25 Volume-Boosting Haircuts for 2021 Even Dolly Parton Would Approve Of

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
Updated October 27, 2020
Credit: @bridgetbragerhair

When it comes to hair, volume is like the unattainable boy in your high school home room. We all want it, would do anything to get it, but usually end up just making ourselves look silly. (Please reference the Great Teasing Comb Disaster of 2004.) And just like any unattainable boy, getting volume comes down to a matter of playing the game better than he—er, it—does. That means mastering a combination of volumizing hair products, strategic heat styling, and a hairspray that just won’t quit. But most importantly, that means you need to start with the proper base: a volume-boosting haircut. 

From thickening blunt lobs to texturizing layered shags to height-defying chin bobs, these haircuts know how to pump up the volume from the get-go, as if they’ve come straight from the shears of Dolly Parton’s wig stylist. No matter if you have thin hair or thick, straight hair or curly, these volume haircuts are sure to welcome 2021 with your highest crown yet. 

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A-Line Chin Bob

Credit: @salsalhair

And the award for most-coveted bob of 2021 goes to...this sassy little number by stylist Sal Salcedo. Ask for a slightly A-line cut (which means shorter in the back) to pump up natural volume at the crown. 

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Blunt Lob

Credit: @riawna

You can’t go wrong with a classic blunt cut like this one by stylist Riawna Capri, which makes your ends look oh-so thick. Layers might give more volume at the crown, but a blunt cut gives you thickness and, as it follows, overall volume like no other. 

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Curly Shag

Credit: @salsalhair

We’re taking it back to the helmet-hair days, but in the most impossibly stylish way. Layers and bangs are the calling cards of this classic cut. 

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Long Layered Cut

Credit: @natalieannehiar

Layers are the key to removing enough weight from longer haircuts to help style more voluminous hair overall. Side-swept bangs are just the cherry on top. 

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The Key to Volume is Starting With One of These Haircuts

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Texturizing Stacked Bob

Credit: @styled_by_carolynn

Let’s have a moment of silence for all the flat strands sacrificed to make this ultra-volumized bob. A stacked bob is the perfect way to pump up height and body on short hair. 

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Choppy Side-Swept Crop

Credit: @rodrigocintra

Take long, thin hair and give it the ultimate makeover with a choppy crop cut. You’re able to feign height and volume with just a few spritzes of texturizing spray. 

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70s Long Cut

Credit: @hair_by_lexieshay

Calling all retro girls: This long cut is basically the only thing standing between you and living your best life in 2021. Ask for layers, wispy bangs, and a groovy pantsuit to get you started. 

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Cool-Girl Chin Bob

Credit: @bridgetbragerhair

Meet the coolest kid in class: the blunt, textured chin bob. Falling just below the chin, right above the collarbone, it hits your most flattering spot ever.

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Bouncy Layered Curls

Credit: @natalieannehair

We're dialing up our stylist to ask about getting all this body. Layers and wispy bangs give serious bounce to curly hair.

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One-Length Collarbone Cut

Credit: @hairby_chrissy

A collarbone-grazing cut is as trendy as it gets, and keeping the layers to a minimum and styling with a slight bend helps to enhance natural volume from midway to the ends. 

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Winged Crop Cut

Credit: @brianacisneros

When in doubt, brush up and away from the face to feign extra volume in seconds. For that, you'll need these winged-out long bangs to get the job done. 

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Relaxed Shag

Credit: @mizzchoi

If you’re in it more for the style factor than pure volume boost, this trendy cut will see you through every time. 

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Blunt Curtained Bob

Credit: @brianacisneros

Give retro style to a classic blunt bob style with long and casual curtain bangs that are long enough to be considered easy layers.

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Wispy Shoulder Shag

Credit: @natalieannehair

When it comes to the most versatile of wispy bangs, we can never have enough inspo. This curly 'do is shaggy and ready to pump up the volume.

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Stacked Short Bob

Credit: @styled_by_carolynn

Keeping the length just a little bit shorter in the back—and stacking it just so—pumps you look up with no-fuss volume that doesn't require any extra styling. 

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Subtle Undercut Crop

Credit: @mila_kryshchykhina

An undercut detail can make your entire short cut look a little more voluminous all-around. Here, it's shown around the ear and near the nape of the neck. 

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Blunt Bangs

Credit: @salsalhair

For thick-haired ladies who want to keep their length without weighing the hair down, a set of blunt bangs can make the most of your natural texture while adding an oomph of volume instantly. 

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Barely-There Bangs

Credit: @tedgibson

We call this: “Get bangs without having to commit to bangs.” These barely-there curtain bangs by stylist Ted Gibson trade in limp, long face-framing strands for something short and volume-packed.

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Curly Bangs

Credit: @kristin_ess

Sure, we love Birkin bangs and shaggy fringe and curtain bangs galore—but curly bangs might take the cake for most-coveted bangs in all the beauty world. It’s an easy trick to instant bounce and body.

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French Bob

Credit: @anhcotran

Someone called the salon and asked for the chicest haircut of the year—and this is definitely what they came up with. A fringed chin bob hugs your face in all the flattering places. 

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Feathered Layers

Credit: @brianacisneros

Feathered hair is back, baby—and we're here for every easy, breezy layer that makes up this cool haircut with all the curb appeal. 

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Curly Pixie

Credit: @evanjosephcurls

This is all about maximizing all the height that your curls can give you. Keep the sides short and cropped and let your curls run wild up top. 

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Blunt Shoulder Cut

Credit: @justinandersoncolor

If you’re about as low maintenance as it gets, this no-fuss cut is your ticket to taking over 2021. Thickness and volume, coming right up. 

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Ultra-Layered Curls

Credit: @salsalhair

This cut makes it very clear that big, wild curls are the best kind of curls. Let them rule the roost, and you can’t go wrong. 

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Long Layered Cut

Credit: @kristin_ess

This is the oldest trick in the book. You have long, wavy hair—you do not want to cut said mermaid-like hair. How to fake some extra volume? Cut all the layers. If you have very thin hair, keep the layers only from midway to the ends. 

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By Kaitlyn Yarborough