The bob is often touted as the ideal haircut for fine or thinning hair. In many ways this is true: the chin-length style removes dead weight and split ends. It gives your hair the appearance of more volume and can be customized to suit a number of face shapes and facial features. In short it’s a great haircut and a modern classic for a reason.
If your hair is fine or thinning though, it’s important to stay away from certain bob cuts that can make ends look straggly and give the illusion of less hair than you actually have. We’ve revealed three of the most unflattering bob hairstyles for women with fine, thinning hair, as well as what you can try instead for more volume.
1. Don’t Get: Overly Choppy Bob
An overly choppy bob haircut is one that is defined by lots of layers throughout your hair. You may think that the more layers you have the more volume you’ll wind up with, but there’s a fine point between some layers for body and excess layers, which makes your hair look choppier and thinner at the ends. Layering is an artistic technique that requires a light hand sometimes, especially if your hair is fine or thin.
2. Do Get: Bob With Light Layering
Keep the layers, but make them lighter and concentrated on top of your hair for more fullness at the crown. Avoid cutting into the ends of hair, which can create a too-choppy look that makes hair look thinner.
3. Don’t Get: Blunt Bob With No Layers
Blunt ends can be magical for fine or thinning hair because they bulk up the ends and give strands density. But leaving the top flat and not cutting any layers at all into your hair is a missed opportunity to gain body at your crown, which is likely where you most need it.
4. Do Get: Face-Framing Bob
This bob works beautifully on fine or thinning hair because it has subtle layers that are then angled toward the face to highlight facial features. It’s like makeup in a haircut.
5. Don’t Get: Bob With Razored Ends
Taking a razor to the ends of hair is a hair-cutting technique that works on many hair types by giving them plenty of texture and body. But if your hair is thin or fine, razored ends can appear choppy and more straggly.
6. Do Get: Bob With Bangs
Bangs paired with a bob give you an incredible, elevated look. Speak with your stylist about the bang type that works best on your face shape and hair type. If full-on bangs are too extreme, a side-swept bang provides the same sophistication without the commitment to styling traditional bangs.
