Style Hair Medium Hairstyles 23 Medium-Length Hairstyles For Thin Hair Here are our best medium-length hairstyles for thin hair. By Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon Wells Mary Shannon is a Digital Editor and has been on the Southern Living team since 2017. She helps run the brand's social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, where she's happily behind the scenes. When she's not ruffling feathers with an etiquette poll via Instagram Stories, she's writing content for the website and assisting in various print projects like gift guides and home stories. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 11, 2023 Close Photo: @justinandersoncolor/Instagram If you have thin hair, you know that getting volume that looks natural is difficult. If you get too happy with the teasing brush, you might look like you're dressing up for an '80s throwback party, and some volumizing products can make hair dry and stiff. Luckily, there are creative ways to make your hair appear thicker. Most people will tell you that you have to cut your hair super short to add thickness, but these medium-length hairstyles for thin hair prove them wrong. With these suggestions, your hair will take on a new life. Whether you're adding a little fringe, some light layers, or a slightly angled touch to your haircut, the key to successful medium-length haircuts for thin hair is keeping the ends blunt. Too many layers will actually make the hair appear thinner, so keep the layers long and minimal. Blunt ends, with your hair ending at one spot, will keep the hair together, which creates an overall thicker look. If you have yet to crack the code on your thin hair, these medium-length hairstyles could be the answer you've been looking for. Not too short to style and not too long to fall flat, these medium-length hairstyles for thin hair will add texture and depth to your hair. 01 of 23 Face Frames @Instagram/TauniDawson These wispy waves are totally romantic. Layers in the front work to frame the face and add movement to the hairstyle, thus highlighting the shape and color of this golden cut. 02 of 23 Deep Side Part @veronica_nunez/Instagram A deep side part adds instant volume, especially when paired with a volumizing product and a hint of teasing—not too much, though. This stylist used a volume spray and a beach spray for height and texture. 03 of 23 Asymmetrical Lob @justinandersoncolor/Instagram An asymmetrical cut (like this one on actress Margot Robbie) that's slightly longer on your dominant side is modern, fun, and keeps the eyes up front, making your hair appear thicker. Just be sure your stylist goes subtle—too much of a contrast and it will look like a total faux pas. 04 of 23 Lob with Light Layers @justinandersoncolor/Instagram With thin hair, light layers can add tons of texture, which Kristen Cavallari is proving here. Face-framing layers are flattering but don't require the commitment that bangs do. This is a signature style just waiting to happen. 05 of 23 Blunt Cut with Balayage @styled_by_carolynn/Instagram Sometimes, it's not the cut that can add depth to your hair, it's the color. A blunt cut keeps the ends clean, but seamless balayage coloring gives the hair so much more dimension, like on this highlighted brunette look. 06 of 23 Curtain Bangs @styled_by_carolynn/Instagram Retro curtain bangs are back and better than ever. Since they split to the side, curtain bangs add texture to your overall look, instead of sitting flat on your forehead. You will be leading with volume when you rock this flirtatious style. 07 of 23 New Shag @slim_color/instagram As this photo proves, shags are back in a modern, boho way. Light, wispy fringe and beachy waves make this look more texturized, delivering a fuller appearance. Go from daytime to date night with this easy style. 08 of 23 A-Line Lob @styled_by_carolynn/Instagram An angled lob like this one can help make your hair appear thicker, since it's slightly shorter in the back than the front. This angled lob should be more subtle than harsh, though, and your stylist will need to come at this cut with the knowledge of a pro. If you're willing to try an a-line bob instead of a lob, take a look at these examples. 09 of 23 Wispy Bangs @ninezeroone/Instagram With thin hair, you don't want to commit to straight-across bangs that will fall flat. Instead, opt for wispy, textured fringe, like this style. This look is youthful and fun, giving you an extra spring to your step, not just to your hair. 10 of 23 Flipped-Under Ends @veronica_nunez/Instagram Curled-under ends add retro glam to any blunt cut, and they've been on red carpets everywhere lately. This has a touch of Old Hollywood to it, and gives your locks a bit of swing. The stylist here used an anti-frizz smoothing serum to keep things shiny and in place. 11 of 23 Layered Lob Pinterest This haircut speaks for itself—just look at that volume! The tapered layers allow the hair's natural texture to shine, all the while creating the look of a thick 'do. 12 of 23 Curly Bangs Pinterest/Stylecaster Having thin hair doesn't mean you can't have any dimension, too. Let your bangs be the star of the show—the smaller area allows you can make a statement without making the rest of your strands look thinner. 13 of 23 Layered Mid-Length Cut @jaye_edwards/Instagram Face-framing layers are beautiful for almost every face shape. The medium length that hits just at the collarbone makes this look even more defined, while an ombré balayage hair color adds dimension. 14 of 23 Classic Shag @styled_by_carolynn/Instagram With curtain bangs and natural texture, this classic medium cut is a real miracle for those who need a fuller look. Once you've mastered styling your shag, you will want this look indefinitely. This stylist added a couple of babylights to add movement throughout the hair. 15 of 23 Tousled Hair With Balayage @salonustyle/Instagram We cannot stress enough that often it isn't just the cut, but also the color that adds enough depth to deliver the appearance of thicker hair. And our reaction to tousled locks like these are always are nothing but ooh la la! 16 of 23 Rockstar Shag @charlieandcosalons/Instagram Ready to rock? With exaggerated winged bangs and a little help from your round brush and the blowdryer, an amped-up shag like this one is dripping with retro flair. 17 of 23 Soft Layers with Babylights @salonustyle/Instagram This styling session was actually the first time this client’s hair had been colored. Instead of going all-in on a total transformation, the stylist used a babylight technique to add delicate highlights that enhance her natural color with minimal upkeep on her part. The way the babylights play with the bit of texture in the cut is like a beautiful song! 18 of 23 Baby Bangs @mizzchoi/Instagram These baby bangs pair the chicness of the French bob with a medium length that can still go in a ponytail for convenience. Like we said earlier, instead of straight-across bangs, which will highlight thin hair, be sure your baby bangs split happily down the middle, as shown here. 19 of 23 Lob with Face-Framing Texture @styled_by_carolynn/Instagram “When asking for this cut or creating this haircut you will want to cut a straight line in the back slightly angling to the front right about to the collarbone,” writes this stylist. “Adding longer face framing texture with shear shattering and volume texture throughout.” 20 of 23 New Shag Instagram/@salsalhair Another example of what we're calling the "new shag," this haircut is totally cool yet timeless at the same time. 21 of 23 Low-Maintenance Layers @veronica_nunez/Instagram The stylist behind this look called it “deliberately undone,” which we love. As mentioned before, a deep side part is an instant way to add volume. Long layers throughout the cut add movement, especially when paired with a texturizing spray, which is a no-effort way to style-and-go. 22 of 23 Wavy Lob @chrisjones_hair/Instagram In this look, beachy, breezy waves add natural-looking texture to thin hair, and blunt ends make the hair look thicker. Keep the dimension up with a bit of volumizing spray. Seeking out just the right product? Take a look at these options. 23 of 23 Soft Layers and Highlights @charlieandcosalons/Instagram In this look, soft, feathery layers and sun-kissed highlights add a double dose of texture and "oomph" to thin hair. Light layering and face-framing highlights draw the eyes forward and create more depth and dimension throughout. Use a beach spray for waves that hold. Frequently Asked Questions Should you layer thin hair or keep it one length? Fine, thin hair benefits from layers as it can add some volume without the weight of one length. Keep layers subtle to add the appearance of full hair without inadvertently making it look thin. Why does long hair weigh down thin hair? Thin hair needs layers to prevent it from becoming too heavy with one length. Long, thin strands give hair a flat appearance. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit