These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (2024)

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (1)

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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.

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1

Asymmetrical Bob Haircut for Fine Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (2)

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.

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2

Slicked-Back Hairstyle for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (3)

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.

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3

Deep Side Part for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (4)

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!"

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4

Bronde Highlights for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (5)

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.

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5

Teased Soft Curls for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (6)

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.

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6

Flipped Bob Haircut for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (7)

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.

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7

Curtain Bangs Haircut for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (8)

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!

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8

Shaggy Lob Haircut for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (9)

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.

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9

Money Piece Hair Highlights for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (10)

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.

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10

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.

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11

Subtle Bouffant for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (12)

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 duch*ess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is proof.

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12

Long Layered Waves for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (13)

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."

SHOP WAVING IRON

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13

Pixie With Pushed Back Bangs for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (14)

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.

SHOP HAIR WAX

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14

Middle-Part Updo for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (15)

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.

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15

Jagged Part Haircut for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (16)

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.

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16

Medium Length Hairstyle for Thin Hair

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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.

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17

High Messy Ponytail for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (18)

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.

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18

Shag Haircut for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (19)

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.

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19

Wispy Bangs Haircut for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (20)

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.

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20

Jaw-Length Bob Haircut for Thin Hair

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (21)

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.

These Brilliant Haircuts Will Make Your Thin Hair Appear Thicker (2024)

FAQs

What haircut will make thin hair look thicker? ›

Bobs, pixies, layers, and bangs — these haircuts are strategically designed to help fine hair full-fill its potential. The appearance of thin hair can change dramatically under the power of the humble scissor — and a trusted cutting hand, of course.

Which hair cut gives more volume for thin hair? ›

Having a haircut with a strong one-length – and especially above shoulder – will make hair look thicker,” he says. “If you have thin hair, I would recommend having mid length or shorter hair styles. The lob, the bob, the midi, and pixie or mixie work really well for making thin hair appear thicker,” says Jordanna.

What color makes fine thin hair look thicker? ›

Try Lowlights

Lowlights are darker ribbons of color that are used to add depth and dimension to your hair, both of which can help make thin hair appear thicker and more plentiful.

What cut is best for thin hair? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. Which short haircut is best for thin hair? There's no one right answer, but many stylists recommend a blunt bob to make the ends look thick and full. A lightly layered pixie, bob, or shoulder cut can also add volume to thin hair.

What is the best haircut for fine thin hair over 60? ›

Chic Crop. This stylish cut is simple and largely no-fuss. Sweeping the hair up and back for volume is ideal for those with naturally straight hair. The short length also offsets weight, making it work for thin and thick hair alike.

What haircut makes hair look thicker female? ›

Short haircuts: Short haircuts, such as a buzz cut or crew cut, can make hair look thicker and fuller. Layered haircuts: Layers add texture and movement to thin hair, making it look thicker. A layered bob or a shag haircut are good options.

Should fine thin hair be layered or one length? ›

Adding long layers to long, thin hair can help to give your clients hair some movement and texture. It is important to note that they should be soft layers just towards the bottom of the hair so that it doesn't make the hair look finer. Long layers can help keep thin or fine hair from falling flat.

Does layering thin hair make it look thicker? ›

An easy way to create the illusion of thicker hair is to trim a few inches off and add layers. If you've got thinner hair, having it cut short creates more volume as it's not weighed down. A precision cut and carefully placed layers can also create volume.

What color hides thin hair? ›

Brightened-up colors, such as golden blonde, can work wonders when applied to the money pieces around your face. Likewise, rich colors—like chestnut or caramel brown—can create a shadow effect throughout that feigns depth and thickness.

What is the best haircut for 70 year old with thinning hair? ›

Consider short, layered cuts or a pixie cut with bangs to add volume and texture to thin, fine hair. These styles are easy to maintain and can create the appearance of fuller, more voluminous hair.

How do you wear your hair if it's thin? ›

Braid It

A braid is an easy hairstyle that, with a little help, can make the hair appear fuller and thicker. Whether you wear a simple french braid, craft a halo braid, or braid back your bangs, use a texturizing spray.

Do layers make thin hair look thicker? ›

An easy way to create the illusion of thicker hair is to trim a few inches off and add layers. If you've got thinner hair, having it cut short creates more volume as it's not weighed down. A precision cut and carefully placed layers can also create volume.

Should thin fine hair be layered? ›

Adding long layers to long, thin hair can help to give your clients hair some movement and texture. It is important to note that they should be soft layers just towards the bottom of the hair so that it doesn't make the hair look finer. Long layers can help keep thin or fine hair from falling flat.

Is thin hair better layered or one length? ›

“Excessive layering can take the volume out of the hair, making it look quite flat and lifeless,” says hairstylist George Northwood. “My advice is to keep thinner hair all one length.

Does thin hair look better short or long? ›

It's tempting to cling to long hair like a security blanket. However, the most flattering lengths for fine or thin hair are shoulder-length or shorter, no matter your age. It removes enough weight to give your mane a boost of fullness at the ends, and it makes it much easier to add volume to the roots.

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