As someone with thin, fine hair, I completely understand the struggle of achieving volume, bounce, and fullness. And while I do love the idea of growing my hair out into a long, luscious Rapunzel-esque style, the fact is, my thin hair looks its best when it’s cut shorter. Now, that’s not to say this is a hard and fast ‘rule’ per se; you should wear whichever hairstyle makes you feel most confident and happy. Trends can be fun, but they also should never dictate your personal style and taste.
Why do shorter styles suit thin hair?
With that said, stylists tend to agree that shorter looks most complement thin hair, as they offer the most volume and thickness when it needs it most. “Shorter hairstyles can work really well on finer hair as they tend to give the illusion that the length and bottom of the hair is fuller,” notes Christel Barron-Hough, founder of Stil Salon in London. “Cuts with a blunter edge for one-length haircuts, such as bobs or lobs, are great as they will strengthen fine hair and make it appear more voluminous and thicker, especially around the outline of the haircut.” This also highlights the hair health benefits of shorter styles; thin hair can be more fragile and prone to breakage, so keeping it short with regular cuts can enhance its overall well-being.
What kind of short style works best?
While there are many variations of ‘short’ hairstyles to choose from, Barron-Hough says some form of bob is an easy, effortless look that suits most. “It’s a good choice as it will often create a thicker edge and add volume to fine hair as the main bulk of the hair is sitting together, rather than gapping. This is something that can happen if fine hair is too long,” she explains. For inspo, she looks to celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Lily Collins, and Leslie Bibb.
These days, the options are endless for bobs when it comes to length and style of cut. A ‘classic’ bob tends to sit at the chin or just below, but longer, slightly grown-out styles are also a brilliant choice, especially for those who want to go shorter in stages. These are effective at creating the illusion of body and thickness, particularly when styled in loose, beachy waves.
That said, micro-bobs also have their appeal; super-short French styles that are cut above the jawline can look sharp and weighty at the ends, perfect for thin strands. These look particularly cool when styled straight, and a blunt fringe can also add an edge. Speaking of, any form of bangs can be a cute addition to your short hair; curtain styles are particularly on trend RN.
To visualise what these styles look like, browse the following inspo...
Best short styles for thin hair
