Thick Hair: What Can Be Done?
Thick hair is something many people would love to have — but if it’s your hair, you’ll know it comes with its own challenges. It can feel heavy, take an age to dry, and be a real handful to style. The good news is that thick hair is very manageable with the right approach. Here’s an honest guide from the team at Wisteria Avenue in Abingdon.
The right haircut makes the biggest difference
With thick hair, the cut matters more than anything else. A heavy, blunt, all-one-length cut can leave thick hair sitting like a solid block — making it look bulkier and harder to manage. Layering is the answer: removing weight through the hair takes out some of that bulk, adds movement and texture, and makes the whole thing far easier to style. A well-judged layered cut also frames the face and gives a more flattering shape. The key word is well-judged — layers for thick hair need to be cut by someone who’ll take out enough weight to help without leaving the hair looking thin or losing the shape.
Choose products that don’t add weight
Thick hair generally doesn’t need products that add body — it has plenty already. What helps is products that smooth and soften without weighing the hair down or making it greasy. Very heavy oils and rich styling creams can leave thick hair looking flat and lank, so lighter products tend to work better. As with anything, the right product for your hair matters more than the most expensive one — your stylist can point you to what genuinely suits it. And if you use heat tools, a heat protectant is always worth it.
Make drying easier on yourself
Drying is often the biggest frustration with thick hair, simply because there’s so much of it. A couple of things help: rough-drying with a towel first to take out excess moisture means less work for the hairdryer, and using a round brush as you dry helps smooth the hair and bring it under control. It needn’t be a battle — a good cut, again, makes drying far quicker, because there’s less bulk to fight.
Work with your natural texture
Thick hair often comes with lovely natural texture — waves or movement that are worth working with rather than against. Letting your hair dry more naturally, perhaps with a light texturising product, can give a relaxed, effortless look and save you time. Fighting your hair’s natural tendency is usually harder work than embracing it.
Let a stylist help you manage it
The honest bottom line: thick hair is far easier to live with when it’s cut and managed well — and that’s where a professional genuinely earns their keep. A stylist can give you a cut tailored to your hair type, face shape and lifestyle, and show you how to handle it at home. If you’ve been struggling with thick hair, that’s the place to start.
Book a haircut in Abingdon
If your thick hair feels like more of a challenge than a blessing, come and talk to us. Book in for a free, no-obligation consultation, see more on our haircuts and styles page, or have a look at our price list to see what’s involved.
