Getting the right haircut to adequately flatter your features and hair texture will instantly elevate your look, and particularly if you have thinning or limp strands you can utilize a new style to give your locks a boost and hide patches of hair fallout. However, if you head into the salon without knowing what to ask for, you run the risk of ending up with a style that may further exacerbate the issue, drawing more attention to the sparse patches and removing any volume your locks may be capable of achieving.
As you search for inspiration for your next big cut, we spoke with hair expert and cosmetologist, Ghanima Abdullah and hair stylist Gina Rivera to find out the three most problematic styles for thinning and limp hair that you should avoid to best embrace your texture.
Too Many Layers
When cut correctly, layers can help to add volume and movement to your hair that can create the illusion of thicker locks. But getting too many layers can have the opposite effect, making your hair appear even more limp than before. “Haircuts that are texturized too much can make thin hair appear even thinner, rather than full,” explains Rivera. “While shags are popular, it’s important to be very careful not to over layer if the hair is thin as it can make the hair hard to work with and lifeless.”
This is not to say that layers are totally out of the question if your hair is on the thinner side, but Abdullah suggests starting out with just a few longer strands and seeing how this looks before delving into a choppier style.
Mega-Short Pixie
Cutting off the length of your hair can allow your locks to appear denser and more thick, but going too short on the top of your pixie cut may not be ideal for thinning strands, warns Abdullah. “If you decide to go with short hair, try to avoid a pixie that's short on the top of your head. This can really emphasize thinning on top,” she says. “The look is worse if you decide to spike the hair with gel, as you'll really start seeing a lot of scalp that way.”
If the pixie cut is still calling you, Abdullah suggests trying a cut with longer strands on the top of the head that can help to hide thinning patches while still achieving that edgy look. “If you wear the top as a bang, it will also look very chic,” she says.
Bob with Center Part
The middle part is arguably one of the most stylish styles at the moment, and as more and more celebs opt for chic bobs instead of longer locks, you may be tempted to do the same. However, if your hair is on the thinner side, this look may accentuate the lack of volume at your roots, making your hair type more apparent. “Many times, thinning starts right in the area of the part if you've been wearing one in the center of your hair for some time,” says Abdullah. “A side part can help maneuver hair to cover thinning. An A-line bob that's shorter in the back can help a lot too.”
The benefits of an A-line bob is that your hair will naturally gain more volume in the back, enhancing movement and allowing you to look young and fresh. With a side part, Abdullah says, your hair will look as thick as possible.
