51 Hairstyles for Fine Hair That Add Instant Volume

Layers are your friend.

models with fine hair smiling
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

I'm intimately familiar with the pain points that come with having fine hair. My hair goes flat to my head in humidity, refuses to hold a single curl, and gets greasy faster than it should. (My dry shampoo collection is elite.) That being said, I've spent years testing out the best hairstyles for fine hair—ones that air dry with ease, boost volume, and hide greasy roots so I can squeeze an extra day out of my blowout.

From beach waves (with an exorbitant amount of hairspray) to undone chignons and slicked-back buns that are key when the humidity is high, there are tons of options at my disposal, depending on the length and cut of my hair. But the real key to maximizing my style comes down to a well-curated product regimen filled with volumizing shampoos, dry texturizing sprays, and hair oils and serums that hydrate without weighing my hair down.

To get inspo ahead of summer, scroll ahead to see the 51 top hairstyles for fine hair, with inspiration from Lily-Rose Depp, Zoë Kravitz, Jennifer Aniston, and so many more celebs. Screenshot away.

The Best Hairstyles for Fine Hair

How Do I Know If I Have Fine Hair?

You can have a lot of hair and still have a fine texture—it's about the individual strands. "Fine hair feels really soft and silky to the touch. You’re supposed to be able to roll one or two strands in between your fingers, and if you can’t really feel any friction, then that’s a good indicator that you have fine hair," explains Lacy Bennet, a hairstylist and colorist at Lrn Beauty known for “cool girl” hair.

It's also lighter, flatter at the root, and often more prone to breakage than coarser hair, explains Cicely Shillingford, MD, and Director of Product Development at Amika.

What Causes Fine Hair? 

Fine hair is very different different than thinning hair. According to Hardik Doshi, MD FAAD, lead hair restoration surgeon at Ample, fine hair can be the result of "genetics, hormones, age, nutrition, and environmental impacts like sustained heat damage all play a role," he explains.

How Do I Style Fine Hair?

The biggest styling tip for fine hair is to boost volume whenever possible using products that emphasize body, bounce, and root lift. "The way products act to thicken hair is by depositing certain molecules such as proteins and conditioning agents onto the hair," explains Dr. Shillingford. "The outer layer of the hair is naturally negatively charged; we can use this property to deposit positively charged substances onto the hair's surface because opposite charges attract. Conditioning agents and proteins that are positively charged molecules will then stick to the hair, creating a coating that thickens and reinforces the hair strand, while also resulting in hair that looks and feels thicker and fuller."

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Sophia Vilensky
Freelance Writer

Sophia Vilensky is a Freelance Beauty Writer at Marie Claire with a beauty, wellness, and entertainment journalism portfolio that includes contributions to Byrdie, Bravo, Teen Vogue, and Us Weekly. Growing up in a family of beauticians—and through her own personal studies—she developed an in-depth understanding of aesthetics, cosmetic product formulation, and beauty treatment development and has also held roles as a senior copywriter, content strategist, and proofreader for top beauty and wellness brands. Even so, you'd be hard pressed to find her with her hair and makeup actually done. Sophia is based in Minneapolis and is a 2019 graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she majored in English and minored in cinema studies. During her time at the university, she was the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Minnesota Daily, earning the 2019 Editor of the Year award for her work. She connected deeply with the Twin Cities arts scene, collaborating with leading beauty professionals, designers, and artists. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, her thesis—a close-reading of Vanderpump Rules—was featured on NPR. When not immersed in writing or testing new products, Sophia enjoys watching reality TV, reading, and exploring the newest woo-woo wellness trends. Keep up with her on Instagram @sophiavilensky.

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