15 Hairstyles for Thin Hair

Hey there, my fine-haired friends! Can we talk for a sec about the struggles of having thin hair? I mean, don’t get me wrong – I love my hair. But some days, it feels like I’m trying to style a handful of cotton candy instead of actual hair. Anyone else feel me on this?

So, grab your coffee (or wine, I don’t judge), and let’s dive into the 15 hairstyles that actually worked for my thin hair. Trust me, if these styles can make my baby-fine strands look good, they’ll work miracles for you too!

1. The Textured Bob: My New BFF

Okay, let’s start with the style that literally changed my life: the textured bob. I was terrified to cut my hair short at first (isn’t long hair supposed to make thin hair look fuller?), but this style proved me so wrong.

The key is to ask your stylist for lots of choppy layers. These layers create the illusion of thickness and give your hair some much-needed movement. I style mine by rough-drying my hair, then using a small flat iron to create some random bends and waves. A spritz of texturizing spray, and boom! I’ve got hair that actually looks like it has some body.

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to embrace a little messiness with this style. The more “undone” it looks, the fuller your hair will appear.

2. The Deep Side Part: Instant Volume Boost

This one’s so simple, it almost feels like cheating. But trust me, it works wonders for thin hair. All you do is flip your hair over to the opposite side of your usual part. That’s it!

The reason this works is that your hair gets used to laying in a certain direction. When you switch it up, you create instant volume at the roots. I like to use a rat-tail comb to create a super deep part, then blast the roots with some dry shampoo for extra lift.

Bonus: This style works great on second (or third… or fourth) day hair. In fact, it often looks better when your hair is a little dirty!

3. The Faux Hawk: Edgy and Full of Body

Now, before you run for the hills, hear me out. I’m not talking about the punk rock mohawks of the ’80s. This is a softer, more feminine version that works surprisingly well for thin hair.

To create this style, I start by teasing the hair at my crown for some serious volume. Then, I smooth the sides back and secure them with bobby pins, leaving the top section loose and voluminous. A bit of hairspray to hold it all in place, and I’m left with a style that’s edgy, fun, and makes my thin hair look anything but flat.

4. The Messy Bun: Not Just for Thick-Haired Girls

I used to think messy buns were off-limits for us thin-haired ladies. But with a few tricks, we can rock this style too!

The secret is in the prep work. I start by spraying dry shampoo all over my hair for texture and grip. Then, I tease my hair at the crown and the spot where I’ll be placing my bun. I gather my hair into a ponytail, but on the last loop through the elastic, I don’t pull the hair all the way through. This creates a loopy bun that I then pin in place and gently tug at to make it look fuller.

The result? A perfectly imperfect messy bun that actually stays put and doesn’t look like a sad little knob on the back of my head.

5. The Pixie Cut: Short and Sweet

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. “Cut off all my hair? Are you crazy?” But hear me out. A pixie cut can actually make thin hair look thicker and fuller.

The key is to go for a pixie with lots of choppy layers on top. This creates the illusion of thickness and gives you tons of styling options. I love to use a texturizing paste to piece out the layers and create a piecey, textured look.

Bonus: This style is super low maintenance. On most days, I just run my fingers through it with a bit of product and I’m good to go!

6. The Half-Up Top Knot: Best of Both Worlds

This style is my go-to when I want to look put-together but still keep that laid-back vibe. Plus, it’s perfect for those days when my roots are a little greasy (we’ve all been there, right?).

I start by teasing the hair at my crown for some extra volume. Then, I take the top section of my hair (from about my ears up) and twist it into a small bun at the crown of my head. I secure it with a few bobby pins, then gently tug at the bun to make it look fuller.

The best part? This style works great with both straight and wavy hair. And it makes the bottom half of your hair look thicker too!

7. Beach Waves: Texture is Your Friend

Beach waves are a thin-haired girl’s best friend. All that texture helps to disguise any lack of volume and gives the illusion of thicker, fuller hair.

I achieve this look by washing my hair at night, then braiding it into two loose braids while it’s still damp. In the morning, I undo the braids and run my fingers through my hair to break up the waves. A little texturizing spray, and I’m good to go!

If I’m short on time, I’ll use a 1-inch curling iron to create some loose waves. The key is to curl random sections in different directions for a more natural, beachy look.

8. The Sleek Low Pony: Thin Hair Can Be Chic Too

Who says thin hair can’t look sleek and sophisticated? This low ponytail is my go-to for when I need to look polished and put-together.

I start by straightening my hair, then applying a smoothing serum to tame any flyaways. I gather my hair at the nape of my neck and secure it with an elastic. To hide the elastic and make the style look more polished, I wrap a small section of hair around it and secure with a bobby pin.

The trick to making this style work for thin hair is to tease the ponytail slightly after you’ve secured it. This gives it some extra body and prevents it from looking too limp.

9. The Braided Crown: Bohemian Rhapsody

I used to think braids were off-limits for thin hair, but this style proved me wrong. The braided crown is not only super pretty, but it also creates the illusion of thicker hair.

I part my hair down the middle, then create a Dutch braid (where you braid under instead of over) on each side of my head, starting from my temples. I braid all the way down and secure each braid with a small elastic. Then, I pull the braids apart slightly to make them look fuller, and pin them across the back of my head to create a crown effect.

This style works best on second-day hair, as the extra texture helps the braids to stay put.

10. The Voluminous Blowout: Fake It ‘Til You Make It

Sometimes, you just need to channel your inner Kardashian and go for big, bouncy volume. And yes, it is possible with thin hair!

The key is in the technique. I start by applying a volumizing mousse to damp hair, focusing on the roots. Then, I flip my head upside down and rough dry my hair until it’s about 80% dry. Next, I use a round brush to blow dry small sections, always pulling the hair up and away from my head for maximum volume.

Once my hair is dry, I set each section in a large velcro roller while it cools. After about 10 minutes, I take out the rollers and flip my head upside down again, using my fingers to shake out my roots. A final blast of hairspray, and I’m left with bombshell volume that lasts all day.

11. The Topknot: High and Mighty

The topknot is my savior on bad hair days. It’s quick, easy, and can make even the thinnest hair look chic.

I start by flipping my head upside down and gathering all my hair at the very top of my head. I secure it with an elastic, then twist the ponytail around itself to create a bun. I secure the bun with bobby pins, then gently tug at it to make it look fuller.

The secret to making this work for thin hair is to use a small sock or hair donut to create the illusion of a fuller bun. Just roll your ponytail around it before pinning everything in place.

12. The Side Braid: Effortlessly Cool

A side braid is a great way to add some interest to thin hair without sacrificing volume. Plus, it’s perfect for those days when you just can’t be bothered to wash your hair (we’ve all been there).

I start by spraying some dry shampoo all over my hair for extra grip and texture. Then, I part my hair deeply to one side and start braiding from behind my ear, incorporating small sections as I go. Once I reach the end, I secure it with a small elastic and gently pull apart the braid to make it look fuller.

Pro tip: If your braid is looking a bit skinny, try pancaking it. This means gently pulling at each section of the braid to flatten it out and make it look wider.

13. The Textured Ponytail: Not Your Average Pony

This isn’t your typical schoolgirl ponytail. The textured ponytail is cool, edgy, and perfect for thin hair.

I start by spraying texturizing spray all over my hair, then use my fingers to rough it up and create some messy texture. I gather my hair into a ponytail at the middle of the back of my head, leaving out a few face-framing pieces. After securing the ponytail, I tease it slightly for extra volume.

The key to this style is embracing the mess. The more textured and undone it looks, the fuller your hair will appear.

14. The Twisted Updo: Elegant and Easy

This style looks way more complicated than it actually is, which is always a win in my book. It’s perfect for special occasions or just when you want to feel a bit fancy.

I start by dividing my hair into two sections. I twist each section away from my face, then combine them at the back of my head and secure with bobby pins. I tuck any loose ends under and secure them as well.

To make this style work for thin hair, I tease each section before twisting it. This creates the illusion of thicker, fuller hair.

15. The Curtain Bangs: Frame Your Face

Last but not least, let’s talk about curtain bangs. These face-framing layers can work wonders for thin hair by adding volume and movement around your face.

I was terrified to get bangs at first, thinking they would make my thin hair look even thinner. But curtain bangs actually had the opposite effect. They added some much-needed volume to the front of my hair and made my overall style look fuller.

The key is to ask your stylist for long, wispy bangs that can be parted in the middle and swept to either side. I style mine by blow drying them with a round brush, curling the ends slightly away from my face.

Wrapping It Up

And there you have it, folks! Fifteen hairstyles that actually work for thin hair. The main takeaways? Embrace texture, don’t be afraid of shorter styles, and remember that sometimes, faking it (with the help of some good products and styling techniques) is totally okay.

Remember, having thin hair doesn’t mean you’re limited in your styling options. It’s all about finding the right cuts and styles that work for your hair type. And hey, if all else fails, there’s always hats, right?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to try that new texturizing spray I just bought. Who knows? Maybe I’ll discover hairstyle number 16!