We’ve pulled loads of the best hairstyles for fine hair to inspire you, courtesy of the celebrities who do it best
Looking for high-volume hairstyles for fine hair? You’ve come to the right place for all the haircut and style inspiration you could possibly ask for.
Not to be confused with thinning hair, finer hair describes strands that are narrower and that can have a tendency to fall flat, particularly at the roots. Despite being oft-complained about, there are some benefits to having fine hair. For one thing, depending on how dense your hair is and how much you have, it probably takes less time to blow dry than your thicker-haired friends. And because finer strands require less product, you’ll go through your styling buys more gradually.
So how can you help your hair reach its full potential (see what we did there)? Adding waves and curls to a longer mane is a great way to cheat volume, or, if you prefer a shorter length, getting a bob hairstyle with subtle layering cut in creates a fuller appearance. And although fine hair can get weighed down easily, products like volumising sprays and the best dry shampoo will help give it a bit of ‘oomph’ when styling.
Short hairstyles for fine hair
The key to making finer, short hair appear fuller with a cropped style is to add layering on top to create the illusion of volume and height. Sweeping fringes and multidimensional colour can also add depth to your style while helping it appear fuller.
Layering can really be your friend here. ‘Face shape isn’t key for this style but by creating layering, you ultimately affect the shape,’ Sam Burnett, founder of Hare & Bone salons explains. ‘For example, round faces should opt for square layers and vice versa for square face shapes.’
Hairstyles for fine long hair
Curly or straight, the world is your oyster here – this is a length that many fine-haired celebs opt for when choosing a style that’ll work on and off the red carpet. Longer hair also means more styling options, like elegant updos.
‘The key thing to remember with long hair is that it needs to look healthy,’ says Sam. ‘There is no point in having long unhealthy hair as the condition will always determine the length. If you have fine hair, keep layers longer as over layering will only make the hair appear thinner and sparser.’
Medium length hairstyles for fine hair
Blunter mid-length cuts have been all the rage for a few years now. ‘Medium length hair looks great when it’s maintained well; think fuller, blunt styles with no layering,’ advises Sam. ‘If an individuals’ hair is prone to frizz then it’s best to keep the hair on the longer side of medium. The longer and heavier the hair, the more controlled it will be.’
The best products for fine hair
If you’re after some styling products to help achieve different hairstyles for fine hair, keep on scrolling…
Philip Kingsley Body Building Weightless Shampoo, £21.50 | Feelunique
This shampoo cleanses while packing volume and bounce into fine hair. The weightless formula controls flyaways and leaves your hair looking and feeling naturally fuller.
KMS Add Volume Shampoo, £16.80 | Lookfantastic
The clue is in the name with this one. Fortified with an innovative AHA Structure Complex, the volumising shampoo eliminates impurities whilst strengthening and lifting fine hair to leave it looking thicker.
ghd Pick Me Up Root Lift Spray, £18.95 | Lookfantastic
If your hairstyle has fallen flat, give it a boost with this clever spray. Ideal for limp and lifeless locks, it creates a firm foundation at the root area for styling, whilst adding lift and body to finer hair types.
Oribe Colourless Volumista Mist, £38 | Net-A-Porter
If you want to splash out, you can’t go wrong with Oribe. Both lightweight and incredibly volumising, this mist is the perfect product for adding body to limp hair. Spray it on damp strands before blow-drying.
Bumble and Bumble Pret-A-Powder, £23 | John Lewis
Chances are you’ve already heard of this product. It’s a dry shampoo, style extender and volumiser all in one, ideal for fine hair in between washes. Shake into the roots and gently massage to create instant lift and revitalise yesterday’s style.
Percy & Reed Turn Up The Volume No Oil Oil, £17 | Lookfantastic
We’re big fans of Percy & Reed. The volumising styling serum is designed for fine hair. It nourishes locks and adds body and texture. Apply through towel-dried hair from root to tip.
How to get thicker hair
There is no magic spell that can be cast to make fine hair become thick overnight, but there are a few things you can do to ensure it’s as healthy as possible and make it look like it has more volume – like those aforementioned styling products. Temporary extensions are also an option, though they do require extra maintenance and are a financial investment.
If, as well as having fine hair you’re also experiencing thinning hair, you could look at working hair supplements into your daily routine, as well as adding in one of the best shampoos for hair loss. You can also swot up with our guides on how to get thicker hair and how to make your hair grow faster.
See our round up below of some of our favourite ever celebrity hairstyles that would lend themselves well to fine hair. We reckon you’ll be taking one of these pics straight to the salon…