65 of the Best-Ever Hairstyles and Haircuts for Thin Hair
Fake fullness with these style ideas that will make fine hair appear thicker.
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If you're looking to give your fine or thin hair a boost without spending all your money on a head full of extensions, you're going to want to start with the right haircut. Ask your stylist for a volume-enhancing haircut, like an asymmetrical or blunt bob, says Sarah Lund, style master for Kevin Murphy. Asking your colorist for highlights that frame your face is another great way to fake fullness.
Once you have the right haircut, it's all about how you style it. Lund says you should always start by blow-drying thin locks. "Blow-drying allows you to 'set' your hair from wet to dry to create volume and longevity in your style," she says. "I recommend blow-drying with your hands, moving the hair around in all directions to get lots of movement and volume." Also remember that dry shampoo and volumizing powder can be your best friend: "Dry shampoo is designed to absorb oils while adding volume and texture," Lund adds. "And volumizing powder is the perfect tool for a quick pick-me-up during the day." As for teasing to make your hair look thicker, do it with care to avoid breakage: "Giving yourself a small lift off the roots is a good idea, just proceed with caution," says Lund. "Use a boar bristle teasing brush — I suggest no more than three swipes with the brush when teasing and make sure to thoroughly smooth over the top."
Looking for more inspo? Read on for our best styling tips and our favorite celebrity-inspired haircuts and hairstyles for thin or fine hair.
Asymmetrical Bob Haircut for Fine Hair
A textured, asymmetrical bob — like actress Vanessa Hudgens' — is the best hairstyle for making thin hair appear more voluminous. The unevenness of the cut gives the hair dimension, while the subtle waves offer volume and movement.
Slicked-Back Hairstyle for Thin Hair
A slicked-back 'do never fails to turn heads and model Cara
Delevingne is all the evidence needed. Just remember to slick your hair back when it's dry, because if you do it when it's wet, your hair could appear separated and thinner.
Deep Side Part for Thin Hair
Give yourself a deep side part like actress Olivia Munn's — it's the easiest and fastest way to create dramatic oomph. It creates height and fullness, and Lund offers this pro tip: "Switch your part up when hair becomes limp to revive the full feeling!"
Bronde Highlights for Thin Hair
Highlights are a simple way to add the illusion of texture to thin hair and actress Jennifer Lopez's bronde strands are no exception. Don't be afraid to play with different color combos to reflect your personality and complexion.
Teased Soft Curls for Thin Hair
Actress Sally Field's hairstyle shows us how a curling iron and a little bit of teasing at the root can go a long way.
Flipped Bob Haircut for Thin Hair
Thin hair and dainty waves are a match made in beauty heaven. Singer Katy Perry's hair looks extra voluminous with its waves and flipped-out ends.
Curtain Bangs Haircut for Thin Hair
Searching for a simple way to define your facial features? Introducing, curtain bangs. These longer bangs will flatter most hair types and face shapes, plus they're especially great for those with thin hair, as they add face-framing volume. Singer Rihanna got the memo!
Shaggy Lob Haircut for Thin Hair
The long bob keeps popping up on red carpets everywhere because it can so easily volumize limp strands. Just ask your stylist for some textured layers to add a little boost for a look like actress Emma Stone's.
Money Piece Hair Highlights for Thin Hair
Ready to look like a million bucks? Make like actress Gabrielle Union and ask your colorist for money piece hair highlights, a.k.a. highlights that frame the front of your face. This balayage technique add volume and dimension, especially to thin locks.
Brushed Back Hairstyle for Thin Hair
By foregoing a part and brushing her hair with plenty of volume, actress Meryl Streep shows us how to add dimension and lift without much effort.
Subtle Bouffant for Thin Hair
This isn't the sky-high bump from the '60s. A little volume at the crown of the head gets the job done, and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is proof.
Long Layered Waves for Thin Hair
Actress Hilary Duff's length and layers are perfect for those with fine hair, says Lund. "Long soft layers create movement and make creating volume easier as the hair is lighter," she says. "Adding waves increases that fullness and texture."
Pixie With Pushed Back Bangs for Thin Hair
If your hair is short, add a little wax or pomade to the front and push it backwards so it sticks up a bit, just like actress Kristen Wiig did; this gives the impression that the rest of your hair is fuller.
Middle-Part Updo for Thin Hair
Take a cue from actress Zoe Saldana and pull your hair into a low bun or pony. This style doesn't require any volume to pull off, making it the perfect option for someone with thinner locks. Not to mention, it's an absolutely stunning wedding hairstyle if you have thin hair.
Jagged Part Haircut for Thin Hair
Parting your hair in a non-straight line like dancer Julianne Hough did makes the top layers stick up a little more, giving the illusion of thicker hair.
Medium Length Hairstyle for Thin Hair
Even when styled straight, model Jourdan Dunn's medium-length cut and ombre color looks anything but flat, giving off the impression of depth and fullness.
High Messy Ponytail for Thin Hair
The height and messiness of actress Kate Beckinsale's ponytail is only part of what makes this style look voluminous. The pins holding the sides of her hair in place are also helping to prop up the front of her hair for more height.
Shag Haircut for Thin Hair
Let's take it back to the '70s, shall we? The shag haircut revives thin hair with its many choppy layers. Thanks to its wavy nature, it's a super flattering style for women with fine hair, as seen on singer Taylor Swift.
Wispy Bangs Haircut for Thin Hair
If your hair is on the finer side, you don't want to detract from your overall volume by cutting blunt bangs. Instead, opt for piecey, wispy bangs like actress Rashida Jones.
Jaw-Length Bob Haircut for Thin Hair
A stacked bob is perfect for thin hair — after all, it's 360 degrees of full layers! Opt for side swept bangs, too, like actress Keira Knightley, to complete the tousled look.
Katie Berohn is the Beauty Assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her Master’s Degree at NYU’s Graduate Program of Magazine Journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life Magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan, a digital editorial internship at New York Magazine’s The Cut, a social good fellowship at Mashable, and has freelanced for HelloGiggles. When she’s not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her endless search for the perfect shade of red nail polish, Katie can be found in a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York’s newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.
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