Style Hair 40 Volume-Boosting Haircuts Even Dolly Parton Would Approve Of From thickening blunt lobs to texturizing layered shags to height-defying chin bobs. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on May 17, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: @salsalhair Getting more volume comes down to a matter of beating your hair at its own game, which can entail mastering a combination of volumizing hair products, strategic heat styling, and hair spray that really holds. Most importantly, it requires starting 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, 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 or curly hair—these volume haircuts will have you striding through life with your highest crown yet. 01 of 40 A-Line Chin Bob @salsalhair And the award for most-coveted bob 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. 02 of 40 Curly Shag @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. 03 of 40 Bouncy Layered Curls @natalieannehair / Instagram We're ready to dial up our stylist to ask about getting this kind of volume. 04 of 40 Blunt Lob @riawna You can't go wrong with a classic blunt cut like this one by stylist Riawna Capri, which makes your ends look extra thick. 05 of 40 Long-Layered Cut @natalieannehiar Layers are the key to removing enough weight from longer haircuts to help style more voluminous hair overall. 06 of 40 Texturizing Stacked Bob @styled_by_carolynn A stacked bob is the perfect way to pump up height and body on short hair. 07 of 40 Wispy Shoulder Shag @natalieannehair / Instagram When it comes to the most versatile of wispy bangs, we can never have enough inspo. This curly 'do is ready to pump up the volume. 08 of 40 Choppy Side-Swept Crop @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. 09 of 40 70s Long Cut @hair_by_lexieshay Calling all vintage girls: This long cut is basically the only thing standing between you and living your best life. Ask for layers, wispy bangs, and a groovy pantsuit to get you started. 10 of 40 Cool-Girl Chin Bob @bridgetbragerhair Meet the coolest kid in class: the blunt, textured chin bob. Falling just below the chin right above the collarbone, it hits in the most flattering way. 11 of 40 One-Length Collarbone Cut @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. 12 of 40 Middle-Parted Layering @veronica_nunez For curly hair, layering is essential for creating movement and height when styling. A middle part accentuates shorter layers to appear even more voluminous. 13 of 40 Winged Crop Cut @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. 14 of 40 Feathered Hair @ninezeroone Go for a retro look with this feathered long cut that looks very Farrah Fawcett. 15 of 40 Long Side-Swept Curls @chrisgreenehair Balayage highlighting enhances every spiral and ringlet on a long curly mane, which ensures you're not missing out on showcasing any of your volume. 16 of 40 Face-Framing Layers Grace James / @volumeandvibes Layered face-framing can add movement to your hair style and complement certain face shapes. 17 of 40 Relaxed Shag @mizzchoi If you're in it more for the style factor, this trendy long shag cut will see you through every time. 18 of 40 Layered Lob Curls @jesseniaspallet Volume and major bounce are instant side effects of this shoulder-length, layered cut. 19 of 40 Blunt Curtained Bob @brianacisneros Give retro style to a classic blunt bob style with long and casual curtain bangs that are layered around the face. The choppy layers add texture, volume, and movement. 20 of 40 Stacked Short Bob @styled_by_carolynn Keeping the length just a little bit shorter in the back—and stacking it just so—pumps your look up with no-fuss volume that doesn't require any extra styling. 21 of 40 Blunt Bangs @salsalhair For thick-haired ladies who want to keep their length without weighing hair down, a set of blunt bangs can make the most of your natural texture while adding an oomph of volume instantly. 22 of 40 Curly Crop Cut @amandaleighrush One of the best ways to maximize curls is to go with a short cut, like this fringed crop style. 23 of 40 Subtle Undercut Crop @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. 24 of 40 Blunt Chin Bob @chrisjones_hair For thinner or finer hair, body can be hard to come across if you're scared to take it up a few inches. This blunt bob is perfect for adding texture. 25 of 40 Curly Bangs @sarahcurlboss It's no secret that layers can help increase volume in curly hair, but wispy bangs are a way to add a cute face-framing bounce. 26 of 40 Layered Bob Grace James / @volumeandvibes Highlights and lowlights give the illusion of depth to any cut. 27 of 40 Barely-There Bangs @tedgibson Get the feel of bangs without having to commit to bangs. These barely-there curtain bangs by stylist Ted Gibson trade in long face-framing strands for something short. 28 of 40 Curly Short Bob @curlsbyjessw If you'd like to refresh your usual bob, consider adding side-swept bangs and short layers that can help pump up the volume. 29 of 40 French Bob @anhcotran A fringed chin bob hugs your face in all the flattering places. 30 of 40 Feathered Layers @brianacisneros Feathered hair is back, and we're here for every easy, breezy layer that makes up this cool haircut. 31 of 40 Curly Bangs @kristin_ess Sure, we love Birkin bangs and shaggy fringe and curtain bangs—but curly bangs might take the cake for the most volume-packed bangs of all. 32 of 40 Mid-Length Cut Grace James / @volumeandvibes For those who like to keep longer hair, a mid-length cut can achieve plenty of volume with the help of strategic styling products. 33 of 40 Ultra-Layered Curls @salsalhair These statement-making curls don't need to lose length to have plenty of definition. 34 of 40 Curly Pixie @evanjosephcurls This is all about maximizing all the height that your curls can give you. Keep the sides short and cropped, with longer length up top. 35 of 40 Blunt Shoulder Cut @justinandersoncolor If you're about as low maintenance as it gets, this no-fuss cut is your ticket to taking it easy. 36 of 40 Retro Shag @salsalhair The shag haircut is made for curls, with all of its layers. This bold take stands tall with volume. 37 of 40 Side-Swept Lob Cut @natalieannehair An easy way to add body to a short cut is to use a side part to build up natural volume, especially when infused with a subtle curl. 38 of 40 Relaxed Shag Cut @salsalhair Short face-framing layers and bangs make the most of texture, instead of weighing strands down. 39 of 40 Long Layered Cut @kristin_ess A common trick keep long hair but offer some extra volume? Ask for layers. If you have thin hair, keep the layers only from midway to the ends. 40 of 40 Retro Layers Grace James / @volumeandvibes Channel your inner rebel with this eye-catching long hairstyle. For a more curled style, use Velcro rollers after your blowout to achieve even more volume. Frequently Asked Questions What haircut is best for thin hair to get more volume? Generally, with thin hair types, choosing a short haircut ensures that hair is not weighed down, which can decrease volume at the root. Adding mid-length layers can also help give more natural volume on thin or fine hair. What is the best volume haircut for fine hair over 50? Short bobs and pixie cuts are flattering for those who have fine, mature hair. Ask for shaggy layers or bangs to add more body and definition to a short cut. What are ghost layers for fine or thin hair? This technique is meant to add volume to fine or thin strands without taking off too much hair. Layers are cut into the top horseshoe section of your hair, while the ends are left thick and more blunt to keep the appearance of thickness. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit