20 Head Turning Haircuts and Hairstyles for Long Thick Hair
For all of the lucky ladies out there who have been blessed with long thick hair, you understand that this blessing can sometimes feel like a curse. Thick hair is a great privilege but also a great responsibility. Let’s face it, those locks require more of everything. More product, more time, and more patience. However, your efforts and dollars are rewarded with a gorgeous end result that leaves your fine haired friends green with envy.
Cuts and Styles for Long Thick Hair
Thick hair comes in all shapes, sizes, and textures. Often times there is a natural wave or curl that can be counteracted with length, as the weight and gravity work in your favor. Longer hair also balances the volume and enables more layers to be added without creating a lion’s mane around your face. Look no further for some great cut and style options to show off those ad-worthy tresses.
#1: Middle Part with Beachy Waves
Look up “mermaid” online and see if every example doesn’t show this style with gorgeous wavy lengths. Honestly, who doesn’t have at least a small urge to be compared to a mermaid? The part down the middle and flowy layers are very helpful in lengthening a rounder face, while the loose curl offers an effortless and sun-dried finish.
Instagram / @stephengarrison
#2: Elegant Loose Bun
One of the many great things about simple haircuts for long thick hair is that voluminous up-dos are so much easier with them! Some back-brushing, a few bobby pins, a spritz of hairspray, and voila: a polished but approachable bun perfect for any occasion.
Instagram / @tonyastylist
#3: Curly Layered Cut
Curly layers may not be a friend to short thick hair, but they certainly are a go-to for a longer cut! Length balances out the volume that’s added by the layers leaving you with a gorgeous and proportionate style.
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#4: Choppy Tousled Layers
Want to keep your long hair, but crave something edgier? Ask your stylist to cut in bold choppy layers and enhance them with a subtle balayage.
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#5: Sleek Curled Dimensional Style
Sleekness is totally achievable with hairstyles for long thick hair, but it will require some extra work. Use a shampoo and conditioner with a sheen factor and dry your hair in small sections with a flat paddle or round brush. Keep a tight hold and dry with the grain to combat any coarse areas. You’ll also want to add some shine serum from about the temple to the tips of your hair.
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#6: Straight Hair with Curled Ends
Add a cute touch to your straight style by incorporating a slightly flipped out curl at the ends. Blow dry straight and then use a medium curling iron on the tips only. Having at least two levels of layers will really show off the extra effort.
Instagram / @thescissorsammurai
#7: Luxurious Layers with Long Bangs
The more layers, the more movement. And with an abundance of hair, you have plenty of room for all that movement! Adding a long bang, that can be side swept, frames your face, but also offers a starting point for your shortest layer. Think chin-length.
Instagram / @marcioalves_hairstylist
#8: Long Cut with Bangs
Full bangs straight across the forehead are super chic and can be incorporated into many different long haircuts for thick hair. For a glam style, rock these bangs with some serious waves.
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#9: Low Messy Bun
Ladies with thick hair know that some days, you just need it out of the way. A messy bun is a great go-to for those warmer months, or even a casual date-night. Try the sock bun method, and then wrap a bottom piece of hair around the base.
Instagram / @alexkhoeunhair
#10: Low-Maintenance Tapered Layers
When considering a new cut or style, evaluate if spending hours in front of the mirror each morning is something you’re interested in. Not a priority? Try a layered look that tapers down slightly front to back. Such a cut offers texture whether you want to blow dry and go, or even let it air-dry.
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#11: Loose Curled Style
If you’re drawn towards haircuts for long thick hair that boast extra length (think near your waist), you’ll definitely want some curl added into your style. The curls will keep you from appearing that your gorgeous mane is weighing you down.
Instagram / @chelscaruso
#12: Feathered Layers
Feathering is a term used to describe the ends of the hair that have been finely textured. This cutting technique creates a softer blending of the layers and offers interest without breaking up the overall length of the hair.
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#13: Sophisticated Low Curls
Lots of curls and thick hair go together hand-in-hand. Thanks to a typically coarse texture and the ability to go longer without washing, curls are easier to achieve on thick hair and they tend to hold longer. For a sophisticated style, leave the hair straight roots to midshaft and then go full force with curls at the bottom.
Instagram / @jackmartincolorist
#14: Voluptuous Curls
Long thick hairstyles tend to be pretty voluminous just by default. To channel your inner diva and kick things up a notch, style with a deep part for added oomph up top. Add large curls all over from the chin to the ends.
Instagram / @hairbystevie
#15: Loose and Wavy
While large curls are a great go-to, sometimes a low key look can be just as eye-catching. You can add gentle waves by blow drying with a round brush or twisting small sections around a flat iron and then brushing through.
Instagram / @hairxjojo
#16: Funky Messy Bun
A messy bun is something that many thick haired gals may take for granted. Your natural fullness makes this an easy style to achieve while those with thinner hair will have more of a struggle with it. A shaved pattern at the nape of the neck adds a fun detail that can be shown off or covered up depending on your mood.
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#17: Polished Style with Long Swoopy Layers
Straight hairstyles for thick long hair can be gorgeous as long as the hair is healthy and well tended. You want to have cuts regularly to avoid any stringiness or split ends. Rounding the ends of hair draws attention to the layers and creates a polished and elegant style.
Instagram / @thescissorsammurai
#18: Layered Cut with Multiple Lengths
When you feel like rivaling Rapunzel with your length, it’s important to not let the hair start looking dull. Have your stylist cut in several different layers going from the shoulder down and then finish with a flipped curl at the ends.
Instagram / @manuellobo
#19: Natural Wave Style
Some of the best styles evolve by taking a cue from how your hair wants to behave on its own. If you have a natural wave, go with it! It may take some product and styling to get it exactly how you want it, but you’re less likely to fight a losing battle if you go with the flow.
Instagram / @venalove
#20: Long and Flowy Style
To keep a straight appearance of your style, but still have some movement and body, blow dry with a round brush. It will create long flowy waves that look fantastic. It’s one of the most classic long hairstyles for thick hair.
Instagram / @che.r.mariano
Finding exciting hairstyles for long thick hair is fairly simple. However, finding a cut that you can commit to and be willing to maintain requires more effort. Talk to your stylist about ideas that will work with your natural texture as well as your desired prep time. Once you find what works for you, sit back and enjoy the compliments that roll in!