I once had a client with very thick hair say that she’s tired of ‘fighting’ her hair. It sounded like she had been arguing with her hair for years. Someone said this exact thing to me before and when I asked what she meant, she said she had done every single thing possible, from thinning shears, to keratin treatments, and then she said she pulled it back in the same bun every single day because doing anything else was too much effort.
Most people think the problem is their hair being thick, however what I find is that cutting hair in a way that utilizes the weight of the hair to create a lovely effect is the best way to style thick hair. The purpose of this style is to look like you made an effort and not have a messy bun all over the place. That’s why I suggest these styles to most of my clients because that’s what I want my clients to enjoy.
#1: Long Textured Waves That Just Fall the Way You Want
Some people think that long hair styled with waves has an effortless look to it, and while that is true, a lot of time and intention went into the style. The hair is layered just enough to create that movement while keeping some length. The best part about this look is the versatility of the style. If you wear it down with denim, you can have a more casual vibe, but if you pull it back half up, then you can go more formal or business casual. To maintain the style, a lightweight mousse should be all you need to keep the style in place without excess oil weighing everything down.
#2: Chestnut Waves with That Undone, Lived-In Feel
In this style, color and texture do all the talking. The chestnut tone catches the light beautifully. The waves are not over-styled and just fall which adds to the effortlessness of it all. One thing to note is that long thick hair does really well with a good deep conditioning treatment every now and then, the ends will tell if you skip it. But this style is one of those that you just wake up and shake it out and it still looks like something!
#3: A Silver Updo That Feels Easy, Not Fussy
An updo that looks spontaneous and laid back is a great ask. The looseness in this twist is great for movement and keeps everything relaxed. The thickness in the hair definitely gives the twist a good amount of structural support, and that’s great for the style. Balayage through the silver is beautiful and adds just the right amount of dimension to keep everything from looking flat, especially when everything is up. If you haven’t pinned your hair up before, it may take a few tries to get the twist just right, but once you get the hang of it, this hairstyle will quickly become one of your go-to styles that you can do in five minutes or less.
#4 Chocolate Waves Just Past the Shoulders
What caught my attention most was how balancing the trim with the cut gives the illusion of extra movement. The lighter pieces and chocolate base color draw the eyes in, and create dimension that works especially well with thicker hair. With hair all one color, you just don’t get that. I like the length too. Just past the shoulders is that perfect length with thicker hair where it will still have some movement to it without feeling heavy. If you decide to do this with the color, just keep in mind that the brightness of the lighter pieces will require some maintenance in the salon.
#5: A Platinum Pixie-Bob That Means Business
I like the responses. The graduated layers help create some nice volume at the crown on thick hair without making the ends feel too bulky, which is awesome. The undercut may not be noticeable at first, but it makes the whole thing feel so much lighter and cleaner. I like the platinum; it’s a bold decision, and I won’t lie, it is a high maintenance color so you’ll be spending a lot of time in the chair. But the actual styling is pretty low maintenance, which is the real trade-off in my opinion. For the right person, this cut really transforms everything about how they carry themselves.
#6: A Sleek Bob with a Quiet Detail at the Ends
I don’t know what it is, but I keep coming back to this style. There is something about this look that tells me it is more than just a simple look. I know that upon first look, it is just a regular bob. But look at how the ends turn in! That really gives the look a sculpted and polished finish. If you have thick hair, this style will be amazing. The weight of your hair will do that inward bend without you having to touch it up all the time. Also, if you have thick hair, the texture on the ends will help minimize the look of solidity and heaviness. Your shape will start losing that clean look after growing out, so make sure to keep up with your trims.
#7: Deep Black Curls with All the Volume
It is difficult to describe the aesthetics of these dark curls. They seem to carry a certain weight and fullness that is a rarity when it comes to curls. The definition in these curls is exceptional, and that is complemented by the stiff movement that is achieved. It is the kind of stiffness that is really coveted when one has thick hair. Just don’t forget the humidity; it will be your worst enemy with this style! A curl enhancer that you trust will help a lot. It adds to the versatility of this look that it can be utilized in a wide variety of settings. From a Tuesday morning to a wedding, it works really well.
#8: A Textured Bob with Highlights That Don’t Shout
People wanting to look more put together without a total overhaul, I would suggest this. The highlights are soft and give a summery feel as well as enhance texture more than a single color would. It’s a good length for thicker hair because it keeps enough weight for it to behave, but not so much that it feels like a project every morning. You’ll need to go for more frequent trims than you might expect to maintain the shape and avoid that shapeless look, but that’s a small price to pay.
#9: Blonde Curls That Catch the Light
The highlights brighten everything around the face, and don’t look like a color statement. The long layers give these curls a lot of bounce, especially with thicker hair because without long layers, the weight pulls everything straight by noon. I’d be honest with you, that blonde this bright does ask something of you in terms of salon visits, but if you’re up for it, the payoff is a polished look whether you curl it or let it air dry with some wave. The way it opens up around the temples is really flattering.
#10: A Half-Up Style with Some Architecture to It
While various hair styles such as half ups or twists may look nice, they don’t usually last an entire day. The difference with this one is it *will* last. The back twirl is a really cool shape and the soft, wavy hair balances the more sculptural elements out and adds a nice softness. At some point, you just have to say enough is enough. The goal is to set it and leave it. If you have to make a lot of adjustments on the way there, it will just cause more adjustments. That’s what makes this one look so good.
#11: A Tousled Half-Up Knot You Can Do Without a Mirror
What I think makes me love this style so much is that it does look better when it’s a little bit imperfect. The knot can be loose and uneven, and the hair that falls around the face is all a part of the look. The balayage gives a nice depth, and that lighter color blended through a darker base gives thick hair a lot of visual interest even when it’s pulled up and not doing a whole lot. This is a great option for when you have about three minutes and want the look of having spent some time on your hair.
#12: A Low Chignon That Feels Quiet and Intentional
This style exudes understated elegance. The diagonal twist takes a simple bun and makes it a deliberate hairstyle. For thick hair, this low chignon works particularly well since the added volume will create and maintain the shape with minimal styling. Using a light hairspray will keep the hairs in position without any stiffness or crunch. I would consider this style a good option for any occasion from work presentations to weddings as it is suitable and not boring. If your hair is quite curly or coarse, you may want to smooth it a bit first so that the twist looks neat.
#13: An Ebony Pixie with Edges That Mean Something
I can tell that a lot of care went into this cut. The precise edging around the ears and nape showcases the cheekbones and jawline while creating an overall clean look. This is definitely a haircut that gives someone a confidence boost. The light layering on the top is just the right amount to prevent the hair from spiking out, which is a common issue with thick hair at a pixie length, even in between cuts. The need for regular maintenance trims to keep the lines clean can be annoying, but the good news is that the upkeep required to maintain the cut is minimal, which most people are happy to do.
#14: Platinum Pixie with a Little Texture on Top
Let’s talk about the textured top on this haircut. The personality it brings helps this haircut avoid the personality-less look that slicked down pixies have. The movement on top gives it some height which also prevents the look from being too harsh. The platinum juxtaposed with dark roots is an excellent color choice because you won’t have to worry about regrowth. Instead of being a flaw, it is part of the overall look. To achieve the separation on top and to ensure it stays lifted all day, you will want to use a textured paste (something with a bit of grit) or a matte clay.
#15 Rich Chestnut Layers That Frame Everything Just Right
This color is what I would call subdued stunning. It’s not shouting at you, but under the right light those chestnut tones have a depth that makes the hair appear super healthy and full of life. The face-framing layers are soft enough to blend rather than create harsh lines which is great for the jawline in a not-so-obvious way. There is a soft bounce from the gentle curl at the ends and when it comes to thick hair that natural bounce is already there from the weight and density. This is a style that rewards you for sticking to your conditioning routine because the richness of the color is best displayed when the hair has that healthy shine to it.
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