83 Hairstyles and Cuts That Make Thin Hair Look Thicker

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Bangs and Layers

“Bangs and short layers work wonders for her thin hair, adding volume and style,” explains Cavalcante. Sabrina Carpenter’s graduated fringe frames her features perfectly.

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Amped-Up Ponytail

Here’s a style for boosting the look of density and near-wash-day hair. Slick the hair into a ponytail of your desired height—the coif looks just as great worn super-high near the crown of the head (like Yara Shahidi) or ultra-low at the nape. Once secured, tease out the bottom of the ponytail for as much volume as you like.

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Teased Ringlets

Elsa Hosk has repeatedly mentioned that she cut her longer lengths into her now signature lob to mitigate the thinning hair she experienced during her pregnancy. But you would never know it by looking at these lush, teased-out ringlets. You’ll need a curling iron to recreate this look—for finer strands a 0.75-inch barrel to 1-inch barrel is best.

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Zig-Zag Part

While the heated debate between middle vs. side parts continues amongst millennials and Gen-Z folks, we’ve got a hot insider tip. Zig-zag parts are actually the most effective at creating a fuller look in fine strands. Pair it with any updo, like Bella Hadid’s spikey coif, or wear your hair down á la Rachel Green for a nostalgic feel.

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Curly Pixie

If you have natural curls, spirals, or coils, you likely already know that reducing weight (aka length) is the best way to coax them into springing to full potential. A rounded pixie, like Gabrielle Union’s, provides a gorgeous shape for any curl pattern.

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Air-Dried Lob

Millie Bobby Brown’s look is all about keeping it casual, but still chic. Prep the hair with a smoothing serum to retain all the natural bends sans any unwanted frizz. If you’re still wanting a little extra shape after the hair has air-dried, add a bit of wave with a wide-barrel curling iron.

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Feathered Pixie

There’s a reason why the ’80s were all about feathered ‘dos. The cutting technique helps to create tons of airy, voluminous pockets of hair. Xuan Xu showcases the gravity-defying look with an ethereal pixie that will forever live on our inspiration boards.

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Accessorized Pixie

During a pixie’s grown-out phase, jazz it up with accessories similar to Ruth Negga’s bedazzled headband. It’ll automatically elevate the look with minimal effort.

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Curly Bangs

Let your curls do their thing as you style your bangs. The added movement will give the appearance of fuller hair.

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Dense Pixie

Instead of creating wispy styles and tons of movement, opt to style your hair in a dense pixie, which will create the illusion of fuller hair. To keep it all in place, use a reliable hair gel and apply liberally.

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Short Layers

“Short layered hair is fantastic as it fills your hair with natural movement, providing an effortlessly expensive appearance,” explains Cavalcante. “Just a touch of pomade and a casual hair toss can work wonders.”

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Flipped-Out Ends

It’s the hairstyle that keeps making a comeback: flipped-out ends. Made popular in the ’60s and coming back in style in the ’90s, this retro ‘do makes otherwise fine hair that falls limp appear thicker. To achieve, use a blow-dry brush and make sure to do a flipping motion away from the face once you reach the ends.

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Short and Sweet

Although some people may think that longer locks will give the appearance of having more hair, it’s actually short hair that gives the illusion of fullness. Cavalcante says that a short hairstyle can give the hair volume and make your morning routine a snap. “Just wash it, add some mousse, and you’re all set.”

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Bun With Bangs

Sometimes, the move with thin hair is to slick it back. Take Laura Harrier’s ballerina-esque bun with thin, razored bangs. Here, the bun is a classic (just pull hair back into a ponytail and pin the ends around the elastic) but the bangs add some oomph.

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Shoulder-Length Blunt Cut

No matter the hair type, long locks have the tendency to weigh the hair down, but this is especially true for those whose hair falls on the thinner side. “Typically, very long lengths will lack volume and that includes your layered lengths,” says Qureshi. “I recommend making the hair and layers proportionate with each other and not too long overall.” If you’re going for a shoulder-length cut, opt for blunt ends, as this can make your hair appear thicker.

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Choppy Pixie

Shorter hair is oftentimes stronger than longer strands, so even very fine hair can benefit from a super-short crop. Pixie cuts can actually make your thin hair appear thicker than it really is. Try one with choppy layers to add volume, and work in a light styling balm or paste to give your cut definition without weighing it down.

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Deep Side Part

With a deep side part, you’re essentially gathering all of the hair together on one side, which creates the illusion of volume. Friese, explains: “When the hair on the thicker side is parted to the thinner side it will fill that side in a bit to create balance and thicker-looking hair.” Add a few bends to the front pieces for added texture and create lift at the roots with a styling powder.

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Bantu Knots

Bantu knots are chic and protective and don’t require thick hair. Use a product like a pomade to keep the knots moisturized.

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Bedazzled Side Part

What’s better than a side part? A bedazzled side part. Adorn your side part with a few pops of pearls or jewels for a red carpet-worthy moment. Even if you aren’t a hair accessories person, you can pull them off.

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Textured Bob

This look works with your natural hair so it’s easy to replicate. Create a slight side part and rough dry your hair with a microfiber towel then spritz on some texture spray and let it air-dry to finish.

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Pixie With Side-Swept Bangs

A pixie haircut is round by nature, and with a few soft layers and side-swept bangs, it can look fabulous on thinner hair types. Go choppy around the nape of the neck where you can afford to go shorter—this will also give the illusion of an elongated neck.

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Chin-Grazing Bob

This chin-grazing bob is made to look thicker with the addition of some waves. Apply a wave-boosting leave-in and curl with a medium-sized curling iron.

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Ear-Tucked Bob

While those with thick hair may find it more cumbersome to pull off an ear-tucked style, thinner hair types won’t have to fuss with flattening out the extra hair that sticks out. Pair it with a short cut, like a bob, for volume.

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Under-Curled Ends

Sporting a lob (aka long bob)? Go for an under curl at your ends, which offers a subtle flare and something different from the age-old curl-away-from-your-face style. Try a jagged part and blow-dry hair normally, flipping toward your jawline once you reach the ends.

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Messy Ponytail

For this look, just pull hair into a traditional ponytail and curl the ends using a wide-barrel wand. Spray on a texture spray to add grit.

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Angled Bob

Victoria Beckham has had some iconic hair moments, and her angled bob is no exception. “The [angled] bob is best done on thinner hair textures, as thin hair typically shows off straight lines really well and this lends to emphasizing the cut’s beautiful geometry,” says Qureshi. “Once that cut and shape has been achieved, the bob becomes very easy to style, maintain, and grow out with thinner textures.”

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Braided Low Bun

If your hair is braided, you’re already halfway to this unique style. Pull hair into a low chignon, and pin it up. (You can use the pins to fasten hair so that it looks thicker, even if it’s on the thinner side.)

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Lob With Light Layers

The ever-flattering lob works on any hair type, especially thin hair because it frames your face without weighing you down. Layering adds movement to the hair, but removing too much could backfire. Stick with light layers like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and keep the ends blunt rather than feathered. Use a texture spray to create volume.

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Lob With Side-Swept Bangs

Side-swept bangs can look thicker if cut right. Qureshi says to ask your stylist to cut side-swept bangs into a “shallow concave” shape and then style them to the side. “If not, with thin hair your side-swept bags will look more like diagonal bangs,” he notes.

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Mushroom Bob

By this point, you already know that blunt ends do wonders for boosting thinner strands. Carey Mulligan’s mushroom bob takes the notion up a notch by rolling her jaw-grazing ends inward for a weightier look.

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Curtain Bangs

The ’70s-inspired curtain bangs are back. Not only are they flattering for nearly all hair types and face shapes, but they’re also relatively low-maintenance and only require trims every other month to maintain their face-framing length.

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Slicked-Back

A slicked-back ‘do is versatile—it can look polished and sophisticated or be the epitome of chic. Whatever style you choose, Qureshi urges slicking back on dry hair, noting that “if your hair is wet when you slick it back, it can make your already-thin hair look separated and less dense.”

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Thick, Blunt Bangs

Whatever your style may be, incorporating bangs can be a major volume boost. Just make sure your fringe is thick and blunt. “If the hair is thick enough in the front, a deep thick fringe is a nice way to bring the focus forward to a thicker section of the hair,” comments Friese.

Byrdie Tip

If your hair is oily–a common concern for those with thin hair–be sure to leave enough length in the bangs to account for the extra volume needed at the roots when styling.

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Etched Buzz

One surefire way to hide the thickness of your hair? Rock a buzz cut. Though it requires more upkeep (to keep it short and clean), it’s the ultimate low-maintenance look in terms of styling.

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The Shag

The shag has the ability to revive limp hair while still giving off a cool-girl vibe. Essentially, the cut can be described as having lots of razored texture, movement, and volume via long layers and bangs, making it ideal for those with thin strands. To fake the fullness, style with layers and an ombré color to add body and dimension.

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Beachy Waves

“For most people, beach waves are achieved through a wand or iron,” notes Qureshi. “For those with thin hair, it’s especially important to use a heat protectant spray to shield your fragile locks from unnecessary damage.”

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Blunt Bob

Blunt bobs have to be one of our favorite hairdos since they look flattering on just about everyone. According to Friese, “Any cut with a blunt perimeter will create the illusion of thicker hair than a cut with more texturized or feathered ends. An all-one-length blunt bob (around chin length) is a great option for thin hair. It can be worn straight and sleek as well as wavy and tousled, which is very popular right now.”

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Mid-Length Voluminous Curls

While thinner hair types are notoriously known for resisting a curl, getting that voluminous retro-wavy look is possible. Your hair is more likely to hold a curl if it doesn’t have length to weigh it down, so stay on top of frequent trims and be vigilant about using a curl-boosting spray.

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Braided Headband

While a typical braid can accentuate a finer hair texture, a braided headband is an alternative that adds some playfulness to your look. Qureshi advises not to pull or apply too much tension near the root area, as this can lead to stress on the follicles and cause hair to not only look thinner but become thinner with time.

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Half-Up, Half-Down Ponytail

Kristen Bell’s ode to Kelly Kapowski’s retro half-up half-down pony is the modern version, which, when paired with bangs, gives more body and life to otherwise flat hair. Wrap a strand of hair around the base of your ponytail for extra dimension.

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A-Line or Stacked

A-line cuts have gotten a major upgrade. They are incredibly versatile when it comes to styling. While Jourdan Dunn opts for lots of texture, this cut also looks great with a smooth finish. Friese says, “This is a blunt cut where the back is shorter than the front and layered to create lots of volume at the crown. It can be worn cheek, chin, or just below the chin length.”

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Glamorous Side Sweep

One of Leslie Mann’s go-to looks is this pulled-to-the-side, slightly waved style. By teasing the roots and gathering the hair over to one side, she’s able to give her thin strands a bit more oomph.

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Bouffant

A hair-raising bouffant makes a statement wherever it’s worn. For a little lift, try incorporating extensions. “Be sure to create an adequate base—usually by teasing—to allow for your extensions to anchor,” Qureshi advises. “Otherwise, your bouffant will collapse as soon as you start achieving height.” For a healthier tease, use a teasing brush that has boar bristles.

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Curly Crop

Ruth Negga’s short curly crop is all kinds of wonderful. “This cut is shorter in the back and on the sides and longer on top,” describes Friese. “The focus of the cut will be that longer part which will have more weight and appear thicker.” Another perk? “This style is also easy to wear. It can be blown out smooth or it can have a more piecey look by using a paste or pomade to separate the strands,” she adds.

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Double French-Braided Updo

Why do one braid when you can do two? A double-French braided updo is sure to be your new go-to: It’s playful yet formal, and effectively gets your hair out of your face without forgoing volume. We approve of the way it adds a natural lift to the roots.

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Half-Up, Half-Down Bun

This laid-back hairstyle for thin hair exudes that model-off-duty vibe. To recreate, Qureshi recommends honing in on getting as much volume as possible at the root (before starting with the bun) so prep with a volumizing spray. For extra volume, Qureshi suggests teasing the ponytail before looping it around into a bun for maximum thickness.

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Relaxed Brush-Back

A tousled take on the completely slicked-back ‘do, this relaxed brush-back can be made to appear as casual or elegant as the event calls for. Let your hair dry naturally before working in a styling pomade with a comb, making sure to pull back gently for that relaxed feel.

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Sleek Topknot

Topknots are praised for their “I-woke-up-like-this” vibe, yet they still somehow always manage to look put together. For thin hair, Qureshi advises to “make sure that it’s not too far forward” and to not strive for perfection, allowing a few pieces to fall out of place. “This will help that topknot look thicker and provide a sassy alternative to the usual.”

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Interior Layers

While normal layers can have the effect of making hair look thinner—a definite no-no for those of us with already thin strands—interior or invisible layers work to create texture and fullness. And according to Friese, they’re also a great option for the person who wants to keep their hair on the longer side. “Because short hair supports long hair, adding shorter pieces under the overlaying longer pieces will create a lot of volume,” she says.

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Side Chignon

For a more formal updo, opt for a side chignon, which is easier to create than you’d think. In fact, this style is touted as being one of the most favorable for finer hair types, as it doesn’t require volume at the front or too many bobby pins (which are notorious for slipping off of thin hair types).

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Vintage Curls

The classic Old Hollywood hairstyle is both timeless and workable for all hair types—thin included. “Traditionally, this style is achieved starting with wet hair,” says Qureshi. “However with thin hair, be sure to start on dry hair to allow for an easier, more comfortable styling and much less damage when brushing out.” If your thin hair is frizz-prone, use an in-shower anti-frizz treatment—it’ll land you polished curls in the end (sans flyaways).

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Grown-Out Buzz

You can wear hair cropped while still drawing attention. Without going all the way to the scalp, buzz hair so that there’s half-an-inch to an inch remaining, and dye it a fun and vibrant shade like Cynthia Erivo’s icy lavender.

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Mile-High Ponytail

No one has to know you’re sporting fine hair underneath a mile-high ponytail like Hailey Bieber’s. The hairstyle naturally creates the illusion of lift while the strategic addition of a scrunchie gives more volume.

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Waved Balayage

Aside from the right cut, the right color can also lend volume to thin hair. Qureshi explains: “Thin hair is one of the few textures where color, highlights, and balayage can truly help hair look thicker and support volume. So experiment and have fun.” Ask for tight pieces at the top and thicker color at the ends of the hair—this will create the illusion of a more voluminous mane.

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Dyed Pixie

As we just mentioned, adding color to your hair is an instant way to pump up its thickness. A head-turning pastel pink pixie can work to draw attention away from hair’s natural fineness. If you’re feeling bold, DIY from the comfort of your home.

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Low Side Ponytail

Here’s a style that suits thin hair effortlessly. With a low side ponytail, you have options: keep it sleek and straight or play it up with some waves. Either way, pull the pony to one side and part your bangs on the other for added balance.

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Volumized Pompadour

If your hair is a little lackluster in the volume department, a pompadour is a surefire way to transform it. Spritz some hairspray on the bang area of your head, combing upward, and take a blow-dryer to it to ensure it holds in that up-right position.

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Asymmetrical Bob

If a non-traditional cut—that simultaneously flatters thin tresses—is what you’re after, then why not consider an asymmetrical style? According to Friese, “Cutting the hair shorter on one side than the other adds the illusion of weight to the longer side which will make the hair look thicker. This is usually done on a shorter length cut.”

Byrdie Tip

If you don’t want to commit to an asymmetrical haircut, you can easily style hair to meet this look. On one side, either pull back and secure hair with pins or slick-back with a strong-hold gel.

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High Braid

Even thin hair can rock an epic, fairytale braid like Jasmine Tookes’s. Just pull hair into a high ponytail, then braid the end. Pro tip: Tug the ends slightly apart to create the illusion of a wider (i.e. thicker) braid.

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Teased Shag

One way to make thinner hair appear voluminous? We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Try teasing. “I recommend a teasing comb to help provide added volume and hold,” Raji says. This works particularly well on a shag, which has layers that mimic natural thickness.

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Center-Parted Afro

Take a cue from Lupita Nyong’o and shape your short, natural hair into two small Afros. Using a comb will help to add volume to thin hair.

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Middle-Parted Low Ponytail

A middle-part is simple, but adds drama to a low ponytail. “You can pull all your hair back or leave some hair down to frame your face,” says Raji.

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Romantic Space Buns

Take the traditional space bun and spin it on its head by keeping the look very shiny, and leaving some pieces of hair loose to frame the face.

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Slicked and Side-Parted Waves

This style is proof that, even without any volume up top, a style can still make your tresses look thick. Here, volume is relegated to the mid-lengths and ends, while a slick side-part adds drama.

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Braided Crown

If your hair looks even thinner in an updo, this look’s for you. Braid the ends, then wrap it around the top of the head and secure with pins. Concentrate on creating a draped look rather than the aforementioned headband style. The final look will make hair appear fuller than it is.

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Box Braid Ponytail

Box braids are a stylish protective style that can easily be adapted to a full-looking updo, but be warned: They can lead to hair breakage. See a professional that’s experienced with box braids and use a deep conditioning treatment before you get braided.

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Air-Dried Mermaid Waves

If you have slight waves in your hair, this is the way to play them up. Just part wet hair in the center and apply a volumizing mousse. Let it air-dry in braids and your beach waves are ready to go.

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Slick Braided Pigtails

Braids can make hair look that much thicker, especially if you pull them apart a bit after braiding. Take a cue from Tessa Thompson and create a strong middle part before braiding hair in two low pigtails. Be sure to use a strong-hold gel to slick the sides for extra drama.

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Slicked-Back Pony

A traditional ponytail is great, but you can take the style into evening territory by using a comb and some gel to slick it back. This is a great opportunity to add some extensions in, too, if you want some extra length like Joan Smalls.

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Dramatic Blunt Bob

Keeping the hair just below the chin, and maintaining blunt, but feathery ends, makes hair look wider than it really is. This look works with both a chic blowout or loose and natural waves.