Thick hair can be tough to style and manage, because it tends to tangle more easily, and it can get very puffy when cut poorly. There are a number of hairstyles for thick hair which can make it easier to handle, and more attractive, and before those with thick hair despair, some styles really only work with thick hair, so thick hair has its advantages, too. If you have been having trouble managing your hair for some time, you may also want to consider switching stylists to find a hairstylist who will work more effectively with your hair; look for a hairstylist who has a stylebook which includes hairstyles for thick hair for the best results.

Several traits are true of most thick hair. As a general rule, the shorter the hairstyle, the puffier thick hair gets, so people with thick hair should stick with either extremely short or medium to long cuts. Very short cuts don't leave enough hair to get messy, and longer cuts keep the hair down with sheer weight. Thick hair also tends to have a lot of volume, so some of the best hairstyles for thick hair focus on decreasing the volume.

Layers can be great in thick hair, as long as they are not too short at the top of the head. As a general rule, straight, blocky cuts do not look good with thick hair, because they turn the hair into a wedge. Haircuts with more dynamism, such as tapered ends, layers, and asymmetrical cuts, often create more texture and the illusion of movement, making thick hair look less heavy. People with very curly, out-of-control thick hair might want to consider using a flat iron to reduce the volume of their hair, while people with extremely straight hair may want to think about a wave, which will give their hair more bounce.

Hairstyles for thick hair can also include color, as long as color is applied with care. Streaks of contrasting color are ideal, because they break up the appearance of the hair, making it seem less dense. All-over color treatments tend to make thick hair look almost like a wig, since the density and uniform color look very unnatural together. It is also entirely appropriate to play with streaks of bold color such as magenta, blue, or green, which can add some visual interest to thick hair.

Some hairstyles for thick hair only really work on thick hair, and they give people with long, thick hair a chance to show off their beautiful hair. Many updos, for example, are most suitable for people with a lot of hair to play with, as the hair can be curled and styled around the updo. Ponytails tend to look best with thick hair, and thick-haired individuals usually have enough hair to create pigtails, if they want to create a slightly younger look. Thick hair is also well-suited to braiding, and there are a number of different types of braids including fishtails and reverse French braids which look stunning when a thick head of hair is involved.