In this article
- Top 1. Textured French crop
- Top 2. Messy quiff
- Top 3. Layered side-swept style
- Top 4. Short textured crop
- Top 5. Wavy top with faded sides
- Top 6. Classic taper with volume on top
- Top 7. Modern shag
- Top 8. Spiky textured fade
- Top 9. Undercut with brushed-back volume
- Top 10. Curly taper fade
- Top 11. Disconnected pompadour
- Top 12. Windswept mid-length cut
- Top 13. Faux hawk fade
- Top 14. Side-parted ivy league
- Top 15. Casual brush-up with short sides
Flat hair isn’t a life sentence as there are plenty of practical ways to bring shape, lift, and life back into your look. One of the simplest yet most effective changes you can make is switching up your hairstyle.
The right cut can instantly create the illusion of volume by removing weight in the right places and adding movement where it's needed most. Below, you’ll find a collection of styles designed specifically for flat hair.
Top 1. Textured French crop
It features a short back and sides, with more length left on top that’s styled forward or slightly upward with added texture. What makes this French cut ideal for flat hair is its ability to create lift and movement without needing much effort or product. When styled with a lightweight matte clay or texturizing paste, it adds separation and volume at the roots. Blow-drying with a directional nozzle like the one on the Laifen SE, makes the texture pop even more, locking in fullness.
Top 2. Messy quiff
The messy quiff blends volume with a relaxed edge. It leaves more length at the front while tapering down the sides. You can use a pre-styling mousse or sea salt spray, then blow-dry while lifting the roots with your fingers. A matte paste or clay provides the hold without weighing your hair down. The key is not to overstyle, you can let it look slightly tousled.
Top 3. Layered side-swept style
A side-swept style with layers is a classic solution for flat hair that lacks body. Layers help remove weight and give your hair a lighter feel. The side part instantly adds height at the crown, especially if you switch up your part from its usual direction. You can use a volumizing mousse and dry with a round brush or your fingers for natural lift. This style works well for medium-length hair and can be adapted to both professional and casual settings.
Top 4. Short textured crop
This is the low-maintenance cut that flat hair types secretly need. The short textured crop keeps the back and sides tight while leaving just enough length on top to create texture and volume. You can use a small amount of styling clay, working it into the hair in different directions to build shape. This style adds lift at the crown and gives the illusion of thicker hair through intentional separation.
Top 5. Wavy top with faded sides
The contrast between longer waves on top and faded sides creates the illusion of more volume, especially for men with naturally wavy or slightly curly hair. The added movement in the top layers naturally lifts the hair off the scalp, which helps prevent it from lying flat. The fade keeps the overall look clean and sharp, while the longer top adds personality.
Top 6. Classic taper with volume on top
The classic taper remains a timeless option for men with fine or flat hair. What makes this style work is its structure, the hair gradually shortens toward the neckline and ears while leaving more length on top. This allows you to build volume where it matters most. Use a blow dryer like the Laifen SE with a round brush or comb to lift the top section as you dry. Add a touch of lightweight mousse or volume spray to help it hold.
Top 7. Modern shag
The modern shag is ideal for men or women with medium to longer lengths who want to create volume through layered chaos. It works especially well for naturally wavy hair but can also be adapted for straight textures by adding a bit of wave with a curling tool or sea salt spray. The layers remove weight while giving movement, and the result is a voluminous silhouette that doesn’t require much maintenance.
Top 8. Spiky textured fade
If your goal is height and definition, the spiky textured fade offers exactly that. This cut features a high fade on the sides with slightly longer, choppy layers on top that are styled upward. The contrast in lengths makes the top stand out more, giving the illusion of thicker, fuller hair. A matte clay or strong-hold paste works well here, just avoid anything greasy.
Top 9. Undercut with brushed-back volume
With shaved or closely cropped sides and longer hair on top, this style visually amplifies fullness. Styling it brushed-back adds height and a cleaner silhouette. This cut suits both straight and slightly wavy hair types. It’s a great choice for people who want to keep some length on top while keeping the rest low-maintenance and sharp.
Top 10. Curly taper fade
For men with naturally curly or coily hair, the curly taper fade offers volume and control. The tight curls on top hold shape effortlessly while the faded sides create a lifted profile. This cut works with your hair’s natural movement, giving it height without over-styling. It’s ideal for low-effort, high-style days where you want volume that lasts.
Top 11. Disconnected pompadour
The disconnected pompadour adds retro charm with a modern edge. It features a voluminous top that’s styled up and back, with short or faded sides for contrast. This high-impact style needs a bit of effort, but it’s unbeatable in creating height and boldness. To style, apply a pre-styling product like mousse or volumizing spray, then blow-dry using a round brush to create the iconic lift.
Top 12. Windswept mid-length cut
For those who want movement and a natural, breezy look, the windswept mid-length cut is a great solution. This style thrives on layering and works particularly well with fine or flat hair when combined with lightweight styling products like salt sprays or volume foams. Hair is left long enough to sweep to one side or across the forehead, giving a soft lift and a laid-back aesthetic. You can use your fingers to tousle while drying for a casual, undone look.
Top 13. Faux hawk fade
The faux hawk fade gives you height down the middle with clean, faded sides. It mimics the mohawk’s shape but is more wearable for everyday looks. Use a matte clay or strong-hold texture cream to spike the middle section while keeping the edges defined. It suits shorter lengths and is especially effective for fine hair because it visually lifts the center and draws the eye upward.
Top 14. Side-parted ivy league
This neat, refined cut offers subtle volume through a side part and slight length on top. The Ivy League works well for those in professional settings or anyone wanting a clean yet fuller look. By creating a part and combing the longer section over, you instantly add height at the crown.
Top 15. Casual brush-up with short sides
Simple and flexible, the brush-up is all about upward styling. With short sides and a slightly longer top, it’s easy to add volume just by brushing the front up and slightly back. Use a pre-styling mousse or texture spray, then dry the hair with a bit of lift at the roots.
