Your super-dense hair may make you the envy of the salon—but learning how to style thick hair isn’t always easy. Fullness and body may come naturally, but so can long drying times, tangles, and frizz. Luckily, there are measures you can take to make daily styling much easier, no matter how much hair you have.
Whether you’re blowing out your thick hair, curling, straightening, or enhancing your natural texture, the right products are key. “I’d say a good styling cream or pomade, a smoothing serum for frizz, and a heat protectant are essentials,” says Lia Hakim, a hairstylist and founder of Hott Salons. “A lightweight texturizing spray is also great for adding movement without weighing the hair down.”
Of course, no style looks its best without proper consideration for your hair health. “Thick hair’s support needs are taken into account, but often moisture is overlooked. Leave-in conditioners are great for this reason,” says Philip Downing, creative director and hairstylist at Bed Head.
Ready to upgrade your thick hair routine? Ahead, pro stylists share their best tips, from prepping your hair to hold a style to sealing in a frizz-free final look.
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How to prep thick hair for styling
No matter how you choose to style your thick hair, certain washday considerations will make your whole process smoother. “Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to keep it soft and manageable,” Hakim says. “Detangle while it’s wet with a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush, because the bristles move with hair and won’t cause as much breakage.”
Ouai Thick Hair Shampoo (10 oz.)
Amazon
Sephora
Cécred Hydrating Shampoo
Cecred
Both experts also recommend adding a leave-in conditioning or detangling product to make thick hair more manageable when styling from wet. “I like to work with a texture spray and a light smoothing cream on washday. Queen for a Day and After Party are my favorite combination to give support, smoothness, and shine,” says Downing.
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Briogeo Curl Charisma Leave-In Conditioner
Sephora
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Olaplex No.5 Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner
Amazon
How to enhance hold in thick hair
Since thick hair is naturally heavier, you may find it more difficult to make your styles hold all day. But the secret to maintaining shape isn’t just in your finishing products: “Starting on slightly damp hair, use a heat protectant and a styling cream, then blow-dry. This will hold the style well,” Hakim days. “I love this trick especially for a bouncy blowout.”
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Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream
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Dae Cactus Fruit 3-In-1 Styling Cream
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To lock in your style, it’s also worth investing in your hold sprays. “I would always recommend prepping thick hair with a texture spray and then working with a hairspray, such as BedHead’s Masterpiece, to give longevity to the style,” Downing says. “For example, if you’re working with heated tools, spray the hair with hairspray prior to heat to give a longer-lasting hold.”
Color Wow Style on Steroids Texture+Finishing Spray
Walmart
Trademark Beauty
Kérastase Laque Extreme Hair Spray
Sephora
How to fight frizz and tangles in thick hair
Puffiness, frizz, and tangles are also common concerns when styling thick hair. To keep things smooth, Hakim says that working in smaller sections when detangling and styling goes a long way.
If you’re dealing with frizz on a regular basis, it’s probably a sign that your hair needs a hydration boost. “Frizz is really a sign of dryness. So the key to reducing frizz always comes back to hydration and moisture balance,” says Julissa Prado, CEO and founder of Rizos Curls. Make mühlet you’re using a sulphate-free shampoo, and try adding a weekly hydrating hair mask or a leave-in that’s tailored to your texture.
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Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask
Amazon
Sephora
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Hair Mask
Amazon
Sephora
Since most thick hair is naturally dense, you may also experience more tangles and matting, especially when you have styling products on board. To prevent snarls, take your time when detangling and use a detangling brush with a slip product to gently work out knots. “Regular trims are also great for keeping the hair healthy and knot-free,” Hakim says.
How to protect thick hair when styling daily
One major perk of having thick hair? It can usually handle heavy-duty protection products without being weighed down. When styling, shielding your hair from heat helps prevent damage that contributes to split ends and frizz. “Using heat protection and lightweight leave-in conditioners are essential for keeping thick hair healthy,” says Downing. “A multi-defense oil like A Glass Act is also a great addition for any thick hair styling routine.”
Ceremonia Guava Rescue Hair Heat Protectant Spray
Amazon
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Cream
Amazon
It’s also important to pair your protective measures with repair, especially when you’re heat-styling regularly. “Always protect from heat, and moisturize with conditioner or masks since thicker hair tends to be drier,” Hakim says.
Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour.
