Do you have flat, thin hair? Here are some strategic hairstyles to make it look fuller (2024)

Fact: The right haircut can do wonders for your tresses. It can even help you look like you’ve got fuller tresses even when you’ve got less than lustrous locks.

“Choosing the right haircut goes beyond mere aesthetics; it holds the power to shape perceptions and enhance your overall image,” shared Luis Wee, director at Chez Vous: Main Salon.

But how does one know exactly what makes for a 'right' haircut for those with flat, thin hair? Or what is a 'wrong' one, for that matter? CNA Lifestyle breaks it down for you.

THE DOS

1. Have bangs

Curtain, blunt or choppy, can also boost the appearance of volume and compensate for the flatness of the rest of your hair.

2. Opt for a shorter style

Long lengths can weigh down thin strands, making them appear even more sparse, said Wee. “Shorter hair means less weight, preventing hair strands from being weighed down can create a fuller, bouncier look.”

3. Reduce stress on the roots

Incorporate some layers to distribute the overall weight of your hair more evenly, which in turn, reduces the stress on the hair roots and prevents hair from looking flat.

4. Style your hair

Use styling products like sea-salt sprays or volumising lifters at the roots, then use a round brush to lift hair up and away from the root as you blow-dry your hair to create the perception of having more volume.

THE DON’TS

1. Stay away from the wrong haircut

Don’t just get the trendiest cut as it may make your limp hair look even more lifeless than it already is. Instead, stick to what works best for your hair type. Know that blunt ends, short lengths and full bangs can create the illusion of voluminous hair.

2. Resist going to town with layering

Layers can add movement and dimension to thin hair, making it look fuller but too many layers can make fine hair look even thinner said Ted Kim, founder of Suchehwa by Ted. Less is more in this case.

3. Skip very long hair

Extremely long strands remove weight that can give your tresses a boost of fullness at the roots, weighing down your hairstyle like deadweight, which draws attention to your lack of volume.

4. Don’t use too much hair product

Resist using too much because product buildup is a thing and that will weigh the hair strands down, making your already fine and thin tresses look even flatter.

THE MOST FLATTERING HAIRCUTS FOR MODERATELY FINE HAIR

1. The Hush Cut

Sits slightly below or above the shoulder, this style is soft and layered, and often paired with a wispy fringe. “These layers not only remove excess weight but also add graceful movement,” said Wee.

2. The Shaggy Cut

With its choppy layers and curtain bangs, this style adds volume and texture to thin hair. “The layers frame the face and create a fuller look,” explained Kim.

3. The Wolf Cut

A hybrid between a shag and mullet, this style features layers and bangs that strategically place the weight on the crown, resulting in the roots appearing naturally fuller.

4. The Butterfly Cut

According to Wee, the shorter, cascading face-framing layers that resemble butterfly wings remove weight without compromising on length. An ideal choice if you want longer locks and volume.

5. The Blunt Bob

Classic and chic, hair looks fuller without the need for excessive texturising. Kim added that you can also incorporate long layers to help distribute the hair’s weight, which can prevent it from looking too thin. “The layers add movement without sacrificing overall volume.”

THE MOST FLATTERING HAIRCUTS FOR EXTREMELY FINE HAIR

1. The Bixie Cut

A combination of bob and pixie cuts, this features lots of layers that give the appeal of ample volume to fine strands.

2. The Pixie Cut

According to Kim, a pixie cut has textured layers that can make thin hair look fuller by adding volume and dimension. And as the layers are kept close to the head, it instantly gives your crowning glory a denser appearance.

6 TIPS TO HELP MAKE FINE HAIR LOOK FULLER

1. Use a volume-enhancing shampoo

One of the easiest ways would be to incorporate a volumising shampoo to give limp and thin locks an instant boost of volume. Depending on the ingredients and technology in the formulation, it infuses or coat hair strands, or lifts hair away from the head, making tresses appear fuller.

Try: JennyHouse Self-Up Real Volume Shampoo, S$25.75

Enriched with naturally derived ingredients like cica, this hair wash adds volume while also strengthening the hair roots to reduce hair loss woes as well.

Available at www.watsons.com.sg

2. Use a lightweight foam conditioner

Instead of your regular conditioner, Wee advised opting for a lightweight rinse-off foam conditioner so that it won’t weigh your already-fine and thin strands down.

Try: Kerasilk Volumizing Foam Conditioner, S$88

This not only helps detangle and hydrate locks, but also keeps hair buoyant without adding unwanted heaviness.

Available at Kerasilk partner salons and www.robinsons.com.sg

3. Use a roller brush when blow-drying hair

While hair is still damp, flip it upside-down and blow-dry the strands, especially at the roots to help lift the roots and create volume. Then flip your hair back and use a round brush to finish blow-drying. This, added Kim, will help add bounce and fullness to the hair lengths as well.

Try: Dyson Vented Barrel Brush – 35mm barrel, S$69

Helps create volume and shape as you blow-dry your hair. Plus, its round-tip bristles ensure that it feels comfortable on the scalp too. Best for short, medium-length hair and bangs too.

Available at www.dyson.com.sg

4. Use a volumising styling product at the roots

Applying this to the roots is an easy way to help lift the hair and add volume, shared Kim.

Try: Oribe Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse, S$58 (without GST)

This gives hair long-lasting volume and also adds shine while protecting against humidity and frizz. Plus, the use of hydrolysed wheat protein and panthenol protects and conditions hair too.

Available at Oribe partner salons and www.net-a-porter.com

5. Spritz a finishing spray to protect hair and add volume

A dry finishing spray helps coat the strands with densifying elements to make hair look naturally voluminous while also giving your desired ‘do a lasting hold.

Try: Amika Un.Done Volume And Matte Texture Spray, S$46

Spritz this over dry locks to help absorb dirt and oil and give instant volume. Also useful in creating buildable texture for a tousled style thanks to the use of rice starch and sea buckthorn.

Available at www.sephora.sg

6. Root clips can give hair a lift

According to Wee, the root clipping technique is a game-changer, especially if you have fine hair. All you have to do is to secure the clips along your hair parting while hair is still damp, leaving them in place till you finish blow-drying.

“This uncomplicated method is an easy yet effective way to elevate your hair’s volume without resorting to intricate styling methods,” explained Wee.

Try: Kitsch Instant Hair Volumizing Clips, S$19.41

It lifts the hair at the roots, creating volume at the crown. It can also be used to help achieve curls for longer hair too.

Available at www.amazon.sg