It’s no secret that a great haircut can be truly transformative. When it’s thoughtfully chosen and expertly executed, it doesn’t just frame your face—it brings out the very best in your natural hair texture, too.
Thin hair is completely normal and far more common than you might think. Genetics play a role, of course, but factors like hormonal shifts, stress, or illness can also lead to extra shedding over time.
If you’ve noticed your strands looking a little wispier than usual and you’re craving the illusion of fuller, thicker hair, take comfort in this: the right haircut can work wonders. From clever layering to strategic shaping, there are plenty of chic, low-effort styles that instantly dial up volume—no matter your hair type.
What are the best haircuts for thin hair?
According to hair stylist Scott Ade, thin hair tends to be weakest around the front hairline. “Trying to hold on to too much length or weight in this area can be counterproductive,” he explains. “Shorter, well-placed layers around the front help the hair appear thicker, while adding width and texture.” His go-to inspiration is “variations on a seventies shag cut.”
And while it might sound contradictory, adding layers to the hair but making the ends themselves blunt will allow the thinner strands to grow out with the illusion of thickness, without emphasizing any sparse areas or stringy ends (check out our inspo below for some examples).
What are the best haircuts for short, thin hair?
When going shorter, it’s all about avoiding a see-through crown. Ade advises opting for a shape with a little more weight and layers. “This keeps the silhouette flattering and creates the illusion of density, rather than flatness.”
Hairstylist and salon founder Samantha Cusick agrees, recommending short bobs or pixie cuts with soft, internal layers. “They add body without thinning the hair out,” she says.
For curly and coily hair types, the focus should always be on shape and hair health. “Low-tension styles are key,” Cusick advises. “Layers can add movement and fullness, as long as weight is kept where it’s needed. The goal is balanced, voluminous hair that's never overworked.”
The best haircuts for medium and long, thin hair
Long bangs and face-framing layers are everywhere right now, and thin hair wears them particularly well.
“A few shorter layers at the crown can help lift flatter areas,” says Ade. “No haircut can defy gravity entirely, but the right layering adds texture and body, which makes a huge difference.”
Adding textured bangs can also be a game-changer. “It draws the eye forward, creating the illusion of density at the hairline,” Cusick explains. “Curtain bangs or soft bangs work best, go for feathery, not wispy.”
How to style thin hair
When it comes to styling, restraint is key. Piling on products can weigh the hair down, so keep things light.
Ade recommends applying a volumizing mist, then rough-drying with a diffuser while lifting the hair for movement. “Use medium heat and medium power,” he advises. “Over-drying is when you lose volume.”
For hair that falls flat quickly, Cusick suggests an old-school trick: Velcro rollers at the crown while the hair cools. “It’s simple, but it makes such a difference,” she says.
The best haircuts for thin hair
Shaggy layers
A mid-length cut with a side part
A textured bob with blunt ends
Face-framing bangs
A soft wavy bob
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
