How to cut your hair to make it look thicker? Master Stylist James Price Explains

Who is James Pryce?

At Josh Wood Atelier, nestled in Holland Park, you’ll find Master Stylist James Pryce.

James has been cutting hair for over 25 years and is from a family of stylists, so hair is in his DNA.

His career has taken him down many exciting paths. His highlight has to be styling Kate Middleton’s hair on her wedding day to Prince William. "It was such an honour, I'll never forget watching Kate walking down the aisle. I still get goose bumps when I think about it." James recalls.

James has known many of his clients for over two decades, having practically grown up together and sharing many of life’s milestones. James says 

“I take great pride in helping my clients get the best out of their hair. It can reveal so much about a person, showing their personality, where they are from, their music taste and even their general health. What a person puts in their body and even their mental health will affect the quality of their hair. If a client notices a change for the worse in their hair, before reaching for a shampoo to fix the problem, I would ask them about their diet, lifestyle, or if they are under some stress. More often than not, the problem comes from within the body rather than external factors."

We all know that when our hair looks good or bad, it can really affect our day. So, having a good hair day is important to many of us. Naturally, as we get older, one of the most noticeable things that changes is our hair. Most commonly, it will get thinner, especially around the temples and crown. This is the case for both men and women. Hair loss can be very traumatic and upsetting, and it’s also tricky to get to the root of the problem. More and more of his clients were asking about hair loss, and he sometimes felt that he didn’t have all the necessary answers. So, he decided to team up with Harley Street’s leading hair loss practice, The Whimpole Clinic, where he had extensive training in all aspects of hair loss. He now has the knowledge to help clients on a medical level, like a course of tailored supplements or by using red light therapy to promote healthy hair quality and growth.

What kind of haircut helps make your hair look thicker?

If a person feels their hair is getting thinner, it’s also important to adapt their style with it. So, James has developed his signature "Thickening Haircut." Using various hair cutting techniques to help with all manner of hair loss. For instance, the hairline and temples are the most common areas to experience some thinning. They often take the brunt of external damage from the sun, colouring, and styling. So, it helps to consider wearing a fringe. This can be anything from a super cool grown-out style bang or something shorter and blunter. Both will really help this problem area by getting rid of the damaged ends and giving the hair more density. Not only will it thicken the hair, but wearing a fringe that suits the face shape will also lift the cheekbones, making the person look instantly more youthful.

What haircut techniques add movement and volume to long hair?

Also, cutting the hair to its optimal length can be very beneficial. It’s very rare to find somebody with waist-length hair that’s as thick at the ends as it is at the root. In fact, around 75% of the hair will get to a certain point and then stop growing. This can be anywhere from a few inches from the scalp to around halfway down the back. The last 25% will then continue to grow, but it’s from this point that the hair will begin to look thinner.

If James is cutting a client’s hair that is looking to achieve longer, thicker-looking hair or if they want to wear their hair in a ponytail that looks thick from root to tip, he would suggest not adding too many layers and allowing the ends to be thicker and blunter. Conversely, sometimes it should be considered to get the perfect balance between layers and length. He uses layers and slicing techniques to add volume and texture, which can dramatically change a look, give a cool edgy style and also make it look thicker. "It’s all about balance" he says. 

“Hair isn’t just about how you look—it’s about how you feel,” James says. “When your hair looks good, your confidence shows. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping people find styles that suit their hair texture, lifestyle, and face shape."

So, if you’re looking for ways to make your hair look thicker, step 1 would be to book in with James and see what the master can do for you.

For more tips & tricks, check out our blog on hair styling hacks to make fine hair appear thicker!