Mens Thick Hair Style Guide

Managing thick hair can be both a blessing and a challenge. If you're a guy struggling to tame your thick head of hair, this guide offers advice from salon professionals to help you navigate the best hairstyles for men with thick hair. Maintaining and styling thick hair comes with its own unique set of challenges, but with the right approach, you can turn heads with a stunning, well-groomed look.

Challenges of Thick Hair

Understanding the unique challenges of thick hair is the first step to managing it effectively.

• Overwhelming Volume: Thick hair can sometimes feel like a beast of its own due to its significant volume.
• Styling Time: Due to its density, thick hair can take longer to dry and style.
• Product Use: Thick hair often requires more product to maintain style and manageability.
• Maintenance: Thick hair often needs more frequent trims and cuts to maintain its shape.
• Heat Damage: Styling thick hair often involves heat, which can cause damage if not managed correctly.

Determining Your Hair Type

Before looking at possible hairstyles, you need to find out whether you have thick hair and what type it is. To do this, pluck a strand of hair and feel it between your finger tips. Another way to find out whether you have thick hair is to compare it with a piece of sewing thread. The thread’s thickness is roughly the same thickness as medium hair.

Types of Thick Hair

• Thick Straight Hair: Thick straight hair often looks better with longer cuts that can stylishly accentuate the hair’s natural fullness and volume, but doesn’t mean it cannot rock short hairstyles. In a way, thick straight hair almost guarantees an awesome hairstyle. With this hair type, you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to choosing a look that matches your face shape.
• Thick Wavy Hair: Thick wavy hair is quite similar to thick straight hair. You may think the waviness looks messy, but on the contrary, it gives you many options to create a playful and classic appearance-if maintained properly with daily care and the right kind of high-quality hair products.
• Thick Curly Hair: Thick curly hair requires more maintenance and tends to dry out easily. However, with daily care, the right styling products and correct hairstyle, you can rock a curly look that many will envy.

General Styling Tips for Thick Hair

Thick hair can be a blessing if you know the right techniques to manage it. Here are a few styling tips for getting the best results:

• Get the Right Haircut: Your dream look is no longer a dream anymore.
• Less Washing, More Conditioning: For thick hair, less washing is better. Try to shampoo only 2-3 times a week to keep your natural oils. But here's the trick - use conditioner every day! This keeps your hair moist and easier to handle. Washing too much can take away your hair's natural oils, making it dry and frizzy, which is really bad for thick hair. When you do wash, use a shampoo without sulfates to clean gently without harsh chemicals.
• When applying a moisturizing product to your hair, start with the ends first and then work your way toward the scalp.
• Avoid Direct Blow-Drying: Directly blow-drying your hair when it’s wet can damage it. It’s best to let it dry naturally, but you can also pat your hair with a towel first and use a blow-dryer on the cool setting when the hair is at least 50-per cent dry. If you do use a blow-dryer, be sure to point it toward your hair from above your head to reduce unwanted volume. You can also control unruly hair by holding it down as you blow-dry it for easier styling.
• Consider Thinning: If you have thick, volume hair, having it thinned out can reduce the volume and make your hair easier to style.

Hairstyles for Men with Thick Hair

Embrace the texture of thick hair with a stunning hairstyle. Whether your strands fall straight, cascade in waves, or coil into curls, there is a haircut for every thick hair type. The best haircuts for men with thick hair allow them to look stylish and different from others in the community. All the trending haircuts are suitable for different hair textures, and each offers myriad styling opportunities.

Read also: Black Men's Hair Trends: 1950s

Short Styles

Short haircuts are typically above the ears or around ear-length, creating a clean, defined look that’s easy to maintain. Popular for both men and women, short hairstyles offer versatility while requiring minimal upkeep. Short hairstyles for 2025 are all about blending simplicity with style. These cuts highlight natural texture, offering versatility and easy maintenance without compromising on sophistication. Whether you’re aiming for a polished, professional look or a more casual, effortless vibe, short styles have something for everyone.

• Angular Fringe: An angular fringe is one of the haircuts for men with thick hair that is perfect for those who love slightly long hair.
• Buzz Cut: The buzz cut has always been a go-to for its low-maintenance appeal, and in 2025, it’s getting a fresh update. With added dimension, bold fades, and even hair designs or color variations, the buzz cut is turning into a canvas for personalization. Perfect for anyone who values a no-fuss style with a touch of edge, this cut combines masculinity with modern flair.
  • How to Achieve the Look:
    • Fade or Taper: Add dimension to the buzz cut by incorporating a skin fade, taper fade, or undercut for a sleek transition.
    • Hair Design: For extra personality, work with your barber to create geometric lines or designs etched into the sides or back.
• Crew Cut: The crew cut is a timeless style that works wonders on thick hair. It’s low-maintenance, stylish, and highly versatile. The crew cut is the epitome of masculinity, offering a sharp, easy-to-maintain look. Whether paired with facial hair or worn alone, it remains a top choice for men who want a strong, versatile, and no-nonsense appearance.
  • Crew Cut with High Fade & Full Beard: For those who want a powerful, striking look, pairing a crew cut with a high fade and full beard creates a sharp contrast that’s both masculine and modern.
    • How to Achieve the Look:
      • High Fade: Incorporate a high fade for sharp contrast between the top and sides.
      • Full Beard: Pair it with a well-groomed, full beard for a complete masculine look.
  • Side Swept Crew Cut: The side-swept crew cut offers a bit of flair without compromising its clean, classic design.
• French Crop: The French crop is a timeless short haircut defined by its blunt fringe and textured top. It’s a perfect option for men looking for a low-maintenance style with a bold, modern vibe. The French crop and Short Pompadour, for example, is a great choice for its neat lines and textured top, which naturally draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones, giving a rejuvenated look.
• High and Tight: The high and tight is the embodiment of no-nonsense masculinity and Military-Inspired Precision. Rooted in military tradition, this cut features short sides and a slightly longer top for a textured, sharp look.
• Ivy League Cut: Combines a clean, textured finish with sharp lines.
• Short Pompadour: A contemporary take on the iconic pompadour, this Classic Meet Modern style offers volume and structure on top while keeping the sides clean and short.
• Slick Fade: The slick fade combines timeless elegance with contemporary sharpness. Featuring a clean fade on the sides and a sleek, slicked-back top, this Classic and Polished look projects confidence and sophistication-perfect for the office or a night out. The slick fade is ideal for men who appreciate a refined appearance without sacrificing style.
  • How to Achieve the Look
    • Seamless Fade: Opt for a mid or high fade that blends smoothly into the longer hair on top.
    • Length on Top: Leave about 3-4 inches on top for easy styling.
    • High-Shine Styling: Apply a high-shine pomade for a glossy, sleek finish.
• Taper Fade: Taper fade is one of the most demanding haircuts for men with thick hair. The taper fade is a trendy and sophisticated style where the hair gradually shortens from the top of the head down to the sides and back.
• Textured Crop: The textured crop is ideal for men looking for a stylish, easy-to-maintain haircut.

Styling Thick Straight Hair (Short)

• Faux Hawk: The faux hawk is a style that’s inspired by the mohawk. The sides have a taper fade with the hair along the top centre being kept medium to long and styled upright, making it an ideal cut to show off your thick straight hair. If you’re a professional during the week and a party person on weekends, this look is for you. Though it’s often suggested for shorter hair, it suits long hair, too. To keep your faux hawk in peak condition, you can use wax, clay, or gel (wax is the preferred method). Apply the product with your fingertips, running them upward and forward.
• Short French Crop: A mix of modern and classic vibes and a perfect cut for those who prefer not to spend too much time on styling or maintenance. It takes just a little bit of pomade, wax, or gel to keep you looking good all day, but you may not even need to style it if your hair is thick and short enough.

Styling Thick Curly Hair (Short)

• Box Fade: The next hairstyle in the list of haircuts for men with thick hair is Box Fade. It is a bold geometric haircut where the sides are faded into a defined box shape. The box fade is for those who love to stand out among the crowd. The hair should be higher at the top and always faded on the sides. Choose the cut on the top depending on the shape of your head or your personal tastes. We recommend using a small amount of wax to create additional movement, but avoid matte wax as it can make it harder to style and create too much volume.
• Curly Taper Fade: For men with curly hair, the curly taper fade is the perfect fusion of natural texture and precision. This fade enhances curls while maintaining clean, sharp lines on the sides.
• Curly Fringe: For those with natural curls, like apparently Mark Zuckerberg, the curly fringe is the perfect way to show off your texture in a bold, youthful style.
  • How to Achieve the Look:
    • Curly Fringe: Style the curls at the front to create a soft, forward-facing fringe that frames the face.
    • Classic Taper Fade: Fade the sides gradually, ensuring it blends seamlessly into the curls on top for a sleek, well-defined transition.
    • Textured Finish: Keep the top looking natural with a bit of light product to add texture without compromising the curly flow.

Medium Styles

Medium-length hair falls between the chin and shoulders, offering a happy medium between short and long. This length is versatile and easy to style in many ways-from sleek and straight to tousled waves or voluminous curls. Medium-length haircuts are taking center stage in 2025, offering men the perfect balance between trendy and timeless.

• Bro Flow: Effortless and Laid-Back, The bro flow is the ideal hairstyle for men who want to embrace their natural texture while keeping a relaxed yet refined appearance.
• Chin-Length: Chin-length hair is a versatile hairstyle where hair falls near the chin, providing you with a balance between shorter and medium-length hair.
• Ear Tucked Part: The ear-tucked part is a simple, stylish medium-length cut that’s both contemporary, clean and chic with minimal effort. This look works beautifully for men with medium to long hair, especially those with textured or wavy hair.
• Man Bob: The man bob is a contemporary and bold hairstyle that offers a sleek, jaw-length cut with straight lines. I assume Johnny Depp wears this style because it is known for its clean, sharp edges and is ideal for men who want a structured yet approachable look.
• Medium Side-Swept Hairstyle: Effortlessly Stylish and Manageable, the medium side-swept hairstyle is perfect for men who want a refined, polished look without the hassle of a comb. This finger-combed style embraces natural movement while offering structure and volume.
• Natural Fade: In 2025, the natural fade takes center stage with its easygoing and relaxed style. Unlike extreme fades, this cut features a more gradual taper that blends effortlessly into the natural length of the hair.
• Shaggy: The shaggy haircut is characterized by layers of varying lengths that create a messy, textured and tousled look.
• Slicked-Back Undercut: Where classic meets contemporary, the slicked-back undercut is a striking style that combines classic sophistication with modern edge. The sharp contrast between the clean undercut sides and the slicked-back top makes this look both polished and daring.

Styling Thick Straight Hair (Medium)

• Curtain Bangs: Curtain bangs are synonymous with movie stars of the ’90s, and the thicker your hair the better they look. Apply a hair product that will hold the bangs in place. We recommend wax, which gives a natural finish with a smooth texture.
• Side Part: The side part for straight hair is a simple cut. Gel or pomade can hold it in place throughout the day, with gel offering a more professional appearance. Simply apply the product after washing your hair and comb it to one side. If you cannot get the clear side part, make a side part with wet damp hair and dry it with a dryer.
• Slick Back: The slick back style is what you associate with neatness. This hairstyle is a popular look for actors in period movies taking place in the first half of the 20th century. Despite being an older style, it never goes out of fashion. It works with a variety of hair types, including thick straight hair. A slick back is easy to maintain as all you need is pomade.

Styling Thick Wavy Hair (Medium)

• Mid-Length Bro Flow: The carefree look of the mid-length bro flow reaches its pinnacle when paired with naturally wavy locks. Just comb it back when wet and allow it to air dry. While wavy hair can often keep its shape without much work, you can also use wax to reinforce it.
• Side Part: The side part is a classic variant for wavy hair and has a distinctly different look than those rocking a side part with straight hair. Pomade or wax can hold it in place throughout the day. Apply the product after drying your hair and comb the hair to one side.
• Textured Crop: Much like the bro flow, the textured crop is at its best when paired with wavy hair. To get this style, apply a small amount of clay once the hair is dry or use matte wax for a dry texture.
• Wavy Curtain Bangs: The key to rocking wavy curtain bangs is to not get your hair too messy or dirty by excessive use of hair products. However, we do recommend using a little bit of wax to create additional movement. Avoid matte wax as it can make it harder to style and create too much volume.

Long Styles

Long hair reaches past the shoulders and can go all the way down to the mid-back or even further. While longer hair offers more styling options, it also requires more maintenance to keep it healthy and well-groomed. Long hairstyles for men are making a bold comeback, and the trend is here to stay in 2025. From curls and waves to straight locks, long hair offers the perfect canvas to showcase natural texture while keeping a polished, structured look. Whether you're embracing the raw beauty of natural waves or opting for a more refined style, these hairstyles bring a perfect balance of effortlessness and sophistication.

• Long Curly Hair Fade: For those with natural curls, the long curly hair fade offers the best of both worlds-volume and texture on top, paired with clean, tapered sides for contrast. This style keeps the curls on full display while ensuring the overall look remains neat, polished, and a Balanced Approach to Curls.
  • How to Achieve this Look:
    • Curly Top: Let the curls naturally form volume on top, using a curl-enhancing product to keep them defined and bouncy.
    • Faded Sides: A fade on the sides helps create clean lines that highlight the natural texture on top.
    • Regular Maintenance: Keep the fade fresh with regular trims to ensure the overall look stays sharp.
• Long Layers with a Taper Fade: This style combines the length of long layers on top with the clean, sharp lines of a tapered fade on the sides. It’s perfect for men who want the versatility of long hair but prefer a more structured and groomed look. The taper fade ensures a neat and polished appearance while still allowing for natural texture to take center stage.
  • How to Achieve the Look:
    • Long Layers on Top: Keep the hair on top long and layered for a natural flow that adds movement and volume.
    • Tapered Fade on Sides: Gradually fade the sides from short to longer as it reaches the top, creating a sharp contrast.
    • Embrace Natural Texture: Whether your hair is curly or wavy, let the natural texture shine with light styling products to define the layers.
• Long Textured Wave: For a Long Textured Wave that is Soft, Flowing, Natural and is a polished yet effortless look, a Long Textured Wave can bring a bit more definition while maintaining the natural flow of your hair.
• Low Fade with Long Curls: A Stylish and Balanced LookIf you prefer a more refined approach to long curly hair, the low fade with long curls offers a stylish way to keep your look fresh.
• Modern Mullet: The mullet has made a strong comeback, and it’s here to stay in 2025. But this isn’t the wild, unkempt version you might remember from the '80s. The modern mullet is all about balance and refinement. It features clean, sharp fades on the sides and a voluminous, textured top that keeps the rebellious spirit of the mullet alive, while adding a more contemporary and styled twist. It’s the perfect way to stand out while embracing a blend of classic and modern elements.
  • How to Achieve the Look:
    • Faded Sides: Start with a high or mid fade on the sides to create sharp contrast between the clean sides and the voluminous top and back.
    • Textured Top: Use texturizing scissors or a razor to add layers and volume to the top, making it look full and styled without being flat.
    • Layered Back: The back should be left longer but layered to ensure it doesn’t appear too heavy or messy.
• Surfer: Surfer typically involves medium to long hair that is laid on your forehead. This hairstyle adds volume to the natural texture of the hair, be it straight, wavy or curly.

Styling Thick Straight Hair (Long)

*Blowout: One of the best haircuts for men with thick hair is blowouts.

Styling Thick Wavy Hair (Long)

• Long Curly or Wavy Hair: For men who want to embrace their natural curls or waves, this style is all about letting the hair do its thing. Simple, Striking, and Naturally Styled with minimal effort required, you can let your natural texture shine through with little more than regular combing and proper care.
  • How to Achieve the Look:
    • Let the Texture Shine: Avoid heavy styling products and let your natural waves or curls fall into place.
    • Hair Care: Keep your curls or waves well-moisturized and healthy with curl-friendly shampoos and conditioners.
    • Beard Option: Pairing this style with a full beard adds a rugged, masculine touch, or keep it clean-shaven for a sleeker appearance.

Other Styles

• Brushed Back: This hairstyle involves longer hair on top, brushed back for a sleek and sophisticated look, and shorter hair on the sides.
• Disconnected Undercut: This hairstyle features a stark contrast between the short, buzzed sides and the longer hair on the top, creating a sharp, noticeable division between the two sections.
• Pompadour: This classic style dates back to the 18th Century but still has a strong modern appeal. A pompadour is perfect for thick hair because it leverages the volume to create a full, slicked-back look at the top. The pompadour is an evergreen style that is designed to showcase your voluminous locks, and there is no better hair type for this than thick straight hair. Apply a small amount of pomade, mainly on the bangs and the top. Make it stand upward and then run it to the back. After that, gently grab the bangs and emphasize the volume. For thick wavy hair, the pompadour is a classic fashion statement with a twist. Apply a small amount of pomade or clay, mainly on the bangs and the top. Make it stand upward and then run it to the back. After that, grab the bangs and emphasize the volume. Once your hair is damp, gently blow-dry towards the direction you want, and then apply some wax by running your fingers through the hair.
• Quiff: The quiff is similar to the pompadour but requires less maintenance. It focuses on adding texture to the top part of your hair, adding depth and interest, while the sides are cut short. The quiff remains a perennial favorite and is here to stay in 2025. The hair is cut short on the sides and back, and kept longer on the top. A fade along the sides will make your look stand out, especially if you have a good volume of hair. It would be better to raise your bangs with your hairdryer before using the styling product for better style. Pomade, clay, or wax can be used to create this look. Apply a small amount of styling product by running your fingers through the hair. Center on the bangs and top, then run it sideways. After that, grasp it firmly and pinch it to create a rough yet unified volume.
• Side Bangs: Coming to the next hairstyle on the list of haircuts for men with thick hair that is Side Bangs. It is a great way to add style to your look. The bangs that are cut on an angle and swept to one side look fabulous.
• Short Side Long Top: The short-side long-top haircut is a modern, trendy hairstyle that contrasts short sides with longer hair on top.
• Textured Quiff: The quiff is similar to the pompadour but requires less maintenance. It focuses on adding texture to the top part of your hair, adding depth and interest, while the sides are cut short.
• Undercut: The undercut is a fantastic style for men with thick hair. It involves trimming the sides and back short while leaving the top long. This style reduces volume and gives your face a clean, fresh look.

Styling Thick Wavy Hair

• Blow-Dry with Wax: Comb your hair back or at an angle as you blow-dry. Then apply wax, pomade, or gel that can hold your wavy hair throughout the day. Finish styling and lock it in place with some hair spray.

Hairstyles to Make Men Look Younger

Hairstyles that make men look younger typically focus on clean lines, volume, and texture.

Read also: Choosing the Best Afro Hairstyle

• Shorter Sides with Volume on Top: Styles like the quiff or pompadour lift the face, giving a more youthful appearance.
• Textured Cuts: Adding texture softens harsh features and creates a relaxed, approachable vibe.
• Clean Fades: A well-blended fade not only looks sharp but can also give the illusion of a fresher, younger face.
• Avoid Overly Long Styles: Longer hair can sometimes emphasize thinning areas or add years, depending on the hair type and shape.

Hair Products for Thick Hair

If you’re on the hunt for men’s wavy hair products, definitely skip the volumizing mousse, for one. According to Paul Morgan, a master barber at Jacks of London, a good moisturizing shampoo is also essential, as is a decent conditioner. Conditioners also help keep thick, wavy hair manageable and result in a sleeker and less voluminous look.

• Styling Creams or Matte Clays: These help tame your hair without making it look stiff or greasy.
• Leave-In Conditioner or Hair Oil: Use these to add shine and control frizz throughout the day.
• Anti-Humidity Sprays or Serums: During humid summer months, use these to fight frizz.
• Deep Conditioning Treatments: In winter, focus on deep conditioning treatments and leave-in conditioners to combat dryness caused by cold air and indoor heating.

Read also: Natural Shampoo Reviews for Men

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