The Best Hairstyles for Men to Make Thin or Fine Hair Look Thicker and More Stylish

Having receding or thinning hair is like getting excited walking around a garden center: it happens to us all eventually. However, that doesn’t mean we simply have to shrug our shoulders and suck it up. Far from it, in fact.

In this article, we’re going to reveal the best hairstyles for men with thin hair, and the high-quality men’s hair products that can help you achieve the hairstyle you want. With the help of these expert tips, you’re guaranteed to make your hair look thicker, fuller and 100% more vibrant and stylish. So come on, let’s get started…

The Trouble with Fine Hair

“I’m sorry people with thin or fine hair or fine, thin hair,” begins Guastella, GQ Barber of the Year 2019. “But your hair type is not the best hair for men to grow. Fine hair is better short, it really is. In fact, I always say that less is more with fine hair, and I’ll explain why…”

“If you grow fine hair too long then it will show off the receding hairline that you probably despise: it’s not a strong hair type and doesn’t produce the definitive, sharp lines that thick hair does. Therefore, if you leave it too long before getting a haircut, it begins to expose thinning hair.

Some hairstyles actually help expose your receding hairline and thinning hair. Unless you like your receding hairline, these should be avoided. “You need to use matte products in fine hair to thicken it before you style it. Or some sea salt spray. Avoid gels and mousses and anything with an oily consistency. They will make your hair limp and greasy. I like to use [Hair Clay] on fine hair. You just get a bit, warm it rigorously in your hands and then kinda twist it into the hair to create the volume and the style.”

The Trouble with Thinning Hair

“There are powders available for men with thinning hair but invariably men either don’t know about these or they simply don’t want to use them,” says Guastella. “In my opinion they should though.”

“All you have to do is gently administer the powder onto the hair and it attaches to the existing hair and to the scalp,” he continues. “There are an incredible array of colors available so you simply find the one that best matches you.”

It is important to read the instructions on these powders very carefully so you put them in properly. As with most things in life, practice makes perfect. And the better you get at it, the better you will look. Lots of famous names are already at it, as Guastella explains.

“David Beckham is an example of someone who had fine thinning hair,” he says. “He has had a hair transplant, but that can’t simply turn fine hair into thick hair, it doesn’t work like that. So he uses a lot of powder in his hair. That is a well-known fact: the most influential man in men’s grooming uses powder and because it’s put in so well his hair appears luxuriously thick and full.”

There does come a point during the thinning process when powder should definitely be avoided. “If you have really, really thinning hair, avoid powder as the product won’t have enough hair to attach to and just look awkward on the scalp,” advises Guastella.

“Also, and this is fairly obvious but worth saying: when you’ve got thinning hair, it’s best to keep it short. Or to just shave it all off with a razor or clipper set to zero.”

For those with thin and fine hair, it’s all in the styling

If you’re going for a longer style, it’s all about the layers. Rocking a uniform sheet of hair that’s all one length can give you a weighed down look, especially if you don’t have much hair or density to work with. Weighed down hair looks extra flat. Give yourself some lightness and eradicate the flatness by asking your hairdresser for textured layers next time you’re in the chair. It’ll give your hair more movement and dimension, which gives the illusion of thickness. It’ll also be easier to style layered hair as opposed to something that’s all one length, and to wisely choose and use styling products to enhance what you’re already working with. 

Ultimately, shorter styles are most recommended for this hair type. Remember how we talked about how longer hair can weigh itself down and look flat? If your hair is short, there’s barely any weight (if any!) to create that flatness. Shorter styles often create the illusion of thicker hair, mainly because longer, finer, thinner hair can sometimes look a bit wispy. If you have this type of hair and go for a more blunt, short cut, your hair can definitely look more full. If your hairline (or lack thereof) is something that makes you nervous, then a shorter, blunt cut is definitely the way to go. 

Whatever length you choose, choosing the right product is key. Anything volumizing or texturizing is going to be your best friend; it’ll help your thinner hair maintain more shape and volume and avoid that dreaded flatness. You can find these properties in all types of products, from volumizing shampoos and conditioners, to powders, to gels, to pomades. The list truly goes on forever and ever. 

Best Hairstyles for Thin & Fine Hair

Textured Crop

A great style to try is a short, layered ‘do with added texture on top. It’s awesome for our thinner haired friends because it enhances the volume on the top of your head, and helps give the hair you’re working with a fuller appearance and more dimension. You can work texturizing products (like powders or pastes) through the layered top to give your quiff the illusion of added texture and fullness. This look is also great for those with round faces. The textured top helps to give the illusion of height, which helps to elongate the face in a truly flattering way. Need a product to achieve this look? We’ve got just the thing. Check out our Hair Fiber, engineered for a thicker, fuller look. 

Tapered Fade with a Pompadour

If you’ve got a bit more thickness on top or in the front, this old school style is a great match for you. It features tapered sides with the classic voluminous top. That artfully sculpted pompadour is perfect for drawing attention exactly where you want it, and gives you the opportunity to slick down places you might not want as visible. There are plenty of products on the market that are perfect for achieving this age old look, from pomades to gels, just make sure you choose based on your hair type and texture. 

Messy Quiff

Seeking a just-rolled-out-of-bed-I-promise-I’m-naturally-this-good-looking hairstyle? This is it. It’s got tousled volume with the majority of the height at the front. For hair that already has a bit of texture or curl, this is the perfect style to add body, and draw the eye away from any thinness that you’re wanting to disguise. To achieve this natural, effortless look, start with a thickening powder and hit the front of your hair with a round brush and a blowdryer. It’ll infuse a bit more volume into your hair, that you can then manipulate with your hands and the styling product of your choice.   

Short Caesar Cut

Modeled after its namesake, Julius Caesar, this short, even cut features a blunt, straight fringe on the front (just like he had!). You know what that’s great for? Hiding a hairline you’re not thrilled about. It’s a minimalistic, simple hairstyle that’s easy to maintain, excellent for those with thin hair, and adds subtle volume without needing thickness to do so. Styling the hair forward in this way is the perfect method to keep a receding hairline camouflaged, if that’s what you’re after. Looking for a way to keep each hair in perfect position? We’ve got a Hair Gel for that. Achieve sleekness without the stickiness with our take on a hair classic. 

High and Tight

A classic traditional military style that’s great for anyone who has hair on their head, the high and tight is a short cut on top, with a shorter cut on the sides. If you’re a wash your hair and go type of person, this is a great option for you. The cut does all of the heavy lifting, so it doesn’t require much styling or really any product, maybe just a dab of gel for hold if you’re feeling fancy. The short fullness on top is also great for those with thinner hair, this style won’t draw attention to any sparse areas. The High and Tight is suitable for all face shapes, but can help square shaped faces look more softened. 

Slicked Back Undercut

Feeling really passionate about keeping some length? This is an excellent choice. Ask for short sides and a long top; long enough to slick back over the crown of your head. It’s sophisticated, it’s timeless, it’s a look that a lot of celebrities go for, and it’s great for adding the illusion of more volume in hair that lacks it on its own.

To avoid a flat look, some styling is definitely required. Start by blow drying clean hair, concentrating on lifting the root with a round brush. If you really want to set that style in, finish the blow dry with a shot of cool air, it’ll help the hair retain its shape. Then go in with a styling product, something fibrous and tacky. That’ll help each hair stay exactly where you put it. 

Other Techniques to Make Thin Hair Look Thicker

“There are ways of making a short crop look thicker though and you can start by giving the cut a stronger looking frontline,” enthuses Guastella.

“To do this you simply style your hair forward at the corners of your hairline and straighten the lines at the very center of your hairline. This very simple method creates more balance and makes you look like you have thicker hair before you’ve even added any product.”

“Every barber should know this technique because it doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to make it happen and it can make a cut ten times better.”

“You really need to trust your barber though and make sure he understands what you mean though before he does it,” advises Guastella. “So be sure to take in some pictures to explain exactly what you mean. If you feel daft doing this in your spit-and-sawdust local barber then take it to a more upmarket salon where you will get more one-to-one time with a stylist and can build a better rapport.”

Try sea salt spray and matte hair products to add thickness before you style. You'll find you have more options with your hair after you've used them. If your hair is really thin, just go super-short and smart, men rarely regret it.

“Lastly, when you have thinning and fine hair you also need to think about density,” explains Guastella. “You will no doubt have more dense hair on the sides of your head than on the top, so you shouldn’t simply have a number 2 buzz cut all over, for example. Why?”

“Because the denser parts of the hair at the sides will look darker than the top and only serve to make you look thinner on top. I might think about doing a grade 1 at the side and then maybe a short scissor cut on the top until I feel the colors and density are blended and matched. Again, it’s all about balance.”

So there you go. Like we said, all is most definitely not lost when you see your hair begin to thin. It’s how you react to it that matters more.

Key Things to Consider Concerning Fine and Thin Hair

Main styling takeaways, from us and the experts

• Don’t grow it long unless you REALLY have to: 99% of the time, fine hair is better styled short.
• Have your barber reinforce the front where possible to give an illusion of thickness.
• Pay attention to the density of your hair and create a color balance between the sides and the top.
• Don’t ever use oily products. Stick to sea salt spray and clay.

Some final words for our thin hair friends

So, we’ve come to the end. Thank you for sticking with us through our abundance of tips, tricks, and advice. If you only read the last two paragraphs of this article, let your takeaways be this: There are awesome products out there developed just for people with fine and thin hair. Stay away from weighing your hair down, both with oily products as well as with the haircut you choose. Know that you can turn to products (like thickening shampoos and powders) to give you a boost in the volume department. But mainly know that your hair will look great whatever you choose to do with it. We believe in you, person who grows hair and wants to style it.