How to Style Thick Hair

Last Updated: January 12, 2021 References

If you have thick, luscious hair, lucky you! You've got a lot to work with, though you may need to take a few steps to tame your locks. Once you do, you can create sophisticated pulled-back looks or fun topknots. If you prefer your hair down, you can style your hair in gentle waves, straight locks, or whatever you'd like!

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Washing and Prepping Your Hair

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Brush your hair before you get in the shower to help detangle your hair. While your hair is dry, comb out any tangles you have. Then, when you hop out of the shower, brushing it out will be that much easier.
- As an added bonus, you won't leave as much hair in the drain.
2
Wash your hair every other day for more hydrated hair. Shampoo's job is to rinse out grease, dirt, and debris. The problem is it also takes your hair's natural oils with it. If you shower every day, you risk drying out your hair, which can lead to frizz.^{[1]
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- Also, make sure you're using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair manageable.^{[2]
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3
Apply keratin-based products to deal with frizz. If you have thick hair, humidity can make it poof out, and you may need to use a product to help tame it.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.} For instance, try a hydration spray that lists keratin as an ingredient. Keratin is a protein that helps rebuild broken strands, a common problem with thick hair.^{[4]
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- Spray the product all over your head to distribute throughout your hair. You can also use a hydration cream instead. Place a quarter-sized amount in your palm, and apply it to your hair, making sure to distribute it as evenly as possible.
4
Slow down the drying process to prevent frizz. Start by letting your hair air-dry as much as possible. When you do use the blow-dryer, add a diffuser attachment, which will apply more even, slow heat.^{[5]
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- Using a diffuser attachment is also a great option if your hair is naturally curly or wavy. You can use the diffuser while scrunching your hair for an easy natural style.
- If you try to quickly blow dry your hair straight out the shower, you're more likely to end up with frizz. This also damages your hair, as you shouldn't try to blow dry soaking wet hair. Instead, let it air dry a bit first.
5
Tame puffy hair with a bit of flexible hairspray on your brush. Spritz a little hairspray on your brush before you start brushing your hair. Just get it a little damp, and then start with the underside of your hair, so you don't end up with crispy strands of hair on the top of your head.^{[6]
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- Just a bit of hairspray helps hold your strands in place.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Trying Pulled-Back Styles or Up-Dos

1
Create an elegant braid or fancy plait. When you have thick hair, you get more bulk in a braid, creating a more interesting look than if you had thinner hair. Try a simple braid down your back, a French braid, or go for something a little more complicated, like a fishtail braid.^{[7]
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- As an added bonus, you'll be able to see more of the detail of the braid with thick hair.
2
Try an easy top knot. To create the knot, start by making a ponytail on your crown. You can flip your head over to create it if that's easier. Then, twist the hair around the ponytail to create your top knot, and secure with bobby pins or another ponytail holder.^{[8]
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- The great thing about this hairstyle is you can use it even when your hair is being a little unmanageable, such as if you went to bed with wet hair.
3
Apply a heat protectant to get a smooth ponytail. Before you blow dry, apply heat protectant to your hair in sections by spritzing it on and brushing it through your hair.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.} Then, once it's dry, pull your hair back into to a smooth, elegant ponytail.^{[10]
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- For a smooth pony tail, it's also a good idea to apply a small amount of hair cream or gel before styling your hair. Use your fingers or a brush to distribute the product evenly throughout your hair.
- For extra pizzazz, wrap a small section of your ponytail around the base, and secure it with bobby pins.
4
Pull up half your hair to reduce volume. Smooth back just the top part of your hair and secure it with a ponytail holder or barrette. Style the rest of your hair how'd you like, with waves or straight hair. This style gives you the volume and beauty of your thick hair while keeping it more manageable.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Creating the Perfect Look with Your Hair Down

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Make a classic bouffant with volumizing spray and hot rollers. Use a volumizing spray on your roots to provide lift, then dry your hair with a round brush guiding the roots upwards. Wrap the ends of your hair over hot rollers. When your hair is cool to the touch, pull the rollers out.^{[12]
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- Gently comb out your hair with your fingers, then brush it out.
- Use your fingertips to tease your roots, and finish up by smoothing your hair with a round brush. Spritz a bit of hairspray on to set it.
2
Use bangs to round out your look. Bangs work great with thicker hair, as they are full and voluminous. To get nice, round bangs with volume, use a round brush underneath them as you blow dry them.^{[13]
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- You can also use a wide curling iron or flat iron to set your bangs.
3
Style curly waves with volumizer and a curling iron. Spray on a volumizing spray before you blow dry your hair. As you blow dry, twirl your hair around a round brush to create the beginning of large curls. Finish off the curly waves by twisting big sections of hair around a large curling iron (one that's at least 2 inches (5.1 cm)).^{[14]
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- Set the style by gently running your fingers through it and then spritzing on some flexible hairspray.
4
Try smooth, straight locks with a hair protectant and a flat iron. Apply the hair protectant before you blow dry. As you dry your hair, use a round brush to hold your hair in place, and begin at the back of your head. Once it's dry, run small sections through a flat iron to make them straight and smooth.^{[15]
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- For extra shine, spritz on a shine mist at the end.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Working with Very Short Hair

1
Try a buzz cut for an easy look. If you don't want to spend a lot of time on your hair in the morning, a buzz cut may be the perfect option. All you have to do is wash your hair and run a towel over it, and you're out the door.^{[16]
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- This cut is also perfect for summer, since it keeps your head cool.
2
Use matte paste and pomade to create a classic quiff. With this hairstyle, you have longer hair on top (think 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm)) and short hair on the sides. In the classic version, the differences in lengths between the top and sides is less than more contemporary versions, making it look less severe.^{[17]
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- To style it, dry your hair with a towel, and rub a bit of matte paste in it before your blow dry. While using your blow dryer, create the shape with your fingers. Add a bit of pomade to set the look.
- With this style, you can sweep the top of your hair back or to one side for different looks.
3
Add texture to a crop cut with salt spray. Thick hair tends to be wavy or even curly, and you can play on that. Spritz salt spray into your damp hair, making sure to soak your hair with it. Comb it in with a brush or comb.^{[18]
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- Scrunch it with your fingers and let it dry naturally.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Working with Your Stylist

1
Ask for layers to reduce the bulkiness of your hair. Thick hair can look heavy and flat. By asking for layers, you reduce some of the bulk. You're still able to get almost any haircut you want, and you'll get light, bouncy, voluminous hair.^{[19]
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- One technique you can ask for at the salon or barbershop is point cutting. This technique adds texture to the tips of your hair, removing bulk without adding more severe layers.^{[20]
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2
Make sure your stylist doesn't thin your hair too much. While layering and a little thinning can reduce some of the bulk, too much thinning can lead to frizziness. The feathered ends of your hair can poof up, leaving you with too much volume.^{[21]
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- If your hair stylists uses a razor or thinning shears, it can even fray the ends of your hair, creating more frizziness.
3
Try an undercut to reduce the weight. An undercut is when part of your head is shaved, typically near your neck. The rest of your hair covers it up if it's long, but it significantly reduces the weight.^{[22]
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- If you want an edgier style, you could shave 1 side of your head. This reduces the bulk and creates a fun look.
4
Highlight the tips on longer hair to lighten up the look. If you have thick, full hair, it can look weighted and heavy, particularly if it's long. To visually lighten up the look, opt for a lighter color on your tips.^{[23]
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- An ombre effect also works well.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you decrease volume in thick hair?

Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
Arthur Sebastian is the Owner of Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon in San Francisco, California. Arthur has worked as a hair stylist for over 20 years and received his Cosmetology License in 1998. He believes that the true work of a successful hair stylist comes from passion and a love for hairdressing.

Arthur Sebastian

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Ask your stylist for a haircut that will compliment the volume of your hair and use products that will minimize frizziness. A lot of the times embracing your hair and your texture, and then using the right products, can actually really free you from over styling and spending too much time or money on your hair.