Numerous elements contribute to hair loss, including a diet rich in carbs and refined sugars, excessive use of silicones, and frequent heat styling. However, one often overlooked factor is the wrong haircut, which can significantly accentuate the appearance of thin hair.
While washing and styling routines are crucial, achieving volume begins with selecting the appropriate haircut. To uncover the most flattering options, we consulted with hair experts, stylists, and professionals, and identified seven styles you should consider requesting at your next salon visit.
Read on for suggestions and tips from the pros: Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, Lauren Udoh, professional hairstylist and Hair Creative Director of WigReports, Krysta Guerrero, owner and stylist at Base Salon Chicago and Jean Will, hair expert and co-founder of NiaWigs Inc.
7 Volume-Boosting Summer Haircuts For Fine, Thin Hair
1. Face-Framing Lob with Curtain Bangs
Will suggests adding wispy, parted fringe to a classic layered, face-framing lob for not only a more youthful look overall but also to hide any thinning or hair loss at the crown. "This hairstyle is perfect for women over 40," she explains. "It will help hide their forehead [and any signs of wrinkling or natural aging] to look younger. It is suitable for women who have thick hair, as well as thin." Will points out that this style can emphasize your eyes and cheekbones.
Abdullah agrees, adding that this cut, as seen on Alexa Chung, requires longer fringe parted down the center. This "flatters just about any face at any age," she notes. Curtain bangs, she explains, "neatly frame the face while drawing attention away from serious aging signs." This "type of fringe cut creates a soft, natural-looking wave at the top of the head," Abdullah adds and says they are often used to frame the face and "specifically, to give it a youthful appearance."
The style is "easy to achieve," Abdullah continues, and "looks great on many different hair types." Abdullah also points out that curtain bangs will always be in style because they can "make your face appear smaller and slimmer when they come down to cheek level." When it comes to thinning or finer hair specifically, she says that curtain bangs add volume to flat, thinning hair. "The style works well for women who want to hide thinning hair in the front," she adds. Noted!
2. Side-Parted, Layered Pixie
Another classic cut that can be layered for more volume is a pixie, which Will recommends parting to the side like Scarlett Johansson. The Black Widow alum's style is layered and side-parted but also edgy and dramatic, which is the complete opposite of flat or dull hair. If you want a look that won't look weighed down or lifeless, "this is a perfect cut," Will suggests.
This hairstyle has the power to make "over 40-year-old women look like they are in their 20s," Will continues, saying that it can bring more attention to your best features and "make your face look young."
"A textured, asymmetrical cut" like this one is "another terrific choice for fine hair," Rivera agrees. When heading to the salon, Rivera says to ask for a removal of a bit of length from the hair, which will allow for more "movement and creating a youthful appeal."
3. Asymmetrical Bob
A textured asymmetrical lob or bob is a "great choice for mature beauties," Rivera explains, since it's a perfect blend of classic yet still modern and trendy.
"This style is so hip that it’s perfect for making our ladies in their prime look super chic," she says. "Removing a bit of length from the hair, [adds] movement and creates a youthful appeal." When it comes to styling, Rivera notes that "texturing the hair" creates an "opportunity to remove some of the damaged ends and weight which bring more life to the hair as well."
The thing about a bob is, Abdullah says, "if it's blunt, it will sort of make the ends bunch up when curled lightly and give them more body."
A deep side part (as seen here on Rosamund Pike) is added "to create more volume on the top of the head by literally pushing more hair to one side of your head," and this hairstyle is great for hiding thinning on top if you have any.
4. Italian Lob
If you're looking for a haircut that can make your best features pop while giving your mane an extra boost of volume and bounce, look no further than the Italian lob cut. This style is inspired by Old Hollywood and is a 'do that stylish stars like Salma Hayek often opt for.
The Italian lob takes the traditional bob cut to new heights with chunky blunt ends that create an airy, voluminous look that's never heavy or bulky. It also has just the right amount of length to allow for easy styling options as it's long enough to tie up, but short enough to be worn as is. Udoh says that a medium bob like this is "a sleek and stylish choice for many occasions." She adds that "it's a versatile cut that looks great on almost any face shape and hair type."
The length can be "adjusted to complement your features and create an attractive silhouette," she notes. "This ever-popular lob provides volume at the crown, with textured layers that frame the face nicely while still maintaining an easy-to-manage style," Udoh explains.
5. Bixie
If you can't decide between a bob or pixie, we have good news. You don't have to! A 'bixie' (or bob-meets-pixie) like Jane Fonda's is very in for the summer season, and can be a very flattering and chic choice, Guerrero explains. There are elements of both styles to play with here in this social media-fave cut.
"The bixie is a traditional bob haircut that’s combined with a pixie," she says. "The nice thing about a bixie is its versatility — not only can you adjust the length and opt to have it a little longer, but there is no one way to do it when it comes to the style. The cut is totally customizable based on your preference."
6. Shaggy Lob
A shag is an "amazing cut that is well-recognized for being versatile," Rivera says. A quintessential shaggy lob, as seen on Halle Berry, offers "nice variations for both longer and shorter hair." With a layered lob, "adding a bang can add a fresh surprise to this look," Rivera suggests.
Rivera also deems this to be a "face-framing cut that works well for taking years off," if you wish to. "The shag is also a great style for softening features," Rivera says, as it can take attention away from wrinkles, fine lines or age spots on the forehead as well. For anyone with hair on the longer side, Rivera points out that "an added choice is to shorten the hair up a bit to the collarbone or above" to create some texture by "adding subtle layers to soften."
7. Blunt Lob with Sideswept Bangs
If you want a sleek, trendy and ultimately timeless look, a blunt lob can add youthful-esque fullness, seen here on Emma Stone. “You can make your hair look fuller with a blunt lob,” Abdullah says, as the “bottom of a blunt cut looks full, regardless.” A side swept bang with this, she adds, “helps lift the features even more.”
Abdullah recommends adding wispy sideswept bangs to this hairdo for not only a more radiant look overall, but also to hide any thinning or hair loss at the crown. Bangs that move off to the side, she says look "very youthful and fresh."
The Bottom Line
When it comes to thin hair, it can be a challenging feat to find a low-maintenance haircut that adds extra volume and texture, but it is definitely possible. Experts say that it's important to invest in quality haircuts that give your hair the opportunity for growth and prevent further thinning.
Rivera advises that it’s best to always "consult with your stylist on a maintenance schedule but for those trying to regain hair health, make sure to trim every 4-6 weeks."
