39 Best Hairstyles for Thin or Fine Hair

Thin hair can be a blessing and a curse at the same time. The benefits are that you don’t have to deal with headaches if your hair gets super long because there isn’t enough to pull on your head. Also, when you get your hair done, you don’t have to pay for tons and tons of product. A style that costs you $100 probably costs someone with thicker hair $200.

However, with the good comes a little bit of bad. Thin hair also means that you may not have a whole lot to work with. Sometimes it's super sunny outside, you can easily get a sunburn on your scalp. That part definitely hurts and can suck during the summer.

Another thing that is that you can’t do a lot with your hair – wait, what am I saying? There are several hairstyles that you can do with thin hair that’ll give it a little volume and make you look even more amazing (because you already look pretty dang stellar). These are 39 hairstyles that you gotta try if you’re looking for a few new ideas. Some of them require a little more work than others, but there is something for everyone!

Root touchup powder is great between dyes, but it’s also fantastic for anyone with a thinning hairline. All you have to do is find the color that matches your hair the best. It may take a couple of tries, but don’t be afraid to mix shades for the perfect match.

Once you found your match, apply the powder on your scalp along the hairline or any places you notice some thinning. In just a few seconds, you’ll have the appearance of thicker hair.

Claw clamps were so ‘90s, but they’re back in style (mostly because the 1990s are coming back with a vengeance). Claw clamps are great for those lazy days when you don’t want to spend half an hour to an hour curling your hair.

We love how easy they are to use, and how many looks you can get. The easiest way is to bunch your hair up and clamp it down! You can also leave a little hair out for a waterfall effect or do a little twist. It’s all up to you!

Bobs are great for thin hair. When hair is cut short, there’s less weight, which means your hair has more volume. This makes it looks puffy and buoyant. Choosing layers will also make it look a little more voluminous.

Just make sure to find a good stylist that can shape it perfectly. A good stylist is key to layers. You can get this look by applying mousse to your hair and then using a blow-dryer.

Root lift spray is one of the best products on the market and can accompany any hairstyle. It works by stiffening the roots of your hair, almost like a light spray of hairspray. However, unlike hairspray, it will almost feel like you have nothing in your hair at all.

Not all root lift sprays are made the same. Some will make your hair very stiff and sticky, so it may take a few tries until you find the one that’s right for you. Like with many things in life, you get what you pay for.

Nothing adds more volume to hair like curls. Loose curls are certainly a trend on the red carpet, and more people are choosing curls to wear daily. Why? Because it adds extra volume!

Curls give thin hair the extra lift and body that it needs to look fuller. You can either curl it using a curling iron, or you can get a perm for an easy style that needs little maintenance. You can also let your hair dry in curlers, but don’t sleep in them. This could cause breakage and more damage.  

When in doubt, get a super short haircut. This is a classy haircut that has never gone out of style, and there’s a few good reasons for that. First of all, it’s lightweight. It allows the hair to do what it wants, although a bit of hairspray can tame those wild tresses.

A super short haircut is also easy to take care of and style. The fact you have to use little product means you’re saving money. Finally, it’s cool! What we mean by that is the summer months are way easier to get through without hair on the back of your neck.  

Wild waves are a great, chic style that can boost the appearance of thin hair. All it takes is a little teasing and hairspray. Of course, you can also use mousse or gel if you prefer those products. 

With this style, be careful not to pick a hairspray that will make your hair too stiff. This could give it the opposite effect and make things look fake. There are a number of great hairsprays on the market that allow your hair to move freely while keeping it in place. 

Regular braids are out of style? We really disagree. More and more, braids are showing up on the red carpet. Sure, some go with intense styles, but we prefer the old-fashioned braid. This style looks great as long as you don’t pull it back slick (which can make your hair look thinner).

For this one, all you need to do is braid it, and let it hang from the base of your head naturally. You can French braid the top portion if you want, but that part is totally optional.

Hair accessories are coming back with a vengeance, and that’s great news for anyone with thin hair. By using a hair comb, you’re giving yourself the appearance of having thicker hair.

Plus, you can use the combs to accessorize with any outfit! There are tons of designs, so don’t be afraid to play around. Whether you have a fancy event or a casual weekend out, there’s a hair comb for everything.

When was the last time you wore your part in a different place? Sure, it feels a little odd at first, but moving your part naturally gives your roots extra elevation. If you haven’t tried a deep side part, you’re missing out.

A deep side part creates the illusion of thicker, fuller hair in second. Gotta love those one-second tips to get the appearance of thicker hair. If it’s hard to keep in place during the day, a small spritz of hairspray will do the trick.

Love bangs but hate growing them out? Just pin them back! Thin hair has the benefit of being able to keep their hair in place with few bobby pins. You may need a little spray for hold, but it’s definitely an easy look.

You can disguise the pin by choosing one that’s similar to your hair color. Then, give the pinned bangs a little volume by pulling on them very lightly. Pulling too hard could cause breakage so it’s better to pull too little than too much.  

Honey blonde has tons of dynamic color through high- and low-lights that catch the light as you move around. This color with a little bit of curl really creates a beautiful look that’s almost specifically designed for thin hair.

For honey blonde, getting great high- and low-lights are key. One solid color could make your hair look flat. While you may be tempted to do this one yourself, it’s much better to go to a stylist who can get that perfect shade.  

A pixie cut is a classic for short hair. You can part it down the middle, braid the longer front portion, or pair it with bangs! No one could every guess whether your hair is thick or thin. 

Your wispy bangs should be lightly feathered and look soft. As they grow longer, transition them into side-swept wispy bangs or pin them back.  

Want to look like you just got back from surfing in Fiji? Beach waves are the perfect way to get that look without spending the money. Beach waves give your hair volume with little effort.

A little salt spray and scrunching is all you need. This style lifts your hair away from the face and gives a more voluminous look.

Ever wonder how women get those perfect curls with all that bouncy, volume in social media photos? A blowout. You can do this style yourself or ask your stylist to give you those Instagram-worthy locks.

Doing it yourself will take a lot of practice. We’re not going to lie and say that it’s easy. However, once you get the hang of it, you won’t want to go a day without it. Before you begin attempting a blowout, make sure to use a heat protectant to keep your hair strong.

Have you ever thought about getting hair extensions? They’re a great way to make your hair look fuller, and tons of celebrities use it to “bulk up” their tresses. Have a professional put them on, and then learn proper care.

Hair extensions allow you to style your hair as if it were the real stuff, mostly because it is real! Taking care of them properly ensures a long lifespan. When you’re done with them, a professional can take them out just as easily as they put them in.  

You have to accentuate your best feature – your face! Fringe bangs help frame your face without putting too much effort into your morning routine. It also doesn’t matter if they’re super full or just a few strands.

A skilled stylist should be able to cut your bangs in a way that flatters your face. If you don’t want to cut your hair regularly, go a little shorter. When styling in the morning, blow-dry your bangs to keep them in place.  

To make your hair look thicker in all the right places, put a little extra volume near the back of your head. Creating a subtle bouffant gives the illusion of super thick hair, and it just takes a little teasing.

When teasing, be careful not to be too rough. This could cause breakage. Always tease toward the scalp slowly while using a rattail comb or a boar-bristle brush. Adding texturizer spray will help if you’re not getting as much volume as you want.  

Practice makes perfect with a French braid! If you want something that’s elegant that doesn’t take a ton of hairspray, this style is ideal. After you have it braided, pull on the braids just a tad.

This will make them look larger and fuller. Just be careful not to pull too hard because the braid can come out! You can also try a half-French braid if you’re short on time.  

Whether it’s summer or winter, blonde is always in. For thinner hair, cool blonde is a great color because it catches the light just right. Just make sure to get highlights and lowlights so your hair looks less flat.

To get a little extra shine between stylist visits, you can use a mask. Eggs and apple cider vinegar are two popular ingredients to bring the shine back to your locks.  

A middle part can look great with straight or curly hair. The trick is to train your roots to go to one side for a while, and then switch it up. It’ll create more volume and look thicker.

If you’re not a fan of the deep side part, try the middle part. It provides the same effect for those of us who mostly wear our hair in a deep side part.  

Blow drying and applying heat to your hair can actually cause your hair to look flat and dull, especially after years and years of heat. Even if you use heat protectant, it’s good to let your hair air-dry occasionally.

Allow it to dry and let your roots perk up on their own. You may be surprised how much texture is in your hair by letting it do its thing! If you want an extra lift, try root lift spray.

The Wolf Cut is sweeping the younger generations, but everyone should check it out. The reason it’s fantastic for thin hair is because it’s nothing but layers. That gives your hair plenty of lift and allows air to blow through it unrestricted. Can you say, “natural lift?”

On top of that, the layers are designed to frame your face, so it makes your face look more defined. It’s almost like a modernized shag cut, so you might be able to ask your stylist that without a picture. However, we’re guessing most of them know what a wolf cut is by now.

Wispy layers are great for thin hair because it gives your hair a bit of airiness to it. This makes it appear as though there’s more volume. Not to mention, it’s a hairstyle that works great on a windy day.

More wind means more volume! Just be sure to get enough layers to make the wispy look work. A skilled stylist should be able to create layers that flatter your face.

Layers are your friend. Why? Because it makes the hair lighter, so it gives hair a little bit of a lift. Most people try and get this by getting their hair cut super short, but we’re here to say you can have longer hair even if you have thinning or fine hair!

How? Layers and waves. You can get this easily by curling your hair and then shaking it out. Some have found this look by putting their hair in a ponytail and then separating it into four parts. Then, they curl each section to get this perfect wavy (nearly curly) look.

Framed bangs is another fantastic style that highlights your face in all the best ways. The best part about this style is that you can do whatever you want with the rest of the hair.

You can braid it, put it up in a messy bun, or pull half of it back. The wispier the bangs, the better! You can tease the parts near the crown for a little more volume, too.  

Don’t like the wispy or fringe bangs? Go for side-swept bangs. Celebs have loved his style for the last few years because it’s so versatile. You can use the bangs to pin back, braid, or use a hairpin to pull them to the side.

Side-swept bangs should be blow-dried in the morning when possible. This will help it keep shape throughout the day. Make sure to use a heat protectant and a bit of hairspray for those unruly days.

Blunt hairstyles can be a little tough to pull off, but it can look great with thin hair. It gives your roots a little lift and makes it look like you have thicker hair.

This style looks great with bangs or without. If you want a retro look, you can go with bangs. Without bangs, you can have a really sharp point at the end.

Undercuts are absolutely huge right now, and it’s a great time to give this style a shot. An undercut pixie is a little different because it has the back of the head shaved to a much shorter length than the rest of it.

The style is cooling during the summer and looks great with thinner hair. You can also choose how short you want it – talk about no-hassle hair! The only downside is that you have to get it shaved often to keep the look.

Balayage is a style that was trending quite a bit a few years ago, but that doesn’t mean it’s faded out. It’s still extremely popular for a lot of reasons. Namely, because it can be worn by any hair type.

For thinner hair, it adds a little flair and makes it look like you have so much more hair, especially when you’re moving around. Waves look great with a balayage, but curls look even more stunning.

If you don’t want all over curls, you can simply curl the ends of your hair using a curling iron or curlers. For a little extra lift, tease the roots to puff out the part of your hair that isn’t curly.

For an easy way to get curled ends, put your hair in a ponytail. Then, take a small portion of the end, and curl it. When you’re done, remove the ponytail and fluff out the curl.

A choppy bob is another hairstyle that adds volume to your hair by making it lighter. The less weight you put on your hair, the more volume you’ll have.

Just ask your stylist for a choppy bob. We’d also suggest getting some products to lift the roots a little. This will give you great volume with a small amount of product.  

We’re not gonna lie and say that a fishtail braid is easy. It’s definitely tough and will require a ton of practice. However, when you figure it out, it’ll be your favorite braid.

The style makes it look as though you have more hair than you actually have and highlights any color you have. If you want it to look a little thicker, lightly pull on the outside of the braid.

Nothing adds more volume than a teased crown, but it takes time. You’ll need to use the boar-bristle brush around the entire top of your head. Don’t forget to tease the sides, too.

This will make it look seamless. It’s a classic look that can be worn with your hair up or down. Our favorite style is a teased crown paired with a messy ponytail.

Messy buns are super easy and are an easy go-to for those days that you gotta get stuff done. Because of this, they’ve been trending for years now. What we love about this style is that the messier it looks, the better.

To make things look even more stylish, let a few strands hang down around your ears and forehead to frame your face. Don’t worry if there’s some hair sticking out, because that’s the idea!

The half-up ‘do is definitely possible even if you have thin hair. The trick is to be careful what style you choose. If you choose a half-up bun, fluff up the bun to give it volume.

Half-up can also look beautiful if you pin it back with a beautiful hairpin. This style can be dressed up or down, depending on what you need to do!

Half buns are certainly possible with thinner hair, even thin short hair! Start by putting your hair into a half bun and pull on the edges until it’s a little puffier. For even more volume, you can tease your hair before you put it up. 

If you want to avoid showing your scalp in the back, collect the front sides of your hair only. Pull them back and put them in a bun without touching the hair on the very back of your head.

Color is a girl’s best friend when they have thin or fine hair. No matter the color, it creates this dynamic look that will draw the eyes to the side rather than the hairline.

Ombre is super fun to try with different colors, too! Don’t be afraid to play around. You can even go with unnatural colors for a huge change.

Need a little more fun in your life? Add a streak of color. While this one doesn’t actually make your hair look fuller, it can be a nice little change and draw the eyes away from any spots that may be thinning.

It creates a fantastic focal point that others will focus on. If you feel a little cautious about adding things like blue or red, you can go with lighter colors for dark hair or vice versa. It’s a smaller change that’s easier to get used to.