Ever since I became aware of my hair back in high school when I finally retired my beloved slick ponytail, I’ve lamented my fine, thin locks. And after becoming a beauty editor, I’ve made it my mission to find out which haircuts are best for feigning the look of fuller, thicker hair. Here’s what I’ve learned: It’s all about the optical illusions your stylist creates in addition to how you care for and maintain your cut at home.
Ted Gibson is one of the most well-renowned hairstylists in the industry—which is no surprise when his client list reads like a who’s who of celebrity royalty. From Angelina Jolie and Lupita Nyong’o to Anne Hathaway and Gabrielle Union, Gibson has tended to the tresses of some of the biggest names in the business. And he was more than happy to give me the lowdown on the best haircuts for thin hair.
“If you have fine or thin hair, the haircut you choose is super important,” explains Gibson. “In general, blunter lines are always better, and if you do opt for layers, keep them minimal. Bobs, lobs, long hair that’s roughly one length, and pixies are great for this type of hair.” Oh, and avoid heavy hair products and overworking your hair at all costs.
“The worst styling mistakes for people with fine or thin hair is using heavy conditioner or heavy oils—these will not only make a finer texture look greasy fast, but they’ll weigh the hair down and hinder its potential for a voluminous, fluffy finish regardless of how strategic your cut is,” confirms Gibson.