25 Hairstyles for Fine Hair

When you have fine hair, there’s one question that can loom over you like a dark gray cloud—and that is, “Does my hair look flat?” And, as you’d imagine, when the answer to that is yes, it can be a total bummer. But the truth of the matter is, things don’t have to be that way—if you know how to style your fine hair. The good news: Fine hair is actually easier to style than you might think. That means you can choose from a variety of hairstyles and haircuts for fine hair that will look stunning on you. Want to make your thin hair look thicker? You can make your hair look more voluminous by trying out one of these 25 hairstyles for fine hair, which include everything from layered haircuts and bob hairstyles for short hair to playful curls and tousled styles that work on all lengths.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #1: LAYERED BOB

Ever wonder if layers are good for thin hair? The answer is yes! Which leads us to our first hairstyle for fine hair—the layered bob: It’s a classic bob hairstyle that looks amazing on women with fine hair. This hairstyle is not only trendy (you’re welcome!), but it suits every face shape to boot. When you go to the salon, ask your stylist to cut your hair to chin length and to taper it at the back. Asking for layers in your bob will add dimension to your fine strands. This can make your hair look thicker and fuller. If you love the look of short haircuts for fine hair but want something on the messier, more carefree side, try out a choppy bob. On the other hand, if your personality leans more towards structure, opt for a modern bob with an asymmetrical finish.

Once you’ve gotten your new layered bob haircut, give your locks a boost by spritzing your roots with a hair spray, like the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray. Then, flip your head down and brush your hair outwards before flipping it back again. Let it air dry for an undone, heat-free hairstyle.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #2: BLUNT BANGS

Getting bangs can be a scary thought at first—but trust us on this one, because they can make fine hair look thicker! Take the leap and chop your hair into a sleek, eyebrow-grazing blunt fringe to give the appearance of more volume. When you cut your bangs in a straight line, what you’re doing is essentially distributing the density of your hair evenly, which makes it look fuller. Plus, this bold hairstyle will draw people's attention straight to your gorgeous face.

As for the rest of your hair, you can leave it as it is, or add some loose curls to give your hair the illusion of more body. To ensure your bangs are in perfect shape, make sure to flat-iron them on a regular basis.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #3: BLUNT BOB

Speaking of bluntness and short hairstyles for fine hair, a blunt bob is another option you may want to consider. Just like with blunt bangs, a blunt bob can help create the illusion of thicker-looking hair! This haircut isn’t for the faint-hearted—it’s a total trendsetter.  

FINE HAIRSTYLE #4: TOUSLED PIXIE

Those of you with short hair (or soon-to-be short hair), don’t think we forgot about you! A tousled pixie can make your hair look thicker by injecting some texture and movement into your strands. This super-short haircut gives you and your fine hair a fresh, clean slate. Give your pixie haircut a tousled effect by styling individual pieces of hair with a pomade. Take a small amount of the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty on your fingertips, rub it onto individual sections of your hair, then style those sections in random directions as you go.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #5: ANGLED BOB

Albeit more of a haircut than a style, the angled bob is a go-to for women with fine hair for a reason. We particularly love an angled bob paired with pin-straight locks. But before you pick up your flat iron, just remember: Always apply a heat protectant spray, like the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray, before using any type of heat tool. This rule of thumb is especially important for fine-haired ladies since thinner hair is naturally more prone to breakage and damage from hot tools.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #6: LONG LAYERS

Did we mention that layers can do wonders for fine, thin hair? If you want to keep your hair long, long layers are a great way to keep your fine hair from falling flat. The varying lengths of hair will add volume, leading to a more voluminous-looking mane that makes it easy to see why this is one of the best haircuts for fine hair.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #7: LOW-BUN CHIGNON

A chignon is the French word for low bun, and a center-parted chignon that’s placed on the nape of the neck is a classic hairstyle that looks great on thin hair. Bonus: It’s also easy to create! Whatever you’re working with, you’ll likely want to add a bit of hair gel onto the upper part of your hair, just below the root. Squeeze a dollop of the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Clean Style Gel into your palms, rub it between your hands, then work the product through your hair. Next, grab your boar-bristle brush and secure all of your hair into a low ponytail that sits at the nape of your neck. The last step is forming a bun with your ponytail, then securing it with a few strategically-placed bobby pins.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #8: BLOWOUT

As far as hairstyles for fine hair go, it doesn’t get much better than a blowout. This foolproof hairstyle will add instant volume and body to your fine strands. Can’t get the round brush and blow-dryer technique to work for you? You don’t have to! Here’s How to Get the Look of a Blowout Without a Blow Dryer.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #9: BRAIDED HAIR SCARF

We’re sure by now you’ve heard that head wraps and hair scarves are a must-have hair accessory. That being said, aside from being on-trend, a hair scarf can actually be used to thicken the appearance of braided fine hair. To get the look, first split your hair into three sections as you normally would, leaving one section smaller than the rest. Add your hair scarf to the smallest section by securing it with a clear hair elastic. All that’s left to do is braid!

FINE HAIRSTYLE #10: SLEEK TOP-KNOT

One of the great things about the top knot is that it can be dressed-up or dressed-down to suit just about any occasion. For those of us with fine strands, it’s also a great option for those days when you just don’t feel like heat styling. Simply pull all of your hair into a ponytail at the top of your head—use a boar-bristle brush to really gather every last strand. Secure it with a hair elastic, then use a few bobby pins to form and secure your top knot.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #11: DOUBLE PONYTAIL

Think your fine hair is too thin to pull off a high ponytail? Think again! Follow the steps below to fake it till you make it with a double ponytail.

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Section your hair. Split your hair into a top and bottom section from ear to ear. Clip the top section up and out of the way.

Step 2: Put it up. Pull your bottom section of hair into a ponytail. Then, release your top section of hair and pull that hair into a ponytail directly above the first.

Step 3: Make it one. Take a small section of hair from the underside of the bottom ponytail and wrap it around the base of both ponytails. Secure with bobby pins and show off your voluminous pony!

FINE HAIRSTYLE #12: SOCK BUN

If you feel as though you don’t have enough hair to pull off a bun, a sock bun will solve all your problems. Using a sock (literally) will fill in the inner portion of your bun, making it easy to achieve a fuller-looking bun that your fine strands normally wouldn’t be able to create.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #13: MESSY BRAID

As far as we’re concerned, braids are an awesome hairstyle for just about any hair type. For finer strands, going for a messier aesthetic with your braid can also help to add a bit of volume and dimension to the overall look. Best of all? It’s easy to achieve—if it looks sort of messy, you’re doing it right!

If you want to pump up the volume even more, here’s a tip you’re going to wish you knew sooner: Slightly tease the sections in your braid to make them look bigger. Another tip to try: Loosen your braid. Start by keeping the braid tight while you’re weaving it. Then, once you’ve braided your hair, loosen your braid by gently tugging on the sides of the plait to add more volume.

Editor’s tip: You can also add texture to this hairstyle by using a toothbrush (yes, you read that right). Mist a clean toothbrush with hair spray and then gently brush back the hair with small movements to create a mussed look.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #14: BRAIDED BUN

We’ve already established that buns (or chignons, if you want to get fancy) are a great hairstyle option for fine strands. If you’re looking for a bun that’s slightly more intricate than your standard high or low bun, a braided bun is the perfect option. Don’t fret—it’s actually easier to create than it looks. In fact, we have more than one braided bun tutorial for you to follow. Here are 28 Braided Updos to Upgrade Your Basic Bun.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #15: MESSY BED HEAD

When in doubt, mess it up! If you want to add volume and life to fine, flat strands, it’s safe to say that making things messy is a foolproof solution. To get a just-rolled-out-of-bed (but still totally stylish) hairstyle for fine hair, apply a bit of pomade to your mane and scrunch and tousle. The messier, the better!

FINE HAIRSTYLE #16: WET HAIR

Consider embracing your fine hair with the wet hair look. This change in texture will add body and life to your fine hair, steering clear of the potential for flat locks. Here’s How to Get the Wet Hair Look.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #17: VOLUME-BOOSTING CURLS

Curls are a pretty and playful style, and it turns out they can make fine hair look thicker. Yay! Whether you have medium-length hair or long hair, this is one hairstyle that looks gorgeous on just about everyone. Depending on your personality, you can go for tight ringlets or loose, beachy curls. (If you have a round face shape, we suggest you stick to loose curls, as they won’t make your face look overly round.) One way to give your curls a modern spin is by creating a center part rather than a side part.

To really amp up the volume on your thin hair, you’ll want to boost texture before creating your curls. To do this, apply a hair mousse, like the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle CURVE IT Elastic Curl Mousse, to damp hair. Then, blow-dry your hair using a diffuser to help bring out your natural texture. After this, you can create loose or tight curls with a curling iron or wand, depending on the look you’re going for. Finish off your curls with a couple of spritzes of hair spray for added hold.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #18: DEEP SIDE PART

It’s funny how one small adjustment can make a huge difference in how your fine hair looks. Case in point? Changing how you part your hair. As silly as it sounds, it’s actually true! It’s safe to say that most of us probably stick to a routine—especially when it comes to our hair. But you should really consider switching things up by changing your hair part to see what a difference it makes. Why is that? Well, when you part your hair in the same place day after day, it can start to look flat, which is not what you want when you have fine hair. Break this habit and give yourself a new look by changing your part every once in a while.

Editor’s tip: To get the most out of this change, spritz hair with the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT High Lift Creation Spray. Apply it to your roots and around your crown to add a little extra oomph to your hairstyle. And there you have it: This is possibly the easiest hairstyle to create, and you barely had to lift a finger!

FINE HAIRSTYLE #19: CURLED ENDS

Flipped ends that curl inward are another great way to add volume and body to fine locks. This is a great hairstyle for those with long, fine hair, which has a tendency to look limp and flat without much movement. You can get the look with the help of a round brush and blow-dryer, curling your ends inwards for a voluptuous mane.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #20: LAYERED LOB

Another short haircut for fine hair worth trying is a layered lob. If you’re on the fence about going super-short, a lob hairstyle is the perfect happy medium between short and long hair. Since this cut tends to be a bit longer in length, layers are the way to go to avoid a flat appearance that can often occur in fine hair of one long length.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #21: HALF-UP BUN

Not only is this hairstyle perfect for adding dimension to fine hair, but it’s also perfectly on-trend! The classic half-up, half-down hairstyle gets a bit of a modern twist here, thanks to the addition of a bun on top. To get the look, all you’ll need are a few bobby pins (or a hair tie) and a bit of hair spray, like the L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Strong Hold.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #22: ‘70S SHAG HAIRSTYLE

For those of you with fine, shoulder-length hair, we have a hairstyle that will revamp your entire look: the ‘70s shag hairstyle. This retro hairstyle is reminiscent of rock ‘n rollers who knew how to make an edgy statement. To get the “shaggy” aspect of this hairdo, ask your stylist to cut your hair with multiple layers. Consider adding bangs to the style for a super-cool look!

To style this haircut on your own, work a small amount of hair mousse through wet or damp hair, letting your hair air dry. Then, get the illusion of fullness by creating a jagged hair part to make your strands stick out a little more—the messier it looks, the better. Rock on!

FINE HAIRSTYLE #23: TUCKED BEHIND THE EAR

We spoke too soon—this might actually be the easiest hairstyle of all. Better yet, it’s a look that women with thicker hair have a harder time pulling off. Wherever your part lies, try tucking your hair behind your ears and securing it with a bit of hairspray. This chic look is always a classy go-to, and it works especially well on fine hair. With this hairstyle, your face also takes center stage—perfect if you’re rocking a new makeup trend that you want to show off. 

FINE HAIRSTYLE #24: VOLUMIZED CHIGNON

Sometimes it’s better to go bigger. Case in point: the volumized chignon. This bun sits higher on top of your head, and to create a boost in volume you’ll need a fine-tooth comb to slightly tease the underside of your locks both above and beneath your bun.

FINE HAIRSTYLE #25: BRAIDED CROWN

Want to feel like royalty for the day? Then this next hairstyle for fine hair is right up your alley! A braided crown is great for fine hair because it involves wrapping a braid around your hairline, which can give the appearance of thicker, more luscious hair.

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Remove knots. Start by brushing through your fine hair to remove any tangles or knots.

Step 2: Part your hair. With a comb, create a middle part.

Step 3: Section off hair. Split your hair into two even halves and clip one side up while you work on the other.

Step 4: Begin a French braid. Start braiding from the nape of your neck on the loose side. Use the French braiding technique you learned as a kid!

Step 5: Continue braiding. Instead of passing each piece over the top as you would with most braids, pass each piece underneath the braid. Work your way around the side of your head, ensuring that the braid is kept tight throughout the process.

Step 6: Finish braid and tie off. Go across the top of your forehead and then braid the hair all the way down to the end. Secure it with a small hair elastic. Let it hang over your face while you work on the other half.

Step 7: Make a second braid. With the second side, start the braid at the top of your head and work your way around to the nape of your neck. Braid all the way down to the end and secure with a hair tie.

Step 8: Create a crown. Wrap the braids around your head to create a crown and secure it with multiple bobby pins.

Step 9: Finish with hairspray. Spritz your strands with the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Bold Control Hairspray. And there you go—this is a hairstyle fit for a queen.

Next: Our Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair