#1 The Fringed Shag
This cute cut hides a flared part. The movement and “mass” of a heavily layered, shoulder-sweeping cut tricks the eye into seeing a mane that’s much thicker. Plus, feathery fringe helps mask thinning along the part.
WHAT TO ASK: A shoulder-length shag with face-framing layers that taper from the temples down and full, tousled bangs that skim the brows.
STYLING TIP: Apply a dollop of volumizing mousse (we like Nexxus Mousse + Volumizing Foam, Buy from Amazon, $11.99) all over damp hair to give strands extra hold. Next, blow dry the hair with a medium round brush until dry, then wrap different two-inch sections of hair around a one-inch curling iron and tousle with your fingers. Set with hairspray.
#2 The Sassy Slant
This cut detracts from the entire thinning by bringing attention to the ends of your hair and away from thinning spots. And adding choppy texture to the ends not only makes strands appear more “solid” overall, but also adds a touch of youthful edge to the style.
WHAT TO ASK: A midi cut that’s slightly shorter on one side with textured, razor-cut ends.
STYLING TIP: Wrap 1-inch sections of hair around the barrel of a 1-inch curling iron, leaving out ends (which is key to creating effortless beachy waves) and alternating the direction the curls fall (one section towards the face and the other section) . away from the face). This “extends” strands while making the waves look more natural. Once all the hair is curled, gently comb through with your fingers. Set with hairspray.
#3 The Cheeky Chop
A bob with “tiered” layers fills up fine hair and adds depth and dimension by ensuring that the hair does not lie flat against the scalp. And an off-center part helps the hair sweep over in a curtain-like fashion to hide any sparseness along the hairline and at the temples. This haircut also distracts from signs of aging, such as jowls and fine lines.
WHAT TO ASK: An under-the-chin bob with soft layers that graduate from the cheekbones and movement-creating point-cut ends.
STYLING TIP: Lightly mist a volumizing spray (we like Rahua Voluminous Spray, Buy from Amazon, $34) all over damp hair to help fill finer locks. Next, blow dry while using a medium round brush on two-inch sections of hair, gently lifting the strands up and out at the roots to support them away from the scalp. As you approach the ends with the brush, pull the hair slightly inward to create a flipped, hair-thickening texture. Set with hairspray.
#4 The Modern Taper
A pixie not only gives facial features focus, but one with a heavily layered, rounded silhouette adds volume all over and hides a receding hairline. And adding choppy, full fringe that brushes forward instantly covers up thin temples. What’s more, a crop that’s longer on top and tighter on the sides helps hair look denser overall. Bonus? It also ensures that the shorter style looks more modern than the mother.
WHAT TO ASK: A pixie cut that’s short and stacked on the sides and back with long, textured layers on top and full, pieced bangs.
STYLING TIP: Apply a generous amount of a smoothing cream (we like Stephen Knoll New York Smooth Finishing Treatment, Shop StephenKnoll.com, $24) all over damp hair to avoid frizz. Next, blow dry with a paddle brush and lift a little at the roots. Once dry, brush bangs into place, mist with hairspray, then twirl with your fingers.
#5 The Shoulder Sweep
This cut, with its movement at the shoulder and mixed layers, makes your hair look thicker. And when accompanied by full bangs that blend seamlessly into layers, it provides extra coverage near thinner areas at the temples. Even better? Fringe also instantly hides deeper forehead furrows and makes beautiful, bright eyes a focal point.
WHAT TO ASK: A shoulder-length cut with tousled, brow-braided fringe that transitions into longer layers around the face.
STYLING TIP: Blow-dry damp hair with a large, round brush, pulling hair up at the roots and inwards towards the ends to create voluminous movement. When hair is dry, spritz strands and bangs with a light coat of dry shampoo (we like amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo, Buy from Amazon, $10). This will give locks some grip and texture while absorbing any oil or sweat that might weigh strands down.
#6 The lovely “Lob”
The simple way to ensure a long bob (aka lob) looks beautifully flowing instead of limp is with textured ends and long layers. The layers release the weight of the hair so it moves more freely and pushes the hair up and out for even more volume. Bonus: The symmetry created by parting the hair down the middle draws the eye vertically, which “stretches” the face and neck, making both appear longer and slimmer.
WHAT TO ASK: A long bob that floats just above the shoulders with long, blended layers throughout and choppy, spiky ends.
STYLING TIP: Part hair down the middle, then gently pull back at the roots with a teasing brush (we like Cricket Amped Up Teasing Brush, Buy from Amazon, $5.25) to lift hair away from the scalp. Next, loosely wrap one-inch sections of hair around a one-and-a-half-inch curling iron. Once all hair is curled and cooled, gently twist and comb with your fingers. Set with hairspray.
#7 The curly crop
A cropped haircut with tousled texture helps camouflage bald spots. Adding bouncy curls to the style not only boosts the bald patch-masking benefits, but also gives the hair mega movement for 360 degrees of volume.
WHAT TO ASK: An ear-length cut that’s longer on top and shorter on the sides with stacked layers and side bangs.
STYLING TIP: Work a quarter-sized amount of a curl-enhancing cream (we like Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining Cream, Buy from Amazon, two-pack for $16.99) through damp hair from roots to ends. Then, using a diffuser attachment, blow-dry the hair in two-inch sections while gently “twisting” from the ends up to the roots with your free hand at the same time. Repeat until all hair is dried and curled.
