Thick Hair? Great. Frizz? Not So Much.
Thick hair has a lot going for it. It can hold shape, create beautiful volume, and deliver some of the most stunning styles behind the chair. The challenge is managing it.
When thick hair becomes dry or frizzy, every step takes longer. Washing, blow drying, styling, and finishing can start to feel like a full-day event. That's usually when people begin looking for shortcuts.
The problem is that most shortcuts create more work in the long run.
If thick, frizzy hair is becoming difficult to manage, here are a few simple adjustments that can help improve control, enhance shine, and make styling much easier.
First Up: The Wash
If you have thick hair, you've probably noticed that you run out of conditioner long before you run out of shampoo.
That's because thick hair often needs more moisture and conditioning to stay manageable. When choosing products, skip anything that promises extra volume or body. Thick hair already has plenty of that.
Instead, focus on hydration.
A moisturizing shampoo and conditioner can help improve manageability, reduce frizz, and support a smoother finish throughout the styling process. Following up with a leave-in treatment, lotion, or lightweight oil can provide additional moisture and help keep frizz under control.
If you're still seeing frizz after washing, a lightweight leave-in oil can make a noticeable difference by smoothing the hair surface and helping tame flyaways.
Styling
Blow Drying
This is where most people get into trouble.
The blow dry is often the first step people rush through, but it's also the step that makes the biggest difference when managing thick, frizzy hair.
If you've ever thought your hair was dry only to discover it wasn't, you're not alone. Thick hair holds moisture longer than most people realize.
Work in smaller sections and make sure each section is completely dry before moving on to the next. It requires a little patience, but it can dramatically improve the final result.
Using a boar bristle brush during the blow dry can also help create tension, smooth the cuticle, reduce flyaways, and increase shine.
Pro Tip: Once the hair is completely dry, use the cool shot button on your hair dryer. Cooling the hair helps close the cuticle, enhance shine, and support longer-lasting results.
Flat Ironing
If you're following your blow dry with a flat iron, remember this: smaller sections and slower passes.
One slow, controlled pass is much more effective than racing through the same section multiple times. Excessive heat and repeated passes can leave the hair looking drier and create even more frizz.
And don't skip the heat protectant. Protecting the hair before thermal styling is one of the easiest ways to maintain healthy-looking, smooth hair.
Pro Tip: To smooth out frizz on the crown, check out this video.
Finishing
When choosing finishing products, continue thinking hydration.
Many volumizing products can leave thick hair feeling drier and more difficult to control. Instead, reach for lightweight oils, lotions, or creams that help smooth the hair surface, control flyaways, and add shine.
The goal isn't more volume.
The goal is control.
Additional Care Tips for Thick Hair
- Take extra time to distribute products evenly throughout the hair.
- Spend a little more time conditioning the mid-lengths and ends.
- Use a deep conditioning treatment weekly to maintain moisture and improve manageability.
- Be cautious with sea salt sprays. They can dry out the hair and contribute to frizz.
- If managing thick hair continues to be a challenge, talk with your stylist about haircut options that can help reduce bulk and improve control.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to thick, frizzy hair, hydration and technique go hand in hand.
The right products help, but taking the time to fully dry the hair, work in smaller sections, and finish with moisture-focused products can make the biggest difference. A few extra minutes during the styling process can save a lot of frustration later and leave the hair looking smoother, shinier, and easier to manage.
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