The best hairstyles for thin hair, according to experts

If you have thin hair and want a little extra lift, the right hairstyles for thin hair can make all the difference. The good thing about fine hair is that it’s surprisingly flexible: it styles quickly, takes well to heat, and doesn’t need a whole shelf of products to look sleek. The real challenge is volume. But with smart styling techniques, a few clever products and some strategic shortcuts, you can get hair that looks fuller in minutes.

We spoke to top stylists to break it down.

Hairstyles that add instant volume

Some hairstyles can add more oomph than others, especially if they give texture or height. “I find that encouraging movement and texture into the hair adds volume and stacks out the hair, which leads to making it look fuller and thicker,” says Reece Wentworth, stylist at Blue Tit Salon Clapton. “You can use wands, straighteners or whatever you feel most comfortable using to wrap the hair in different directions to create a tousled, textured look. You can also use a wide tooth comb to soften out the movement,” he says.

Two great examples of hairstyles for fine hair are a blow dry and an updo. We also love half-up hair, since it gives the illusion of volume up top, while maintaining the length.

How to blow dry fine hair

A blow-dry gives thin hair more structure than air-drying ever will. Water weighs roots down. Lifting them as they dry builds natural height.

• “Blow-dry on top of the brush, not underneath for lift at the root,” says Pro Blo founder Rebecca McCann.
• Flip your head upside down for quick, easy volume; the classic trick still works.
• Skip the brush if it’s flattening your roots. “Rough-dry with your fingers and only brush the mid-lengths and ends,” says Lee Stafford.
• Use hot heat but medium speed. “High speed can make hair limp and flyaway,” adds Ricky Walters of Salon 64.

The updo