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  1. Home
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  3. 12 Haircuts That Make Thin Hair Look So Much Thicker

12 Haircuts That Make Thin Hair Look So Much Thicker

ErinLukas
By Erin Lukas Updated May 18, 2022 @ 10:15 am
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Zoe Kravitz, Joan Smalls and Kerry Washington
Credit: Getty Images

No photo filter can instantly transform fine strands into a thick, full mane, but you can add body to your hair with the right cut.

Juan Carlos Maciques, a celebrity hairstylist at Oscar Blandi Salon in New York, recommends avoiding cuts that are too layered or shaggy as they can make hair look thinner. Instead, opt for one of the many cuts that can enhance your hair by making it appear thicker and fuller.

Whether you like a longer length or are looking to go short, we turned to Maciques to find the best haircuts for fine and thin hair.

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The Blunt Mid-Length Cut

Joan Smalls wearing blunt bob hairstyle
Credit: Karwai Tang/Getty

If you want to maintain long hair, Maciques recommends keeping it at or above a mid-chest length since hair tends to thin itself out as it grows past this point. "There are different densities of fine hair that contribute to what you can or cannot do, but a blunt cut is typically best if you are going to grow it long," he says. 

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Long, Layered Pixie

Michelle Williams wearing layered pixie haircut
Credit: Michael Kovac/Getty/

For a fuss-free shorter cut, Maciques says a pixie is your best bet. "[It's] an ideal option and timeless in its appeal," he explains. "Think Michelle Williams or Mia Farrow in the classic film, Rosemary's Baby. It's a great way to camouflage fine hair."

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Curtain Bangs

Alexa Chung with curtain bangs
Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty

Have fine hair and want to get bangs? Good news: A fringe works well with your hair type. "Bangs create a distraction by diverting the eye. It gives fullness to the front where the eye automatically goes at first glance and instinctively," he says. "It's rather genius." Noted.

Opt for a pair of soft, curtain, eye-grazing bangs like Alexa Chung's. This bang gives you a few styling options: You can part them in the middle or push them off to the side. 

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Asymmetric Bob

Taraji P. Henson wearing blonde asymmetric bob
Credit: George Pimentel/WireImage

An asymmetrical bob is a great way to add texture and body to fine hair. "A layered, graduated bob is also a great option — it's playful and puts the texture at its best potential since layering at this length now works to give movement to the hair," explains Maciques. "Adding different lengths and piecing it won't compromise the texture."

The stylist says that covering the bob length to the cheekbone level as opposed to the chin and tapering the back short will also help you achieve the effect. A  slightly grown-out version of this cut is Taraji P. Henson's sleek style. The Empire star has also worn the same look at the cheekbone level, so consider that proof that the cut is extremely versatile. 

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Blunt Bob With Bangs

Kerry Washington in blunt bob with bangs
Credit: George Pimentel/Getty Images

It's true: The blunt lob or bob, aka one of the most popular haircuts of the past few years, is flattering for fine hair, too. "The more geometric and blunt you make these cuts, the fuller the density appears," explains Maciques. "It's not about adding layers for volume but, on the contrary, it's more about keeping the bottom looking dense and therefore seeming thicker." 

A set of bangs can take the on-trend style to the next level.  "Adding bangs [like Kerry Washington's] to these lengths is also a great alternative that changes the look/cut altogether," the pro says. "It doesn't take away from the thickness at the bottom, it adds a classic element and is a great look." Consider this take on the cut as another example of the transformative power of bangs. 

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Beachy Waves

Chrissy Teigen wearing long, beachy wave haircut
Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage

Regardless of your hair length, a loose, beachy wave style is a simple way to add body to fine hair. Editor tip: While a curling wand will help you achieve this look, a flat iron or wave wand are great options for anyone who ends up doing arm gymnastics while using hot tools. 

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Choppy Pixie

Zoe Kravitz wearing short pixie haircut
Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

A choppy pixie is another short-length option for thin hair. The gradual, all-over layers add movement and texture to fine hair.

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A Deep Side Part

Mila Kunis wearing deep side part hairstyle
Credit: Jean-Baptiste Lacroix/AFP via Getty Images

Flipping your part over to the side is the oldest hack for faking more volume and body. Combine a deep side part with waves, and you'll have thicker, fuller-looking hair. 

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Texture Up Top

Samira Wiley wearing tapered curly haircut
Credit: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

The shorter the length, the less weight there is to suppress fine hair. Keeping the sides close-cut like Samira Wiley draws attention to the gorgeous curls on the crown of her head. 

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Invisible Layers

Hilary Duff with long layered haircut
Credit: Presley Ann/Getty Images

Invisible layers around the face will take out just enough length without making fine hair look thinner. In fact, this technique can create the illusion of more hair as it adds movement to the cut.

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Shag With Bangs

Halle Berry wearing shag haircut with bangs
Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for ABA

The shag is defined by layers rather than length and its versatility makes it work across all hair types — including fine hair. Not only does a mid-length shag with fluttery curtain bangs like Halle Berry's cut create the illusion of body and fullness, but it's also incredibly on-trend. 

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Sliced Bob

Karlie Kloss wearing sliced bob haircut
Credit: Richard Bord/Getty Images

This take on the timeless bob is a great option for thin hair since it creates shape without taking out weight. Plus, it's undeniably chic. 

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By Erin Lukas

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    1 of 12 The Blunt Mid-Length Cut
    2 of 12 Long, Layered Pixie
    3 of 12 Curtain Bangs
    4 of 12 Asymmetric Bob
    5 of 12 Blunt Bob With Bangs
    6 of 12 Beachy Waves
    7 of 12 Choppy Pixie
    8 of 12 A Deep Side Part
    9 of 12 Texture Up Top
    10 of 12 Invisible Layers
    11 of 12 Shag With Bangs
    12 of 12 Sliced Bob

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