14 Haircuts Experts Swear By to Make Thin Hair Look Thicker & Fuller

This shoulder-grazing style is slightly shorter in the back than in the front, adding tons of body and shape to create the illusion of fuller hair. Take it a step further by adding a few loose waves at mid-shaft for even more oomph. Dean also adds that the deep side part is your friend. “This works for someone with thin hair because you’re [creating the illusion of fullness].” When styling, he recommends using sponge rollers or another heatless tool to spare your hair the heat damage.

When you want to wear your hair up, a fluffy ponytail can help make everything appear fuller and bouncier—but Dean advises that you may want to consider incorporating some hair extensions and adding a hair bump to the crown of your head to create the shape. Then, spritz your roots with a volume-boosting texture spray before gathering your hair into a loose ponytail. (Follow the Jawline Rule.) Add some extra volume by wrapping your strands around a curling wand in chunks and then pulling out a few face-framing pieces.

While a cut that’s all one length can weigh hair down and make it look flat, feathery layers will do just the opposite. “The key here is that her layers are in the bottom three to four inches of her hair,” Dean explains of Sandra Bullock’s haircut. “[You want to] keep the layers long, towards the ends of [the hair so you don’t take the weight out of it].” At the salon, ask for slightly tapered ends to add extra fluff to the middle strands. Then when styling, apply a lightweight mousse or air-dry foam for body.

“This [haircut’s a] definite [yes] because you have the fringe that helps create some fullness,” Deans tells me. “[Using] sponge rollers would definitely create a lot of fullness.” All that’s to say, the tousled bob gives you one thing: volume. Short layers and feathered ends make this cut super easy to ruffle up for major lift at the root. Work in a sea salt spray to keep it messy and airy.

On the other end of the spectrum, a precise chop can be flattering for fine hair, too. “[This hairstyle is actually better for thinner hair than thicker hair],” Dean says. “Thicker hair can look too bulky [with this cut]. The blunter the cut, the denser your locks appear at the bottom, therefore making them seem thicker. Plus, Dean adds, “It holds the shape and is a nice, sleek, clean line. Ideal for thin hair.”

We know that shaggy layers help with volume and body, but bangs are also a great way to add extra dimension to the front of your face, making your hair look fuller all around. Dean explains that here, Alexa Chung’s bangs work because the fringe is denser, instead of being feathered out like curtain bangs, which would have probably lost their shape. When you go to the salon, ask for shorter layers to give your crown a lift.

This style is the perfect no-fuss haircut for thin-haired ladies. When I asked Dean if the pixie length would be insufficient to cover the scalp, he, in turn, said, “It fills it in and camouflages it. But you would want a texture paste to get a bit of texture and hold.” When it comes to choosing a paste, Dean says you want one that’s water soluble to avoid weighing down your locks. To test, put some on your hand. “If the product rinses off with just water, that means your products are water soluble,” he explains. “If when you rinse your hands, it feels waxy and you need to use some emollient to remove it, then it’s heavy and will build up on your head.” He recommends using a diffuser on low speed while shaping your hair to help with body and texture.

The half-up-half-down is fun and flirty, and the best thing about this hairstyle is that you can pull it off at almost any length. However, this is one of the hairstyles for which you you will, Dean says, need extensions. (But that’s OK—we can’t let the thick-haired folks have all the fun. Plus, extensions are easy to procure, and there will be options that suit all budgets.) To create the top bun, “You’d have to put [a donut] in, roll that into your hair to get this lift, and then you would be adding extensions to get all this fullness.” Texture spray and styling paste can provide additional volume.

Here’s the thing with braids: They actually can make thin hair look thinner. (Speaking from experience—whenever I braid my fine, thin hair, it definitely makes it look like there’s even less of it.) However, the hairstyle is fun, and with some hair extensions, you can still take part with the illusion of some gloriously thick locks. Dean recommends inserting clipped or braided extensions before you begin. Then, you’re ready to try this lovely braid, using the technique known as “pancaking”. Sweep your hair to the side and create a loose braid, tap in some thickening powder or a spritz of texture spray, and then pull each piece out little by little until you reach your desired thickness.

This short, layered style adds volume and movement, creating the illusion of thicker hair. The feathered layers provide texture, making the hair appear fuller. Alvarez says it’s “Absolutely hands down one of the best haircuts for fine hair,” adding that a little texture creme will help boost your hair texture and volume.

The deep side part can create the illusion of volume if done correctly, otherwise, it looks like a cover-up. Alvarez says: “The trick to a deep side part is blow drying your hair toward your part and flipping it over once it’s completely dry. Over-directing the hair in this way will especially help fine-haired individuals achieve maximum volume.”

Mertz is a fan of the lob, telling me that this haircut particularly adds fullness. (I recommend asking for some subtle layers when you’re in the salon.) Alvarez adds that shoulder-length hair is a great thickening hairstyle for thin hair because a cut that’s too long can weigh down fine strands. Mertz notes that the cut lends itself particularly well to curly and wavy hairstyles, which can be easily achieved with a curling iron and light-hold hairspray or sea salt spray.

Similar to the deep side part, curtain bangs also require finessing if thin-haired folks want to pull it off. Because curtain bangs don’t add much thickness and require a lot of hair, hair extensions can be essential. But if you don’t want to go that route, Alvarez tells me that she recommends having your hairstylist “[cut] into the center of the bangs, creating texture within the length of the ends. The idea is that shorter hair pushes longer hair. Those shorter strands will push the bang into the shape and allow for an effective curtain shape.” While it’ll be what she calls a “labor of love,” it can be done and will frame your face beautifully.

Similarly to curtain bangs, the layered shag can be a hit or miss, depending on how you cut and style. Mertz advises opting for longer layers, as if your hair is too thin, it may not have enough volume to support the style. Though, if you don’t go nuts with layering, the technique can work to add body and movement, Alvarez notes. This style works well with natural waves or can be styled with a curling iron for added texture.