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Flat Hair Over 50? Stylists Share 9 Worst Haircuts That Make It Look Worse

April 3, 2025 by Lisa Cupido

 
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Flat hair isn’t uncommon — if you struggle because your roots have zero lift, there are things you can do to boost your hair’s volume. For starters, washing your hair with a shampoo and conditioner that are appropriate for your hair type will go a long way. Got fine hair? Find a quality shampoo that’s designed for your fine hair (those labels mean something). After you’ve got your hair-washing routine down to a science, there are myriad root-lifting sprays, mousses, and volumizers that are there to help flat hair look more lifted and glam.

But the right haircut is the key to everything else that follows, including your haircare routine and essential products. Finding the haircut that makes your flat hair sing can take some trial and error. On your quest to perfect hair, make sure you’re aware of which haircuts and styles are likely not going to do you any favors.

These nine haircuts are usually unflattering for flat hair — and can make it look worse.

1. Long Straight Hair


We sometimes associate long straight hair with youth and a carefree attitude. But when your hair is thinning or all-around thinner that it used to be, this style can make the ends of your hair appear straggly and the roots will just look flat. Considering long layers can immediately give your hair a major boost.

2. One-Length Bob


The bob haircut is one of the best for hair that craves volume. Keep the ends blunt if you like that look, but add a few layers to maintain movement — or else your hair can look flat.

3. Bangs and No Other Layers


Love the look of full bangs? Consider creating more softness and volume in your hair by also cutting layers that frame the face so that your fringe is part of a more cohesive look that doesn’t fall flat.

4. Flat Pixie With No Layers


The pixie is another great haircut, along with the bob, for perking up thinning hair and giving it instant polish. Don’t make the mistake of thinking all pixies have to look the same, with super-short pieces and no movement. You can keep some of your layering on top a little longer and texturized to create more volume.

5. Straight Lob


The collarbone-length lob is perfect for anyone who appreciates the shape of a bob, but would like a little more length to play with. But if you have thin hair that’s flat at the top, keeping your lob straight with no layering may give you length, but force you to compromise on volume. A simple solution is to add texture to your lob with heatless curls or, if you have a natural wave, by scrunching your hair and using a diffuser.

6. Shag With Minimal Layering


In order to achieve shag haircut greatness, this style needs enough layers to keep it from looking like a poorly cut regular layered style. Be prepared for lots of layering, including longer and shorter pieces that frame your face.

7. Too Many Layers


Too many layers are the definition of too much of a good thing. When your hair is overly layered, and especially when those layers appear at the bottom of your hair, your strands can appear thin and straggly. Make sure you choose a stylist who listens to you and understands your hair type so that your layers work with your overall haircut shape.

8. Medium Cut With No Layers


Shoulder-length hair with zero layers is a difficult look to pull off because it’s just slightly too long for most fine hair types to maintain volume. Do your medium hair a favor and add layers that boost its body.

9. Flat Hair Color


Flat hair plus flat hair color equal — you guessed it — a flat style. Hair that’s all one color and too dark or too light can make your hair look even thinner and flatter. Adding a few highlights or balayage can make a world of difference, even before your stylist grabs the scissors and gives you a great cut.

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