upworthy
Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button
Shopping

4 Best hair growth products to help with thinning hair

Discover the top hair growth products designed to combat thinning and promote healthier, fuller hair.

Close-up of hair strands, highlighting products to combat hair thinning and promote regrowth.

Discover the best products designed to combat hair thinning and promote regrowth.

Upworthy may receive a percentage of revenue from products purchased through this article.


Whether due to androgenetic alopecia, stress, or other factors, experiencing hair loss or thinning can be distressing. Fortunately, innovative hair loss treatment plans can help rejuvenate hair follicles and promote fuller, healthy-looking hair. Join us as we explore the top four products designed to combat hair loss, shedding, and dry scalps and stimulate hair growth.



Summary of the Best Hair Growth Products

  1. Best Overall: Hers Hair Blends
  2. Most Customized: Happy Head Custom Hair Regrowth Plan
  3. Best for Hair Growth: Unveil The Essentials Kit
  4. Best for Men: Keeps Hair Loss Treatment for Men

What Causes Hair Loss?

There are many possible causes of hair loss, including:

  • Androgenetic alopecia (male- or female-pattern baldness)
  • Pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid issues
  • Alopecia areata and other medical conditions
  • Scalp infections, flaky scalp, and other scalp conditions
  • Chemotherapy and certain medications
  • Physical/emotional stress
  • Heated tools and chemical styling products
  • Nutrient deficiencies

Best Hair Products for Treating Hair Loss

1. Best Overall: Hers Hair Blends


Hers Hair Blends product, a top choice for combating hair thinning and promoting growth.Hers Hair Blends - Best overall hair growth product for fuller, healthier hair.Hers

What we love:

Hers Hair Blends are a game-changer for women with all hair types seeking effective hair growth solutions. One of the key ingredients, minoxidil, stimulates blood circulation to the hair follicles, promoting healthy hair growth*. From topical solutions to oral treatment options, Hers offers access to a variety of reliable choices for combating hair thinning and hair loss.

Pros:

  • For all hair types
  • Dermatologist trusted ingredients
  • Includes hair vitamins to support healthy hair
  • Proven to show hair regrowth in just 3-6 months.*

Cons:

  • Consistent use required

Specs:

  • Size: 2 ounces (scalp serum)
  • Key ingredients: Minoxidil

Learn more about Hers Hair Blends today!

*Results vary. Based on separate individual studies of oral minoxidil and oral finasteride.

Hers Hair Blends are compounded products and have not been approved by the FDA. The FDA does not verify the safety, effectiveness, or quality of compounded drugs.

Prescription products require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for full details and important safety information

2. Most Customized: Happy Head Custom Hair Regrowth Plan


Happy Head Custom Hair Regrowth Plan, offering personalized treatment for hair loss.Happy Head - Most customized hair regrowth plan tailored to individual needs.Happy Head

What we love:

Happy Head Custom Hair Regrowth Plan takes a personalized approach to tackling hair loss. Its powerful ingredients include finasteride, spironolactone, minoxidil, retinoic acid, and hydrocortisone. The combination of expert formulation and ongoing support from a board-certified dermatologist makes it a top choice for those seeking healthy hair growth.

Pros:

  • Suitable for men and women
  • Topical and oral treatment options
  • Consultations with a board-certified dermatologist

Cons:

  • Prescription required

Specs:

  • Size: 2 ounces (scalp serum)
  • Key ingredients: Finasteride, spironolactone, minoxidil, retinoic acid, hydrocortisone

Learn more about Happy Head Custom Hair Regrowth Plan today!

3. Best for Hair Growth: Unveil The Essentials Kit


Unveil The Essentials Kit, a top product for promoting hair regrowth.Unveil The Essentials Kit - Best for promoting strong and healthy hair growth.Unveil

What we love:

The Essentials Kit by Unveil offers a comprehensive approach to hair loss treatment, using natural ingredients to promote hair growth and scalp health. The No.3 Thicker Hair Serum enhances density and vitality. The No.0 Scalp Renewal Brush stimulates blood flow to hair follicles, boosting hair growth. Lastly, the No.5 Hair Nutrition Supplements provide essential vitamins to support healthy hair, skin, and nails.

Pros:

  • Comprehensive hair and scalp care
  • Gluten-, soy-, and gelatin-free
  • Formulated with natural ingredients

Cons:

  • Consistent use required

Specs:

  • Size: 1 ounce (scalp serum); 60 count (capsules)
  • Key ingredients: Niacin, ashwagandha, saw palmetto, biotin

Learn more about Unveil The Essentials Kit today!

4. Best for Men: Keeps Hair Loss Treatment for Men


Keeps Hair Loss Treatment for Men, specifically designed to combat male-pattern baldness.Keeps Hair Loss Treatment - Best hair loss treatment plan for men experiencing thinning hair.Keeps

What we love:

Keeps Hair Loss Treatment for Men provides a streamlined, effective solution for hair loss and thinning with clinically proven treatment plans and expert support. Its FDA-approved formulas include finasteride and minoxidil and boast a 90% effectiveness rate. Keeps ensures personalized care through a free consultation with a board-certified dermatologist and treatment plan adjustments.

Pros:

  • High effectiveness rate
  • Unlimited provider access for one year
  • Flexible delivery options

Cons:

  • Requires ongoing commitment

Specs:

  • Size: 90 count (capsules); 2.11 ounces (foam)
  • Key ingredients: Finasteride, minoxidil

Learn more about Keeps Hair Loss Treatment for Men today!

Finding the Best Hair Growth Products for Your Hair Loss

Finding the right scalp serum or treatment for your hair loss can be challenging. Here’s what to look for:

Price

The best hair growth serum is affordable without compromising quality.

Customer Reviews

Customer reviews give insight into a product's effectiveness and ease of use. Avoid options with many reported side effects and unfavorable reviews.

Active Ingredients

The best hair growth serum products are physician-formulated with nourishing ingredients that support new hair growth.

Ingredients Good for Hair Growth

Choosing the right ingredients is crucial for effective hair loss treatment. Here are some key ingredients to look for:

Minoxidil

Found in many of the best hair growth serums, minoxidil helps protect hair follicles and add volume by extending the growth phase of the hair cycle.

Biotin

Used in many hair loss treatments, Biotin reduces hair shedding and strengthens the hair shaft.

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto blocks DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss, and can help reduce hair thinning and loss.

Potential Benefits of Using Hair Growth Products

Using hair growth products can yield several benefits, helping to combat hair loss and improve overall scalp and hair health:

Reverse Hair Loss

The best hair growth serum products include powerful ingredients that target the root causes of hair loss and hair thinning to promote new growth.

Enhanced Hair Strength

Hair growth products strengthen hair, resulting in less breakage and shedding, making your hair look fuller and healthier.

Improved Confidence

Using hair growth treatments can significantly boost your confidence after hair loss. Seeing improvements in hair density can make you feel better about your appearance.

Potential Side Effects of Using Hair Growth Products

While hair growth products can be highly effective, they may also come with potential side effects for both men and women, including:

  • Skin/scalp irritation
  • Allergic reactions
  • Hormonal changes
  • Interactions with other medications/supplements

FAQ

How do hair growth products work?

Most supplements and scalp serums stimulate follicular circulation, promoting hair growth and improving hair density.

Are hair growth products safe?

Most are safe when used as directed. However, men and women must choose products formulated for their hair loss needs and be aware of potential side effects.

How long do results take after using hair growth products?

Results typically start to appear after three to six months of consistent use. The exact timeframe can vary based on hair loss severity and individual factors.

Conclusion

Choosing the right hair growth product is essential for addressing thinning hair and hair loss. The products above offer effective hair follicle stimulation to promote healthy growth. By incorporating these treatments into your hair care routine, you can achieve thicker, fuller hair.

Related Content

    empty nester, empty nesters, declutter, decluttering, decluttering tips

    Mom and empty nester shares her tips for decluttering her home.

    Deep cleaning and decluttering a home is a daunting task—especially for empty nesters. After spending a lifetime creating memories and living together under one roof, doing a big declutter can take an emotional toll.

    It's a milestone that many empty nesters know the sting of. And in a cleaning community on Reddit, a 51-year-old mom and recent empty nester shared her experience cleaning and decluttering her home after entering this new phase of life.


    "In my entire life, my house has always been messy. I mean, I didn’t have a disaster-level situation going on, but if someone dropped by unannounced, it would’ve been super embarrassing," she shared. "When my kids were younger, we had a housekeeper because I just couldn’t keep up. Now that we’re empty nesters, I realized I never really learned how to keep house."

    - YouTube www.youtube.com

    She explained that the book Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess played an integral part in helping her declutter—and offered eight helpful tips to fellow empty nesters looking to organize their new lives.

    1. Put stuff away, not down.

    Her first tip is the key to decluttering.

    "Whatever you have goes right back where it’s supposed to go when I’m done with it," she notes.

    2. Do laundry every day.

    And she doesn't just wash and dry her laundry when doing it.

    "Just one load, start to finish. Wash, dry, fold, and put away," she shares. "Also, no chair or floor laundry. It gets put in the hamper or hung back up. No clothes are ever out."

    3. I make the bed every day.

    The benefits keep on giving by doing this, she notes.

    "It just makes my bedroom look cleaner and I smile every time I come in my room," she writes. "Plus we aren’t fighting over the covers when we get in because the bed is straightened out."

    - YouTube www.youtube.com

    4. Do a quick daily clean-up of commonly used spaces.

    She cleans the places that she and her husband use frequently.

    "I keep a stack of cleaning rags in my master bath because it’s the only bathroom that’s used every single day. Every night, I spray the counter, wipe everything down, put everything back (that my husband leaves out), and wipe the mirror," she explains. "I also wipe down the toilet. I find that I don’t need a huge, big cleaning of this space because I’m keeping it up daily. Same goes for the kitchen."

    5. Dishes are always put away, cabinet or dishwasher.

    No dishes in the sink or stuck in the dishwasher.

    "Dishes are finished in the dishwasher? It’s emptied and dirty ones are placed inside while waiting for the dishwasher to get full," she notes.

    @brunchwithbabs

    Life Changing Dishwasher Hack #tutorials #kitchenhacks #parentsoftiktok #dishwasherhack

    6. Don't neglect your shoes.

    When she takes them off, they get put away.

    "Shoes are put away immediately upon walking in the house," she shares.

    7. Knock out small tasks.

    There is no time to waste.

    "If it takes less than 5 minutes clean it while you’re waiting for something else to get done," she writes.

    8. Take no days off.

    Rather than assign certain days for cleaning, she is constantly doing it throughout the week.

    "Lastly, I do not have scheduled cleaning days. I just do something all the time," she explains. "My life is kind of unpredictable, we love traveling or going out for the day so my so called cleaning schedule would be shot to hell every time. It’s better this way, because now I never feel behind."

    great depression, the great depression, great depression recipes, great depression food, great depression recipe
    Lewis Wickes Hine/Library of Congress, Dorothea Lange/Wikipedia

    Recipes from the Great Depression to make today.

    The Great Depression, which lasted from 1929-1939, caused economic turmoil worldwide. Families struggled to feed themselves, and went to extreme lengths to stretch food and utilize all available ingredients.

    Known as the Greatest Generation (those born between 1901 and 1927), their resourcefulness resulted in a number of creative (and delicious) recipes that remain relevant today. Home chefs and bakers shared their Great Depression recipes on Reddit that have been passed down and are still enjoyed today to help others get inventive and save money.


    From soups and stews to cakes, these are 17 Great Depression recipes to try.

    - YouTube www.youtube.com

    Soups, Stews and More

    Beef and Noodles

    "My grandmas go to: Bag of egg noodles 1 can of creamed corn 1 can Campbells chicken noodle soup 1 lb ground beef. Salt and pepper to taste. Brown ground beef, add all other ingredients, add enough water or light chicken stock to cover noodles if needed. Bring to boil, and reduce to a simmer for about 15 minutes, take off the heat and let it rest 10 minutes before serving with buttered white bread. I still make this to this day. My kids loved it too. Basically homemade Hamburger Helper." - -__Doc__-

    Hoover Stew

    Ingredients

    1 box noodles
    A can of tomatoes
    1 package of hot dogs, or 1 can of sausage or meat
    A can of corn, peas or beans
    2-4 cups water

    Instructions

    "Mix all ingredients together in a pot until boiling. Then simmer for 15-20 minutes until the noodles are tender. If you have aromatics, onion and garlic would be a great addition. If not, the recipe is great as is." - Josuaross54

    Zaprezna soup

    "Depression soup... make a roux, add salt pepper and caraway seeds. Add water to make a thick soup texture. Use an egg or two mixed with flour and salt pepper and mix together to make dumplings.. drop into the soup to cook.. This was called zaprezna soup or depression soup. We ate it often in the 60's after my dad abandoned us. Money was short but this soup was good." - User Unknown

    Chipped Beef On Toast

    Ingredients

    8 oz. dried beef jerky
    2 tbsp butter or oil
    4 tbsp flour
    4 cups milk
    Salt and pepper to taste
    Sliced homemade bread, for serving

    Instructions

    "Add jerky and oil to a pan over medium heat. Cook until the meat softens, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in your flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add milk and bring to a low boil. Allow sauce to thicken for up to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper if you have it. Serve over homemade bread, toasted if desired." - Josuaross54

    Rivel Soup

    "In Ohio…My mom would cook Rivel Soup when I was a kid in 80s and 90s. She still makes it. It’s milk based with flour dough balls in it. I hate it. Sometimes they would fry potatoes and put them in the soup." - Vegetable_Record_855

    Potato Soup

    Ingredients

    4 large potatoes, peeled and sliced (or 2 cans of potatoes)
    2 garlic cloves, chopped
    One carrot, sliced
    A can of meat, sausage, or hot dogs (optional)
    3 cups water or stock
    3 cups milk
    Any herbs you have on-hand
    Salt to taste

    Instructions

    "Slice all your potatoes, garlic, and carrots. Add to a soup pot with the meat, water, and milk. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat, keeping the mix at a low simmer. Then, cook for 30 minutes until all veggies are tender. Add herbs and salt, if using. Serve hot." - Josuaross54

    Tuna Fish Stew

    "My mother's family always made tuna fish stew. It is celery, potatoes, canned tuna fish, milk, and hard boiled eggs. Sautee the celery until half way cooked, throw in some chopped potatoes and water. Cook until the potatoes are done. Thin the stew with some milk. Throw in chopped hard boil eggs. Salt and pepper to taste Serve over stale bread. It was cheap, quick, and really filling." - RoseNoire4

    @foodwanderer

    Great Depression Cooking Recipe #greatdepression #recipe #cooking #frugalmeals #cookingonabudget #nostalgia #friedpotatoes #hotdogs #foodwanderer #tastetest #SplashSummerVibe

    Sides

    Baked Beans

    Ingredients

    1 package soaked dried beans, or 2 cans of beans
    One tomato, chopped
    1 onion, chopped
    2 cloves garlic, chopped
    2 tbsp lard
    Two tbsp molasses
    One cup water

    Instructions
    "Soak your beans, if using dried, overnight and drain the liquid. Prepare your veggies by chopping. Omit any vegetable that you do not have on-hand. Add lard to a stock pot and cook your vegetables until tender. Add the beans, molasses, and water. Cook all together with a lid on for 2-3 hours or until the beans have your desired consistency. Add more water if needed.

    Milk Potatoes

    "Milk potatoes. Fry sliced potatoes with salt, pepper and a bit of onion until almost done. Pour milk over potatoes and simmer until potatoes are cooked through." - kms811•6y ago

    Ash Cakes

    "Ash cakes got their name because different renditions are cooked in the hot white ash of your campfire. These are only 3 ingredients but are filling and have a great texture.

    Ingredients

    ½ cup cornmeal
    1 cup meat stock or water
    2 tbsp lard or grease

    Instructions
    Mix both ingredients together in a bowl and allow to sit overnight to hydrate the cornmeal. Pat into a bread pan and refrigerate or add to your cool storage before allowing to set up. The next day, slice into 1-inch slices and fry in melted lard. Serve hot and crispy." - Josuaross54

    Sweets

    Potato Donuts

    "Potato donuts 🍩 from depression era cooking with Dylan Hollis." - BainbridgeBorn

    Wacky Cake

    "If you have interest in baking, make a wacky cake. It’s a chocolate cake that has no milk, butter, or eggs, because those items were scarce during the Depression, but it is so good! The recipe I linked has more steps, but I’ve known a lot of people to literally just dump and mix everything in the baking dish." - gwhite81218

    @bdylanhollis

    The cake without butter, eggs or milk #baking #vintage #cooking #cake

    Rice Pudding

    Ingredients

    1 cup rice
    2 cups milk
    2 tbsp butter
    3 tbsp honey, maple syrup, or molasses
    Pinch of cinnamon

    "Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over low heat, about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste for doneness and cook an additional 5 minutes, tasting until desired consistency. Serve warm." - Josuaross54

    Tomato Soup Cake

    "Tomato soup cake." - AxelCanin

    Water Pie

    "Water pie 😋😍." - AxelCanin

    Mock Apple Pie

    "There was a thing for 'apple' pie made with Ritz crackers my grandmother made some time ago (she was born 1901 so def Depression life).https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/9545/mock-apple-pie/ That recipe looks more complicated than the one grandma made, but there are a number of recipes online for it, including one made by Ritz, on the box." - User Unknown

    Hard Time Pudding

    "Batter: 1 cup flour
    1/2 cup white sugar
    1/2 cup raisins (Optional, I hate them)
    3 tsp Baking powder
    1/2 cup water
    Syrup: 1 1/2 cup Brown sugar
    1 TBSP. butter/marg.
    1 tsp vanilla
    1 1/2 - 2 cup water

    Mix together flour, sugar, raisins, Baking powder, and water. Pour into a baking dish. In a sauce pan combine brown sugar, butter, water bring to boil then add vanilla and pour over the batter. Bake at 300 º for 1/2 hour." - MsBean18

    Joe grew up without stability. Now, he’s giving 10 adopted sons the home he never had.
    True
    Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

    Like many children who are placed in foster care across the United States, Joe’s childhood was marked by chaos and a struggle to survive.

    Joe still remembers neglect and abuse being part of his daily reality. Often left to care for his younger siblings alone, Joe grew up far too quickly.


    He and his brothers were placed in the New York foster care system at an early age. And when he aged out of foster care at 21, he had no family to turn to for support.

    “Statistically, I should be in jail, or I could be dead,” Joe said. “But that’s not my destiny.”

    Today, Joe is determined to change the trajectory for young people lingering in foster care … as an adoptive parent and as an advocate, raising awareness along with organizations like the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

    A complex problem with an evidence-based solution

    More than 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system are waiting for a safe, permanent home. But the sad reality is that thousands will “age out” of the system between 18 and 21, stepping into adulthood without support, guidance or a safety net.

    The consequences of this can be devastating. Youth who leave foster care without the support of a forever family are much more likely to experience negative outcomes, including homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse and early, unplanned parenthood.


    Through its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is working to be a part of the solution across the U.S. and Canada. Through this program, the Foundation supports the hiring of adoption professionals — known as recruiters — who serve children most at risk of aging out of foster care, including older children, children with special needs and siblings.

    Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters use an evidence-based, child-focused model, identifying trusted adults in the child’s network who may be open to adoption — and research shows that it works. A five-year, national evaluation showed that children referred to the program are up to three times more likely to be adopted.

    Changing the journey for a new generation

    Xavier was 18 and at risk of aging out of foster care without family support when he met Joe.

    “My biggest fear was that I was going to age out and not know how to be sufficient on my own,” Xavier said. But Joe adopted Xavier just weeks before he was set to age out of the system. In the years that followed, Joe adopted from foster care again. And again.

    Today, Joe is a father to 10 sons, seven of whom were adopted with help from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

    “Meeting my boys has put them on a different path,” Joe said. “Wendy’s Wonderful Kids was a real support and guide to being able to do what I try to do: making sure they have the tools to survive.”

    “For me, it’s been beautiful to see that [my brothers are] spreading out to go live their own lives,” Xavier said. “It’s something [Joe] has prepared us for. He gave us the mentality that we could do whatever we want.”

    Writing a new ending

    After aging out of foster care, Joe managed to defy the odds, graduating from college and becoming a school counselor. Still, despite his own success story, he knows that many children who spend time in foster care aren’t as fortunate.

    Joe hopes providing a “home base” for his sons means a brighter future for them.

    “Here, we have people you can call your family — your brothers, your father,” Joe said. “Everybody, no matter where they are, knows that they can come home.”

    Learn more about the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and how you can help find forever families for more children lingering in foster care right now.

    Learning

    Communications expert shares 3 simple tricks to stop oversharing during conversations

    Say goodbye to staring at your ceiling at 3 a.m. thinking about something embarrassing you said weeks ago.

    oversharing; oversharing tips; stop oversharing; quitting oversharing; awkward conversations; embarrassing conversations

    Communication expert says these tricks can help you stop oversharing

    People do all sorts of things when they're nervous during a conversation. Some people fidget, others avoid eye contact, and others get red and blotchy on their chest and neck. Then, there are also those who share way too much information at inappropriate times due to stress, nervousness, or simply being neurodivergent. Oversharing often results in feelings of embarrassment, which can result in more nervousness in the moment.

    A lot of oversharing is involuntary, leaving people wondering how they can save their sanity by not doing it to begin with. Jefferson Fisher, a communications expert, has the solution for people struggling with chronic oversharing. We've all been there, even if it's not something that happens frequently. There's a moment of awkward silence, and you attempt to fill it, only to tell a story better suited for a group of friends, not a work function.


    After oversharing occurs, it's often quickly followed by its best friend—overthinking. Overthinking brings along anxiety, which can drag insomnia into the mix, becoming a party of unwanted guests. But Fisher claims a few of his tricks will stop unwanted words from falling out of your mouth in no time.

    oversharing; oversharing tips; stop oversharing; quitting oversharing; awkward conversations; embarrassing conversations Friends sharing a moment in the sunlit park.Photo credit: Canva

    In the brief video uploaded to YouTube, Fisher lists how to combat the inclination to overshare:

    1. Balance the conversation

    Estimate the amount of time it took for the person you're speaking with to share information with you, then try to match the time when you share. Fisher says, "If you are taking double the amount of time that somebody used, meaning your two to their one, well then the conversation is unbalanced, and you're probably talking too much."

    oversharing; oversharing tips; stop oversharing; quitting oversharing; awkward conversations; embarrassing conversations Feeling the stress: A young woman holds her head in frustration.Photo credit: Canva

    2. Set a mental word limit

    Fisher says to avoid talking too much and subsequently oversharing, practice only using three to four sentences to say what needs to be said. This will help you avoid dominating the conversation or accidentally sharing too much information in the wrong setting. "If the other person wants to know more, well, they can ask," Fisher explains.

    3. Watch for cues

    "If you're saying too much, the other person is going to start looking disinterested," Fisher says. "They're going to look bored, they're going to have lack of contact, and that's a great place for you to just ask a question, any question. Because it forces you to stop talking."

    oversharing; oversharing tips; stop oversharing; quitting oversharing; awkward conversations; embarrassing conversations Friends sharing a laugh over coffee at a cozy café.Photo credit: Canva

    When it comes to handling the embarrassment or guilt that can come from oversharing, Happiful shares how to help alleviate the vulnerability hangover, writing, "In situations where you begin noticing that pit in your stomach of regret or embarrassment about oversharing, talk about it with the person you just opened up to. It could be as simple as acknowledging it, which can diffuse any tension you feel and resolve any awkwardness."

    Using grounding techniques like breathing exercises, the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, or doing something physical can all help alleviate the feelings that come from oversharing. Writing about your feelings in a journal or even chatting with a friend who understands your oversharing struggle can go a long way when it comes to reducing anxiety from sharing too much information.

    No matter the reason for oversharing, using the simple techniques above just might do the trick to reduce the habit.

    french, paris, france, love, romance, Eiffel Tower
    Photo Credit: https://www.canva.com/photos

    A couple embrace. The Eiffel Tower

    Leave it to the French to have the most beautiful, sexy, and sometimes non-translatable terms and phrases of endearment.

    Their association with romance makes it extra ironic that the French don't often say "I love you" (or "Je t'aime"). At least according to BBC Features Correspondent Sylvia Sabes in her 2021 article, "Why the French rarely say 'I love you."


    Sabes suggests that words this important shouldn't just be thrown around: "The French don't say 'I love you' because they don't have a verb to express heartfelt sentiments for the people they care about. There is only the verb 'aimer,' which means both 'to like' and 'to love.' As a result, a French person is not exaggerating when they conjugate 'aimer' to explain their relationship to rugby, a warm baguette, or the smell of lilacs."

    lilacs, flowers, love, amour, beauty Close up of lilac flowers. Photo by Olha Suntsova on Unsplash

    For this reason, they don't dilute the words "I love you" as often as one might think. "Naturally, then, it feels trite and rather mundane to use the same word when describing intense feelings of love for one's newborn baby, a childhood friend, or a life partner."

    She further notes that the French "show" their love. (In fact, even the very words "flattery," "chivalry," and "romantic" all stem from Old French words— flatterie, chevalerie, and romantique, respectively.)

    And this includes finding specific wording to show their romantic love. From literary geniuses like Victor Hugo to everyday romantics, here are some French quotes sure to grab (the right person's) attention:

    "Je t’envoie l’éternité dans une minute"

    Translation: I’m sending you eternity in a minute.

    For the complete context of the sentence, Victor Hugo wrote in an unpublished manuscript Lettre à Léonie Biard:
    "Je n'ai qu'un instant. Je t'envoie l'éternité dans une minute, l'infini dans un mot, tout mon cœur dans : je t'aime."

    Translation: "I only have a moment. I’m sending you eternity in a minute, infinity in a word, all my heart in: I love you."

    This was written to Léonie Thévenot d'Aunet, a woman with whom Hugo had a scandalous affair. Once they were caught, she was arrested and sent to prison.

    "Un seul être vous manque, et tout est dépeuplé"

    Translation: "Only one person is missing, and the world is depopulated (empty.)"

    On the subreddit r/French, someone asks for French "love quotes/sentences" for a letter they're writing for an anniversary. Regarding their boyfriend, they write in part, "Our 9th anniversary is coming next month and I want to write him a letter, but I want to include some cute and/or romantic quotes or sentences in French, no matter how silly or cheesy, so he can try to translate them and I watch him go happy puppy mode again hehe."

    Many came through. One suggests this line from poet Alphonse de Lamartine—meaning, "without just one person, the world feels empty."


    "Tu m'as manqué dans mes rêves"

    Translation: I missed you in my dreams.

    I learned this one in high school French class, and what I loved is our teacher taught us we could say it to anyone — romantic partners, puppies, and friends. (Probably best not to say it to our French teachers, however.)


    "Je vous aime éperdument et je vous le dis et je vous le répète, mes mots l'expriment, mes baisers le prouvent, et quand j'ai fini… je recommence."

    Translation: "I love you madly and I tell you so and I repeat it, my words express it, my kisses prove it, and when I'm done… I start over."

    While this is a rather long one to memorize, it would be an excellent quote for a love letter. Victor Hugo's phrasing was so uniquely and devastatingly romantic, I had to quote him twice. Again, he wrote this in Lettre à Léonie Biard to his lover Léonie Thévenot d'Aunet.

    "Tu me manques."

    Translation: You miss me. (Or more precisely, you are missing from me.)

    Again, I remember this expression from school. And the French-to-English translation can be a bit confusing and controversial.

    There's an entire Reddit thread dedicated to this one sentence. The OP states, "So this phrase has always blown my mind. I understand that this expression means 'I miss you,' but that it literally translates to what is essentially 'You lack me.' Correct? If so, my first question is, why is this expression set up this way?"

    Others explain the exact translation is more "You are missing from me" than "You miss me." One Redditor sums it up nicely: "The 'me' is an indirect object. Manquer is better understood here as 'to be missing' or 'lacking.' So it is more like 'you are missing/lacking/absent to me.' Your confusion is from approaching a French phrase using an English mindset."

    In whatever mindset one might find themselves, these French phrases and quotes are sure to elevate the romance. At least, worth a shot!