Styling thick hair is honestly like having a superpower. Sure, sometimes it feels like you are wrestling a lion on your head, but with the right tricks and tools, thick hair can be your ultimate flex. Trust me, thick hair might throw tantrums sometimes, but once you know how to work with it, you are gonna be running your hands through it like you are in a shampoo commercial.
Before we get into all the juicy tips, let me just say: if you ever feel frustrated with your thick hair,
Thick hair isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a crown to show off.
Alright bestie, let’s get into it.
Know Your Hair Type First
Biggest mistake ever is thinking that all thick hair is the same. Uh nope. Some thick hair is straight, some is wavy, some is curly, and some is living its best life being a little bit of everything.
Take a sec and really figure out if your hair is coarse, fine, wavy, textured, super curly, etc. Because the way you style thick, straight hair is gonna be wayyyy different than how you style thick, curly hair.
Here’s a mini cheat sheet for you:
| Hair Texture | What Works Best |
|---|---|
| Straight Thick Hair | Lightweight styling creams, heat tools |
| Wavy Thick Hair | Texturizing sprays, curl enhancers |
| Curly Thick Hair | Hydrating products, curl definers |
| Coarse Thick Hair | Heavy moisturizers, rich oils |
Knowing your texture is knowing your power. Period.
Start Fresh: Wash Smart
Thick hair usually needs more care when it comes to washing. You do NOT need to wash it every day, babe. Honestly, overwashing thick hair just makes it dryer and frizzier.
Go for a sulfate-free shampoo and a mega-hydrating conditioner. I am obsessed with the Shea Moisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner set. It smells like candy and leaves thick hair feeling like it just got back from a spa weekend.
Hot tip:
Focus shampoo on your scalp and conditioner on your ends.
Your scalp gets all the oil, and your ends get all the dry sad vibes. Treat them accordingly!
Never Skip the Leave-In Conditioner
After you hop out of the shower looking like a water goddess, do not even think about skipping leave-in conditioner. Seriously, leave-in is your BFF for life.
Find one that’s light yet moisturizing. The It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In is such a classic for a reason. A few sprays, and your hair is like silk.
Bonus points if your leave-in has heat protection built-in because you know we are about to get those hot tools cranking.
Prep That Hair Before You Style
Ok, real talk: thick hair needs prep work. If you just blast it with a blowdryer or smash a flat iron on it raw, you’ll end up with frizz and regret.
Here’s how you can set yourself up for success:
- Use a heat protectant spray (think of it like sunscreen for your hair).
- Section your hair off. More sections = better style control.
- Use clips to hold up the parts you are not working on.
Basically: treat your hair like you are about to paint a masterpiece. You wouldn’t just slap colors everywhere without prepping first right?
Master the Blowout of Your Dreams
Blowdrying thick hair can feel like cardio. Grab a smoothie afterward because it is WORK.
To make it easier:
- Use a high-wattage dryer like the Dyson Supersonic if you wanna be fancy or the Revlon One-Step Volumizer for like 50 percent of the cost.
- Always dry in sections using a round brush.
- Pull the hair taut while drying to get it super smooth.
- Aim the nozzle downward to stop frizz from waking up and ruining your vibe.
And please, for the love of healthy hair, do not fry it. Medium heat is your friend unless you are starring in a movie where your hair needs to sizzle dramatically.
What About Heatless Styles?
Sometimes, thick hair deserves a break. Plus, heatless styles hit different because they make you look effortless on TikTok.
Things that slay on thick hair:
- Loose braids: Sleep in two big braids for beachy waves the next morning.
- Bun curls: Twist damp hair into two buns before bed. Wake up to curls that literally flex on everybody else’s hair.
- Flexi rods: Yeah they look wild while you are rocking them, but the curls after? Insta gold.
- Heatless curling ribbons: If you know, you know.
Heatless does not mean homeless. Remember that.
Pick the Right Hair Products
Thick hair eats product like I eat McDonald’s fries: unstoppable.
Just tapping a tiny bit on your strands is not it. You need to load up the right products but keep the texture light.
Here’s a product cheat code:
| Problem | Product Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Frizz City | Ouai Anti-Frizz Sheets |
| Dry and Sad | MoroccanOil Treatment |
| Needs Hold | Chi Helmet Head Hairspray |
| Wants Volume | Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast |
The vibe is keeping the hair happy without making it stiff or sticky.
Easy Styles That Slay Thick Hair
You don’t always have to spend three hours to look good. These styles are amazing for thicker hair and they look like you tried really hard (even if you didn’t):
Half-Up Bun
Half princess, half cool-girl. Scoop up the top third of your hair, twist it into a messy bun, and secure it with a cute claw clip. Pull out two tiny tendrils in front for that effortless TikTok queen look.
Bubble Ponytail
Bubble ponytail is EVERYTHING right now. Start with a high pony, then every few inches tie another elastic and lightly tug at the little section to fluff it, making “bubbles”.
It’s giving Ariana Grande energy.
Sleek Low Bun
Sometimes you want to look expensive. A low bun is the move:
- Use a boar bristle brush to smooth it down.
- Part your hair in the middle for that Pinterest model vibe.
- Twist and pin it at the nape of your neck.
- Spray some shine spray and pretend you are walking the runway.
Beachy Waves
If thick hair had a celeb look, it would be beachy waves. They just hit differently with all that volume.
Use a bigger barrel curling wand like 1.25 inches, leave the ends out to keep it casual, and hit everything with a light texturizing spray. Voila. You are that girl.
Dealing With Summer Struggles
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: SUMMER. Thick hair in humidity wants to act crazy.
Here’s the cheat sheet:
- Go heavier on leave-in conditioner.
- Use anti-humidity sprays like the Mizani Humidity Resistant Mist.
- Toss a scrunchie in your bag so you can whip up a bun when needed.
Also: hats are CUTE. Protect your hair and look like a celeb dodging paparazzi. Win win.
Nighttime Hair Tips for Thick Heads
You went through all that styling effort…protect it at night, babe!
Before bed:
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase.
- Loosely braid your hair or put it in a loose high bun.
- Use a silk scarf if you are feeling extra.
Quitting cotton pillowcases alone will save your style by like 10000 percent. Trust.
Taking care of your hair at night is like setting coffee for the morning: Future You will thank you.
Final Vibe Check
Thick hair is honestly such a flex. Rocking it right just means you need to show it who’s boss sometimes.
Keep it moisturized, prepped, styled smart, and protected. And above all, do not let anyone tell you thick hair is too much. You are not too much. They are simply not enough.
“Invest in your hair, it’s the crown you never take off.” ; Anonymous
Alright loves, go out there, shake that lion’s mane, and floss on everybody. You got this. ♡
