Every time you visit the salon, you face the same routine. Your stylist runs her hands through your hair and exclaims, "it's so thick!" While a heavy head of hair might be a novelty to your stylist, it's less fun to live with a full mane every day.
When you leave the salon, your hair always looks great, but the challenge begins when you wash out your fresh blowout and must recognize that you have no idea how to style heavy hair. Your hair styling routine might be exhausting or time-consuming, even if you know what you're doing. If you snap one more hair tie, you're going to scream!
Should you buzz it all off and give up?
Of course not! At Shine Forth Salon, we're experts in making the most of your thick, luscious tresses! Not only will we give you a fantastic cut, but we'll also help you maintain it.
We want you to feel confident about mastering effortless styles for long hair, thick hair, and heavy hair. We'll share some gorgeous haircut options and our favorite hair styling products. Read on to learn the ins and outs of living your best, thick-haired life!
Washing Thick and Heavy Hair
We're willing to bet that you go through shampoo faster than your thin-haired friends. It makes sense that the more hair you have, the more product you'd need to cover it all. The same is true of the natural oils that your scalp excretes.
This oil is your friend and makes your hair sleeker, shinier, and healthier. It takes longer for the oils to coat thick-haired folks' tresses. If you wash your hair too often, these precious oils may never have a chance to spread.
One key to healthier thick hair is washing your hair less. If you wash your hair daily, try to cut the number of washes in half. If you wash it less than that, eliminate one of the washings.
Over time, the oils will make your hair strong, smoother, and easier to brush. You'll experience fewer flyaways, less frizz, and a sleeker overall look.
Ultimately, you'll deal with less breakage, which makes your head of hair much easier to manage. We're big fans of dry shampoo for in-between washes. It allows your oils to infiltrate your hair without too much visible greasiness.
Embrace Length
When your hair becomes unruly, the natural inclination is to chop it all off. While some folks can rock an incredible short style, you shouldn't feel like it's your only option. Long, thick hair can be easy to manage if you start with the right cut.
The key to reducing bulk is to request a style featuring long layers. They'll add movement and shape to your hair while reducing the weight. It's a great way to maintain your length without all the bulk.
Request clean, textured layers (or "hidden layers"). Round layers can add volume and make your heavy hair more challenging to manage. You want to avoid the look of "steps," which are less flattering and more difficult to style.
This cut makes everyday styles a lot simpler. Less hair means sleeker braids, looser buns, and effortless twists.
If you're seeking a long-haired look that you can wear down, consider requesting a lob. Thick hair adds bounce to this flattering length. It looks adorable when parted to the side, especially if you're rocking waves or curls.
Don't Sleep on Hair With Bangs
We've all had at least one traumatic experience involving bangs. It's practically a rite of passage!
It's possible to achieve adorable fringe, even if you're rocking a thick head of heavy hair.
Bangs eliminate some weight from the front of your hair, no matter what style you choose. If you pair bangs with layers, you'll feel much lighter. Longer curtain bangs tend to be easier to maintain than shorter, fuller bangs, so choose the cut you can handle.
If you're struggling to style bangs with dry hair, we suggest you reduce how often you wash your hair first. Once you have a new routine, your hair will be simpler to style, with or without bangs.
Keep Half of Your Hair Up
There is a reason why the half-up half-down hairstyle is timeless. It's classy, easy to achieve, and looks great with any outfit. The good news for our thick-haired friends is that it's also a way to manage heavy hair.
Our clients have told us that wearing their hair down feels impossible once it reaches a certain length. It has a mind of its own! When you wear half of it up, you can strike a compromise, making it easier to manage while you're out and about.
Best of all, a half-up style is versatile. You can brush it up on the top of your head or to the sides. Once it's there, you can leave it in a ponytail, braid it, or twist it into a cute petite bun.
That leaves you with a lot less loose hair. Sometimes eliminating half can cut your styling time in half, too. You can straighten or curl the remaining hair without worrying about your arms getting too tired.
Braids Are Your Friend
When you have thick hair, there are few better ways to show it off than with a braid! Plus, braids can help you eliminate knots and tangles. They are a stylish, timeless way to manage heavy locks, and the thicker your hair is, the better they look.
A simple style for thick hair is a basic, over-the-shoulder three-strand braid. This look allows your volume to shine. Thinner-haired friends will be jealous of your chunky, glamorous plait.
If you want to mix things up, YouTube is full of detailed, step-by-step braid tutorials ideal for long, thick hair. There is a learning curve for some trickier styles, but once you master them, it's like riding a bike. Dutch braids are particularly glamorous in thick hair.
Thick-haired folks who wake up with knots might even consider sleeping in braids. It also makes your life easier while swimming. You won't lose control as long as your hair is secure.
Rough Dry Before You Style
Blowdrying thick hair is exhausting, so it can be tempting to shell out for a professional blowout. Rather than dropping big bucks, rough dry (or partially air dry) your thick hair before you start styling. If your hair is super heavy, you can get it about 80% dry before you need to begin thinking about styling.
Once it's mostly dry, apply your dryer's smoothing nozzle and get to work. It will take half the time, so you won't feel exhausted when you're finished. Plus, the final style will look like you got it done at the dry bar—you'll look and feel like a million bucks without spending it!</p>
Don't have time for a blowout on your average day? Consider showering at night and allowing your hair to air dry while you sleep. You can even "fake" a blowout if you use a half-barrel curling iron on your dry hair.
Ask Your Stylist for Product Recommendations
Walking down the haircare aisle at the store can be overwhelming. It's easier to ignore it and order your regular products online. While that method is easy, you might miss out on products that can bring your thick hair to the next level.
Your stylist at Shine Forth is an expert on the many products on the shelf. Rebecca is happy to answer questions about your hair type, moisture level, and the best conditioner for the job. She can recommend a new product that might help you solve styling problems you didn't know you had.
For example, damaged hair might need a little more TLC to look its best. A great conditioner or hair mask can revitalize your locks without much fuss. We'll point you toward the products we swear by so you don't have to spend time wandering the aisles at the local beauty store.
Shine Forth And Style Heavy Hair Like a Pro
At Shine Forth, we want you to feel your best, whether you're a day out from your last haircut or it's been a while since we've seen your beautiful face. Even the best style in the world won't shine unless you understand how to maintain it. The next time you come in, ask us for tips to help you style heavy hair like a pro.
If you don't have an appointment, this is the perfect time to see us. You can book one of our gender-neutral services using our intuitive online booking service. Make an appointment today and find out why our clients keep coming back!