Something may feel off with your hair — you can’t put your finger on it, but the cut and style aren’t hitting quite right. There’s a good chance the culprit is something small, but not insignificant: the way you’ve been parting your hair is showing sparseness by your scalp or there aren’t enough layers to keep it from looking flat. Whatever the reason, the solution is likely not so far off, either.
There are a number of haircuts you can consider that look youthful and can hide signs of thinning. Similarly, hairstyles and accessories can also do a great job of taking what you’ve got and making the most of it. Here are five to keep on your radar if you’re not completely happy with the current state of your hair.
A Cut That Brings Out Texture
Adding texture to your hair, like waves and curls, is the quickest, most fool-proof way to make thinning hair look thicker and fuller. When you curl your strands, the hair appears to expand and creates width, which tricks the idea into thinking the hair is more voluminous. But the way your hair is cut will help tremendously when it comes to achieving more texture. If your hair is flat and one layer, it’s going to be more difficult to get this look. Ask your stylist instead to layer your hair. If you don’t have natural curls and waves, invest in a heatless curling tool like satin curlers that won’t introduce damaging amounts of heat to fragile hair.
Curtain Bangs
Another super-quick way to make your current haircut look more youthful is by cutting curtain bangs that start off shorter at your forehead and gradually lengthen until they meet the layers of your hair. This ode to the ‘70s cut works on so many women because it frames the face, conceals a few fine lines on the forehead and by the eyes that you might be happy to minimize, and makes a haircut look like an intentional hairstyle — but without any major commitment. They can be styled quickly using a root lifting spray, round brush, and blow dryer.
Bright Highlights
Some of the best tips for more youthful, voluminous hair aren’t even cuts — they’re color and styling suggestions. And this one works every time: add a few brighter highlights that frame the face (aka “money pieces”). Lightening these strands by one to three shades lighter adds dimension to your hair that makes thinning hair appear thicker, while also putting a spotlight on your features and skin.
Classic Blowout
If you love the way your hair looks and feels when you return from the salon with a classic blowout, try to recreate this look at home. With the right products and tools, you may be surprised to learn how easy it is to achieve. Invest in a quality blow dryer and round brushes and apply a root volumizing spray to give your hair lift and bounce. Don’t forget to apply a heat protectant as well, which coats your hair while it’s still damp to protect against the damaging effects of high heat from your blow dryer. If you’re blowing out your hair correctly, this look can last you days and minimize the number of times you have to shampoo your hair each week.
Add Beautiful Headbands & Scarves
Everyone needs a “when all else fails” hairstyle to turn to on those mornings when nothing seems to work and you don’t have time to give yourself heatless curls or a blowout. A beautiful, ornate headband or scarf is magic because it gives you an effortless style that looks expensive and chic, while also concealing sparse areas of the scalp that may make you feel self conscious.
These five cuts and styles are beautiful no matter what your age, but work particularly well if you have thinning hair and want it to look more youthful and voluminous.
