These Medium Hairstyles Will Give You a New Look If You've Got Thick Hair (2024)

These Medium Hairstyles Will Give You a New Look If You've Got Thick Hair (1)

If you've got thick hair, you know the constant struggle of looking at the latest and greatest hair trends and wondering just how hard it's going to be to duplicate. Sure, we all dream of those long luxurious locks but thick hair can be heavy. And those short hairstyles for thick hair can be adorable, but require a lot more maintenance especially if your hair grows fast. So what's the answer? Go for the best of both worlds with medium-length hairstyles.

The great thing about medium hairstyles is that they're super versatile. You can put them up when you're in a hurry or off to a special occasion, plus they give you time to consider a more dramatic look. Maybe try a lob (a long bob) before you commit to a shorter cut or take the time to learn how to grow your hair faster if you want to go long again. Plus, for thicker hair, medium-length looks remove some weight, which makes them even easier to manage and style.

Of course, medium hairstyles for thick hair do require some thought before hitting the salon. You want to consider the texture of your hair and how you prefer to wear it before going for that cut. For instance, if you have naturally curly hair, do you want something that looks good all natural or do you sometimes straighten it, too? You'll need to find a cut that looks great either way in that case. Don't worry, there are plenty here that do and more! So take a scroll and see what you like best.

Blunt Waves

If you have natural waves in your hair like Jessica Alba, blunt ends will keep you from having to worry about frizz or fighting with the bottom of your hair to curl the way you want it.

Triangle Baby Bangs

Zendaya constantly proves that having thick hair can be so much fun. Cutting blunt baby bangs into a point at the front makes a bold statement on its own, so the rest of your hair can be worn simple and straight to not distract from the main focus.

Flipped Lob

Flipped ends are back! Selena Gomez takes a glam approach with a voluminous bouncy curls and a side part. You can achieve this with a large round brush and a hairdryer. The thicker your hair, the smaller sections you should do at a time.

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Bouncy Curls

Take a tip from Blake Lively and have layers in your hair to reduce the weight if you want to wear it a bit longer. That also gives big curls the chance to be bouncier. Try this look with a curling iron or cheat with a head full of hot rollers.

Classic Lob

Shorter bobs might be difficult to maintain if you have thick hair. If you go for a longer bob (or "lob" as it's often referred), you don't have to worry about all that volume against your face. Instead, it will frame it if you go closer to the shoulder.

Face-Framing Layers

Soft Frame

If you want to keep you hair straight and on the longer side but blunt isn't good for your face shape, opt for a few shorter pieces on the sides like very long side bangs. They will soften the framing around your face without looking too layered, just like Anne Hathaway.

Voluminous Layers

Hello, Hollywood glamour! Faith Hill always has interesting hair, and this latest version has us all in on old school glam. As you can see, she's got a lot of shorter layers on the top and sides that add a frame to her face when curled.

Blunt Bangs

Sure, bangs need maintenance, especially if your hair grows fast. But just look at what a statement Taylor Swift makes with her thick set. When they get a little longer, she sweeps them to the side (which is totally on trend right now anyway).

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Medium Layers

Medium-length layers like Cindy Crawford's help reduce the weight of longer hair, allowing a nice amount of volume on the top. Plus, you can easily switch your part!

Sleek and Straight

If you have naturally straight hair, going with a simple, sleek look like Mila Kunis will require very little maintenance. If you have wavier hair, you can still go for this look with the help of a flatiron and a little patience to work with a small section at a time.

Textured Lob

You don't have to go super straight with a lob if you don't have the time and the patience to tackle those waves. Embrace your texture like Chrissy Teigan with a more voluminous version.

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Spiral Bob

For naturally tight curly hair like Kerry Washington, you can embrace the volume yet still reduce it a bit with bangs and a lot of layers. It looks shorter in front but actually tapers to the shoulder in the back.

Ombre Waves

Jennifer Love Hewitt's thick waves get a boost of subtle color. The lighter ombre on the bottom half of her hair helps lighten and brighten up around her face and quite literally highlights the waves.

Long Layers

Going for longer layers like Sarah Jessica Parker will help thin out some of the weight of your thicker hair. It also creates texture if you have natural waves that you want to accentuate.

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'70s Fringe

You can fringe your bangs or you can fringe all around your face! Either way, channel the 1970s with this fun, face-framing look like Bryce Dallas Howard. Keeping it longer in back will make it so easy to put up, too.

Highlighted Lob

What we love about Penelope Cruz's lob is all the pretty color variations throughout her head. A lot of the lighter pieces are actually towards the middle, creating a '60s-style vibe at the crown of the head.

No-Part Part

Where exactly is Connie Briton's part? It's hard to say, and that's the point! Because whether she wears it straight or curly, she can let her hair tell her where it wants to go that day.

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Sleek Side Part

The best way to admire Selma Hayek's super shiny hair is when she wears it completely straight like this. The side part gives her a sultry attitude and the subtle long fringe at the front helps soften the look a bit.

Wavy Side Part

To show you just how versatile the side part with a little fringe on the sides can be, look how nice Amanda Seyfried's hair looks in its naturally curly state!

AnnMarie Mattila

Commerce Editor

AnnMarie Mattila is the Commerce Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering products ranging from home, fashion, beauty, and more.

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As a hairstyling enthusiast and expert, I have spent years exploring the world of hair trends, styles, and maintenance. My knowledge and experience in this field have allowed me to understand the struggles faced by individuals with thick hair when it comes to finding the perfect hairstyle. I know firsthand the challenges of managing and styling thick hair, and I can offer valuable insights into the best solutions.

When it comes to thick hair, the options can seem limited. Long hairstyles can feel heavy, while short styles require more maintenance due to fast hair growth. However, there is a solution that offers the best of both worlds: medium-length hairstyles.

The great thing about medium hairstyles is their versatility. They can be easily styled for any occasion, whether you're in a hurry or attending a special event. Medium hairstyles also provide the opportunity to experiment with a more dramatic look. For those unsure about committing to a shorter cut, a medium-length style, such as a lob (a long bob), can be a great option. It allows you to test the waters before making a final decision or even explore methods to grow your hair faster if you prefer a longer style. Furthermore, medium-length hairstyles remove some weight from thick hair, making them easier to manage and style.

However, selecting the right medium hairstyle for thick hair requires careful consideration. Factors such as hair texture and preferred styling methods play a crucial role. For example, if you have naturally curly hair, you may want a cut that looks great whether you wear it in its natural state or straightened. Fortunately, there are plenty of medium hairstyles that cater to various preferences.

Here are some popular medium-length hairstyles for thick hair:

Blunt Waves: Keeping the ends blunt helps prevent frizz and ensures your waves fall naturally.
Triangle Baby Bangs: Cutting blunt baby bangs that taper into a point creates a bold statement while allowing the rest of your hair to remain simple and straight.
Flipped Lob: Achieve a glamorous look by creating flipped ends with voluminous, bouncy curls and a side part.
Bouncy Curls: Adding layers to your hair reduces weight, making it easier to style and enhancing the bounce of big curls.
Classic Lob: Opt for a longer bob to frame your face without overwhelming it with excessive volume.
Face-Framing Layers: Consider getting layers that frame your face, such as chin-length layers at the front and shoulder-length layers at the back. This style adds interest without complicating the styling process.
Soft Frame: For a straight, longer hairstyle that complements your face shape, incorporate shorter pieces on the sides, like long side bangs, to soften the framing effect.
Voluminous Layers: Embrace Hollywood glamour by incorporating shorter layers on the top and sides, creating a frame for your face when curled.
Blunt Bangs: Make a statement with thick, blunt bangs that can be swept to the side as they grow longer.
Medium Layers: Opt for medium-length layers to reduce weight and add volume to the top of your hair. This style also allows you to switch up your part easily.
Sleek and Straight: If you have naturally straight hair, a simple, sleek look requires minimal maintenance. For wavy hair, use a flatiron and work with small sections at a time to achieve this style.
Textured Lob: Embrace your hair's natural texture by opting for a more voluminous lob, perfect for those who don't have the time or patience to tame waves.
Spiral Bob: For tight, curly hair, embrace the volume while reducing it slightly with bangs and layers. This style appears shorter in front and tapers to the shoulder in the back.
Ombre Waves: Enhance your thick waves with subtle color variations, such as an ombre effect, to lighten and brighten your face.
Long Layers: Thin out the weight of your thick hair by opting for longer layers, creating texture and accentuating natural waves.
'70s Fringe: Channel the 1970s with a face-framing fringe that can be styled around your face or put up easily.
Highlighted Lob: Create visual interest with various shades of color throughout your hair, focusing on lighter tones towards the middle for a '60s-style crown.
No-Part Part: Embrace a versatile look by avoiding a defined part, allowing your hair to naturally fall where it wants to.
Sleek Side Part: Achieve a super shiny, straight look by wearing your hair completely straight with a side part. Soften the look with a subtle long fringe.
Wavy Side Part: Showcase the versatility of a side part with fringe on the sides, allowing your naturally curly hair to shine.

These medium-length hairstyles for thick hair offer a range of options to suit various preferences and hair textures. By choosing the right style, you can embrace your thick hair and make a statement while managing and styling it more effortlessly.