Short Hairstyle Inspiration For Fine Hair - And What To Know Before Getting The Chop

Top knots and high ponytails make for brilliant heatwave-friendly hairstyles this season, but if you're ready to take it a step further, there's no better time to embrace a pixie crop or a bob than in the warmer months. Finding the best short hairstyles for fine hair can feel daunting, but we've gone straight to the experts to discover exactly what will work for delicate strands.

First, it's important to distinguish between fine and thin hair, says the hairstylist Tom Smith. These terms are often used interchangeably but fine hair actually refers to hair of any density (thin, medium, or thick) and of any texture (straight, wavy, curly, or coily), but the strands themselves are smaller in diameter than average.

Meanwhile, thin hair describes the density of your hair. This means it can be of any type or texture, but there is just less of it than the average.

Finding the right short haircut for thin or fine hair

'Fine hair, being smaller strands than average, is more prone to damage, tangles and flatness. The more abundant one's fine hair is, the more prone to tangles they can be,' says Smith. Because the strands are delicate, fine hair can sit flat at the root and lack body or movement, hence, Smith recommends clever shaping, face-framing or thoughtful layering to encourage lift and movement. Think bobs with bangs or a pixie cut with fringe.

There's another advantage going short for fine hair. 'The shorter you cut fine hair, the thicker and healthier it tends to feel,' says Hadley Yates stylist, Elle Clancy. 'I love a jaw-length blunt bob with a few invisible layers to add natural-looking texture and movement.'

Hairstylist Samantha Cusick seconds this. 'I love that bobs are having a huge moment and a soft, chin-length bob on fine hair is a perfect option. It’s classic but still modern and totally on trend, it gives the hair instant body,' she says.

If your hair is on the thinner side, too much layering can remove the bulk of the hair. Instead, Smith suggests considering graduated bobs and blunt bobs which 'are ideal to thicken the look of thin hair'. According to him, thin hair doesn't tend to grow very long due to the natural growth cycles of the hair, so short to mid-length styles will cheat a fuller silhouette.

'It’s all about the shape,' echoes Cusick. 'Too many layers and the hair can look sparse, so I lean towards styles with structure — think blunt edges or subtle shaping that keeps the weight where it’s needed,' she shares.

'Subtle tricks like face framing or sweeping curtain bangs can be helpful at giving the illusion of fullness, particularly around the face, too,' says Smith.

How to style short haircuts for fine or thin hair

Since fine hair comes in all textures and types, there isn't a one size fits all approach. It all depends on your features, lifestyle and personality. However, Smith notes that heated styles can drop out of fine hair quicker. 'So light waves that look relaxed as they drop, or smooth styles with slight bends can make the most of this texture,' he shares.

Do consider leaning into your natural texture by embracing a curly bob or a sleek, A-line bob if you have straight lengths.

If you want to add fullness to thin hair, 'a tucked bob (a chin length bob with one side tucked behind the ear) is a great way of enhancing the look of thickness and bulk in thinner hair types,' suggests Smith. He's also a fan of the French bob for thin hair that has a natural wave or curl, as it has plenty of texture to make the hair look thicker.

In hotter temperatures, thin hair can get oily more quickly. 'Use dry shampoo pre-emptively (immediately after blow-drying while the hair is still clean) to help keep an airy cleanness for longer in warmer weather,' suggests Smith. 'This is especially helpful in the case of fringes or face framing layers that are prone to greasiness.'

For the summer, Clancy recommends just dialling up the volume with a sea salt spray for a more effortless, beachy texture. 'Scrunch it in and let it air dry for that undone, lived-in feel,' she tells ELLE. If you do opt for heat styling, prep with a mousse (Clancy is a fan of Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer) for extra body. Authentic Beauty Concept's Airy Texture Spray is lightweight enough for thinner hair types.

Larry King Salon's stylist Vicky Demetriou also shares this top tip: 'Apply product when your hair is really soaking wet and then don’t touch it until it’s completely dry - that’s the best way to avoid frizz.'

The Best Short Hairstyles For Fine Hair This Summer

Wavy Lob

If you're easing into shorter hair, this mid-length lob enhances natural curls and the face framing bangs create the illusion of fullness.

Side-swept Sixties Bob

The soft shape of the sixties bob teamed with a side-parting creates extra volume for fine hair.

Subtle Graduated Bob

Gentle asymmetry adds interest to this bob, which works well for both fine and thin hair.

Tucked Short Bob

This easy styling trick is useful for those with thin hair types, and lends a preppy appeal, too.

Blunt Bob

A floating blunt chop is perfect for both fine or thin strands as it maintains the bulk of the hair.

Rounded French Bob

This textured French bob features evenly-chopped ends that works for thin or fine hair, and the tousled finish adds body and movement without requiring heat styling.

Face-Framing Pixie

A pixie cut with fringe is great for creating the illusion of having more hair, and looks incredibly fresh, too.

Layered Pixie

If you're someone with fine hair but lots of it, cutting in layers is a great way to bring balance to the style.

---

ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.

Medina Azaldin

Beauty Editor, ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK

Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.