#1: Thick and Voluminous
Darker hair can always look so sophisticated! Always adds that extra shine on this beauty with thick and voluminous hair!
#2 Side-Parted Medium Haircut with Layers for Straight Hair
This straight hairstyle is perfect for women with thick hair looking for a chic, polished look. The medium-length cut features layers that add movement and reduce bulk, making it easier to manage. The side part enhances volume and frames the face beautifully, while the blonde highlights add dimension and brightness. This style works well for those who want a sophisticated, low-maintenance look that can be easily styled for both casual and formal occasions. Ideal for thick, straight hair, this cut provides a modern and elegant appearance.
#3 Best Cut for an Oval Face
This long, layered cut with soft waves is ideal for thick hair and oval face shapes. The layers add movement and reduce bulk, while the waves enhance volume and texture. The subtle face-framing pieces accentuate cheekbones and soften facial features. This style is versatile, easy to maintain, and perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your look.
#4 70s Layering with Bangs
Layers with bangs often tend to result in a soft, finer appearance. Think of Brigitte Bardot. Gorgeous and classy, right? Thick haircuts are textured, lived-in, and layered to make your hair appear less poofy. This is the one for women considering haircuts who need some style. Adding bangs is a great option to hide your larger forehead.
#5 Cute Short Layered Cut
Featuring a cute short layered haircut that pairs well with blonde locks! A chic haircut like this removes the bulk of women with dense and unmanageable hair. This cut has shorter layers to reduce all the weight in thick and frizzy tresses. It’s a textured, weightless cut that looks awesome with a bright blonde shade.
#6 The Polished Angled Bob
An undercut is the way to go if you have naturally thick hair! The polished angled bob is shorter at the back and longer at the front. Hairstyles for coarse hair need a lot of undercutting to prevent a bushy look.
#7: Defined Texturized Shoulder-Length Lob Haircut
This shoulder-length haircut is a cross between an effortless lob haircut and an updated shag cut. Medium-thick hair haircuts should be easy to style if you’re embracing your natural hair texture. When styling, work in sea salt spray and air dry it to bring out your natural waves. If more volume is desired, blow dry just your roots. Then, take a 1-inch curling iron or wand and wrap random sections around it to polish your hair and define the waves.
#8: Feathery Layered Hair with Long Curtain Bangs
If you have thick, straight hair, a layered haircut can reduce the weight. If you prefer a soft, feathery look, ask for face-framing shaping and long curtain bangs. I highly recommend keeping your layers at mid-to-long lengths. Layers that are too short can make your hair look choppy and add too much weight. For volume, dry your hair with a round brush or use heated rollers. Allow them to cool before shaking out.
#9: Low-Maintenance Long Hair
Do you want long, thick hair that is low maintenance? The best advice is to get a shaggy or layered cut. When you get rid of extra bulk, your hair grows beautifully. Your stylist should carefully trim the ends for a feather-like hairstyle.
#10: Long Dark Curls
Consider a dark, long, curled hairstyle. Ask for layered cuts to add fullness to thicker hair and reduce some of its weight. This style will make your hair feel lighter while retaining its thickness.
#11: Wild Thick Hairstyle
Are you blessed with thick and long hair? You may look for a wild hairstyle to embrace your natural texture. It’s a versatile cut that works best with straight and wavy hair. This makes it perfect for those who want to create a statement with their hair. This style can be low-maintenance by using a mousse on wet hair, scrunching it with a towel, and letting it air dry.
#12: Chestnut Brown Long Tresses
Enhance your long tresses with a luxurious chestnut brown hair color. With dark brunette hair, one of the best things you can do is add lightness to create dimension in the hair. The dimension will create the illusion of thickness. This allows you to have your hair thinned to reduce weight while maintaining a thick look. Chestnut is a shade that has warm tones but can be customized to suit all skin tones.
#13: Modern Medium Shag with a Middle Part
Look cool and modern with a medium shag with a middle part. Medium-length haircuts are perfect because you still have a little length and weight to pull your strands down and prevent them from being too big and wide. Layers will help remove bulk from your locks and give movement. Show your stylist pictures of medium haircuts and pick the perfect one for your hair type.
#14: Highlighted Brunette Hair with Swoopy Layers
Give your hair a lift with highlighted brunette hair paired with swoopy layers. Adding moving layers and a face frame will remove weight for a light, airy feel. Options are endless when it comes to hairstyles for thick wavy hair. Wearing it all down, all up, or half up, your locks will always look ready for any big event.
#15: Long Curls with Balayage
If you wear your hair down and are looking for colors that complement, I suggest a balayage. It allows for vertical placement of color that creates a nice grow-out. Long, thick curls wear this color best. It will showcase dimension.
#16: Dimensional Blonde Bob with Jagged Ends
Women with thick hair should consider a dimensional blonde bob with jagged ends. A short bob will be much less maintenance than your longer strands. Make sure you take weight out of bulky, dense areas to make the cut sit better, making it easier to style. To get a more jagged, edgy style, use a razor at the mid-shaft and ends to create movement and texture.
#17: Voluminous Brown Hair with a Side Part
One of the best ways to create this side-part style in the salon is to have styling aids to help achieve it. Redken’s Big Blowout, paired with a medium round brush and velcro rollers, helps to ensure the foundation of your look and will enable your style to avoid going flat.
#18: Long Blonde Surfer Hair
Look like you spent the day at the beach with long blonde surfer hair. When it comes to long blonde hair, it looks easy-breezy, but it does take serious effort. Coloring, toning, and cutting every couple of months will keep it looking fresh and healthy. When curling your hair, it will be helpful to have some layers so your curls will hold. You will get more body and movement. Use a salt spray to finish and get a beachy look.
#19: Curly Mid-Length Cut
This curly mid-length cut tames even the thickest natural hair. A shoulder-length style is your best bet if you’re trying to strike a balance between longer locks and bouncier curls. Note that it’s better to cut your hair when it’s dry to preserve your curl pattern without sacrificing weight.
#20: Silver Shaggy Cut
Try a bold trend with a silver shaggy cut. A shaggy cut will give movement to your heavy strands. If you wear your hair with layers, a shag cut is perfect. All the layers will release some unneeded weight, and you will get lift and volume.
#21: Lived-In Shag with Ombre
Who doesn’t love a lived-in shag with ombré color? With my years of experience, a shaggy cut on soft length is always a crowd-pleaser. The messy style is easy to achieve with a natural wave or a medium curling wand and complements all face shapes. A caramel ombré will give you a dipped look on the ends and is an excellent choice for brunettes.
#22: Thick Blonde Balayage
Thick blonde balayage will be the perfect color if you like warm golden or even caramel shades of blonde. It’s a bold color achieved by free-hand heavy paint balayage that looks fantastic on straight-to-wavy hair textures. If you opt for it, be prepared to spend a lot on suitable hair cosmetics like Olaplex.
#23: Sweet Asymmetrical Bob with Texture
Short haircuts for thick hair look amazing when paired with a platinum blonde hair color and dark roots! Rock a deep, side-parted, asymmetrical bob. Style hairstyles like this blunt chop, use minimal texture, and you’re ready.
#24: Modern Wavy Lob Cut
One of the best thick hairstyles is a modern wavy lob that is suitable for straight or wavy women and hits just below the shoulders. The best way to achieve such a stunning haircut is to have a stylist do a lot of texturizing and create longer layers to remove bulk and weight from your hair. It will also make hair styling a lot easier if you use a 1 1/4” curling iron.
#25: Wearable Choppy Bob Haircut
A lovely, choppy bob haircut can remove heaviness from your hair. Choppy layers work well with thicker locks because they reduce weight. They can even have a movement-enhancing effect on your hair when cut correctly. Most thick-haired ladies tend to avoid bobs due to their hair density. However, hairstylists can adapt layering techniques to help make this style wearable.
#26: Voluminous Long Choppy Hair with Bangs
If you want to keep your long strands but are not up for the upkeep, the messy shag with choppy layers is a great option. Thick hair may offer a curly texture if you tousle your locks, volume in the crown, and volume throughout your hair. Low-maintenance haircuts are the way to save time and energy styling.
#27: Flirty Textured Bob with Waves
A flirty textured bob is a modern version of the vintage bubble cut. Waves on your short bronde locks create shape and movement, giving you a beautiful appearance for your hairstyle.
#28: Wonderful Layered Haircut with Texture
Ask your hairstylist for a layered trim if you want a new hairdo. This fabulous long-layered hairstyle lessens the fullness and thickness of your hair into a more manageable state without removing volume.
#29: Lob Cut with Deep Side Part and Messy Texture
The result is breathtaking when a shoulder-grazing lob meets voluminous beachy waves and jagged layers! And that’s evident in this deep side-parted hair trend. Perfectly hand-painted balayage and babylights work hand in hand to create a nice bronde dimensional illusion.
#30: The Best Haircut a Round Face and Long Hair
The best haircut can have added layers to free up some movement and help lift your hair voluminously. Women with thicker hair will appreciate the lighter feeling that layers give. Women with a rounder face shape will benefit from the lift and movement, which help elongate their faces.
#31 Side-Swept Wavy Medium Cut
Smooth vintage waves on your thick locks are one of the best haircut ideas. Having thick hair is a great way to create fancy and wavy hairstyles. This is your look if you don’t need to add volume to your medium-length hair. To style, grab your comb and a perfect long-lasting hairspray, put some beautiful make-up on to complement your waves, and you’ll be ready to walk the red carpet!
#32: Perfect Cut for Women Over 60
Shoulder-length bobs are the most stylish haircuts for women over 60. This elegant and straight natural-colored bob haircut flatters older women with thick tresses the best. It’s also easy to maintain.
#33: Easy-to-Wear Haircut for Women over 50
The best haircuts for women over 50 with thick hair are long pixies, pixie bobs, and shags like the model in the photo above. When cutting your hair length, less is better if you want to remove weight from your thick hair. Leave some ear-length feathered layers to serve as a face frame.
#34 White Blunt Bob for Frizzy Hair
This white blunt bob is ideal for thick, frizzy hair. The chin-length cut provides a sleek, structured look while minimizing bulk. The soft waves add movement and texture, making it easier to manage. Perfect for women with dense hair, this style reduces frizz and maintains a clean, modern aesthetic. The blunt ends give a polished finish, suitable for those who want a stylish yet low-maintenance option.
#35: Soft Layering for Long Hair
Opt for soft layering if you have long blonde hair. Lots of hair was removed to thin out the thick and healthy hair. For long-length hair, some women prefer taking off some weight with layers. However, you can embrace the fullness and remove the weight by adding lots of soft layering around your face and long layers through the back.
#36: Face-Framing Cut
A face-framing cut looks modern and soft. It can accentuate your cheekbones and expose your neck area beautifully. This haircut works best on women with thick strands. This style can be straight or wavy, too. Make sure to go to the right stylist to cut your locks. It has to be well proportioned depending on your face shape and structure, and seasoned stylists understand this.
#37: Feminine Layers with Wispy Bangs
Choose layers with wispy bangs to give soft, weightless movement to your locks. Layers make the best haircuts for thick hair, reducing the bulk while also lifting up heavy hair. Wispy bangs add to the flowing layers and bring an element of softness back to your face. They’re versatile as you can wear them to the side, parted in the center, or as full-on bangs.
#38: Cute Shoulder-Length Haircut
Shoulder-length haircuts work best when layers are added to remove weight and volume. A long shag offers the length to showcase thick manes and removes weight from your hair simultaneously. For these types of haircuts for thicker hair, try a thermal protectant or primers like Bumble and Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil Primer to help smooth out your cuticle surface. This will add moisture to your hair. All the styling products coat the outside of your hair shaft to allow for a better blow-dry.
#39: Bouncy Long Layers
Try bouncy long layers for thick hair to make your locks feel lighter. Layers are a great option as they add movement and bounce. Another great attribute of the layering technique is removing weight from your hair. Keeping your layers long on your thick hairdo removes the weight from the perimeter while still feeling the benefits without being overly layered.
#40: Sassy Mid-Length Hairstyle
It’s worth trying this mid-length hairstyle. Short cuts can make your tresses appear fuller, which isn’t what a dense mane needs. So, a collarbone-length chop is perfect.
#41: Long Dreadlocks Hair Trend
Imagine the uniqueness you can manifest with these long, thick dreadlocks. Change your hairstyling game, and give your dark brown tresses a new appearance. Wear your sweetest smile and look gorgeous as you pull off this brown hair color paired with a mid-length cut.
#42: Flattering Layered Bob on Blonde Hair
If you need a youthful vibe, a dimensional blonde will revamp a shoulder-grazing cut like this. Opt for this thickly layered bob with more textured ends, removing weight from your hair.
#43: Cute Curly Bob for Frizzy Hair
In this neck-length hairstyle, the texture is everything! Your hair with curls and subtle bangs brings a new life to your tresses. Medium hairstyles for frizzy hair should run from the chin or slightly past the shoulders to get maximum flow while enhancing its natural texture.
#44: Alluring Textured Stacked Bob
Remove the bulkiness from your dense, brown locks with some edgy graduated layers in a stacked, inverted bob cut. Stacked bobs are among the easy hairstyles that can help you achieve a round shape at the back of your head.
#45: Naturally Curly Bob for Gorgeous Curly Hair
Be wise enough to choose the perfect haircut, which can bring the bounciness out of your brunette locks. Go for this naturally curly bob where the ends go around your collarbone. Adding a dark brown hue will boost the lively spirit of your new hairstyle.
#46: Dense Long Wavy Haircut
A long haircut for wavy hair is perfect if you seem overwhelmed by your thick tresses. Adding some waves is ideal if you have a smaller face shape or your hair is very dense. They don’t only give a bounce but also stop your long, layered hair from dragging your facial features down. You can use a straightener to add loose waves when styling. As thicker hair tends to be heavier, this will ensure your style stays put all day.
#47: Long Shag Haircut with Soft Choppy Layers
A long shag haircut is sure to make you look darling. The soft, shaggy layers bring out a chic and very feminine appearance. The long shag is one of the best hairstyles for thick hair. It offers layers to add volume and movement while thinning out your mid-lengths and ends.
#48 On-Trend Textured Cut for Very Short Hair
This is a flattering textured cut for very short hair. You should know it’s a commitment to style it each day. The best short haircuts for thick hair are layered and sassy – like this! Ask your hairdresser about at-home hair care products you should be using when washing, drying, and styling your hair.
#49: Layered A-Line Bob
A layered A-line bob for thick, straight hair is a great option for transforming from a long to a short haircut. The added layers are always helpful to a girl with thick hair. It provides body and styling and lessens the drag of a heavy mane.
#50: Amazing Straight Razor Cut Bob
Try a straight razored-cut bob for thick hair if you want to eliminate bulk. This cut keeps the ends blunt and one length. Razors are great for very thick hair as they keep your hair’s structure and shape while softening the edges of a bob. This works well for women who prefer their style a little undone.
#51: Fuller Medium-Length Haircut with Bangs
When trying something new, this medium-length haircut with bangs is an excellent choice. The chop gives thick, fine tresses a fuller style. The textured ends help remove bulkiness from your hair.
#52: Tousled Collarbone-Length Layered Lob Cut
An ideal collarbone-length layered cut must have finer ends. If you want less bulk, thinning the edges will prevent it from looking bulky. The wavy and middle-parted style also helps the hair to have added movement. This layered lob appears more weightless than it is and gives us some serious inspiration.
#53: Best Short Pixie Cut with Side-Swept Bangs
The best short pixie cut for thick hair is here! The unique nape part is neatly chopped, making it great to feel the breeze on your neck. The hair on top is longer for versatility, so you don’t have to have the same hairstyle daily. Brush them towards the front to form a fringe, or brush them to the back or side to create volume. If you do not want volume and prefer a much flatter style, ask your stylist for recommended products to weigh your hair down more.
#54: Classic Chin-Length Wavy Hair
Rock this amazing chin-length thick wavy hair to achieve an exciting and low-maintenance style, perfect for the summer. The best haircuts for extremely thick hair are textured for added movement. Experience this hairstyle and show off the density of your mane. This haircut is a loose, wearable graduated bob. It can be air-dried or blown out and curled. The length falls at the mid-high neck, showing off the jawline beautifully. It’s necessary to carve out lots of negative space so it’s easy to style. Shapes that sit above the shoulder take a bit more convincing in the morning than longer hair. If your hair is too thick, it can become helmet-like.
#55: Edgy Short Stacked Bob
Here’s an edgy, short, stacked bob. If your tresses are too dense, get a haircut with shorter layers to remove some weight. A casual chop like this can soften the jawline, too. It’s a great option if you have a square or heart-shaped face.
#56: French-Inspired Jaw-Length Bob
This jaw-length bob is perfect for women with very thick hair. It’s French-inspired and works way better on a straight mane, too. Your haircut and hairstyle will exhibit the fullness of your tresses. Side-swept bangs are added to bring out extra sophistication.
#57: Stunning Waist-Length Long Hair
Grow out your locks and go for styles that fall at waist length. Little to no layers will give your hair fullness and body to finer long hair. Such haircut styles are low-maintenance and easy to throw in big barrel curls, braids, or ponytails.
In recent years, the word “thick” has taken on a whole new meaning! But if you’re a woman with thick hair, you might not see this word as a compliment.
As a hairdresser, I’m very familiar with the trials and tribulations of having too much hair. With this hair type, you deal with some very frustrating issues in the salon and while styling at home.
That’s why I compiled this guide and gallery on the ideal haircuts for women with thicker hair! When you’re done reading, you’ll have no problems choosing a fabulous hairstyle during every salon appointment.
What is Thick Hair?
Thick hair is characterized by a high density of individual hairs per square inch. (Source) Studies have found the average human hair density is between 800 – 1,290 hairs per square inch. (Source)
That said, it’s not exactly easy to measure this! If you’ve ever been told you have thicker hair while getting your hair done, that’s a clear indicator. You can also look in a mirror. You probably have thick hair if you can’t see your scalp at all while your hair is down.
And having thick hair comes with its trials and tribulations. For example, finding a cut that removes enough bulk but is still long enough to ponytail can be tricky. Long shags are among the most versatile haircuts for women with thick hair.
But you can wear them short, too! Bob haircuts are an excellent option for making thick hair feel lighter.
Honestly, any length can suit thick hair so long as the cut is tailored to suit you. Even medium-length hairstyles can reduce bulk and add movement!
Thick Hair vs. Coarse Hair
Thick hair and coarse hair aren’t the same thing. You see, it refers to the density of hairs across your scalp.
But coarse, medium, and fine hair relate to each hair strand’s diameter. You might have thick, coarse hair, thick, medium hair, or even thick, fine hair.
Here’s how to determine if you have thick or coarse hair:
Pinch one strand of hair between your thumb and forefinger, and slide your fingers down. Be gentle– you aren’t trying to pull this hair out, just feel it.
If the strand feels like sliding your fingers down sewing thread, you most likely have coarse hair.
You probably have fine hair if you can’t feel the strand (or barely can). And if it falls somewhere between these two ends of the spectrum, your strands have a medium diameter.
The Best Haircut for Your Face Shape
Your biggest goal is most likely getting your thick hair to feel light and manageable. But it would be best if you never got a haircut without considering your face shape. If their facial shapes differ, the same style looks completely different on two women with thick hair.
So, I’ve compiled some tips for each face shape below. But keep in mind that we’re all unique individuals! If you feel that you don’t 100% fall into a specific category, that’s okay. Try to marry my tips from the two face shapes closest to yours.
- Diamond. You’ll want a haircut that makes your cheekbones look a bit less wide. If you like edgy cuts, a chin-length mullet would be perfect. A textured bob with lots of facial framing would suit you well for something timeless. Long hair is fine, too—facial framing is the key element.
- Heart-Shaped. The goal of a heart-shaped face is to make your forehead look narrower. Avoid styles with lots of volume in the top and crown. A shoulder-length lob would look great. If you have curls, a medium shag will create the perfect balance.
- Oval. This is the ideal face shape, so you aren’t trying to create any specific illusion. Any haircut that lightens your thick hair and suits your lifestyle will be a great fit.
- Round. You always want to make a round face look longer. Long hair is the best way to do so. At the same time, you still need layers to reduce bulk. Try a shoulder-length cut with facial framing and textured layers for the best of both worlds.
- Square. The ultimate goal here is softening and rounding the hard angles of your face. So, blunt lines are a no-go. Any length can create softness as long as you have a lot of texture, even through your ends. No matter what cut you choose, ask for facial framing starting around your cheekbones and point-cutting throughout.
- Rectangle. A common challenge with this face shape is sunken or hollow-looking cheeks. The best way to counteract this is with a chin-length layered bob or shag. I suggest asking for layers that create volume around your cheekbones, too. This combo creates the illusion of an oval face shape.
Do Bangs Work with Thick Hair?
Bangs can be an excellent choice for women with thick hair. Fringe is one more way to add lightness and reduce bulk.
But just like choosing a haircut, you should keep your face shape in mind. Bangs of the wrong length or style can draw attention to all your least favorite features.
So, here are my recommendations for bangs for each face shape:
- Diamond. Most types of bangs are a great way to make a diamond face look more oval-shaped. A longer side-swept fringe is one of the best options. So are curtain bangs and bottleneck bangs. But avoid blunt fringe—that’ll make your cheeks look even wider.
- Heart-Shaped. Bangs to avoid are a blunt, straight bang, and micro-fringe. Both will make your forehead look much larger. Instead, try swoopy bangs or layered side bangs. The shortest point should be at your eyebrow, and the longest should be at the top of your cheekbone.
- Oval. Because you have the ideal face shape, you can wear any bangs you like. Consider your hair texture and desired level of upkeep to make the best choice. You’re also free to skip bangs altogether.
- Round. Since the goal is elongating your face, you must be cautious with bangs. A full, blunt fringe will create the undesirable “moon face” effect. Long curtain bangs or textured side bangs would be good choices. You can also opt for no bangs at all.
- Square. Remember, the goal is to add softness and curves. You’ll want texture and layers no matter which type of fringe you get. You can get away with a full, textured fringe. But a better option would be eyebrow-length swoopy bangs or curtain bangs with facial framing.
- Rectangle. Bangs are a perfect match for a rectangular face shape. Bangs tend to shorten your face, which is exactly what you want. You have to be mindful of the length. A long fringe will make your face look even longer, as will baby bangs or micro-fringe. Try full, blunt bangs at eyebrow length or textured side-swept bangs that graze your cheekbone.
Pro Tips on Hair Lengths for Women with Thick Hair
Every length of hair can be customized in lots of ways. This is especially true when you have thick hair. You have more hair to work with than someone with medium or thin density!
But each length can present certain advantages and challenges, too. Next, I’ll go over my tips for each length.
Very Short Hair
“Very short” haircuts are either clean around your ear or barely cover your ears. Pixies, lixies, and ultra-short bobs are good examples.
If you’re a thick-haired, curly girl, this length can be fun. You can show off your personality by styling the top without fussing over controlling the sides.
This length is excellent for thick-haired women of any hair type, though. Having so much hair gives you tons of personalization options. You can get punky with designs shaved in the sides or even shave a side shorter than the rest.
You can try a bob that skims your cheekbones or a pixie with a swoopy bang for something more polished. Styling takes little time since you don’t do much with the sides besides wetting them down and combing.
The one thing to consider is salon maintenance. Precision haircuts on thick hair tend to lose shape and sharpness faster than thin hair.
If you’d instead visit the salon as rarely as possible, a short or medium haircut is a better option.
Short Hair
“Short” haircuts are about chin-length or a bit longer. Most bobs fall into this category, as do short mullets and shags.
Shorter cuts can make life a lot simpler if you have thick hair. Your ends will be too short to pull back with a scrunchie. So, you can go crazy with layers and texture– this will lighten your hair quite a bit. And unlike medium or long hairstyles, you aren’t aiming for lengths that can be pulled back.
You can still get creative with clips and small braids at this length. Getting the fringe or the sides off your face is possible.
If you have curly hair, this length can create more volume instead of reducing it. But you can still ask for lots of layering and texture to reduce the actual weight of your hair.
This length could be better for thick-haired, curly girls who want their hair to lay flatter. If this describes you, choose a medium or long hairstyle.
Medium-Length Hair
“Medium” hairstyles are any that skim your shoulders or hit at your collarbone. Lobs, medium shags, and layered cuts can be this length.
Depending on your lifestyle, this length can be great for thick hair. The ends are usually long enough to pull back, but you need help dealing with the weight of long hair.
But remember that lobs and shags can be tough to put in a ponytail or bun. The various layers and shaping mean some pieces might fall out of your scrunchie. The same is true for any braids you might do.
Long Hair
“Long” hair is any style that hits around your shoulder blades or longer.
Long hairstyles can be good or bad for women with thick hair. It’s always nice to pull everything into a ponytail and get it off your face.
If you want to rock long locks, facial framing, and layers will help lighten your hair and reduce bulk. But think about if you need to be able to pull every hair back. I prefer having a few piece-y bits of framing my face. But I’m also not working in environments where I need my hair 100% up!
Think about your lifestyle and needs. And don’t be afraid to explain them to your hairdresser! When we know what you need from a haircut, we can customize it.
Hair Type Considerations
So far, I’ve mostly talked about hair density. But we can only discuss haircuts for women with thick hair if we also cover hair types. You see, it’s possible to have thick, wavy hair, thick, straight hair, and many other varieties.
To pick the best hairstyle for you, think about your face shape and your hair type, too. Here are my suggestions for each:
- Wavy. Thick hair and a wavy texture make a great match. Shorter layers will make your hair feel lighter and show off your waves. A mullet with choppy layers would be a fun, trendy choice. For something more classic, try shoulder-length ends with framing and short layers.
- Curly (including perms). This pairing can be a little trickier. If your layers stay longer, your hair can look too thick and uncontrolled. Stacked inverted bobs are the best choice for you in terms of appearance and maintenance. But a medium or long shag with blended layers would be flattering too.
- Coily. Thick, coily hair is most prone to that awful “pyramid” grow-out. Try a classic bob with many layers for a fresh, youthful option. Try a shoulder-skimming style with short layers and curly bangs for something sleeker.
- Straight (including relaxed hair). Straight, thick hair can be tricky. The wrong type of layers will make your hair look choppy and uneven. You should avoid choppy layers altogether. A lob with blended layers would be breathtaking. If you want a trendier cut, a pixie cut or angled bob would be easy to style daily.
- Gray. If your grays are wiry and unruly, the easiest thing to do is embrace them! A pixie cut or short shag would work well. Plus, both styles will lighten your thick hair. A stacked bob will reduce thickness and add movement for those almost-too-soft white hairs.
- Damaged or heavily processed. You’re lucky because the same options benefit thick and damaged hair. The shorter your layers and ends, the better. You can go for any pixie cut or layered bob. Do you want longer locks? Just ask for point-cutting in your ends and lots of blended layers. Bangs and facial framing will help cut down on split ends, too.
How to Style Haircuts for Thick Hair
With thick hair, daily styling can be exhausting—literally. Keeping your arms up for ages while blow-drying, curling, or flat ironing can be tiresome.
Check out my tips below to reduce your time in front of the mirror each day.
Styling Damaged or Heavily Processed Hair
Styling is hard enough when you have thick hair. But when your hair is damaged, it’ll take longer to dry, curl, or straighten your locks. This causes even more damage since your hair is heated for even longer. It’s a vicious cycle.
But the right product can change everything. And that product is Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Styling Treatment Oil. It’s been my secret weapon for processed, thick-haired clients for over a decade.
This oil is very lightweight yet ultra-nourishing. That means it’ll reduce drying time and add weightless, non-greasy shine. You can apply a pump or two to your damp mid-shafts and ends. Or use a single pump on dry hair to add shine and gloss. Either way, your styling routine is about to get much simpler.
If you apply it to damp hair, I suggest waiting about 5 minutes before turning on your blow-dryer. This gives the treatment time to penetrate and absorb into every strand fully. Then, you’re free to style however you like. You can expect your hair to feel softer, silkier, and less coarse/thick.
Styling Wavy, Curly, or Coily Hair
Many clients have shared their woes over having thick, curly hair. And I get it. Curls, waves, and coils take special care and attention. But having thick hair means you already spend a lot of time styling. The last thing you want is a texture that adds more time to your morning routine!
But don’t worry—I’ve got a product recommendation to simplify all that nonsense. And you can use it whether you want to enhance your curls or straighten them out for the day.
If you have wavy or curly hair, It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product is my suggestion. Every product from this brand benefits your hair in 10 distinct ways. This one, for example, is a heat protectant, detangler, and frizz fighter.
Mist this over your damp hair, focusing on your mid-shafts and ends. You can do a light mist on your roots. Then, you’re free to scrunch or blow-dry as desired.
If you have a coily texture, opt for It’s a 10 Coily Miracle Leave-in Product. It’s formulated to make braids, wear your hair down, or straighten quickly and easily. Like the version for waves and curls, mist this over your damp hair. Using a bit less on your roots will preserve your natural volume. Then style any way you like!
How Women with Thick Hair Can Reduce Volume and Bulk
I’ve taught you all about how to style your hair faster and give your arms a break. Now, we can dive into how to style and reduce natural volume/bulk.
I have a blow-drying technique I’ve sworn by for over a decade. And, of course, I have a few products in my arsenal to suggest, too.
When you blow-dry, you’re going to do what’s called a “flat wrap.” This method reduces the most volume, no matter your hair type.
Split your damp hair into four sections. Make the hair in front of your shoulders on each side into sections. Then, draw a vertical line from your crown to your nape for the last 2.
Clip 3 sections out of the way so you can dry one at a time. You’ll also need a paddle brush (not a round brush).
As you dry, brush the hair in one section forward, towards your face. Picture your brush drawing a diagonal line that slants down towards your shoulders. It’s important to keep your roots directed down and forward, not up– that would add volume.
Try to follow your brush with your blow-dryer so the air current follows that same diagonal line. Drying your hair by keeping it flat and “wrapping” it around the curve of your head will reduce volume.
If your blow-dryer has a “cool” setting, use it to cool down each section as you finish. This locks in the reduced volume and keeps your hair from poofing throughout the day.
Best Products for Sleek, Smooth Hair
Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener has been one of my favorites for years. It adds all-day straightness, shine, and poof control. It also provides 12 hours of humidity defense to any blowout. It’s perfect for getting that sleek, straight, glossy finish you normally associate with a salon appointment.
Work a small amount in both of your hands. Then apply to damp, towel-dried hair and brush through. Follow with the blow-drying technique above, and you should need minimal touch-ups with your flat iron.
If you aren’t trying to remove your curls, I recommend the Smooth Infusion line. You’ll want Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother. All products in this line cut down on drying time, but this one won’t relax your curls or waves. It’s perfect for controlling frizz and poofiness without weighing you down.
Use two pumps for short or very short hairstyles. You can go up to 5 pumps for long hair. Emulsify it in your hands and apply it to damp hair from roots to ends. You can then blow-dry or air-dry as desired. Either way, your hair should look smoother and sleeker.
Maintaining Your Hairstyle
All haircuts require some level of maintenance. I’m talking about salon visits to keep your hair feeling light and daily styling to look how you want. Have you ever walked out of the salon feeling great but frustrated by the upkeep? It’s the worst!
That’s why I’m also sharing my tips on maintaining haircuts for women with thick hair. No matter your lifestyle or routine, I’ve got ways to simplify the upkeep.
Haircut frequency:
- You want to visit the salon as rarely as possible. The more layers and texture you get, the longer your cut will last longer. A medium or long shag with short layers would be ideal. Any razor cut will give you longevity, too.
- You like getting a haircut every 8 to 10 weeks. Depending on your hair type, a pixie might be workable. Curlier textures would need more frequent trims with this haircut, though. A layered bob, lob, or long layered cut would be more suitable for curls.
- You’ll make appointments as often as you need to maintain a style. Do whatever you want! With thick hair, you can get specialty details like a design shaved into the sides or nape. These customizations are super eye-catching with your hair type. They need frequent touch-ups. Micro-fringe and asymmetrical cuts are fun choices, too.
Daily styling:
- You don’t have much (if any) time to style each morning. The key is picking a cut that suits your natural texture. This means angled bobs and any amount shoulder-length or longer on straighter hair. You’ll want a layered bob or curly shag for curly textures so you can scrunch and go.
- You have 15 or so minutes to spare for daily styling. Since you have thick hair, you’ll still want something that suits your texture. Curling your hair, for example, takes far longer on thick hair than on thin hair. But it would be best to experiment with bangs, layers, and facial framing. These options can be styled quickly, regardless of hair density.
- If it takes you an hour to do your hair, you don’t mind. Pick any style from the gallery that you like! But be aware of what you’re signing up for. If you have curly or wavy hair and show your stylist a cut that flatters straight hair, wearing your hair natural will be hard. Asking for lots of layers, texture, and thinning will help reduce styling time for any haircut.
The Best Haircuts for Women with Thick Hair
Now you’re ready to find your next haircut! Even better, you know to pick something that’ll 100% suit your face shape, hair type, and lifestyle. Check out the gallery below for some of my favorite options.
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