I Asked 3 Hairstylists Which Cuts Make the Most of Thin Hair

Long, full hair may be the standard (thanks, old-school shampoo commercials!), but in reality, it's far from the norm. There are a lot of reasons someone might have thinner hair, from genetics to postpartum hair loss. And while hair thinning is more common as we get older, anyone of any age can have thin hair, or fine hair (aka hair that's physically smaller in diameter than its fuller counterparts). That's why, as always, the right haircut can be a total game-changer. 

No matter your hair length or texture, your next cut is just a scroll away. We caught up with three ultra-talented hairstylists—Sanda Petrut of Maxine Salon in Chicago, celebrity stylist Joseph Maine, and Ryan Trygstad of Mark Ryan Salon in New York City—to find out their tips for cutting and styling thin and fine hair, as well as the best products to use for styling it. (Best of all: Not an extension in sight.)

The Hairstylist: Sanda Petrut of Maxine Salon in Chicago

"So many factors are taken into consideration when choosing a haircut for thin hair," explains Petrut. "Is it thin on top? Is it thin on the sides? Is it thin all over? Is it thin due to illness? Is it thin due to aging? I also consider features and lifestyle," says the stylist.

Petrut also pays close attention to length and texture. "For thin, straight hair I may choose a shorter haircut with clean lines. Maybe a little graduation or a little layer if hair density supports it," she says. 

"For medium-to-long hair length, I’ll choose a long bang and/or framing," she says.

Finally, "If hair is wavy or curly I would definitely add layers," she says. "The layers would add volume and the hair would appear thicker."

The Hairstylist: Joseph Maine, Celebrity Stylist, and Color Wow Artistic Director 

"Typically, I recommend blunt haircuts or haircuts with very little layering for thin hair because you don’t want to remove density from the ends," says Maine. However, he says, "There are still ways to add shape by face-framing or adding minimal 'hidden layers.'"

For loose, voluminous curls like Jennifer Lawrence's, Maine recommends blowing hair out with a diffuser.

Rashida Jones's haircut may volley from chin to shoulder length, but she usually avoids layers to keep it looking fuller.

A soft bend and side bangs added texture and dimension to Emma Stone's bob haircut.

The Hairstylist: Ryan Trygstad, Celebrity Stylist and Co-Founder of Mark Ryan Salon in New York City

The hairstylist agrees that blunt cuts can be fantastic on thinner hair. "Mid-to-shorter lengths are great because the hair looks fuller," explains Trygstad, who adds that "Finer hair types are less likely to have a pyramid- or triangle-shaped style." 

One reason Jamie Chung's lob looks so sleek and cool? "Blunt shapes are better for fine hair," says Trygstad.

Another pretty idea inspired by Jourdan Dunn's look: slightly choppy ends.

Lucy Boynton's of-the-moment curtain bangs are the perfect face-framing detail to her blunt bob.

And now, 14 (actually) effective products for hair growth, according to Amazon reviews.