The right hairstyles for thin hair can transform your style by adding volume and dimension for a stylish finish. These haircuts for fine hair are cute and low-maintenance styles that have become popular options for women who want a chic and youthful look. When it comes to a thicker look that will boost volume, the best hairstyles can make all the difference for thin fine hair.
Whether you want short, medium or long styles, there are several stunning haircuts for women with thin hair to consider.
Some women will want short haircuts like the textured bob, pixie and side part with bangs for a modern and trendy look, while others may prefer a medium to longer style that comes with layers for an effortlessly feminine vibe.
With so many different haircut styles, it can be a challenge choosing the right look for straight, wavy or curly fine hair.
To inspire you, we’ve compiled a list of the best hairstyles for thin hair. From short to long, explore these popular haircuts for fine hair that will make your style look thicker.
Contents
Haircuts For Fine Hair
Textured Lob
The textured lob is a beautiful style for fine hair that allows you to keep some length in your look while giving it more movement and bounce. Thin hair tends to have very little volume, but with the addition of thick bangs and long layers for texture, this style can offer a fuller-looking finish. Great for all types, the textured long bob can be the perfect option if you have slightly wavy hair by nature. Otherwise, it will require some styling to get it just right.
Chic Crop
The chic crop is a popular haircut that offers a balance between short and medium-length styles. If a pixie cut is just too short and the bob is slightly too long, a cropped style might be the perfect cut you crave. The shorter length adds some lift, and a spritz of shine spray can help you achieve that smoothed-down, modern look that makes this cut so appealing. It’s perfect for professional and personal life, and depending on the length, it can provide you with a few different styling options.
Highlights and Long Curtain Bangs
Highlights and long curtain bangs are great for providing the illusion that you have luscious, thick tresses. The pairing of face-framing highlights and expertly placed layers will draw attention to your facial features; the placement of longer layers throughout the bulk of your hair adds some texture and lift. It’s flirty, fun, and a bit sassy, and it’s perfect for women of any age.
Short Bob
The short bob is one of the most versatile styles that is somehow professional and chic but edgy and bold at the same time. If you have fine straight hair, the short bob haircut offers a universally-flattering and feminine style that won’t lead you astray. This style pairs well with highlights, lowlights, and natural silver and gray hair, depending on your age. Styling the bob is as simple as utilizing some heat protection spray and a quality flat iron in the morning. Try a chin-length style for a bit of edge, or if you prefer a more classic look, go with a length that falls a couple of inches below the chin, instead.
Side Part with Fringe
The side part with fringe is a daring and tenacious way to bring some edgy glamor to your fine or thinning hair. The shorter cut gives your hair natural lift and encourages movement; the deep side part gives you the perfect opportunity to play with fun textures and asymmetry. For example, tucking the parted side of your hair behind your ear while letting the longer side gently fall over your face is perfect for a flirty, fun, and youthful look.
Low Bun
A low bun is a perfect way to pull long, fine hair away from your face. The low bun hairstyle is functional and fashionable, making it the perfect style for going to the gym, heading to a business meeting, or even attending a wedding. There are numerous ways to do it, from an elegant chignon to a low messy bun and everything in between. For formal events, consider tucking an accessory like a hairpin or barrette between the bun and the back of your head for some added interest.
Layered Haircut
A layered haircut is a perfect option for women with long, thin hair as well as for those who have thinning hair. It works wonders as a transitional style by removing some of the weight associated with the length; this immediately lifts the hair and gives it movement. You might get a long cascading layered cut or something like a layered shag cut, if you like the texture. There are endless possibilities, so choose the one that suits your texture and personality.
Longer Pixie Cut
A longer pixie cut provides all the same benefits as a standard pixie for women who have thinning hair (volume, lift, and movement) but it’s just long enough to afford a few additional styling options at the same time. If you’re growing out a pixie cut, this is an excellent transition style that will bring you through those awkward stages with dignified elegance. For a flirty, romantic look, try the slightly tousled look, but tuck one side behind your ear. For something more audacious, slick your hair straight back and finish with a strong hairspray that adds a ton of shine.
Braids
Braids can be a tricky style for women who have fine or thinning hair, but there are some types of braids that work exceptionally well. Box braids are generally the best option for fine black hair, and when paired with natural hair extensions, they can provide the look of thick, healthy hair. Some other options include the lace braid headband, which is a stunning look that doesn’t require much hair, as well as the halo braid, which is perfect for weddings, proms, and other formal events.
Shaggy Style
Any shaggy style will go a long way toward giving fine, thin hair some serious volume and lift, especially if it’s cut short and slightly tousled. If your hair is stick-straight or slightly wavy, you can recreate the look at home with as little as five minutes in front of the mirror. Otherwise, you might find that you need to spend some time with a flat iron to get the piecey, slightly edgy look. If you’re feeling especially rebellious, consider dying the ends of your hair a bright color for added contrast. Otherwise, some subtle highlights in an ombre-like style can add more interest.
Half Up Half Down
Many half up half down styles are perfectly suited for women with fine or thinning hair and can be tailored to look effortlessly chic. You can part your hair down the middle, then pull a one-inch section from each side over your ears. Finally, secure those two sections together at the back of your head and you’ll have a stunning look that adds volume. For the best results, curl your hair with a curling wand beforehand. The additional texture can also create an illusion of thickness.
Short Choppy Bob
The short choppy bob is the perfect haircut for women who prefer the look and functionality of a classic, low-maintenance style. This bob with choppy piecey layers offers a cute and feminine look that can be easy to wear. If you have straight hair, you just need to add some texturizing spray to the ends of the layers before you head out the door. If your hair is naturally wavy or curly, you’ll need to add a quick once-over with a straightening iron to get this iconic, simple, and attractive look.
Blunt Shoulder Length Style
A blunt shoulder-length style is cut all one length and can make your hair appear thicker. When you keep your hair healthy by using heat protection spray, a high-quality shampoo and conditioner set, and seeing your stylist for a trim every six weeks, the blunt ends create a modern and effortlessly chic look. This style looks amazing on straight and wavy hair, and while it’s possible to rock it with curly hair, the blunt ends are not quite as noticeable. For a flirty, youthful look, part your hair in the middle and wrap both sides around a large barrel curling iron. The face-framing effect highlights your eyes and cheekbones rather than your fine hair.
Asymmetrical Pixie
The asymmetrical pixie is a bold, daring, and confident style that is perfect for women who want to express their rebellious personalities – and for those who don’t mind a few extra glances their way. It’s ideal for fine tresses because it provides a unique texture, especially when paired with a deep side part. For some extra pizzazz, use a texturizing spray on the bulk of the hair to create a slightly tousled piecey look, then slick back the parted side to create contrast.
Messy Updo
A messy updo is perfect for everyday wear, and many of these styles provide a romantic bohemian vibe. The best way to achieve a winning look with thinning or fine hair involves using a texturizing spray all over your hair; it gives your hair a little boost and helps your messy updo stay put. One idea is to part your hair down the middle and create two loose French braids on either side that come together at the nape of your neck. Then, pull down a few tendrils of fringe to add to the tousled look and you’re all set.
Blunt Bob with Wispy Bangs
The blunt bob with wispy bangs can breathe new life into even the finest, thinnest hair. Starting with a blunt cut is imperative since it makes your hair look thicker, and the wispy bangs help to create the illusion of more hair. You can personalize this cut in a few different ways, such as by taking your bob all the way up to chin length or styling with a deep side part and side-swept wispy fringe.
Undone Updo
The undone updo is a versatile and elegant style that pulls your hair up while leaving a few strands hanging loose for an effortlessly chic look. This cute updo hairstyle can be a great option for thin hair that needs to look classy for a formal event. For longer hair, choose your favorite updo, pull down a few strategic strands on the sides and curl with a wand to create a whimsical finish. If you have short fine hair, you can create the illusion of an updo by tucking the ends of your hair under, securing them with bobby pins and then curling a few face-framing tendrils.
Short Beachy Waves
Short beachy waves are excellent for women who like that long, flowing California surfer girl look, but who don’t quite have the hair length or thickness to pull it off. Today’s trends include pairing short beachy waves with a stacked bob or opting for a simple wavy lob. Part of the trend is the sun-kissed, slightly windblown appearance, so no matter which option you choose, ask your stylist for some golden lowlights and platinum highlights to create the framework of the look. Then, use a minimum hold texturizing mousse on damp hair, flip your head upside down, and scrunch it up.
Casual Ponytail
A casual ponytail is a stylish choice that can be virtually anything you want it to be. The low pony with undone sides is an on-trend style for women who have thinning hair. Starting with a standard blunt bob, pull most of your hair back and secure it with an elastic at the back of your head. Let pieces in the front or one of the sides flow freely to create the illusion of thickness and volume. Depending on how you style it, you can create a look that’s flirty and soft or let your rebellious, edgy personality shine through.
Retro Medium Length Haircut
If you’re a fan of the old-school glam straight out of the Wild West, then the retro medium-length haircut is a phenomenal choice for you. The classic look is making a comeback, especially among the hipster crowd. With its shoulder-length waves and aggressively teased roots, you’ll get the lift you need to pull it off no matter how fine your hair might be. It’s sexy, feminine, and glamorous, and it’s just as beautiful paired with a ball gown as it is with a pair of jeans and a tee.
Blunt Fringe
If you love the look of bangs but you’re concerned that your hair is too fine to pull them off, blunt fringe is the solution. The trick here is that the blunt cut ends make your fringe appear to be thicker than it really is. You can pair your bangs with a variety of trendy looks, but it looks amazingly glamorous alongside the sleek bob – another excellent cut choice for ladies who have thin or fine tresses.
Thin Tousled Bob
The thin tousled bob is the modern answer to the classic sleek bob for women who want to inject some volume into their fine locks. There are numerous ways to wear it, including the playful side-swept style or the more daring piecey textured look. You can pair it with fringe if you are so inclined, but it also looks great when it’s all one length with a few long layers for added volume.
Wavy Lob
The wavy lob is one of the best transitional cuts for women who want to eventually cut their hair short, but who aren’t quite ready for the shock. It suits fine hair especially well thanks to the shorter length and the presence of waves, which mimic the look of thicker tresses. These modern tousled lobs look put-together and chic, creating an on-trend style. Women who have thinner hair can choose face-framing layers to add even more youthful dimension, volume, and texture.
Long Shag
The long shag haircut gives women who have thinning or naturally fine hair the option to wear their tresses well beyond shoulder length. The addition of long, choppy layers creates movement and lift in the hair, and it also helps to create the illusion that your cascading locks are thicker than they really are. To rev up this style and give it a rock-and-roll punch, apply some volumizing mousse to your roots and give them a slight tease, then apply some texturizing spray or pomade to the ends of your layers.
Half Bun
The half bun is an excellent updo for women who want to create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair while rocking an iconic updo. To do it, simply pull the front and top sections of your hair into a ponytail, then twist it into a bun. You can make the bun as messy or as sleek as you want, but the messy bun gives the illusion of more volume. The rest of your hair simply cascades over your shoulders, and this is what creates the appearance of thicker hair. It’s an incredibly quick style that you can adapt in an endless number of ways.
Piecey Pixie
The piecey pixie is the perfect example of a hairstyle that you can adapt to suit your personality with a few snips of the shears or even a streak of color. The pixie works with straight, wavy, or curly hair, but the look will be slightly different based on hair texture. The piecey look creates contrast in the hair, which is ideal for women who have finer or thinner hair textures. A long pixie with wispy fringe creates a feminine and romantic vibe; a shorter “messy” pixie has more sass and attitude, which is perfect for that rebellious side of your personality.
Inverted Bob
The inverted bob takes an old classic and adds a new youthful twist. It might also be called a graduated bob in some circles, but the general premise is the same – to cut the hair in a way that causes it to flip under rather than outward. This is often achieved with the use of almost nonexistent layers that stack the hair into the desired position. This is another incredibly versatile style that works with a variety of hair textures. A short curly bob looks glamorous and old-fashioned in the best way possible, while a slightly longer straight bob has a more brazen attitude.
Slicked Back Hair
Slicked-back hair is one of the hottest trends in Hollywood and around the world. If you have thinning hair, the modern slicked-back look can help hide any areas that you feel insecure about, all while making you look glamorous and chic. To achieve it, just use a medium-hold matte pomade or gel to slick it back and hold it into place – along with a few bobby pins, if needed. The resulting look is red carpet ready, but it’s also perfect for work, school, or a night out with friends.
Short Afro with Tapered Sides
The short afro with tapered sides is a natural style that will keep your hair looking healthy and full. This short haircut offers ample volume on top contrasted by very close-cut hair on the sides. This style looks just as beautiful paired with an evening gown or cocktail dress as it does with your favorite pair of jeans. Sure to turn heads, the best part is that it’s incredibly easy to maintain.
Blunt Lob
The blunt lob is a slightly longer version of its chic and sassy cousin, the blunt bob. It is ideal for women who have naturally fine hair or hair that is beginning to thin since the blunt cut ends give the illusion of much thicker hair. The classic look involves cutting stick-straight hair right at the shoulders, then parting it down the center and taming any flyaways that may occur. If you want a style that is classic, youthful, and easy to recreate in the morning before you head out the door, the blunt lob is a top contender.
Short Choppy Cut
The short choppy cut is anything but boring. It resembles a grown-out pixie cut that has received regular attention from an experienced stylist thanks to its wispy layers from the fringe to the nape of the neck. These layers frame the face in a way that brings sophistication and sex appeal to the table at the same time. It’s ideal for women who have fine or thin hair because the layers take the attention away from the hair and focus it on the eyes, instead. It’s a young, fresh, and sexy take on a classic style.
Cropped Blunt Bob
The cropped blunt bob is the classic bob’s little cousin, and it’s every bit as sleek and sophisticated. If your hair is noticeably thinning, this cut will revitalize the lift and volume you crave. Cropping the hair at or just above the chin removes a significant amount of weight, and the blunt ends give the hair a much fuller and healthier appearance. Whether you’re headed to a formal dinner or you’re off to the beach for the weekend, this cut is beautiful, versatile, and downright stunning.
Loose Wavy Layers
Loose wavy layers can replenish youthful volume and movement while perfectly framing your face. As you grow older, your hair starts to lose its volume and fullness, but that doesn’t mean you have to adopt a short haircut. Cutting the hair just below the shoulders allows for ample length, and the addition of long layers throughout the hair creates contrast that makes the hair appear fuller. It’s easy enough to style with a big-barreled curling iron and a bit of volumizing mousse, and if you want a beachy windblown look, just spritz on some sea salt texturizing spray.
Textured Styles
If your hair has a natural texture that ranges from beachy waves to kinky curls, textured styles can help you regain lost volume and fullness. These styles range from wavy, tousled pixie cuts to curly bobs with bangs, and they encompass everything in between. A great example of a volumizing style that embraces natural texture is a shoulder-length layered cut for curly hair. The addition of the layers adds some significant bounce to curls, and this creates lift and fullness. Talk to your stylist about some options for your face shape and hair type.
Middle Part
A middle part is one of the simplest ways to add some interest to virtually any style. If you have long fine or thin hair and you are looking for a transition into shorter locks, a shoulder-length shag haircut that has been gently tousled and parted down the middle is a great option. It can take years off your appearance and provide you with a sexy and flirty yet sophisticated style. Taking off inches of length immediately restores volume while adding in some shaggy layers creates the contrast that makes this cut so popular.
Waterfall Braids
Waterfall braids can be a wonderful option if you are looking for a hairstyle that will add some feminine interest to your ‘do. This half French braid features a partially braided style while the other part flows downward like a waterfall. The look works well with thin hair because it requires very little hair to do. It’s incredibly simple to learn, but it looks like it took ages to have it styled professionally. It has a romantic and almost bohemian vibe, so it’s perfect for date nights, shopping trips, or even lunch with friends.
Pixie with Shaved Sides
A pixie with shaved sides takes the classic pixie cut to a much bolder, more daring, and edgier level than ever before. This beautiful cut starts like any other pixie on top, but the sides are completely shaved (or buzzed incredibly short) to provide raw contrast. If you are dying to let your rebellious side shine through but your fine hair keeps you away from the big hairstyles, this is a perfect alternative. You can make it a little gothic by dying it black, or you can go bold and choose a lavender, silver, or pure white color, instead.
Long Layered Hair
Long layered hair is an awesome way to give your fine or thin hair some major movement and bounce. Rather than cutting all your hair short, this style involves several layers of varying lengths that provide incredible lift and contrast. You’ll get the best results if you wrap each layer around a big-barreled curling iron; the tousled loose waves and curls help your hair look larger than life. For an added boost, utilize some volumizing mousse at the roots and give the underside of your hair a quick tease before curling.
A-Line
The A-line haircut gained popularity back in the 2000s and is still one of the trendiest styles of the season, especially among women who have fine hair. This is an angled cut that is longer in the front and shorter in the back, and it can be styled in dozens of different ways. A simple side part with minimal contrast between lengths is viewed as sophisticated and professional; meanwhile, a slightly choppier layered cut with significant contrast between lengths is a bit more daring and modern. For very fine hair, you might even get stacked layers in the back to add some additional volume.
Midi Shag with a Cute Fringe
A midi shag with a cute fringe is a popular style for women who have thinning hair thanks to its unique layering. Some layers are cut fairly short; others are left as long as shoulder length. The addition of fringe provides an illusion of thickness, especially when it has been blunt cut or cut to blend in with the rest of the hair like curtain bangs. The midi shag is perfect for women who have straight or wavy hair, but women who have very curly hair may find that the layers simply create too much lift in their curls.
Undercut
Though the classic undercut is usually reserved for women with incredibly thick hair who want to remove some of its weight and heft, it can also work wonders for women with fine hair by providing contrast in the hairstyle. Pairing an undercut with a simple pixie cut, for example, adds a vibrant, bold element to a classic look. The undercut looks great on the sides of a pixie cut, but it can also be placed only on one side and paired with a deep side part for extra contrast.
Classic Bob with Side Bangs
As your hair grows thinner, length gets more difficult to achieve, especially at the ends. It can be difficult to let go of your long locks, but the classic bob with side bangs makes that transition sophisticated and fun. The classic version of this cut features blunt ends that brush the top of the chin, but the addition of side bangs creates an illusion of fullness at the crown that makes your hair appear thicker. If your hair is very dark, try pairing your new cut with a color that’s a few shades lighter than your natural shade. It can help reinforce the illusion of more voluminous hair.
Curly Short Hair
Curly short hair comes in dozens of unique varieties, from short spiral curls that tend to take on a life of their own to a curly classic bob. If you’re looking for something that suits your rebellious side and allows you the freedom to create a unique look, then the grown-out, side-swept pixie look might be a perfect choice. It involves leaving your hair longer in the front and on top and tapering it down to an inch or two in the back and on the sides. Paired with a deep side part and some volumizing mousse, you can create some insane lift and an edgy rock-and-roll vibe.
Tapered Pixie Cut
The tapered pixie is very similar to the classic pixie, but it’s full of attitude and audaciousness. To achieve it, your stylist will leave the hair on the very top and crown of your head at the standard pixie length – about two inches or so. From there, your hair will taper down to a buzz cut around your ears and at the nape of your neck. The idea is to style the top and crown with mousse or pomade that gives it a significant lift, which is perfect for women who have very fine or thin hair. This cut does require some maintenance, especially if your hair grows quickly, but salon visits are usually fairly short.
Side Swept Hair
If your hair is thinning on top, side-swept hair is a great way to cover any areas of insecurity while looking as daring or as chic as you please. For example, if you want a look that is feminine and romantic, try a side-swept ponytail with a few curls at the ends. On the other hand, if your hair is short and you’re looking for something more unique, you might want a completely side-swept pixie cut in which all the hair on your head sweeps in one direction. Finally, for something in between, a short side-swept messy style might be your favorite look.
Messy Waves
Long messy waves can give you the volume you’re missing without sacrificing your length to do it. Longer hair tends to weigh itself down, and for women with fine hair, that can lead to a significant loss of volume. The addition of layers can restore that volume without the need to cut your hair short. This style looks amazing with some natural waves and a middle part, especially when you use a texturizing pomade to separate the individual waves and give it the “messy” look.
Long Sleek Ponytail
The long sleek ponytail is one of the best styles for women who have thin hair and want a casually cute look. This ponytail is easy to wear and all you need to do is slick all your hair back and secure it at the nape of your neck with an elastic. For flair, you can take a thin section of your ponytail and wrap it around the elastic to hide it. Low ponytails tend to work best for fine or thin hair because they don’t pull or tug, and you can dress yours up a bit with a cute barrette or bow to make it your own.
Top Knot
A top knot is essentially a bun that’s placed high up on the head. A messy knot works especially well for women who have thin hair because it affords the illusion of volume. To do it, simply create a messy bun as you normally would, but put it on the crown of your head instead of in the back. You can even turn this into a half-up, half-down ‘do, which creates the illusion of even thicker hair. This is a cute, functional style that will serve you well at home and out on the town.
Pixie Bob with Long Bangs
A pixie bob with long bangs is a mashup between a pixie cut and a bob that creates a trendy look. The longest part of the hair is the bangs, which look amazing when side-swept and pulled forward. The deep side part creates a contrast between the short length of the pixie on one side and the longer length of the bob on the other. Though this look is perfect for women who have fine or thin hair, the overall asymmetry makes it adventurous and fun – especially when paired with bold colors.
Brushed Back Hair
Brushed-back hair is growing in popularity, and it’s very well suited for women who have thinning hair. It’s as simple as it sounds; simply brush your hair back from the forehead and hold it in place with your favorite styling product. You can use a matte product for a more natural look or go for some shine spray if you want something glamorous. This style works best with straight hair that is at least shoulder length. If yours is wavy or curly, you can still achieve this look with some preparation and styling.
Pompadour
The pompadour is a cool hairstyle that has been treading in recent years. The pomp can be great for thin hair when you want volume and height for a stylish look. While there are many different variations of this edgy style, the straight-up pompadour with a classic undercut remains the most popular. It is an adventurous look that isn’t for the faint of heart, but the women who pull it off do so with grace and femininity.
Short Wispy Waves
Short wispy waves are the ultimate face-framing hairstyle for women who have fine or thinning hair. The asymmetrical cut paired with the expertly placed layers and curls creates a bouncy, feminine look that is charming and intriguing. This cut works with a variety of hair textures, and while it does require some maintenance and styling to look its best, it’s well worth the effort. To make your facial features stand out, ask your stylist for some face-framing highlights. The contrast between the light layers around the face and the darker layers in the back brightens the face and makes it appear more youthful.
Forward Swept Style
The forward-swept style is another daring, yet popular look for women who want to make the most of their fine hair texture. It works beautifully with straight and wavy hair, and it can even look awesome with curly hair if you have an exceptional stylist. The premise of the look is that all the hair is swept forward, but it may be swept to the side, as well. It looks great with a classic pixie, especially if you add an undercut for a bit of contrast.
Side Swept Bob
As one of the most popular styles right now, the side-swept bob is a modern take on the classic chunky bob that offers some unique texture and flair to thin hair. The chunky layers and fringe meld together to create a surprising amount of volume, but the longest layer still boasts the blunt edges that create the illusion of thicker hair.
Long Messy Hair
Long messy hair creates contrast in fine hair and helps to trick the eye into seeing thicker hair. To create the “messy” look, stylists will utilize several techniques that range from adding layers and long fringe to sweeping all the hair to one side. The messy waves are the star of the show, though; the big waves and curls cascade around each other to provide the illusion of thick, luscious locks. Adding some volumizing mousse at your roots while your hair is still damp can not only add lift at the roots, but it can also help to separate the curls and waves throughout the length. It’s sexy and feminine, continuing to be one of the hottest trends for fine hair.
Popular Haircuts For Thin Hair
The most popular haircuts for women with fine hair include the textured bob, longer pixie cut, wavy lob, short shaggy look, half up half down, choppy cuts and layered styles. These stylish hairstyles will make your thin hair appear thicker, adding volume and dimension for a cute and easy look.
Fine vs Thin Hair
The difference between fine and thin hair is all about texture and density. Fine hair means the strand is smaller in diameter or circumference, while thin hair suggests fewer follicles and less growth on the scalp. Simply put, fine hair refers to the thickness of a strand and thin hair characterizes growing density. Most people use these terms interchangeably.
