If you're looking for a quick fix to add major volume to your fine hair, the easiest—and fastest—way to do so is with a chic and tactfully crafted hairdo. But what hairstyles for thin hair work best for body and movement? The good news is there are plenty of options to choose from if you're experiencing hair loss or thinning hair, and to help you navigate them, we turned to the experts.
Meet the expert
- Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Andrew Fitzsimons haircare.
- Irinel de León, celebrity hairstylist and Dyson Ambassador.
Below, our favorite celebrity hairstylists break down the 20 best hairstyles for thin hair to try. Scroll down and save the look that speaks to you.
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Wispy Bangs
Wispy bangs are an easy way to add some extra volume to thin hair, Fitzsimons says. He adds that they not only help frame your face, but also help keep you feeling light while you fake the look of fuller hair.
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Shag Cut
Through subtle layers, a shag cut will give any hair texture some added body and definition. Add a set of slightly jagged bangs for an edgy rocker vibe that's effortlessly cool.
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Side-Swept Waves
Sweep hair to one side for a deep side part and curl the ends for a classic retro vibe. This works great with a bob if you're looking to add major volume.
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Blunt Bob
Hair tends to thin out the longer you grow it, so keep it short with a chin-grazing bob. Celebrity hairstylist Irinel de León says that a crop naturally creates fullness, especially with a nice thick line along the bottom. You'll keep most of your hair's natural body, and the blunt cut will elevate your look overall.
20 Blunt Haircuts for Every Face Shape and Hair Texture
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Braided Top Knot
If your hair is in protective braids, style them up with a half-up, half-down style accented with a braided top knot. Not only does it look stunning, but you add instant volume.
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Face-Framing Layers
One of the most popular hairstyles for thin hair is face-framing layers. Not only do they add definition, but they supply beautiful body and movement.
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French Bob
If you're like us and have been inspired to chop off your long hair like Zoe Saldana recently did, then you can't go wrong with the French bob. Celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak gave the actor minimal layers with blunt lines that hit right at the collarbone. The cherry on top? Rounded edges for extra volume and flare.
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Layered Bob
It doesn't get more universally flattering than a layered bob. Fitzsimons recommends this cut for wavy and curly hair to add shape and enhance definition.
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Butterfly Cut
The trendy butterfly cut will add volume to any hair texture, but Fitzsimons loves it for waves and curls, especially. "The best thing about this style is that the lengths can vary, so it's an easy look to achieve if you are looking for your natural texture to be enhanced with thin curly hair," he says.
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Curly Bangs
"Wispy curly bangs really help with adding volume to your hair," says Fitzsimons. He recommends using something like the Andrew Fitzsimons Fantasy Curls Curl Amplify Texture Spraywhen air drying for added moisture and definition.
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Twisted Updo
Gathering hair into a twisted updo will help loose, face-framing waves and curls add flattering definition to the face, says Fitzsimons. "[They] really set in and shape your face while appearing voluminous and bouncy," he adds.
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Layers and a Razor Cut
A blunt cut with face-framing layers makes for a striking contrast. "The layers add a little lift and body for the hair," says De León. "The blunt line gives the appearance of [being] thicker." She says to add dry shampoo at the roots to give hair a lift.
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Curly Shag
De León loves a curly shag to give the illusion of fuller and thicker spirals. She says to use mousse to give hair body and hold.
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Short Curly Layers
For cropped curly hair, layers are a no-brainer. "This is perfect for those that like lots of texture and movement in the hair," says De León. She says to add pomade to enhance the ends and give hair a more lived-in feel.
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Long Layers
For long thin hair, De León suggests getting layers for a flattering cut. To style, she says to use hair gel to give the shorter layers added definition and hold.
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Deep Side Part
The beauty of a deep side part is it requires next to no effort. Simply sweep your hair to one side for a heavy dose of volume. If you want to dress it up, consider adding pearl details along your part.
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The Modern '20s Wixie
The wixie, a.k.a. the winged pixie, is a half-pixie, half-short shag cut. "Essentially, the wixie is what we used to call the shaggy pixie," celebrity stylist and Dyson ambassadorMatthew Collins once told InStyle. "The main difference is [the wixie] has more edge than the pixie with more softness and chunky texture. It's also often paired with more length in the nape of the neck."
Give it a retro spin and style it in classic flapper waves with a slick finish.
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The Italian Bob
Celebrity hairstylistChristopher Nasellionce told InStyle that “the chicest bob haircut out there” is the Italian Bob. He goes on to explain that the style hugs the neck by carrying weight at the bottom with lots of volume.It's cut in a subtle V-shape and curls slightly towards the chin for a flattering effect.
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'90s Blowout
Channel your inner Cindy Crawford and give yourself a '90s supermodel blowout for maximum volume. All you have to do is section hair and blow dry it smooth with a round brush. Once dry, set the curls with pins for a bit before releasing them to reveal voluminous waves.
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Beachy Waves
One of the best hairstyles for thin hair is beach waves. Whether achieved with a mist of salt spray or the help of a hot tool, the loose bends will give the illusion of fuller hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you properly take care of thin hair?
"The most important thing to keep in mind when caring for thin hair is to keep your hair as strong as possible," says Fitzsimons. "If you shampoo your hair daily, you can dry out your scalp and strands, which will result in brittle hair that will cause breakage or fall out."
Additionally, he recommends minimizing heat styling and letting your hair air dry to avoid heat damage. He also says to stay away from super tight hairstyles that pull too hard on strands and cause tension, which will lead to more damage.
How often should you wash thin hair?
Fitzsimons says thin hair should be washed no more than two to three times a week. "When you do wash your hair, make sure you're giving it a proper cleanse, especially if you have product buildup in your hair," he says. "This can weigh down your locks, making them appear greasy and flat.:
What products should you avoid if you have thin hair?
"You may think the more product, the thicker your hair will appear, but that isn’t the case. Thick and heavy products will cause buildup on your strands, which can lead to breakage and even scalp issues," Fitzsimons says. "Avoid using extremely moisturizing butters and heavy oils like coconut or castor as this will weigh your hair down and give it an oily appearance."