Thin haircan be difficult to style. Trust me—I know. I've tried to make my naturallythin hair look thicker and fuller ever since I was in secondary school and my mum let me get my hands on ahot tool. Since then, I've cycled through plenty of hairstyles, volumising products, and thickening techniques. Some have worked, but most haven't. That's okay. Somewhere along the way, I've learned to live and work with my naturally thin hair (sigh), and the style I choose to wear it in has a lot to do with that. For example, I've learned a slick-straight style doesn't do my thin hair any favours, which is why I tend to go with tousled, textured waves instead.
So yeah, I had my opinions on what hairstyles work best for my thin, medium-length hair, but I was wondering what experts would say on the matter. Was I potentially missing out on a hairstyle that could make my thin hair look thick and full? I decided to find out. Keep scrolling to see thebest hairstyles for thin, medium-length hair, according to expert stylists.
Hairstyle #1: Centre Part With Tousled Waves
(Image credit: @rosiehw)
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's tousled waves give body and movement to the lengths.
Jon Reymanis a hairstylist and founder of Spoke& Weal salons. He says a short, strong style is the best option for people with thin hair. "If the hair is thin and fine, I wouldn't push it further than it can go. A stronger and shorter haircut is best because it gives it a stronger parameter," he advises.
That's where a lob comes in. This style offers movement and body, as well as that strong parameter Reyman speaks of. Just be sure to style it in tousled, textured waves. According to Alicia Bailey Watts,hair textureexpertandglobal education manager at Design Essentials, "loose, textured looks with tousled waves or curls"help "create the illusion of fullness in fine hair."
(Image credit: Getty Images)
These tousled waves frame the face beautifully.
(Image credit: @anthonyholguin)
This long bob is so chic.
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The blunt ends make the hair look even thicker.
Get the look:
T3
Lucea 1-inch Straightening Flat Iron
The only way I ever get my hair to wave is by twisting a flat iron through it. It creates the perfect lived-in look. This one from T3 is good for volume and shine (and preventing damage).
JVN
Complete Nourishing Shine Drops
A shine serum can make a world of difference (especially when styling a sleek, centre-parted lob). This one fromJVNleaves a sumptuous shine without filmy residue.
Hairstyle #2: Deep Side Part With Tousled Waves
(Image credit: @peterluxhair)
A deep side parting instantly lifts hair at the roots for extra volume. We're obsessedwith Simone Ashley's curls.
Take a centre-parted lob and pair it with a deep side part, and you have an instant volume-boosting hairstyle. "After shampooing and conditioning the hair, apply a leave-in conditioner and begin to blow-dry by overdirecting the hair using a round brush to create volume from the roots," Bailey instructs. "Use a flat iron or 1.5-inch barrel iron set on 300° to create waves or large curls. Then, style using fingers to separate the curls or waves to create the tousled look. Seal the deal with the Design Essentials Formations Finishing Spritz (£16) to hold the waves or curls in place to aid in the longevity of the style."
(Image credit: Getty Images)
A side parting instantly adds volume.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Switching your parting to the other side can help you give more volume at the roots.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
So. Much. Volume.
Get the look:
Design Essentials
Formations Finishing Spritz
Bailey recommends sealing the look with this finishing spray from Design Essentials. It holds "the waves or curls in place to aid in the longevity of the style."
Oribe
Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse
HairstylistEvan Josephrecommendsusing a mousse for achieving a thick and full look. "I think a lot of products designed for thick hair will work on fine hair as long as they are not heavy or overburdening with oils, butter, or synthetics," he says. "Natural styling even on wavy, fine hair can give it lots of body and life while keeping it healthy."
Hairstyle #3: Long, Textured Layers
(Image credit: @cassdimicco)
Longer layersallow you to achieve volume without compromising on length and thickness.
"Adding layers to fine hair will definitely aid in creating effortless volume," Bailey Watts says. Just make sure that they're long layers (no short, choppy ones) to ensure the most volume and movement. Use a texturising product to style them into the perfect piecey definition.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
These long layers give hair shape and movement.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
A soft wave in the hair makes those layers look even more voluminous.
(Image credit: @selenagomez)
Notice how the layers makes curls pop? They add instant volume and definition.
Get the look:
Moroccanoil
Dry Texture Spray
This is one ofmy favourite texturising sprays for thin hair. It adds piecey definition and body without weighing my hair down or leaving it feeling crispy or crunchy.
K18
Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
"K18 adds support to fine hair because it protects each strand and increases its longevity," Reyman says. "It travels deep into the hair cortex on a molecular level and strengthens each individual strand. For fine hair, each strand really matters. After I treat the hair, I style with hold-based products because they will add needed body. Creams and emollients weigh the hair down, which leaves hair looking limp and will make it have less body and volume."
Hairstyle #4: The Shag
(Image credit: @jennychohair)
Sure, it's more of a haircut rather than a hairstyle. However, Bailey Watts says it's the perfect option for people with thin hair since the layers "aid in creating effortless volume." Plus, who doesn't want to take on the cool and confident air of the '70s icons who made this look famous? For reference, I'm talking about people likeJoan Jett, David Bowie, andStevie Nicks. More recently, it's been worn byBillie Eilish, Halle Berry, and Taylor Swift, among others.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Taylor Swift's choppy cut gives volume and movement to her lengths.
(Image credit: @harryjoshhair)
Helena Christensen's shaggy cut gives bucketfuls of volume.
(Image credit: @zendaya)
Zendaya's shag haircut allows those curls to reach their full optimum volume.
Get the look:
Hershesons
Almost Everything Cream
This versatile shaping cream defines natural texture andcreates light, lived-in volume.
Dyson
Supersonic Hair Dryer
The right tools can make all the difference in achieving the perfect at-home blowout. We likethis iconic Dyson tool, which is basically the Tesla of hair dryers.
Up Next: I Asked the Experts—These 9 Hair Trends Will Dominate in 2024.
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