Having thick hair is always seen as such a blessing in the beauty world. ‘You’re so lucky, you have such thick hair!’ is the statement I always hear. It’s true, it’s something that I wouldn’t change about my texture but it’s definitely not all smooth sailing. No matter the texture or how you tend to style it, thick hair can become uncontrollable and can err on the frizzy side with the wrong products and care, so I’m always looking for the best products to style my thick hair.
Another thing that often affects thicker hair is humidity. If you have thick hair that also has high porosity (this is when the cuticles of your hair let moisture in easily causing) frizz and lack of definition can be a huge problem plus, often this can mean that styles will drop out more easily. Before I got into my groove of understanding the products that work for styling thicker hair I was loading on a lot of thick and rich styling products with the thought that because my hair is thick, this is what I needed to use as a styling aid. But through much trial and error, I found that while rich care products are incredible for thick hair, I’ve had the best success layering lighter styling products up for the best hold and gloss.
Take a look below for the best products for thick hair.
One of the standouts from the JVN haircare range. You can use sans-heat or with a diffuser if you have curls to create a soft definition and keep frizz away without any silicone in the formula.
R+Co
High Dive Moisture and Shine Crème
This cream contains pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E and sunflower seed extract to protect and nourish hair as it maintains definition by sealing the hair’s cuticle.
Living Proof
No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream
There’s no oil or silicones in the ingredients list of this styling cream so how it blocks humidity so well is solely down to the Living Proof patented Healthy Hair Molecule, OFPMA.
The tomato fruit works to improve the hair’s curl formation and aid with moisture retention while the rice amino acids work to prevent humidity from causing frizz.
Virtue
Frizz Block Smoothing Spray
This light spray does some heavy-duty humidity blocking, keeping hair smooth for up to 72 hours.
Amika
Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm
You only need a small amount of this balm to really see how it can make hair really shiny and keep static and flyaways at bay for even the thickest hair.
Color Wow
Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
This spray is known for producing the glossiest liquid-like finish. The heat-activated polymer in the formula repels water and humidity to keep hair soothe and shiny.
Moroccanoil
Hydrating Styling Cream
I love to mix this with a few drops of the original Moroccanoil Treatment pre-blowdry. Simply apply in sections and brush through before styling. If you have thick straight or wavy hair, try applying just the cream as the combination of cream and oil might be a bit heavy.
Umberto Giannini
Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly
Umberto Giannini is the OG of high street curly hair products. This curl jelly works for all curly and coily hair textures to define without flaking.
L'Oréal Professionnel
Tecni.ART Pli Shaper
You’d be hard-pressed to see a fashion week backstage that doesn’t have this knocking about. If you’re heat-styling waves, spraying on your hair while damp will give it a long-lasting hold.
Aveda
Smooth Infusion Perfect Blow Dry
This whole range from Aveda is incredible for styling a smooth blow-dry that sticks around.
John Frieda
Frizz Ease All-In-1 Extra Strength Serum for Thick Hair
If you don’t mind a bit of silicone in your hair products (it’s the classic ingredient that a lot of products used to prevent moisture from affecting hair) then this is a good inexpensive styling serum to prevent frizz.
Mielle Organics
Rosemary Mint Daily Styling Crème
The gel texture of this cream means it doesn’t feel heavy on your coils whether you’re doing a twist out, a braid out or just defining your natural curl pattern.
Davines
More Inside This Is a Relaxing Moisturising Fluid
The name of this is a little scary considering relaxing your hair is a permanent choice. But this fluid is basically just a top-tier post-wash straightening aid, not at all permanent.
Keracare
Styling Wax
This is my go-to for slicking down baby hairs when I’m doing a sleek look. Thicker hair tends to need more than a watery gel to keep them down and this wax is heavy-duty.
Revolution Haircare
Plex 6 Bond Restore Styling Cream
Probably the most well-respected high street dupe of the Olaplex number 6 styling cream. It doesn’t contain the same bond-building technology but it does keep thick hair nice and smooth when styling.
Davines
Love Smoothing Perfector
A super-lightweight cream that can be layered on—up to six pumps for long, thick hair–—to help with frizz control.
Fable & Mane
Holiroots Hibiscus Hydrating Hair Oil Mist
Use this bi-phase mist to restore shine to thick, dry hair. The mix means the oil is kept light and distributed well.
Pacifica
Pineapple Swirl Curl Defining Cream
Coconut and pineapple are joined by skincare fave hyaluronic acid to add softness to curls and waves. Apply to the lengths and ends of wet hair and allow it to dry.
Gisou
Propolis Infused Polishing Primer
Gisou founder Negin Mirsalehi is a member of the thick hair club so you can count on her range to provide help and manageability for hair. This primer helps with frizz and encourages better hold from your style.
GHD
Curly Ever After Curl Hold Spray
Ever spent ages curling your hair only for the curls to drop out? You need this spray. Spritz on section-by-section and see your style last for days on end.