If you have thick hair, you’re definitely used to fielding tons of compliments from people who covet your lush, luxurious mane. But here’s something they probably don’t know: Finding perfect haircuts for thick hair is no easy task.
Between the washing, the blow-drying (lest you face three or more hours of air drying), and the endless detangling, the pursuit of perfect hair never ends. The good news is, though, these hairstyles for thick hair are guaranteed not only to make your life that much easier, but to also emphasize everything that’s truly great about thick, voluminous hair.
Here are 15 perfect hairstyles to embrace your thick hair.
A version of this article was originally published in May 2016.
Low 'Do
With plenty of hair, you can create a sleek low 'do, like this one on Blake Lively.
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Foc Kan/FilmMagic
Beautiful Bouffant
We're loving this bouffant on Camila Cabello. This not only pulls your hair away from your face, but also adds a bit of volume, giving your overall look a retro touch.
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Venturelli/WireImage
Ponytail
Go with a sleek ponytail using all that extra hair of yours, as seen on Jennifer Aniston.
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Blunt Bangs
Blunt bangs, like Zooey Deschanel's, are ideal for thick-haired ladies. A finer-textured fringe is prone to looking stringy, but fuller strands hold up.
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Long Layers
Add lightness and movement to thick hair by opting for a cut like Connie Britton's. Her chin-skimming layers give her style a flowy, flattering shape that perfectly frames the face.
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Choppy Bob
If shoulder-length hair is more your style, thin out a bob with razor-cut ends—Julianne Hough's cut is ideal—to downplay your hair's heaviness.
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Half-Up 'Do
When you have hair to spare, a half-up style like Minka Kelly's keeps your mane out of your face while emphasizing its lushness.
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Half-Up 'Do, Sans Bangs
If you don't have bangs, you can always opt for this look on Beyoncé.
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Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for TIDAL
Thick Braid
Unlike fine-haired ladies, whose braids can look scrawny, your plait is perfectly sized. We love Keri Russell's loose side braid.
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Undercut
When you have thick hair, you don't want a short cut to look too bulky. A close-cropped under layer like Coco Rocha's lets you play with length in the front without any of the usual heaviness.
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The Perfect Length
When thick hair gets too long, it can become unmanageable. We love the length of Eva Mendes' cut because it still reads as long hair, but can be styled in half the time.
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Straight Length
Or go with Kim Kardashian's length, if you want more of a straight-hair look.
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Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
Ombré Highlights
Lighter ends like Vanessa Hudgens' can help balance thick hair, since they make the tips look less heavy. Plus, highlights look so pretty with her wavy texture.
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Tucked Behind the Ear
Sofia Vergara's slicked back center part gives her Emmys hairstyle a more formal feel—and helps keep her full hair out of her face.
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Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Big and Beautiful
We love big hair like Nicole Scherzinger's: Her long layers keep her hair from being weighed down at the roots, which is a must for all-over volume.
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