60 REMARKABLE SHORT HAIRSTYLES FOR THICK HAIR
Thick hair is a blessing and a burden. On one hand, thick hair allows you to choose from a limitless selection of hairstyles. On the other hand, thick hair can feel heavy and hot.
This article is here to help you take the guesswork out of choosing a short hairstyle for your thick hair. Here are some trends that we’ve spotted:
- Highlights of any color make thick hair look less heavy. They also reflect light away from naturally dark hair, controlling heat on hot, sunny summer days.
- The v-cut endures. Having risen to popularity in the early 2000’s, the v-cut remains a winning short style for thick hair.
- Heat and products are out. Natural volume and shine are in. Styles that work with your hair’s natural texture are all the rage.
These trends and more featuring in the following article. Read on to find your next short-hair inspiration!
#1：All-Over Curls
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Short, single-layered hairstyles often give thick hair a hard, angled look. Soften your appearance by using a large-barreled curling iron to curl hair away from your face.
#2: Swooping into Waves
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This short hairstyle for thick hair focuses on natural texture, rather than relying on heat or product. Use a blow-dryer and a round brush to give volume to your roots, as well as achieve soft curls near your tips.
#3: Flat-Iron Freedom
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No curling iron or natural curls? No problem! This short choppy hairstyle for thick hair is made for those with naturally straight locks. Twist a flat iron through your tresses to create this teased, punky look, and use a dash of hairspray to hold it together.
#4: The Long V
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Since hitting the scene in the late-2000’s, no hairstyle has had as much lasting popularity as the v-cut. This longer version of the classic chop is the perfect short hairstyle for thick hair, because it relies on weight for its shape. When worn straight, it complements any face.
#5: Parisian Chic
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Parisians have mastered effortless style, and you can achieve this short hairstyle for thick hair in minutes. A modern take on the bob, choppy layers show off this model’s natural curls and waves.
#6: Teased Waves
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This short hairstyle works best with wavy hair. A subtle “v” shape adds volume to the crown of the head, while a touch of curl gives the look dimension and character. Highlights around the face keep this hairstyle from looking too heavy.
#7: The Solid Chop
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A short hairstyle on thick hair creates the perfect canvas for experimentation. This style is the perfect example! Long layers in the front frame the face, while a single, shorter layer in the back makes hair chic and easy to style.
#8: Top-Heavy Tangles
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The undercut is no longer the underdog: dit’s the perfect hairstyle for curly thick hair! Apply mousse or scrunching gel to make curls bounce without adding weight. This is the perfect low-maintenance style for hot, humid summer days.
#9: Caramel Glow
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Short hairstyles, such as this bob, can make dark hair look dull and heavy. Caramel highlights are the solution. Unlike blonde, caramel contrasts gently with dark tones to create warm dimension.
#10: Intentional Mess
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Curly, thick hair often goes under-appreciated in hairstyling circles, being complicated to cut and difficult to tame. However, who said that curly hair needs to be tamed? This short undercut makes the most of thick curls and invites the wearer to let their wild hair run free.
#11: The Secret Agent
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A staple of spy films, nothing is more iconic than the chin-length bob. This short hairstyle works best with straight hair, especially if you seek a low-maintenance ‘do. Pair this look with bangs to highlight the eyes and cheekbones, while using argan oil to bring out hair’s natural shine.
#12: The Big Bang
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Thick hair and thick bangs are two birds of a feather, especially on short hairstyles like this lob. Highlights bring out the face and eyes, while also preventing the hairstyle from looking too heavy. This is the hairstyle for extremely thick hair.
#13: Big Volume and Bright Highlights
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Do you want the effect of a fauxhawk without shaving your head? This is the hairstyle you’re looking for. A side part emphasizes a strong swoopy bang, while highlights bring attention to the crown of the head. This is the look for people with fine thick hair, or who have a cowlick on their hairline.
#14: The Long Undercut
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Undercut hairstyles are amazing for thick hair because they prevent the style from looking too heavy. Some people, however, would rather not take a razor to their locks. Enter the long undercut, which offers the same thinning effect without forcing you to go too short.
#15: The Simple Bob
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Simple, everyday short hairstyles for thick hair are a rare find. Looks such as this chin-length bob are prefect for those who want to try short hair without the risk. Using minimal layers, this style is easy to modify and grow out.
#16: Slicked-Back
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Planning an evening out or attending a chic event? Try this short hairstyle. Simply comb the front layers back, then use hairspray or gel to hold them in place. This look works best with fine thick hair, as well as with statement jewelry.
#17: Waves All Around
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Show off your wild side with this free-spirited look. An uneven side part gives hair texture while waves enhance the effect. This is a fun short hairstyle for wavy thick hair.
#18: A Strong Side-Part and Loose Layers
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Short hairstyles can make thick hair feel hot, especially in the humid summer months. This look does away with these concerns. Feathered layers create movement, while blonde highlights reflect the sun away from the scalp. A strong side-part helps this style bounce.
#19: Modern Ombré
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Despite being around since 2012, the ombré isn’t dead. This is especially true for those with short, thick hairstyles. Dark roots stay true to your natural color, while a blonde gradient highlights the face and cheekbones.
#20: The Lob
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The Lob – or long bob – is a mid-length staple for those who want short hair without the commitment. Featuring lightly feathered layers, this look works best with hair that tapers less near the tips. A feather effect makes thick hair look and feel less heavy.
#21: Platinum Party
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For the past half-decade, platinum has topped the color charts for short hairstyles. Avoiding length allows wearers to benefit from platinum’s brightening effects while reducing scalp damage and split ends. Platinum is ideal for short, thick, blonde hair, but it’s possible for any kind of hair!
#22: Small-V Crop
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V-cuts aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. This crop, which combines both the v-cut and the bob, gives all the length without the drama. This is a wonderful short hairstyle for straight thick hair.
#23: Chin-Length Bob
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This is an amazing short hairstyle for thick hair that has natural volume near the scalp. To add bounce without sacrificing smoothness, use a round, bristle-toothed comb when blowing hair dry. Layers also add to this look.
#24: Tucked-Away Short Shag
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This hairstyle looks like a bob in the front, while going full shag in the back. Long front layers allow hair to tuck behind the ears, while bright blonde highlights enhance the shorter, choppier layers in the back. This is the ideal short hairstyle for those who want to mix professionalism with play.
#25: The Dark Long Pixie
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Even today, hairstylists balk at the word “pixie.” This extremely short hairstyle has long been delegated to risk-takers only. The long pixie is a milder – and perhaps more palatable – version of its super-short cousin. Featuring longer bangs, this is a superb low-maintenance short hairstyle for thick hair.
#26: Professional Contrast
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Sharp, angled undercuts, like the one pictured here, turn hair into modern art. And what is art without a palette? A blonde top layer with a dark bottom layer creates contrast that will bring attention to this creative short hairstyle.
#27: Medium Mocha
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Most would agree that chocolate and coffee are some of the world’s greatest gifts. In the hairstyling world, caramel highlights on dark hair are the closest we can get. Paired with layers and a below-the-chin cut, this hairstyle makes thick hair look warm and inviting.
#28: Contrasted Crop
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The chin-length crop is a popular short hairstyle for thick hair because it combines chic style with easy management. Combining a light top layer with darker bottom layers gives this look contrast and depth, while also maintaining a simple and professional appearance.
#29: A Touch of Gray
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Ashy blonde highlights are a rather new hair trend. We love them because they ease the contrast of blonde and red highlights on naturally-dark hair. They also add movement to this single-length bob, making them a potential staple in short hairstyles for thick hair.
#30: Straight and Wavy
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Curling naturally straight hair is one thing, but making it wavy is another. Gently twist a flat iron through this style’s upper layers to create gentle waves, then use a teasing comb and hairspray for additional volume and hold.
#31: Long-Banged Lob
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This soft look is the ideal short hairstyle for thick hair. Long bangs feather into a single-length lob that relies on wave for natural volume. Low-maintenance, soft, and effortlessly elegant, this look is not one to miss.
#32: The Rockstar
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Featuring a side-part, flat-iron curls, and rich, dark color, this short hairstyle is straight out of a 2000s-era girl group. Choppy layers provide some texture, while argan oil produces maximum shine.
#33:A Dramatic Angle
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This short hairstyle begins at the base of the scalp and stops at nearly collarbone length. Big waves and caramel highlights give dimension to this look, while the model’s naturally thick hair provides volume at the crown of the head. If you are looking for drama, you should look no further than this short hairstyle for thick hair.
#34: Short, Sweet, and Simple
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Go back to the basics with this short look. Using minimal layers and minimal product, this hairstyle gives an effortless edge to any ensemble.
#35: Platinum Polish
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This hairstyle requires a v-shaped angle and bristle-toothed comb to create a smooth, shiny, polished look. Platinum highlights contrast subtly with the model’s natural blonde hair to produce an ashen gold effect. This short hairstyle makes thick hair look sleek and professional.
#36:Boosted Bump
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Big hair is back, but with none of the 80’s frizz. Teasing the hair near the crown of the head is the foundation of this look, while big waves add volume and bounce. This hairstyle is perfect for any type of thick hair.
#37: More Strong Angles
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Gold is an emerging hair color trend that is taking salons by storm. Likewise, it is perfect for short, thick hair. This angled hairstyle uses platinum and blonde highlights over natural auburn, a color that blends gracefully with the model’s rose gold accessories.
#38: Side Part with Flat-Iron Waves
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If you have fine thick hair, then this single-layer hairstyle is for you. Loose flat-iron curls give bounce to this look, while a side bang contributes to character. Perfect for round face shapes, this short hairstyle will help anyone rock thick hair.
#39: Nouveau Emo
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Calling back to the culture of the late 2000’s, this hairstyle features long layers parted at the crown of the head. Touching just above the chin, this short look for thick hair beckons to creatives and non-conformists alike.
#40: Unabashedly Big
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There is never a reason to be ashamed of thick hair, and this style is the epitome of that statement. Loose waves make volume all around, while bright highlights show off the face and cheekbones. This look works best for those who have very thick, wavy hair.
#41: The Classic Karen
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This look is so universal, you won’t have to speak to the manager to get it. A v angle and layers hit just above the cheekbone, while blonde highlights brighten the face. This is a fantastic summer hairstyle for thick hair.
#42: Dark, Straight, and Dramatic
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This hairstyle combines the concept of the angled look with that of the undercut. Shaving near the nape gives the impression of volume, while sleek, straight layers give way to impeccable shine. This short, professional hairstyle for thick hair stands out from the crowd.
#43: Embrace Your Volume
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Dark, wavy hair is notoriously hard to style. This look provides volume and shine, as well as a low-effort solution to thick, dark waves. Short layers near the crown of the head emphasize natural volume, while argan oil tames frizz.
#44: The Roaring 2020’s
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The hairstyles of the 1920’s depict intricate curls set upon a canvas of straight hair. Thick hair provided all the materials necessary for these hairstyles 100 years ago, and still provide them today. Achieve this look by straightening bottom layers, then winding small bunches of top layers into intricate curls. This style is perfect for a day out or a night on the town.
#45: Wistfully Wind-Swept
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These tousled tangles are the perfect easy short hairstyle for thick hair. Use a smoothing serum to increase shine, while letting natural waves do the rest. This is a great short look for trips to the beach.
#46: Blonde-on-Blonde Waves
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Blonde highlights on blonde hair add dimension to single-layer, short hairstyles. This is especially true for thick hair, which needs dimension to truly shine. Adding curls guarantees a winning style.
#47: Bumped-Up Lob
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Lobs come second to bobs in popular short hairstyles for thick hair. Like bobs, lobs can be teased at the crown of the head to give the look volume and movement.
#48: Mid-Length Wave
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Especially with extremely thick hair, not all short hairstyles have to go super-short. This mid-length look takes weight off the model’s thick hair, while also not being too dramatic.
#49: Platinum Bob
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Going platinum adds a modern twist to the classic bob. This short hairstyle works great with thick hair, because it emphasizes natural volume without looking too big.
#50: Chestnut Tuck
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This short hairstyle for thick wavy hair is perfect for professional settings. A long side bang tucks effortlessly into the rest of the look, or behind the ear when you truly need your hair out of your face.
#51: Big, Bumped Curls
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With short hairstyles, thick hair always makes the biggest bump. Lightly curl a flat iron through your hair to make the most of your natural volume, as well as to soften the style with waves.
#52: Chunky Curls
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Chunky thick hair often has natural curl. Why not play it up? This simple V makes the most of waves, while also taking weight off the scalp and neck.
#53: Teased V
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When you have thick hair, one thing is certain: you can never go wrong with a v-cut. Tease your V for a free-spirited look, as shown by this model.
#54: Firey Red
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This short hairstyle softens thick red hair, which can often be curly and coarse. Waves provide gentle volume, while highlights contrast with the model’s vibrant red hues.
#55: Peek-a-Boo
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Peek-a-Boo highlights provide all the fun of blonde hair, without the damage. They also pair wonderfully with short hairstyles for thick hair, which rely on layers and texture.
#56: Rocking Rose Gold
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Gold tones are all the rage in modern hair trends. Rose gold is no different. This daring hairstyle pairs rose gold with the model’s natural brown hair, a statement that makes this look pop.
#57: Sweep Forward, Sweep Back
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This short hairstyle is ideal for those who want texture without teasing. Forward-swept top layers meet a back-swept bang to create a wind-tousled look, without the wind!
#58: Flipped V
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Straight hair used to be the norm for v-cuts, but that is no longer the case. This look features a flipped front layer, which opens the face and adds softness around the jawline. If you have thick hair, this is the short hairstyle for you!
#59: Choppy Waves
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People with thick, wavy hair will love this choppy v-cut. Short layers at the back of the head reduce thickness near the crown, while still supporting volume. Longer front layers highlight the jawline, while natural waves give this look shape and character.
#60: Hand-Teased Tresses
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Teasing hair with a comb can damage hair at the crown of the head. Hand teasing, on the other hand, does almost no damage at all! Simply pump a volumizing agent, like a gel or serum, into your hand and work it through your hair. The hand-teased look is great for short, thick hair.