We've pulled loads of 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.’
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…
Jodie Comer
Jodie Comer's ultra glossy locks have the hint of a beach wave here, with the illusion of volume created at the root by flipping a centre parting over to the side slightly.
Simone Ashley
Flipping natural waves or curls over to one side helps create the look of more volume on top, as showcased perfectly by Bridgerton's Simone Ashley.
Sydney Sweeney
Layering hair styling products for volume before blow drying can cheat the appearance of thicker and more lifted strands, à la Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney.
Lucy Boynton
Lucy Boynton has her signature bob nailed, and the styling here makes it look perfectly thick.
Kerry Washington
Adding loose waves like Kerry Washington adds the perfect amount of movement for a fuller-looking style.
Zendaya
Make like Euphoria star Zendaya by teasing volume at the roots and crown for a fuller-looking updo. Volume spray or dry shampoo are your friends here!
Hailey Bieber
A slicked back bun like Hailey's Met Gala look is the perfect balance of minimal effort and maximum chic impact.
Gemma Chan
Want something a bit edgier for an evening out? Gemma Chan's gorgeous wet look vintage style from this year's Met Gala is seriously chic.
Phoebe Dynevor
Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor's shorter face-framing layers add the perfect bit of lift to her hairstyle.
Sienna Miller
Sienna Miller is proof that finer hair can lend itself brilliantly to a slightly undone, lived-in updo with lots of volume, with the looser sections really framing her face too.
Gigi Hadid
For an edgier look, the spiky nineties bun has made a real comeback this year, as seen on Gigi Hadid at the 2022 Met Gala.
Camila Cabello
The humble wispy topknot is always a good option, as Camila Cabello clearly knows.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Seriously sleek long hair pulled away from the face completely can make a real statement.
Kendall Jenner
Few looks are as classic as the slicked back, lengthy ponytail like Kendall Jenner's Oscars after party look. If you're not blessed with super long hair you can make it longer and thicker with the help of extensions.
Jamie Chung
The quickest route to making fine hair appear more volumised is to add some movement throughout, and a shiny loose wave is a pretty failsafe option whatever the occasion.
Karlie Kloss
Ultra loose waves like Karlie Kloss' that add the smallest amount of movement for a fuller looking style.
Maya Jama
You can't go wrong with a super sleek Cher-channelling mane like Maya Jama's winner of a red carpet look.
Dakota Johnson
A choppy, slightly feathery fringe, like Dakota Johnson's, can work really well on finer hair.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry's curtain fringe is face-framing goals.
Alexa Chung
Alexa Chung is a name that's synonymous with the long bob, with the slightly layered ends adding a nice bit of texture.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez's sleek and poker straight long bob is both elegant and on-trend.
Zoe Saldana
Deep vintage-inspired waves like Zoe Saldana's are a failsafe style on longer hair (although they work on shorter styles like bobs, too).
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston is the queen of longer layers and loves a voluminous-looking blow dried 'do.
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie's beachy ponytail, complete with a choppy face-framing fringe, makes her hair look seriously thick.
Blake Lively
Curling your hair is a failsafe way to add loads more 'oomph' to your hair, as Blake Lively knows.
Kate Hudson
A pixie crop with the addition of lots and lots of layers gives the appearance of thicker hair, as seen here on Kate Hudson.
Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley really knows how to shake up her style and works so many different looks on the red carpet. This deep vintage-like wave is another great take on making fine hair look fuller.
Jennifer Lawrence
If your hair is naturally wavy or curly but gets weighed down easily, volumising or sea salt sprays can add a big 'n' beachy vibe.
Kate Moss
This has to be one of our favourite ever 'dos on Kate Moss. The Bardot-esque fringe and hidden layers are seriously chic. Take this picture to the salon to walk away with some serious style.
Cameron Diaz
Using volumising products at the roots of your hair will help to add lift when working updos like Cameron Diaz's low bun.
