In one of the old photo albums I stumbled upon, I saw some of my clients from 2019 among the pages. One client I remember was super warm and sweet. She had a round face with fine hair and she thought that nothing would ever work for her. She would come in every six weeks and look at style magazines and say “not for me, not for me, not for me.” And honestly? I get it. There is a staggering absense of resources for people with round faces and fine hair, and it is totally understandable to feel like there are very few options available to you. The reality is that there are lots of styles that are suitable for fine hair, but unfortunately they are often designed for the wrong type of hair.
In my opinion, thin hair is not the real restriction here. What is more important is knowing the right tricks. Some cuts can create movement, while certain colors can give the illusion of depth. Placing volume in the right spots can create balance and cohesion to the entire look. Some styles will invite you to book an appointment, while others will surprise you simply because they aren’t what you may think. That is what I find fun the most. I collected 25 of my favorite styles and I am very eager to share all of them with you, so let’s begin.
#1: Copper Cascading Curls for Round Faces
This is your sign to go for it! This mid-length curly hairstyle is one of those cuts that makes fine hair look like it grew overnight. This is due to the volume and light that the curls create. The layered cut underneath allows each curl to bounce instead of remaining straight. Now, if you do go for the copper color, it will add even more dimension to your curls. There is a good amount of upkeep to keep copper curls looking fresh, as well as some maintenance needed to keep curls looking good in between washes, but the payoff is definitely worth it. The best part is that you will walk out looking like an entirely new person!
#2 Soft Chestnut Shag with Wispy Fringe
I’m starting to really like the shag style and this is one of the reasons why. The crown and bangs that are voluminous and wispy, help bring the focus to the eyes and cheekbones, making it great for round face shapes. Chestnut is a brown that has a warmer hue and is less red. It also works great with warm undertones in the skin. This style is super low maintenance. All you would need to do is spray some texturizing spray to it, and you’re all set! If you live in a humid climate, a fringe might get messy and uncontrollable. With shag, a little imperfection is totally fine.
#3 Soft Auburn Waves with Feathered Fringe
The feathered fringe style is a great look to try if you have thin hair! Not only does it provide a soft look to your hair without the commitment of a full fringe, but it can also compliment rounder face shapes very nicely. You can style your hair into waves that are thin and medium length to create the appearance of more hair which is almost a dream come true! The use of warm auburn tones is lovely for the whole look. You will definitely want to get your hair shaped fairly often to maintain the bounce, as it will start losing this after about 6 to 8 weeks. This style does require a lot of maintenance, as you won’t be able to just wash and go. If you like to spend time curling your hair, then coaxing this style into waves can be totally worth it. This is definitely one of those hairstyles that will get you lots of praise!
#4 Curly Caramel Delight Cut for Round Faces
Embrace your naturally curly hair! Take a look at this style and imagine how good it will look on you. The shoulder length layers create and frame the uniform curls. The face is nicely surrounded by curls which is even all around. The curled layers help to avoid the hair looking chunky. This cut is perfect for curly girls and will be low maintenance. The hair will do the work for you. With this look it is all about balance and polished updos. The curls will give your hair the straight styles and look you won’t be able to replicate.
#5 Brunette Wavy Bob with Golden Highlights
I find myself recommending this haircut frequently because it meets most of my clients’ needs. The layers around the face create the illusion of thickness for finer hair. The golden balayage highlights add richness and depth to the hair and keep it from looking one-dimensional and flat. I also appreciate the darker roots. The contrast at the scalp creates the illusion of more volume exactly where it is needed most. The length is perfect for those who don’t enjoy spending 30 minutes styling their hair. I will say the highlights can become brassy so you will have to use a good purple shampoo and be diligent about toning appointments. However, the dimension it gives to fine hair makes it worth it!
#6 Cinnamon Spice Soft Layers for Round Faces
I absolutely love the cinnamon tones! This color and cut are gorgeous! The front waves give a very natural look and starting mid-length is perfect! It really draws the eye down creating an elongating effect on rounder face shapes. The layering is softly and pretty done, not a ton of heavy layering done, just enough to create movement and not have it look like one solid sheet. I love that this is a medium length cut because you don’t have to spend a lot of time in the morning to make it look nice. It will take a bit more time to blow-dry it with a round brush to set the waves, but really that’s not a big deal. If you want to brighten up this look, a few subtle face-framing highlights would look nice. Overall, I love it!
#7 Brunette Tousled Pixie with Lifted Roots
This is the cut for people who are worried about going shorter because their hair is too fine. The volume at the roots and textured top creates the illusion that there is a lot more hair than there really is, and the dark brown color adds depth. It is ideal for clients who are over length that just sits there. You pretty much just put in some root-lifting product and shake it up. You will need to come in for a lot of trims to keep that shape looking great though. If that isn’t something you can commit to, just keep that in mind. It’s honestly so worth it when it opens up your face and makes your eyes pop.
#8 Playful Wavy Sun-Kissed Bob for Round Faces
A sun kissed bob gives off a vacation vibe — and I’m all for it! This haircut is a medium length bob that sits above the shoulders. This length is ideal because you can still tie it back. You also won’t need to spend as much time styling it since it’s shorter. The waves around the cheeks add fullness and are super flattering for rounder faces. To maintain this style, you should use some sea-salt spray or a wave enhancer because if the waves sit flat it really defeats the purpose of the style. This style gives the illusion of fullness to thinner hair and is really easy to maintain.
#9 Bouncy Caramel Bob with Swooping Waves
It makes me indescribably happy when I get to do something for a client, and I can already tell how much of a difference it’s going to make. This bob is shorter in the back and longer in the front, creating a lot of volume and movement and those swooping, face framing waves are everything! Those caramel tones reflect the light beautifully, and give fine hair the illusion of thickness. I’m going to be completely honest with you, those face framing waves do take a while to style. You won’t wake up with this hair. The youthful vibe it gives is incredible and my clients love it so much, they don’t even mind the time. A volumizing mousse is going to make this a lot easier.
#10 Rich Cinnamon Bob with Textured Waves
A chin length layered bob with textured waves in such a pretty cinnamon color? Yes, yes, and YES! The color is stunning. Waves will catch the light and make every single one pop! The visual texture and fullness will give fine hair the boost it needs. Chin length is the most flattering for round faces because it adds width at the jaw and balances the face instead of making it rounder. A light mousse will help your waves stay defined and won’t weigh them down. Maintenance is easy, just a little shaping every few weeks to avoid that awkward in between stage.
#11 Rich Chocolate Layered Bob with Voluminous Curls
One detail I think is especially cool is how one side is tucked behind the ear, which adds to the modernity and playfulness of the bob. The curls hitting at the cheekbone are intentional, as larger face shapes tend to pull focus upwards, creating an elongating effect. The rich chocolate brown color adds depth to the fine strands of hair so each curl has more substance. If you like defined curls and are willing to spend a little time on this, it’s not a grab and go style, but the result is a lot of volume for fine hair in the 5-10 minute range.
#12 Elegant Silver Layered Bob for Round Faces
Silver hair is a challenging process, but it’s worth the beauty it brings. It is my pleasure to craft the perfect looks for my clients, and this layered bob provides me with an excellent example to show for it. The graduated layers that finish at the cheeks are particularly slimming for rounder faces, and it’s also versatile enough for a sleek look one day and textured the next. And, it doesn’t matter what hair type you have, it’s a great look for everyone! The beauty of silver hair is a heavy maintenance commitment, however. Your hair will need ongoing toner to avoid a brassy look, and a toner shampoo will be necessary to help with the upkeep. It is a commitment, but the result for you is stunning!
#13 Soft Golden Layers with Feathered Ends
I’ve been working with a variety of clients over the years. Clients who are over 45 years old say that their hair has lost its personality. It reminds me of the golden highlights featured in these hairstyles from my portfolio. Hair that feels thin and lifeless starts to lose its personality, and so do the golden highlights. The ends of the hair are feathered and layered enough to give a bouncy and full appearance. The layers around the face are framers beautifully and effortlessly. The look is natural and elegant. If you want to really give your hair that bouncy full look, I suggest you invest in a good volumizing styling mousse and blow dryer. The cut will cost you little time in your daily routine. You’ll need to make the grey blending a little less blended more often than you will the dark pieces. The way this will make you look and feel? It is so worth it!
#14 Charming Chestnut Wavy Bob with Side-Swept Bangs
I always assure my clients that side-swept bangs help elongate the face. That is true, bangs can be great elongating tools! Plus this chestnut bob is also beautiful with the waves and layers, even when the hair is thin. It is also a good length! It won’t make morning routines a hassle, and you can style it however you want. A light wave spray will help keep the beachy look, but with the waves, it may require some maintenance to keep the look fresh. I recommend this look for all my customers with round faces, you will be surprised by how much of a difference it makes!
#15 Effortless Brunette Volume Bob for Round Faces
Shorter cuts are often overlooked when it comes to their difficulty, which is what makes this cut so amazing. The layers of this cut are designed to add depth and volume to thin hair without looking too texturized or choppy. The rounded layers are very flattering to a rounder face shape, as it draws attention to the eyes. It also elongates the neck, which a lot of people don’t realize, but makes a huge difference. The rich color adds depth to the hair as well as a nice sheen, which fine hair typically lacks. The cut is also a lot shorter, which may limit styling options, but if you’re looking for a polished, low-maintenance look, this is a great option. The cut may require a lot of upkeep, as regular trims are necessary to maintain the shape. Overall, this is a great option if you’re looking for something easy and still put together.
#16 Soft Tousled Waves with Subtle Layers
This color this color combination is interesting; I especially like the subtle mingling of auburn and soft ash brown. Thin hair and this color combination creates a depth and richness that a one color approach could never achieve. Shoulder length, tousled waves also soften features, which is flattering if the face is on the rounder side. The layers are just enough to move the hair and avoid a blunt look, which is a concern with fine hair. Those waves will take time and some styling, whether that be with a curling wand or braids or whatever method you choose. The texture and volume will give your thin hair a completely different feeling.
#17 Elegant Chestnut Waves with Sun-Kissed Balayage
If you want to ease into highlighting and are looking to do more significant color changes over time, this look works well. The chestnut base does a lot of the work while the sun-kissed balayage pieces creates contrast and depth. This gives the illusion of thickness to the hair. Subtle waves can soften the look without adding width to the face. I recommend this look for clients who want to ease into highlighting and want to avoid anything too drastic like going full blonde. This is moderate maintenance; you can expect to come in for a color touch-up here and there, but it’s a look that holds its shape well so you don’t have to come in for an appointment every time. You get that perfect look that says “I put effort in” without it looking like too much effort.
#18 Layered Chestnut Waves with Soft Bangs
Let’s give credit to those soft, wispy bangs. These bangs give round faces a better overall structure and blend nicely into the rest of the cut. These bangs and that rich chestnut color along with all those layered bangs so much volume and magic. These flowing layers with thinner hair makes the hair looks fuller. Mid length cuts shine best with that finer hair. The body added from the layers and flowing is what looks best. Keeping those layers and color fresh will require regular salon visits. Bouncing layers add movement and depth and is the reason this cut is one of my all time favorites. It brings attention to the eyes and cheekbones which is a great goal to have.
#19 Soft Caramel Waves with Wispy Fringe
That wispy fringe! I seem to be returning to the fringes in this roundup and it’s because they have that one special thing about round faces that no other hair style can replicate. In this case, the fringe is light, airy and softens the forehead without adding too much to the overall weight. Combined with those loosed waves of warm caramel, the hair style gives a very relaxed and effortlessly pretty vibe. Speaking of warm caramel tones, the color is in close competition with other shades because it enhances the aesthetics of almost every skin tone out there. I have used the color on both warm-toned clients and cool-toned clients, and without fail, it leaves everyone glowing. As for the hair fringe, it will require regular trims and maintenance appointments, and that’s just the reality of having bangs. If your natural hair is very curly, this specific style will require more heat styling than you’d want. However, if your hair is thin, straight, or straight with a bit of wave, then this style is very versatile and will look great on you.
#20 Chic Espresso Bob with Full Straight Bangs
I LOVE FULL STRAIGHT BANGS! They bring a lot of great structure to round faces. Combined with this super elegant espresso bob, it looks so clean and intentional. The color is beautiful, rich, and consistent throughout without needing lightening services. This is ideal for anyone wanting a polished look, color consistency can help with thickness without being overwhelming. The silky texture does make this low maintenance, but those bangs will require maintenance. If they are growing out, flipping, etc. they will stand out so keep those trimmed. Seriously, have a mini flat iron handy to fix the bangs. For fine hair, this creates a lot of volume and the fullness is impressive.
#21 Voluminous Chestnut Waves with Face-Framing Highlights
Face framing highlights have a lot of benefits, especially for those with thin hair! Highlights increase overall dimension in your hair, and strategically placed highlights give depth to your entire look. For instance, the lighter hair pieces around your face will give the illusion of slimmer features. The waves also create movement and bulk up thin strands. Color variations create the illusion of more hair, which is perfect for those with thin strands. A great perk about mid-length haircuts is the flexibility you have with styling. You can have a wavy look like this or get a blowout, and it’ll look great both ways! To create waves with a flexible hold hairspray if your hair is fine and super straight Hair color upkeep is also very routine and standard with highlights, so be prepared for that!
#22 Deep Chocolate Waves with Seamless Bangs
I have a client that has almost the same haircut, and every time she comes in for a refresh, I think to myself, “Why does this look so good on you?” Everything about this is so great because the bangs are seamless and cover the forehead. This method helps to elongate the round shape of the face. The rich chocolate waves add volume in all the right places. This style is one of those where both the cut and the color are pulling their weight. This works best for medium to thick hair but I have seen it adapted for finer textures of hair, just so long as you have the right layering. You can definitely keep your hair healthy and low heat is the way to go if you want to style those waves and a set of heatless curlers will work. It will need to be redone, but the color and cut will hold it’s shape really well between appointments.
#23 Vibrant Auburn Textured Pixie for Fuller Look
If you’re looking for a bold commitment to a short cut, look at this dynamic auburn pixie cut! The top is textured, so it will give more volume and depth, along with lightness to the hair that is too fine for longer styles. The fine hair will not be pulled down as longer styles would with an added weight. The auburn shade is youthful and brightens the face. The added height from top texturing balances out round faces, which are typically challenged by short styles. The maintenance won’t be too bad either, as it will only take a few minutes of daily styling, and it will need frequent trimming to stay fresh. To finish it off, use a little styling paste to add some mess to the finished look. Pixie cuts are one of the most low-maintenance high-impact haircuts, and it will look great on you!
#24 Bronze Luminous Lob with Subtle Waves
It seems like people don’t realize how collarbone-length hair looks great on round faces. This lob touches the collarbone, and the waves give thin hair some illusion of fullness. The brown balayage looks so good in photos and gives a glowing warm skin tone effect. We all want to take good hair photos. For this style, volume at the roots is most important so a decent amount of volumizing spray and blow drying will make a big difference. The waves and color require a decent amount of upkeep, but the overall effect gives that perfect amount of “I woke up like this.” That’s a high compliment on hair, and a big achievement.
#25 Chic Brunette Bob with Soft Bangs
I saved this for last and I’m happy I did because I love this! The blunt bangs providing definition to a round face without looking too harsh. Also the way they merge with the layers on the sides draws attention to the cheeks, and gives the thin hair some volume. The shoulder grazing length gives it an edgier look and makes the style easier to manage. What I really love is how SMOOTH the transition from bangs to layers is. There is no choppiness, just seamless. Expect to go to the salon a lot because bangs grow out quickly, and nobody loves the struggle with long bangs. If you tend to be the type of person that drags out their salon visits, the layers will improve how well you maintain the shape and ends. With all that being said, this is a simple, everyday style that looks great on thin hair and round faces.
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