How to Style Thin Hair for Men: Easy Hairstyles, Pro Tips & Best Products

How to Style Thin Hair for Men: Easy Hairstyles, Pro Tips & Best Products

Written by: Piers Le Moignan

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Time to read 8 min

For many men with finer hair, knowing how to style their thin or thinning hair can be a challenge. But just because you don't have the locks to recreate a Harry Styles-esque do, that doesn't mean you have to settle for a limp or lifeless mane, either.


In fact, there are plenty of cool and versatile hairstyles that can help you embrace your thin hair and make it work for you – or hide it if that's what you prefer.


We've pulled together some of our favourite (and the easiest) hairstyles for thin hair, plus some of our tips for achieving each look and managing your thin hair, and the best products to help you get there.

6 Popular Men’s Hairstyles for Thin Hair – Inspired By Celebrities

Many of the male celebs of today – like Matthew McConaughey, Chace Crawford, and Robert Pattinson – have thin hair, and they're proof that you can still have great style despite your hair's texture or density.


We've scoured our social media and picked out our top 6 hairstyles for thin hair as seen on famous faces, along with tips on how to achieve each one…

#1 Robert Pattinson's Messy, Cropped & Choppy Cut

Credit: @dior

Robert Pattinson's choppy, slightly messy haircut for his Dior shoot is a great style for men with thin hair.


The shorter, textured layers give the illusion of thicker, fuller hair and add volume to the top, which can hide any particularly thin areas.

How to Style:


Apply a small amount of styling cream to towel-dried hair, working it through your hair from front to back. Use your fingers to tousle and style the hair, creating a messy and textured look.


You can also apply more product to certain sections to add more volume and texture.


Our Compound Clay is an excellent product for achieving this look, providing a flexible hold without weighing down your hair. It also mattifies hair so you don't get that greasy appearance that many other products can cause.


Leave your hair to air dry or use a blow dryer on low heat for added volume, facing the hairdryer towards the roots and lifting the hair as you dry.

#2 Matthew McConaughey's Slicked-Back Waves

If you're still blessed with long hair, like Matthew McConaughey, then a slicked-back style with waves is perfect for thin hair. The sleekness of the style creates an illusion of fullness and volume, while the waves add texture and dimension.

How to Style:


After washing and towel-drying your hair, spritz a texturising spray, like our Marine Mist sea salt spray, into your hair. Scrunch the product in and tousle your hair with your fingers to create natural-looking waves.


Use a diffuser on a cold temperature setting to dry your hair, scrunching as you go.


Once dry, take a hair clay and work it through your hair from front to back, slicking your hair back.


Top tip When scrunching the sea salt spray into your hair and diffusing, flip your head upside down to create even more volume. This will further help to lift your roots and hide the appearance of thinning hair.

#3 Robert Downey Jr's Buzzcut

Credit: @robertdowneyjr

RDJ's short-lived buzzcut is a perfect example of how to rock thin hair with confidence and work with what you have. This classic military-inspired cut is low-maintenance and suits just about any face shape.

How to Style:


Buzz your hair using a 4 or below clipper grade.


If you want to add some texture, run a small amount of styling compound through your hair, brushing your hair backwards.

#4 George Clooney's Short Side-Part

Credit: @tehranwatchco

Everyone's favourite silver fox, George Clooney, is a great example of how to style thin hair with a side-parted cut.


He's kept his hair cropped short, which gives off a clean and sharp appearance, and the side part adds a stylish touch to this classic hairstyle.

How to Style:


After towel-drying your hair, apply a small amount of hair clay to your hair, and use your fingers (or a comb) to create a side-part, smoothing down the hair on either side.


You can use a hair dryer to set the style in place, brush the hair on the side part towards your preferred direction, or leave it to air dry for a more natural look.

#5 Idris Elba's Skin-Fade Buzz & Circle Beard

Credit:idriselba

Combing a buzzcut with a skin fade like Idris' go-to style is a great look for thin hair. The fade adds a bit of extra dimension to the cut, while the circle beard adds some balance and interest to the face.

How to Style:


If you're not confident with a pair of clippers, we recommend scheduling in a quick trim with your barber to achieve this look.


Once you have the buzzcut and fade, you can use a small amount of styling compound to run through the length on top, which will add some texture and keep it locked in place through the day.


As for the circle beard, it's a fairly easy one to maintain, just requiring regular trimming to keep it looking even.

#6 Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Wet Look Hair

A slicked-back wet hair look like Jeffrey's can be a great option for older men with thinning hair.


The wet look creates the appearance of thicker hair and adds a touch of sophistication to your style.

How to Style:


After washing your hair, apply a gel or pomade throughout your hair, combing it back into place. You can leave it to air dry or use a blow dryer and comb to set the style in place, brushing back and directing the hair away from your face.


Apply some more gel or pomade as needed to keep the wet look throughout the day.

Why Do Men Have Thin Hair?

There are a myriad of reasons why your hair may be thin– but note that there is a difference between thin and thinning.


Thinning hair refers to a gradual loss of hair over time due to genetic factors or medical conditions, while thin hair usually refers to the natural texture and density of your hair.

Causes of Thinning Hair

Some common causes of thinning hair include:

  • Hormonal changes (such as male pattern hair loss)
  • Ageing
  • Stress
  • Poor diet and nutrition
  • Over-styling or frequent use of heat tools

Causes of Thin Hair

As for why you may have thin hair, it usually comes down to genetics.


You may have inherited the trait from your parents or grandparents, or their thick hair genes may have skipped a generation.


However, some lifestyle factors and medical conditions can also contribute to thin hair. It's essential to take care of your hair and scalp, using gentle products and avoiding harsh treatments or over-styling.

Can You 'Fix' Thinning Hair in Men?

  • Establish a good haircare routine & stick to it
  • Use hair thickening products, like our Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Reduce & cope with stress
  • Eat a balanced diet with all the vitamins you need (particularly B vitamins)
  • Avoid harsh heat tools and over-styling

Of course, the main question that many men with thin hair may have is, can you fix it? The answer isn't a simple yes or no; it depends on the cause of your thinning hair.


If it's genetic and runs in your family, then unfortunately, there's not much you can do to change that.


However, making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, reducing stress, and avoiding damaging hair treatments can help maintain the density of your hair.


Using haircare products that stimulate hair growth will also be a big help in maintaining the thickness of your hair.

Our Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner have proven to be highly effective in strengthening and thickening thin hair, thanks to their powerful, advanced formulas.


They contain natural ingredients like Gingko Biloba, Saw Palmetto, and Red Clover Leaf, which are known for their abilities to combat hair thinning caused by male pattern hair loss.


The formulas also contain other hair-nourishing ingredients, like Vitamin B3 and Aloe Leaf, which help to increase your hair's fullness and restore its health.

Conclusion: Styling Thin & Thinning Men's Hair

A well-styled barnet can be a powerful tool in hiding thin or thinning hair. With the right products and techniques, you can create the illusion of thicker and fuller hair, or embrace your thin hair and make it work for you.


You can try out some of the hairstyles we've mentioned or experiment with different products and styling methods to find what works best for you.


And if you want to tackle your hair loss or beat it before it even starts, you can shop our range of hair-growth stimulating products formulated for men's thin and thinning hair. As we all know, a good hairstyle starts with healthy and strong hair.

FAQs

Does Thin Hair Mean I Am Balding?

Thin hair doesn't necessarily mean you are on the path to balding. Many men have naturally thin hair as this is just their hair type – typically those with straight hair.


Thinning hair is different, and it refers to a gradual loss of hair over time. This can be caused by factors such as genetics or medical conditions.

Why is My Hair Thinning At the Front?

Thinning hair at the front of your head can be an indicator of male pattern hair loss, but it could be caused by other factors such as stress or poor nutrition. Consult with a doctor if you are concerned about your hair loss.

Can Thin Hair Ever Become Thick?

Setting a good haircare routine and sticking to it can help maintain the density of your hair and make it appear thicker. The products you use will also play a significant role in promoting hair growth and creating the appearance of thicker and fuller hair.

Does Thin Hair Mean High Testosterone?

High testosterone doesn't necessarily mean thin hair. While it's true that high levels of testosterone can contribute to male pattern hair loss, this is not always the case for men with naturally thin hair.

Piers Le Moignan

Piers Le Moignan is the founder and CEO of Salt Grooming, an award-winning British luxury men’s haircare and styling brand. 


Founded in 2018, Piers has quickly grown the company into a global brand that has distributed to 43 countries and counting.


Headquartered in London, Piers leads an agile workforce of 10 employees and consultants, including the company’s formulation team which features some of the UK’s leading cosmetic scientists. Piers is responsible for overseeing logistics, supply chain, and performance marketing, and is the driving force behind Salt’s product innovation and brand/creative direction. 


Previous to foundership, Piers spent a decade at some of London’s leading creative agencies, developing global brands and communications for the likes of Adidas, Jaguar Land Rover, British Airways, and more.

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