20 Short Hairstyles That Are Perfect for Thick Hair
If you have thick hair, you’ve likely experienced the love-hate relationship that comes with a voluminous mane. While it’s a blessing to have such lush, abundant locks, the weight, heat, and maintenance can sometimes feel overwhelming. The good news? Going short is one of the most liberating and stylish decisions you can make. A well-executed short haircut can reduce bulk, enhance your natural texture, and frame your features beautifully, all while being surprisingly low-maintenance.
Forget the myth that thick hair can’t be tamed into a chic, short style. The key is in the cut. We’ve curated a list of 20 stunning short hairstyles that are specifically designed to work with your thick hair, not against it. Get ready to be inspired and find your next signature look.
1. The Textured Pixie Cut
The textured pixie is a game-changer for thick hair. Unlike a sleek, uniform pixie, this version uses strategic layering and texturizing to remove weight and create movement. The result is a playful, piece-y look that is full of life and easy to style. It’s edgy, modern, and highlights your facial features.
Styling Tip: Work a small amount of texturizing wax or pomade through your damp or dry hair with your fingers, focusing on the ends to define those choppy layers.
2. The Classic Chin-Length Bob
You can never go wrong with a classic bob. Cutting thick hair to a sharp, chin-length bob creates a powerful, geometric shape that is both elegant and bold. The inherent weight of your hair helps this style maintain its clean lines and sleek silhouette throughout the day.
Styling Tip: For a super-sleek look, blow-dry with a round brush, directing the hair under. A flat iron can add the final touch of polish.
3. The Shaggy Bob (The “Shob”)
The shaggy bob, or “shob,” is the perfect marriage of structure and chaos. It combines the length of a bob with the layered, textured appeal of a shag. For thick hair, this means internal layers are cut to reduce bulk while creating incredible volume and a carefree, rock-and-roll vibe.
Styling Tip: Enhance the texture with a sea salt spray and scrunch your hair while blow-drying for a naturally tousled finish.
4. The Blunt Lob with Bangs
A blunt lob (long bob) that falls just above the shoulders is a universally flattering cut. Adding full, thick bangs creates a dramatic and fashion-forward look. Your thick hair ensures the bangs have substance and the lob maintains its shape, making for a striking combination.
Styling Tip: Use a vent brush to blow-dry your bangs straight down for a smooth, heavy finish that complements the sharpness of the lob.
5. The Asymmetrical Bob
Make a statement with an asymmetrical bob. This cut is longer on one side and shorter on the other, creating a dynamic, angular look. Thick hair holds this dramatic shape exceptionally well, allowing for a clean, architectural line that is both artistic and chic.
Styling Tip: A strong-hold hairspray is your best friend here to keep the sharp lines in place all day long.
6. The Wavy Bob with Side Part
Embrace your hair’s natural body with a wavy bob. This style is all about soft, touchable waves and volume. A deep side part adds an extra element of sophistication and helps to distribute the volume of thick hair in a flattering way.
Styling Tip: Apply a curl-enhancing mousse to damp hair and diffuse dry to accentuate your natural wave pattern without adding frizz.
7. The Modern Mullet
The mullet has made a triumphant return, and the modern version is a far cry from its 80s predecessor. Think “business in the front, party in the back” with more finesse—shorter, textured layers on top and around the face, with longer, shaggier layers in the back. It’s an edgy and bold choice that thick hair carries perfectly.
Styling Tip: Use a texturizing spray to separate the layers at the back and create a messy, intentional look.
8. The Curly Pixie
For those with thick, curly hair, a curly pixie is a celebration of your natural texture. This cut is shaped to allow curls to spring up freely, creating a halo of volume and definition around your face. It’s playful, confident, and wonderfully low-maintenance.
Styling Tip: Scrunch a curl-defining cream into soaking wet hair and air dry or diffuse to maintain bounce and eliminate frizz.
9. The A-Line Bob
The A-line bob is a classic for a reason. It’s shorter in the back and gradually longer towards the front, creating a beautiful silhouette that resembles the letter “A.” This cut is excellent for thick hair as it removes weight from the nape of the neck while leaving length to frame the face.
Styling Tip: Blow-dry with a round brush, curling the front sections under to emphasize the angled shape.
10. The Piece-Y Layered Crop
This is a slightly longer version of a pixie, with lots of layers and piece-y ends. It’s a versatile cut that can be styled sleek or messy. The layers are crucial for thinning out dense hair, resulting in a lightweight, airy style with lots of dimension.
Styling Tip: Rub a tiny amount of pomade between your palms and finger-comb through the ends of your hair to create separation and definition.
11. The French Bob
Channel effortless Parisian chic with the French bob. This style is typically a chin-length bob with soft, undone waves and wispy, brow-grazing bangs. It’s intentionally a little imperfect, which makes it a perfect match for the natural body of thick hair.
Styling Tip: Avoid over-styling. Let your hair air dry大部分 of the way, then use a curling wand to add a few random waves for that “I woke up like this” vibe.
12. The Undercut with a Long Top
If you want to drastically reduce bulk, the undercut is your best friend. By shaving or closely cutting the hair on the sides and back, you leave the hair on top long. This creates an incredible contrast and allows you to style the top section in various ways—slept back, to the side, or even into a mini pompadour.
Styling Tip: Use a strong-hold gel or pomade to slick the top section back for a sharp, dramatic look.
13. The Blunt Micro Bangs with a Bob
Take bangs to the extreme with micro bangs. Paired with a blunt bob, this look is artistic, bold, and unforgettable. Thick hair provides the necessary density to make these short bangs look intentional and stylish rather than wispy.
Styling Tip: Keep your bangs perfectly trimmed and use a small flat iron to ensure they sit straight and smooth.
14. The Tousled Wavy Shag
This is the shag in its purest, most liberated form. With layers all over and plenty of texture, the tousled wavy shag is designed to look a little messy and a lot cool. Thick hair brings this cut to life, providing the volume and body needed for the layers to truly pop.
Styling Tip: Flip your head upside down and mist with a texturizing spray before scrunching to maximize volume at the roots.
15. The Slicked-Back Wet Look
This style turns your thick hair into a high-fashion statement. By using a strong-hold gel or cream on damp hair and combing it back away from the face, you create a sleek, glossy “wet” look. The density of thick hair ensures the style has presence and doesn’t fall flat.
Styling Tip: Apply a generous amount of gel to soaking wet hair, comb it into place, and let it air dry for a hard hold, or diffuse for extra shine.
16. The Curly Bob with Bangs
Combine the playful shape of a bob with the joy of curls and the charm of bangs. This triple-threat style is full of personality. The bangs can be curly to match the rest of the hair or cut slightly differently for contrast, framing the face beautifully.
Styling Tip: Define your curls with a leave-in conditioner and gel, and carefully finger-coil your bang section for a cohesive look.
17. The Angled Bob with Layers
This cut combines the angle of an A-line bob with the softness of internal layers. The result is a shape that is both structured and soft. The layers prevent the ends from looking too heavy, allowing the angled shape to shine without the bulk.
Styling Tip: Use a large-barrel curling iron to add soft, inward curls to the longer front sections to enhance the angle.
18. The Pixie-Bob (The “Pob”)
Stuck between a pixie and a bob? The “pob” is your answer. It’s longer than a traditional pixie but shorter than a typical bob, offering the best of both worlds. It’s a versatile length that allows for styling flexibility and is ideal for thick hair that needs weight removal but isn’t ready for an ultra-short cut.
Styling Tip: This length looks great with a messy, textured finish. Use a texturizing powder at the roots for extra lift and grip.
19. The Blunt Ear-Length Bob
For a truly low-maintenance cut, go for an ear-length blunt bob. This super-short, sharp cut is incredibly impactful and draws immediate attention to your eyes, cheekbones, and jawline. Thick hair gives this style a beautiful, solid shape that holds all day.
Styling Tip: A quick blow-dry with a paddle brush is all you need to keep this style looking crisp and clean.
20. The Textured Crop with Fringe
Round out our list with a textured crop that features a disconnected fringe. The sides and back are kept short, while the top is left longer and heavily textured, with a fringe that falls casually over the forehead. It’s a modern, masculine-leaning cut that works wonderfully with thick, straight hair.
Styling Tip: Use a matte paste to create separation in the fringe and top layers, giving it a touchable, non-greasy finish.
Embrace the Chop: Your Thick Hair Deserves It
Having thick hair is a gift, and these short hairstyles are designed to unwrap its full potential. From the daring pixie to the timeless bob, there is a perfect short cut waiting to transform your look and simplify your routine. Remember, the most important step is to find a skilled stylist who understands how to layer and texturize thick hair to achieve your desired look. So, book that appointment, and get ready to fall in love with your thick hair all over again.
