This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more expert insight.
There are many factors that cause us to lose our hair, such as a diet filled with carbs and refined sugars, the overuse of silicones, or heat-styling hair. But did you know that the wrong haircut is one of the biggest culprits for making thin hair look thinner? That’s right—although your washing and styling habits are undoubtedly important, the first step to boosting volume is the right cut.
We checked in with hair experts, stylists and professionals to learn more about 4 flattering options that you can ask for the next time you’re sitting in the salon chair. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles, Gina Rivera, celebrity hair stylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites, Jean Will, hair expert and co-founder of NiaWigs Inc., and Jess Poynter, hair stylist at Sola Salon Studios.
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, and explains that this style is "so hip that it's perfect for making our ladies in their prime look super chic."
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. Piecey Pixie Cut
But if you don't want your pixie to be so edgy, opt for a piecey pixie cut that is always timelessly chic.
"While you don't have to go super super short on the sides, incorporate a style that leaves you longer on top to give a more youthful styling," says Poynter. "It's easy to maintain [style-wise], but you'll have to go into the salon for regular cuts, at least around the ears and at the nape."
For ladies with high cheekbones and sculpted jaws like Michelle Williams, this cut will draw attention to your best features, allowing you to look more symmetrical.
4. Asymmetrical Bob
A textured asymmetrical lob or bob is a "terrific 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." Additionally, 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."
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.
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.
Even though figuring out which haircut works best for your thinning hair can be a time-consuming and pricey journey, it's important to invest in quality haircuts that give your hair the opportunity for growth and prevent further thinning.
