There certainly are options that help reverse a receding hairline today—from medication to laser hair therapy and more. The only problem with these treatments is that they have to be consistently used for months before you start to see any changes. And sometimes, you might just want help covering up hair with a receding hair right now. The good news? We spoke to hair pros who said the perfect haircut can instantly help. Here are the best hairstyles for a receding hairline.
The best hairstyles for receding hairline
“The right haircut can make all the difference when it comes to camouflaging a receding hairline,” says Maria Jones, professional hair stylist at CoverClap.com. “Women who experience this type of thinning should opt for cuts that incorporate soft layers or movement that build volume at the crown. This diverts attention upward and away from the hairline.”
What’s more, when it comes to the best hairstyles for a receding hairline, less hair—or specifically a shorter cut—is most helpful. “I always advise cuts that are mainly on the shorter side because they create the illusion of fuller hair,” says Tukia Allen, Educator Coach at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes in Atlanta. “Heavier, longer hair can have a weighed down look, and this can make hair loss more noticeable.” Keep scrolling to see the pro-approved hairstyles for a receding hairline that make the hair appear thicker, stat.
Best hairstyles for receding hairline: The pageboy pixie
This cut redistributes weight toward the front of the face as opposed to away from it, says Allen. It also pulls attention away from the hairline to disguise thinner areas. “This fun pixie makes hair look really full, especially with the help of styling products,” explains Clyde Haygood, PURA D’OR partner and hairstylist who has worked with Katy Perry and Shakira. “When the hair’s fullness comes forward from the top of the head it effectively helps to cover thin areas at the hairline.”
What to ask for: A pixie cut with a rounded, bowl-like shape, that’s slightly longer than usual with ends that curve under, and blunt bangs that cover the forehead.
Best hairstyles for receding hairline: Asymmetrical bob
“An asymmetrical layered bob is so versatile,” says Jones. “It works well because the layers are able to be styled in various ways to cover thinning areas while keeping the look modern.” This cut can also give lift and texture to hair on top and still allow you to have some length, adds Haygood. Plus, the layers can be moved around or tousled to give thinning hair more body so it appears thicker and more lush.
What to ask for: Ask your hairstylist for a bob haircut that’s longer on one side than the other with layers throughout.
Best hairstyles for receding hairline: Side-swept bangs
Bangs that cover the forehead at a diagonal softly frame the face while concealing thinning along the hairline. “This helps disguise sparse spots,” says Jones. “Adding a deep side part also can help create an illusion of more volume.”
What to ask for: Side-swept bangs that are cut on a diagonal, with the longest part hitting between the top of your cheekbone to the corner of your eye, gradually getting shorter toward the center of your forehead.
Best hairstyles for receding hairline: Blunt bangs
The blunter the bangs, the better the illusion of making hair look as thick as it possibly can, says Haygood. “Any style that curls hair toward the face creates a flattering frame that also takes attention away from any thinning underneath,” adds Allen. “These bangs are basically the opposite of pulling hair back into a tight ponytail or bun, which only emphasizes the thinning areas.”
What to ask for: Bangs that fall forward and hit in a straight line either just below or right above the eyebrows.
Once you’ve zeroed in on the best haircut for you, the next thing to keep in mind is styling. Jones notes that styling also plays an important role in disguising hair with a receding hairline. “I always advise clients to use lightweight volumizing products to lift the roots,” she says. “Also, avoid heavy creams or oils that can weigh the hair down and make thinning areas more obvious.”
Jones also has one last piece of advice to go along with these tips and tricks for hiding a receding hairline. “Remember, the most important thing is confidence,” she says. “Finding a look that makes you feel beautiful will make you look beautiful.”
