There comes a time when a trim no longer cuts it (pardon the pun). Whether your hair is damaged from a few too many dye jobs or you’re bored with a style you’ve worn for the past five years, sometimes a new short ‘do is not only wise but necessary. And for those of us with fine hair, we can’t help but wonder whether a fresh chop will flatter our locks or completely wipe out the little volume we have.
However, according to stylists Corey Tuttle, Marcus Francis, and Laura Rugetti, a short cut has the ability to lift volume and make hair look fuller—regardless of your hair texture. As for which ‘dos help feign a thicker mane? Our experts gave us the lowdown. Needless to say, they had quite a few styles to recommend along with pro styling tips to match any and all occasions.
Keep scrolling for their top picks for short haircuts for fine hair.
Please note: Some of the featured celebrities may already have thick hair, but it’s their styles that will help thin-haired individuals fake fullness.
Textured Lob
Dakota Johnson shows us how to keep fine hair from falling flat. Try heavy bangs and long layers, as it gives the overall illusion of fuller hair, notes Tuttle. To keep bangs from looking piece-y, generously spray the roots with Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo ($25).
Chic Crop
Not short enough to be a pixie but not long enough to be a bob, Kiersey Clemons’s sleek ‘do is absolutely stunning. To get Clemons’s high-shine hairstyle, use this rose gold Vernon François Dazzling Spritz Shine Spray ($14). Pair with a bold red lip, and you’ll be red carpet ready, too.
Retro Bob
Soften a bob with retro curls like Lily Collins. The chin-length perfectly complements her oval face shape. To keep large finger waves full and in place, use a strong-hold volumizing hairspray like OGX Bodifying + Bamboo FiberFull Big Hair Spray ($7).
Wavy Lob
Ready to make the cut but not ready for a drastic style change? Tuttle suggests adding face-framing layers with a structured blunt edge as it will bring out your facial features. To create a tousled model-off-duty style like Zoe Saldana’s, spritz your locks with Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray ($26).
Grown-Out Pixie
Sometimes growing out your hair can be awkward, but Joey King proves that that doesn’t always have to be the case. “It’s a flirty and youthful cut. The grown-out pixie cut allows for the curls to actually curl and be manageable to style. Long enough to frame the face, tuck behind the ear, and give volume,” says Francis. He recommends styling with Better Natured Damage Repair Strengthening Leave-In Cream ($22).
To allow for the natural curl to take shape, opt for air-drying. Just apply product to dampen hair, and make your desired part before immediately styling with your fingers.
Blunt Shoulder-Length
Try a shoulder-length cut with blunt ends like Lucy Hale’s. It’s super stylish and makes hair look thicker and healthier, too, notes Tuttle. To modernize this classic cut, simply add some waves with Herbivore Sea Mist ($20). Not only will they bring texture and volume to flat hair, but they’ll leave strands smelling like you just left the beach—and who wouldn’t want that?
Asymmetrical Pixie
Give texture to fine tresses with a heavily layered asymmetrical pixie. A heavy side-part like Ruby Rose’s will make hair appear fuller. Rubbing a bit of Bumble and Bumble Thickening Full Form Mousse ($32) into your roots won’t hurt either. The lightweight formula will style hair without any heaviness, stiffness, or crunch.
Dyed Bob
Katy Perry proves that a short cut can do wonders for volume. To get her hair’s tantalizing texture and body, use a lifting mousse at the roots, like L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Boost It High Lift Creation Spray ($4). As for her purple color, it’s optional—although highly encouraged.
Blunt Bob With Wispy Bangs
Embrace your fine, straight texture and rock a pair of wispy bangs with a bob à la Karlie Kloss. Ensure that the cut is blunt since a razor-sharp edge will make fine hair appear thicker. And if you’re feeling daring, you could even try cutting your bangs yourself. For smooth locks like Kloss, use Living Proof No Frizz Conditioner ($29).
Undone Updo
By tucking the ends of your short hair under, you can give the illusion of a glamorous updo. It’s the perfect look to transition from day to night. Let a few strands hang loose because everything looks better a little undone.
Retro Shoulder-Length
Rita Ora evokes old Hollywood glam with her shoulder-length ‘do. Teasing hair at the roots adds height to limp strands while a retro wave contributes to overall body. Va-va-voom.
Tapered Bob
Don’t want a simple bob or bangs? Then look no further than Jourdan Dunn’s slightly asymmetrical ‘do. To get her sleek hairstyle, smooth out your tresses with this GHD Classic 1-Inch Styler ($149).
Wavy Shoulder-Length
Margot Robbie proves that you can rock waves with a short hairdo. The combination of Robbie’s long layers and dimensional highlights creates just the right amount of fullness. Want to get the look? Run a curling wand like the Beachwaver S1-Dual Voltage Rotating Curling Iron ($129) through your shoulder-length hair.
Blunt Fringe
Similar to a blunt bob, a blunt fringe gives the illusion of fuller tresses. A lash-grazing length is super sultry as it highlights the eyes. To get Swift’s perfectly blown-out ‘do, dry your fine strands with a volume-enhancing blow-dryer like Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer ($199).
Tousled Bob
A tousled bob will give your hair the volume and body you’re looking for. Not to mention, its off-duty appearance makes it effortlessly cool. Add some extra dimension like Cameron Diaz by sweeping your bangs over for a deep side part. Then give them a nice bend using a one-inch flat iron.
Piecey Pixie
In case you’re looking for some pink hair inspo, here it is. Although Nicole Richie has pulled off many hair colors in her day, we’re ranking this bubblegum pink in her top five, hands down. This piecey cut frames her face so perfectly and can be easily styled with just a dab of product like Kenra Professional Platinum Texturizing Taffy 13 ($23).
Inverted Bob
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s chin-length inverted bob is a versatile cut that can be worn sleek or tousled. “The barely-there layers give it movement while the length is easy to recreate looks at home yourself,” says Francis. Start with either air-dried hair or diffused hair and use a small curling iron to accentuate any curls that need extra definition, he instructs. “Making a side part gives this look a natural lift in the front while giving it a graphic finish.”
Stacked Bob
How effortless does Regina King look in this stacked style? A lob in the front and a bob in the back give her the best of both worlds. Did we mention it frames her face perfectly?
Slicked-Back
Slicked-back hair is trending, as seen here on Logan Browning. It’s the it-girl hairstyle that’s glamorous and a cinch to pull off. Simply slick your short hair back with a gel or pomade like Aesop Sculpt Hair Polish ($33) and use some bobby pins if you need more hold. Leave as is or wrap your hair around into a tight coil for the perfect bun.
Lived-In Bob
Want a chin-length look like Kristen Stewart? (Sidebar: Team Byrdie is always fawning over her ever-changing hairstyles—they get better and better every time). This bob, for example, became even more photogenic because of its slicked side paired with loads of texture in the front (FYI you’ll need texturizing spray for that).
Feathered Pixie
Pixie poster girl Audrey Tautou is inspiring us to go full-on chop with her short, textured ‘do. “A pixie is a timeless favorite that is super chic and feminine, a style that is easily achieved. The youthful twist on this look comes from the wispy texture that is playful and effortless,” says Francis. To replicate her style, apply a small amount of product like Better Natured Leave-In Cream ($22) to damp hair and then simply let it air-dry.
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time for air-drying, blowdry hair on low using your fingers to scrunch and style, instructs Francis.
Flipped-Out Lob
Rosie Huntington-Whitely’s slightly flipped-out ends play homage to the ’90s but keep it contemporary. While her straight strands create structure, her ends enhance fullness and length. For lustrous locks like RHW, shine spray is a must.
Textured Pixie
The pixie has become a celeb-favorite cut, and it’s no wonder why. “It can be very cute and progressive if you are confident in your facial shape to pull it off,” comments Tuttle. Dress up your new pixie like Meagan Good, and rock a deep side part.
French Bob
Those with fine locks can rock Olga Kurylenko’s super-short bob easy peasy. It’s sophistication meets low maintenance. When blowdrying, use a round brush to twist hair underneath. This slightly tucked-under style will lend extra body to limp hair.
Blunt Lob
With fine hair, it’s often best to choose blunt ends over feathery ones since the former will give the illusion of thick, lush tresses. Jamie Chung nails this blunt lob with a length and cut that is oh-so-flattering. While any texture can wear this style, those with straight strands should proceed with caution: “Straight hair shows scissor marks, so look for a good hairstylist with talent in precision cutting,” advises Tuttle.
Textured Bob
Hailey Bieber never fails to amaze us with her hairstyle hits. This one, in particular, is ideal for fine hair. “Side bang layers and long layers will make a great cut for volume,” explains Rugetti. “The one product I love for volume is Puff.ME Volumizing Power ($24),” she recommends. “It’s a volume powder that keeps hair volumized and works as a root plumper.”
Tousled Shoulder-Length
Rashida Jones is known to sport bangs, and who could blame her? She looks amazing in them. The length and wispy nature of this fringe are not only flattering but also a great option for those that don’t want to invest in a thicker style. Meanwhile, adding a wave to her lob creates body.
Wet-Look Bob
Did you think we would include a hair inspo roundup without Alexa Chung? Her lived-in wet look shows us how not trying too hard is not only convenient and easy to pull off but also strikingly cool. Try this style with second-day hair.
Tousled Lob
Even if your hair is stick straight, you can still get the perfect waves. Naomi Scott rocks this deep-parted, long-layered textured lob to a T. Finish with a hair flip to build volume and to add a flirtatious vibe.
Blunt Bob
Naomi Campbell looks gorgeous with her straight, sleek bob. This blunt cut is fierce, formal, and dare we say, extremely flattering. Its cheekbone-skimming length highlights bone structure that is just begging for attention.
