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#1 The Fringed Shag
This cute cut hides a flared part. The movement and “bulk” of a heavily layered shoulder-length cut tricks the eye to see a much thicker mane. Plus, feathery fringes help mask thinning along the part.
WHAT TO DEMAND: A shoulder-length shag with face-framing layers that taper down from the temples and full, thin bangs that touch the eyebrows.
STYLING TIP: Apply a dab of volumizing mousse (we like Nexxus Mousse + Volumizing Foam, buy from Amazon, $11.99) to damp hair to add extra hold to the strands. Next, blow dry hair with a medium-sized round brush until dry, then wrap different 2-inch sections of hair around a 1-inch curling iron and tousle with fingers. Fix with hairspray.
#2 The cheeky slant
This haircut distracts from the overall thinning by drawing attention to the ends of the hair and away from thinner areas. And adding choppy texture at the ends of the hair not only makes the strands appear more “solid” overall, but also adds a touch of youthfulness to the style.
WHAT TO ASK: A midi cut that’s slightly shorter on one side with textured ends that are razor cut.
STYLING TIP: Wrap 1 inch sections of hair around the barrel of a 1 inch curling iron, skipping the ends (which is crucial for effortless beachy waves) and alternating the direction the curls fall (part to the face and the other part). away from the face). This “stretches” the strands and makes waves look more natural. Once all the hair is curled, gently comb through with your fingers. Fix with hairspray.
#3 The cheeky chop
A bob with “layered” layers builds up fine hair and adds extra depth and dimension by ensuring the hair doesn’t lie flat against the scalp. And an off-center part helps sweep hair over it like a curtain to hide any sparseness along the hairline and temples. This haircut also distracts from signs of aging like jowls and fine lines.
WHAT TO ASK: An under-the-kin bob with soft layers that start at the cheekbones and clip motion-creating ends.
STYLING TIP: Lightly spritz a volumizing spray (we like Rahua Voluminous Spray, buy on Amazon, $34) on damp hair to fill in finer curls. Next, using a medium-sized round brush, blow-dry on two-inch sections of hair, gently lifting strands at the roots to support them from the scalp. As you approach the tips with the brush, gently pull the hair inward to create a funky, hair-thickening texture. Fix with hairspray.
#4 The modern rejuvenation
A pixie not only puts the spotlight on facial features, but one with a heavily layered, rounded silhouette creates full volume and conceals a receding hairline. And adding choppy, full fringes sweeping forward instantly conceals thinning temples. In addition, a longer cut on top and tighter on the sides helps the hair appear thicker overall. Bonus? It also keeps the shorter style looking more modern than matronly.
WHAT TO ASK: A pixie cut that is short and stacked at the sides and back, with long, textured layers at the top and full, piecey bangs.
STYLING TIP: Apply a small amount of smoothing cream (we like Stephen Knoll New York Smooth Finishing Treatment, shop at StephenKnoll.com, $24) to damp hair to avoid frizz. Next, blow dry with a paddle brush and lift slightly at the roots. Once dry, brush the bangs into position, spritz with hairspray, then tousle with your fingers.
#5 The shoulder swing
This haircut with its shoulder movement and blended layers makes your hair look thicker. And when accompanied by full bangs that layer seamlessly, it offers extra coverage near sparser areas at the temples. Even better? Fringes also immediately conceal deeper forehead wrinkles and make beautiful, radiant eyes an eye-catcher.
WHAT TO ASK: A shoulder-length cut with thin brow-skimming fringes that transition into longer layers around the face.
STYLING TIP: Blow dry damp hair with a large round brush, teasing hair up at the roots and in towards the ends to create voluminous movement. Once hair is dry, spritz the strands and bangs with a light coat of dry shampoo (we like Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo, buy it on Amazon, $10). This will add some hold and texture to the curls while absorbing any oil or sweat that may weigh down the strands.
#6 The Beautiful “Praise”
The easy way to ensure a long bob (aka lob) looks beautifully floatable and not limp is with textured ends and long layers. The layers give off the weight of the hair, allowing it to move more freely, pushing the hair up and out for even more volume. Bonus: The symmetry created by the parting of the hair in the middle draws the eye vertically, which “elongates” the face and neck, making them both appear longer and slimmer.
WHAT TO ASK: A long bob that hovers just above the shoulders with long blended layers throughout and choppy tapered ends.
STYLING TIP: Part hair down the middle, then gently comb at the roots with a backcombing brush (we like Cricket Amped Up Teasing Brush, buy it on Amazon, $5.25) to lift the hair away from the scalp. Next, loosely wrap 1 inch sections of hair around a 1/2 inch curling iron. Once all hair is curled and cool, gently tousle and finger comb. Fix with hairspray.
#7 The curly crop
A cropped haircut with tousled texture helps camouflage bald spots. Enriching the style with bouncy curls not only enhances the benefits of masking bald spots, 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-swept bangs.
STYLING TIP: Work a quarter-level amount of curl enhancing cream (we like Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Defining Cream, buy it on Amazon, 2-pack for $16.99) into damp hair from roots to ends incorporate tips. Next, using a diffuser attachment, blow dry hair in 2-inch sections while gently “tufting” hair from tips to roots with your free hand. Repeat until all hair is dried and curled.