that swaps in for the sifter top. I prefer the shaker, but you might find the nozzle easier.

Do you need the Toppik or Nanogen locking spray?

Not really. Both brands sell one, Toppik’s FiberHold Spray and Nanogen’s Fibre Locking Spray, but I found regular hairspray, used lightly, worked just as well.

More if you’re dealing with thinning hair

• The Best Hair Fibres and Scalp Concealers I’ve Tried – every fibre, powder and stick I’ve used, Korean ones included
• Androgenic alopecia in women – if you’re still working out what’s going on with your hair
• Hair topper vs wig – for when fibres aren’t enough any more
• How to color match a hair topper or wig – the same shade logic applies to fibres
• All my discount codes – wigs, toppers, skincare and more in one place

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Affiliate links in this post, so I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. I bought the Toppik and the Nanogen myself.