16 Thick Hair Hairstyles Curly

Thick curly hair is a true crown of glory, brimming with personality and undeniable volume. Far from being a challenge, its abundance offers a canvas for truly stunning, Pinterest-worthy hairstyles that celebrate natural texture. As beauty editors and trend-forecasters, we’ve curated a list of the most sought-after, chic, and inspiring looks designed specifically for luscious, thick curls. Get ready to embrace your natural volume and discover your next favorite hairstyle!

The Voluminous Shag Cut

The shag has made a triumphant return, perfectly suited for thick curly hair. Its iconic choppy layers work wonders to remove bulk while creating beautiful movement and texture. This style suits oval and heart-shaped faces particularly well, offering a relaxed yet incredibly stylish vibe that screams effortless cool. Ask your stylist for face-framing layers and a soft, curly fringe to achieve this ‘it-girl’ look, then simply air dry with a curl cream or diffuse for maximum bounce.

The Bouncy Lob (Long Bob)

The curly lob is a timeless and universally flattering cut that truly shines on thick hair, offering a sophisticated yet playful aesthetic. Falling just above the shoulders, this length helps manage volume while showcasing the natural curl pattern. It’s an excellent choice for those wanting to reduce length without losing too much versatility, suiting almost all face shapes. Achieve this look by applying a lightweight mousse to damp hair, then scrunch and air dry, or use a diffuser on a low heat setting to enhance definition and volume.

Layered Curls with Full Bangs

Embrace the drama and beauty of thick curly hair with full, eye-skimming bangs. This style adds a playful, retro-inspired touch while the layers throughout the length help manage weight and enhance the curl pattern. It’s particularly striking on round or square face shapes, softening features beautifully. Style your bangs by dampening them slightly and applying a touch of curl cream, then finger-coiling them into place or gently diffusing, ensuring they don’t become too straight.

The ‘Pineapple’ Updo

The ‘pineapple’ updo is a savior for thick curly hair, especially for sleeping or a casual, chic look. This style involves gathering all your curls loosely on top of your head, mimicking a pineapple’s shape. It helps preserve your curl pattern and reduce frizz, making it ideal for second or third-day hair. It’s a fantastic everyday option, effortlessly elegant and functional. Secure your curls with a loose scrunchie or a silk scarf to prevent creasing and maintain volume, allowing some tendrils to softly escape around the face.

Half-Up, Half-Down with Volume

This classic style gets a major upgrade for thick curly hair, highlighting its natural volume and texture. By taking the top section of your hair and securing it loosely at the crown, you create an elegant lift while allowing the rest of your gorgeous curls to cascade freely. It’s perfect for both casual outings and more formal events, suiting all face shapes. Add a small twist or braid to the half-up section for extra visual interest, ensuring not to pull too tightly to maintain that beautiful volume.

Sleek High Ponytail with Curly Ends

Who says a ponytail can’t be glamorous? For thick curly hair, a high ponytail with sleek sides and beautifully defined curly ends is a power move. This style lifts and elongates the face while showcasing the vibrant texture of your curls. It’s a fantastic choice for professional settings or a chic night out, especially flattering for round and heart-shaped faces. Use a strong-hold gel or pomade to smooth down the sides and roots, then gather your hair high and secure it firmly, letting your curls do the talking.

Low Bun with Face-Framing Curls

Elegance meets effortless chic with this sophisticated low bun, ideal for thick curly hair. By gathering your hair into a loose, textured bun at the nape of your neck and allowing a few strategically placed curls to frame your face, you achieve a soft, romantic look. This style is incredibly versatile, perfect for weddings, work, or everyday sophistication, complementing all face shapes. Secure the bun loosely with pins and gently pull out a few tendrils around your hairline to soften the look and highlight your natural texture.

Deep Side Part with Cascading Curls

A deep side part instantly adds glamour and volume to thick curly hair. By shifting your part significantly to one side, you create a dramatic sweep of hair that cascades over one shoulder, enhancing the natural fullness of your curls. This simple change can completely transform your look, offering an instant boost of confidence and allure, particularly flattering for square and oval faces. For maximum impact, use a wide-tooth comb to create a clean, deep part, then gently fluff your curls on the fuller side for extra height and drama.

The Tapered Fro

Modern and incredibly stylish, the tapered fro is a sophisticated way to wear thick, coily hair. This cut maintains volume at the top while gradually shortening the hair towards the nape and sides, creating a sleek, sculpted silhouette. It’s a bold and confident statement that truly celebrates natural texture, particularly suiting those with strong jawlines or oval faces. Regular trims are key to maintaining the shape, and a good moisturizer or leave-in conditioner will keep the curls soft and defined, preventing any dryness.

Braid-Out Curls for Enhanced Definition

For thick curly hair seeking ultimate definition and a consistent curl pattern, the braid-out is a game-changer. This technique involves braiding damp hair into several sections, allowing it to dry completely, then unraveling for beautifully stretched, defined waves or curls. It’s an excellent method for protective styling and adding a new dimension to your natural texture, suiting all hair types. Apply a setting lotion or mousse before braiding to enhance hold and definition, ensuring your hair is fully dry before unraveling for frizz-free results.

Voluminous Wash-and-Go

Embrace the effortless beauty of your thick curls with a perfected wash-and-go. This style is all about letting your natural texture shine with minimal manipulation, focusing on definition and volume right out of the shower. It’s the ultimate low-maintenance yet high-impact look, suiting everyone. The key is using the right products: a good curl-defining gel or cream applied to soaking wet hair, followed by diffusing or air drying without touching the hair too much until it’s completely dry to minimize frizz.

Curly Ponytail with a Chic Headband

Elevate a simple ponytail for thick curly hair with the addition of a stylish headband or scarf. This easy yet impactful accessory instantly transforms a casual look into something fashion-forward and polished. It’s perfect for when you want to keep your hair out of your face while still showing off your beautiful curls, suiting all face shapes. Choose a statement headband in a bold color or pattern to complement your outfit, and ensure your ponytail is high enough to allow your curls to create a voluminous ‘puff’ behind it.

Side Swept Braid with Loose Curls

For a touch of bohemian elegance, consider a side-swept braid that beautifully integrates with your thick curly hair. This style involves braiding a section of hair along one side of your head, then letting it blend seamlessly into your voluminous loose curls. It’s a wonderful way to add intricate detail while keeping hair out of your face, particularly flattering for oval or long face shapes. A French or Dutch braid works best, starting from the temple and securing it with a small elastic, allowing the rest of your hair to flow freely.

Space Buns with Defined Tendrils

Fun, playful, and undeniably trendy, space buns are a fantastic way to style thick curly hair. This youthful look involves parting your hair down the middle and creating two high, voluminous buns on either side of your head. It’s especially popular for festivals and casual outings, suiting heart and oval face shapes by adding width to the upper half of the face. Leave a few curly tendrils loose around your face to soften the look and enhance the playful aesthetic, ensuring the buns are slightly messy for a natural feel.

The Curly Fringe Frame

A curly fringe, or curtain bangs, can beautifully frame a face and add a soft, romantic touch to thick curly hair without committing to full bangs. This style involves longer, layered bangs that part in the middle or sweep to the sides, highlighting your eyes and cheekbones. It’s incredibly versatile and suits almost all face shapes, offering a chic, modern update. Ask your stylist for face-framing layers that blend seamlessly into the rest of your hair, then style by simply letting them air dry naturally or using a small amount of curl cream to define them.

High Puff with Edge Control

For a sleek yet celebratory look, the high puff is an iconic style for thick, textured hair. This involves gathering all your hair at the crown of your head into a voluminous ‘puff’, with carefully laid edges for a polished finish. It’s a chic and elegant option for both casual and formal settings, universally flattering. Use a strong-hold gel or edge control product to smooth down your hairline and temple area, creating sharp, defined edges, then secure your puff with a hair tie that matches your hair color.

Thick curly hair is a magnificent asset, and with these 16 trendy hairstyles, you have endless possibilities to showcase its beauty and versatility. From soft and romantic to bold and dramatic, each style celebrates your natural texture, offering solutions for every mood and occasion. Don’t be afraid to experiment, play with accessories, and most importantly, embrace the unique charm of your gorgeous curls. Which one will you try first?