The best hairstyles for thin hair, according to experts

If you have thin hair and want a little extra lift, the right hairstyles for thin hair can make all the difference. The good thing about fine hair is that it’s surprisingly flexible: it styles quickly, takes well to heat, and doesn’t need a whole shelf of products to look sleek. The real challenge is volume. But with smart styling techniques, a few clever products and some strategic shortcuts, you can get hair that looks fuller in minutes.

We spoke to top stylists to break it down.

Hairstyles that add instant volume

Some hairstyles can add more oomph than others, especially if they give texture or height. “I find that encouraging movement and texture into the hair adds volume and stacks out the hair, which leads to making it look fuller and thicker,” says Reece Wentworth, stylist at Blue Tit Salon Clapton. “You can use wands, straighteners or whatever you feel most comfortable using to wrap the hair in different directions to create a tousled, textured look. You can also use a wide tooth comb to soften out the movement,” he says.

Two great examples of hairstyles for fine hair are a blow dry and an updo. We also love half-up hair, since it gives the illusion of volume up top, while maintaining the length.

A blow-dry gives thin hair more structure than air-drying ever will. Water weighs roots down. Lifting them as they dry builds natural height.

• “Blow-dry on top of the brush, not underneath for lift at the root,” says Pro Blo founder Rebecca McCann.
• Flip your head upside down for quick, easy volume; the classic trick still works.
• Skip the brush if it’s flattening your roots. “Rough-dry with your fingers and only brush the mid-lengths and ends,” says Lee Stafford.
• Use hot heat but medium speed. “High speed can make hair limp and flyaway,” adds Ricky Walters of Salon 64.

TikTok has turned updos into a full volume-boosting toolkit. The right lift, placement, and soft pieces in the front can change everything.

• The Pammy updo: face-framing pieces, a little teasing and a loose, undone texture that makes hair look fuller.
• Texture powders are your best friend. “You can count on them to add grip without weight,” says Reece Wentworth.
• For maximum spread, stylist Jordanna Cobella sprays Nioxin dry cleanser at the roots, massages it in, then flips the hair over to mist the ends. Instant volume.

Half-up hair styles pull the top half of your crown section upward (hello, built-in lift) while leaving the rest of your length loose, so you get the best of both worlds. It breaks up the flatness you normally see when all the hair sits in one layer.

• Backcomb only the crown lightly before securing.
• Use a small claw clip instead of a hair tie to avoid flattening.
• Let a few front strands fall naturally for volume around the face.
• Finish with a little texture spray on the mid-lengths to prevent it from looking limp.

What are the best haircuts for thin hair and why?

A good cut can make a big difference to thin hair, by removing wisps and adding texture. But, no matter what style you go for, “keep it chunky” says Ricky, from Salon 64. "Never razor or chop into hair that's already thin," he says. “Use blunt techniques when choosing which chop suits you,” he adds.

Fine-haired girls can sometimes struggle to make XXL lengths work since the ends can begin to look a little frayed and skimpy. So if you can't fight it, embracing a shorter style can give you the healthy hair you want. “I recommend regular haircuts,” says Reece. “Make sure not to latch onto the length. Having a haircut with a strong one-length and especially above the shoulder will make hair look thicker,” he says.

Some of your best bets are bobs and lobs, face-framing layers and the Bardot fringe, if you're feeling especially adventurous. As long as you embrace your fine hair, you're golden.

This article first appeared on Glamourmagazine.co.uk

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