10 Hair Loss Hairstyles That Fake Fullness

People experience hair loss and thinning for a plethora of reasons. Some experience stress-related hair loss. Others experience traction alopecia, which can be caused by wearing wigs and extensions. Others have health issues that cause their hair to fall out en masse. Whatever the reason is, it can be scary to notice fewer strands on your head and more on your hair brush. Not to mention, it can cause insecurities.

We firmly believe that everyone is beautiful no matter how much hair they do or don't have, but if it's something you'd like to cover up, we're here to help you do that, too. Certain hairstyles can conceal balding spots, receding hairlines, widening parts, and overall thinning hair — it's just a matter of knowing what to do and how to do it. So to help you out, we tapped four hairstylists for their best advice and pro tips.

Keep scrolling for 10 expert-approved hairstyles that can create the optical illusion of a fuller, thicker head of hair.

Side-Swept Bangs

To hide hairline thinning, opt for side-swept bangs. (Yes, you can fake them if you're not ready to commit.)

"If you have bangs, pull hair into a loose, low ponytail and secure at the nape of neck. Next, dry bangs with a large round brush for volume and sweep them to either side," instructs Jerome Lordet, a celebrity hairstylist. If you don't have bangs, leave a small section out from the left and right side. After you make the ponytail, pull those sections back and secure them behind ears."

Headbands

Using a headband to disguise thinning around the hairline is an age-old trick that works every time — and you can adjust the width and style of it depending on the look you're going for or how much you want to cover.

Lordet says to secure the headband about a 1/4 inch from your hairline or directly over the hairline, using a comb to tease the hair. Starting from behind the headband, brush back and spray a bit of hairspray for hold. We stand by the Unite Boosta Finishing Hairspray, which helps hold your hair in place while giving it tons of shine.

Top Knot

A great option for naturally curly hair, a top knot is a favorite for hairstylists to help hide hair loss. “This style is best for those who have a recession patch in the crown of their head,” says celebrity hairstylist Venner James.

Depending on your curl pattern, he suggests using either a gel or molding spray to start. Once you apply your preferred product, slick hair back into your desired position on your head with a medium-to-hard brush to help gather and put hair where you want it. You can twist or braid the top to create a structured knot if you want something more dynamic. Just secure it with with a hair tie.

Celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons adds that you should use a volumizing shampoo to start, like his Andrew Fitzsimons Body Volume Shampoo and Conditioner. Once your hair is dry, tie it up and secure it with pins to lock it in place. For something a bit more casual, he says to leave out the ends to help hair look fuller. 

Flipped Over Side Part

Especially if your hair is thinning at the top of your head, Matt Collins, celebrity hairstylist and Dyson global styling ambassador, says it's best to avoid having a center part. For a deep side part, he says to start by spraying a generous amount of volumizing tonic. You’ll want to blow dry hair while it's flipped upside down to give it some volume, but you can style the hair while it’s still parted at the center. Then, once you’re done, flip your hair over to the side, one to two inches from the center. Collins says this will push your roots in the opposite direction from which they were set and give your hair a fuller body. 

Caesar Cut

The Caesar cut (or flat wrap) is just a super short cut with slight bangs out front. James suggests this hairstyle to help disguise hair loss as you can create a comb-over in any receding area. Style and mold hair with either a mousse or gel to ensure it holds. One of our favorite products to use — for a slicked-back bun or a pixie cut like this — is the Ouai Matte Pomade. It allows you to shape your hair exactly as you envision it.

Blunt Bob

The shorter and blunter your hair is, the fuller it will appear, Collins says. “If you're experiencing hair loss, chances are there is already texture in your hair, so there is no need to add this,” he says. “Just go for as blunt as possible.”

He says you can add texture by styling it with natural-looking waves or by adding a texture spray. He adds that the shorter the strands, the more you are able to achieve volume when air drying. If you really want to add some body, he suggests starting with a good mousse on your roots before drying your hair. Our favorite? Vegamour's Gro Hair Foam — it adds body like no other.

Twist-Outs

Twist-outs are a great option to hide hair loss if you’ve got natural curls. To do this, James says to split hair into about eight to ten sections. Working section by section, apply a generous curling pomade before twisting your curls. Leave it to dry and once dry, undo and style as desired. He says this style works best on hair longer than four inches and can be used to create volume when the twist is separated. 

You can also opt for flat twists, where you’re twisting curls in the same motion as twists just grabbing them to lay them flat. James says to part hair in the direction which will cover the area hair loss. You’ll then want to flat twist — or cornrow — curls. Let it dry, undo it, and style as desired.

Face-Framing Layers

Collins says that the most common hair loss is often around the front of the hairline and temples. For that reason, soft face-framing layers will make sparse areas seem purposeful. He suggests styling hair with a soft wavy texture to create the illusion of volume. To get this amount of volume and shine, we recommend starting with Pattern Leave-In Conditioner.

Back-Combed Ponytail

Hair loss generally pops up around the crown area for women experiencing alopecia, which Collins says makes it an easy spot cover. Simply style hair with a curl tonic, curl-enhancing mousse, or light-hold gel before letting hair dry (naturally or with the help of a dryer and diffuser to enhance texture for coarse hair). Then sweep hair into a backcombed pony (or bun) with a slight pouf at the top to hide any signs of hair loss. 

Curly Bob

If you’ve got long, natural curls and are experiencing receding or damaged hair along the hairline, Collins recommends a big change. Big as in chopping your hair into a full, heavy curly fringe and blunt bob above the shoulders. To style, use your normal styling products for curls and grab a diffuser to give your curls volume.