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 endless 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.
Featured in this article
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Olaplex No.5 Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner
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Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream
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Ceremonia Guava Rescue Hair Heat Protectant Spray
How to prep thick hair for styling
No matter how you choose to style your thick hair, certain wash-day 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.”