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26 hairstyles that give thin hair a fuller, more voluminous look

Flat and limp strands will be a thing of the past.

By , Marielle Marlys,
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Hair has a sneaky habit of becoming finer and thinner with age, making it that bit harder to find a hairstyle that's genuinely flattering. It's easy to envy those with thicker locks that naturally boast volume, but don't worry — all hair hope is not lost. Here at GH, we've called on the hair pros to share the best hairstyles for creating the illusion of fuller, thicker-looking hair.

But first, it’s important to note the difference between fine hair and thinning hair. 'Thin hair refers to density, essentially, how many hairs are growing on the scalp within a given area,' says Emily DeNard, certified trichologist and founder of Emunah Beauty. 'Fine hair refers to the diameter of each individual hair strand. You can absolutely have both thin and fine hair at the same time, or one or the other.'

It's important to understand the difference. While both fine and thinning hair will benefit from techniques that create the illusion of volume, thinning strands needs to be treated with care. If your hair is currently thinning, she suggests first working on improving your hair density by prioritising 'low-tension, low-damage styles and minimal heat or chemical processing.'

Once your density is near a place where you feel comfortable, Sarah Lund, hairstylist and director of education for Kevin Murphy, says you may want to ask your stylist for a volume-enhancing haircut, like an asymmetrical or blunt bob or consider other styling options, like using dry shampoo and thickening sprays to create texture. Ready for your next look? Take hair inspiration from our favourite celebrities below.

1

Curtain Bangs

hairstyle for thin hair
Theo Wargo

Searching for a simple way to define your facial features? Introducing curtain bangs. These longer bangs will flatter most hair types and face shapes, plus they're especially great for those with thin hair, as they add face-framing volume. Nicole Kidman got the memo!

2

Vintage Undercurl

hairstyle for thin hair
Michael Buckner

For a touch of old Hollywood glam, try a vintage-inspired hairdo that flares and curls right at the ends — perfect for women with long bobs like Pamela Anderson.

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3

Ribbony Highlights

priyanka chopra hairstyles for thin hair
Steve Granitz//Getty Images

Long and layered hair like actress Priyanka Chopra's gets an extra oomph with fine, light-reflecting highlights. On thinner hair, these give the appearance of fullness.

4

Deep Side Part

hairstyle for thin hair
Variety

Give yourself a deep side part like Hannah Waddingham's — it's the easiest and fastest way to create dramatic oomph. It creates height and fullness, and Sarah offers this pro tip: 'Switch your part up when hair becomes limp to revive the full feeling.'

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5

Curly Bob

hairstyle for thin hair
WWD

Embrace your natural texture as Halle Berry does with a curly bob. 'If your hair is naturally curly, allowing those curls to do their thing can create beautiful volume without repeatedly straightening the hair,' Emily says.

6

Asymmetrical Bob

cameron diaz asymmetrical bob haircut
Jason Merritt/TERM//Getty Images

A layered, asymmetrical bob — like actress Cameron Diaz's — is one of the best hairstyles for making thin hair appear more voluminous. The unevenness of the cut gives the hair dimension while also offering volume and movement.

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7

Voluminous Curls

hairstyle for thin hair
Samir Hussein

Blow drying fine strands into voluminous curls creates a look that has body and movement, as seen on Catherine, Princess of Wales. 'Blow-drying allows you to 'set' your hair from wet to dry to create volume and longevity in your style,' says Sarah. 'I recommend blow-drying with your hands, moving the hair around in all directions to get lots of movement and volume.'

8

Middle-Part Bun

zoe saldana hairstyles for thin hair
Dominik Bindl//Getty Images

Take a cue from actress Zoe Saldaña and wear your hair in a low bun or ponytail. This sleek style doesn't rely on volume to make an impact, making it an ideal option for those with fine hair. If your hair is thinning, however, avoid pulling it back too tightly, as tension can put strain on fragile strands.

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9

Wispy Bangs

haircuts for mature women
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis

Yes, Nicole Kidman has tried just about every type of fringe. If your hair is on the finer side, you don't want to detract from your overall volume by cutting blunt bangs. Instead, opt for a wispy fringe.

10

Messy Bun

hairstyle for thin hair
Dia Dipasupil

Whether it's for a casual night in or dinner out, messy buns work every time. Tease your hair, then pull it all on top of your head and secure loosely. Finish by picking out a few stands, like JLo.

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11

Loose Waves

hairstyle for thin hair
Monica Schipper

The combination of waves and soft highlights on Catherine Zeta Jones creates depth and volume in her hair. 'Adding waves increases that fullness and texture,' says Sarah.

12

Loose Updo

hairstyle for thin hair
Ernesto Ruscio

A loose updo is a go-to hairstyle for thin-haired women. Create tons of volume by teasing your hair before pulling it back. Leave a few pieces out in the front, like actress Gillian Anderson, for the ultimate thickening effect.

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13

Feathery Layers

jennifer aniston hairstyles for thin hair
Steve Granitz//Getty Images

Opt for light layers that frame your face, like actress Jennifer Aniston. Fine hair allows feathery layers to have tons of movement and definition.

14

Teased Soft Curls

hairstyle for thin hair
Pierre Mouton

Penélope Cruz's hairstyle shows us how a curling iron and a little bit of teasing at the root can go a long way.

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15

Choppy Pixie

hairstyle for thin hair
Karwai Tang

Pixie cuts can make your hair appear thicker and create a voluminous profile. Actress Natalie Portman styled hers with choppy layers for maximum dimension.

16

Sleek Bob

lucy liu hairstyles for thin hair
Jim Spellman//Getty Images

If you'd prefer to keep your hair unlayered, go for a chin-length bob, like actress Lucy Liu. This short style keeps your hair bouncy and looking fresh.

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17

Super Sculpted

hairstyle for thin hair
Robino Salvatore

Glenn Close demonstrates a genius way to fake volume on her short hair: Use a heavy-duty sculpting pomade to keep strands from falling flat.

18

Long Layered Waves

hairstyle for thin hair
Frazer Harrison

Demi Moore's length and layers are perfect for those with fine hair, says Sarah. 'Long soft layers create movement and make creating volume easier as the hair is lighter,' she says.

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19

Bronde Highlights

hairstyle for thin hair
Rick Kern

Highlights are a simple way to add the illusion of texture to thin hair and Jane Seymour's bronde strands are no exception. A good stylist will be able to strategically place highlights to brighten your complexion.

20

Slicked-Back

hairstyle for thin hair
JB Lacroix

A slicked-back bob never fails to turn heads and Sharon Stone is all the evidence needed. Just remember to slick your hair back when it's dry, because if you do it when it's wet, your hair could appear separated and thinner.

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