The right haircut and styling tricks can make a surprising difference to how thick your hair looks. You don't need to change everything. A few smart choices can add fullness and take attention away from thin areas. Here are the ideas that tend to work best.
Choose a cut that works with your hair
For women
- Blunt, one-length cuts such as a bob make the ends look thicker.
- Soft layers around the face add movement without removing too much weight.
- Avoid too many long, thin layers, which can make ends look wispy.
- Fringes and side-swept styles can soften a thinning hairline or high forehead.
For men
- Shorter, textured cuts often look denser than longer styles on thinning hair.
- A tidy crop or a gradual fade can make a receding hairline look deliberate.
- Avoid long, thin comb-overs, which tend to draw attention to the area you want to hide.
- Many people choose to go short or fully shaved and feel confident about it. That is a perfectly good option too.
Change your parting
A parting that has been in the same place for years can start to look wider. Try moving it a little to one side, or use a zig-zag parting, which breaks up a visible line.
Add volume at the roots
- Blow-dry upside down or lift at the roots with a round brush.
- Use a light volumising mousse or spray on damp hair, applied mainly at the roots.
- Dry shampoo or texturising powder can add grip and lift on day two.
Add cosmetic fullness
Hair building fibres can fill in thin areas such as the parting, crown or hairline in about a minute. Applied in thin layers and set with a light mist of hold spray, they blend with your own hair for a natural finish.
Colour can help
Hair with some depth or subtle highlights often looks thicker than one flat colour. If your scalp shows through, a shade closer to your scalp tone can make it less noticeable. A hairdresser can advise you.
Be gentle with styling
- Reduce heat and use a heat protectant.
- Avoid very tight ponytails, braids and extensions.
- Use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair, and start combing from the ends.
- Sleep on a smooth silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction.
Talk to a good hairdresser
Tell your stylist you have fine or thinning hair and what you would like to change. A good stylist will recommend a cut that suits your hair type and face shape, and will not make you feel awkward about it.
The bottom line
You can't change how much hair you have overnight, but you can change how it looks. A good cut, a smart parting, a little root lift and, if you like, some hair fibres can all help you feel more confident every day.