Everyone wants long, thick, luscious hair… that is until you're stuck pulling it out from under your bag or scarf in the winter or drowning under its weight in the hotter months of the year. And that’s not to mention hair wash day, which takes endless pumps of shampoo and conditioner and a dizzyingly long shower to yield clean hair. Luckily, you can embrace the volume you were blessed with without the weight on your shoulder (literally!) by taking inspiration from our collection of the best short hairstyles for thick hair. We’re taking notes from the experts — or at least celebrities whose hair gets touched by the experts— who prove that a short, freeing hairstyle can be just as flattering on thick hair as it is for thin hair.
Much like our exploration of short hairstyles for thin hair, this compilation is a testament to the fact that age is no barrier to embracing fashion-forward looks. Whether you want to channel the effortless French girl aesthetic with a tousled lob, give an ode to the classics with a sleek bob complete with voluminous retro curls, or reduce weight and density with wispy bangs, our selection has you covered. Each of these short hairstyles is customizable thanks to heat styling and your choice of a middle or deep side part, and many of them contain lots of layers to reduce the density of the hair and increase volume and texture. No matter which one you choose, you’ll be delighted with the sophistication and confidence these short and sweet hairstyles bring.
Big Bouncy Curls with Deep Side Part
Channel old Hollywood glamour with voluminous, bouncy curls. Zendaya's subtle layers are enhanced by the classic blowout style curls and her deep side part.
Choppy Bob with Curtain Bangs
Jenna Ortega's long bob is a polished take on the shag haircut with a classic 50s-style flick at the ends. The curtain bangs frame her petite face and pull the super-layered look together.
Sleek Straight Lob
You can't go wrong with a straight, silky long bob. Vanessa Hudgens rocks a middle part with her sleek lob to balance out her striking features.
Voluminous Half-Up with Face Framers
Take a page from Selena Gomez's book with this voluminous bouffant-inspired half-up, half-down hairstyle. The pouf atop her head adds so much volume, while the messy face-framing pieces add a laid-back essence to the look.
Blunt Curly Bob with Bangs
Rock your natural curls with a blunt bob like Yara Shahidi. The deep side part adds dimension and balances out the lack of layers in the cut, and the curly, eyebrow-skimming bangs add texture and fullness.
Retro Bob with Voluminous Curls
Use the thickness of your hair to your advantage by setting it in retro, voluminous curls like Christina Hendricks. The outward-facing, fluffy curls accentuate her bone structure and add a vintage feel to her overall look.
Straight Layered Bob with Side Parted Bangs
Show off that volume with a straight layered bob with subtle side bangs like Sarah Hyland. The ends of her hair and bangs curl under to frame her face perfectly.
Romantic Updo with Curled Tendrils
When you want those luscious locks off your neck, try this romantic updo sported by Dua Lipa. When parted to the side, the shortest layers of her hair work as face-framing tendrils that add a charming touch to the tousled updo.
Tousled Waves with Middle Part
For an effortless everyday hairstyle that plays off of a layered long bob, try Lily Collins' signature tousled wavy hair look. Parted down the center, the subtle curls, which can be achieved using a medium to large barrel curling iron, curve away from her face, opening it up.
Chin Length Bob with Loose Waves and Fringe
Ditch the heavy hair load with a chin-skimming bob complete with a piecey fringe like Nina Dobrev. Her thick bob is made less stark by adding loose bends throughout the hair, while the piecey bangs remove weight and density.
Sleek Wet Look Bob
For the days you want to slick it all down while still showing off your luscious locks, try a faux wet look like Laura Harrier. Her sleek dark hair is parted to the side and slicked behind her ears for a clean look that puts all the attention on her bone structure.
Edgy Lob with Thick Fringe
Channel your inner rocker-chick with a grungy, layered long bob. Taylor Swift's classic thick, long fringe draws attention to her eyes and takes the look to the next level.
Tousled Pixie with Side Swept Bangs
Kerry Washington's messy, voluminous pixie cut is a modern-day Audrey Hepburn moment. The smooth, layered cut utilizes the thickness of her hair to her advantage, while the wispy side bangs add to the effortless, tousled texture of her hair for a sultry overall look.
Sleek Top Knot with Face Framing Pieces
Dua Lipa's 90s-inspired updo is perfect for thick hair, as it plays off her full hairline with chunky face-framing pieces. At the same time, the slick back top knot rescues the back of your neck from those thick layers of hair.
Messy Voluminous Half Up Bob
Thick hair of any length can be so heavy, which is why a half-up hairstyle is a lifesaver. Lucy Hale plays up the volume at her crown with a messy, voluminous half up-half down, adding loose curls to the rest of her hair for a romantic look.
Straight Blunt Bob with Deep Side Part
If the middle part sleek bob isn't calling to you, consider this deep side-parted blunt bob instead. Mindy Kaling's shiny collarbone length cut adds an overall glow to her look, while the side part adds a dramatic touch.
Bouncy Pony with Curtain Bangs
Short hair doesn't mean you can't have fun with an updo! Known for her signature thick, messy hair with curtain bangs, Dakota Johnson tied her short locks up in a bouncy, sleek ponytail with blown-out curtain bangs for a classy and cute look.
Vintage Curly Pixie
Ruth Negga's tight curls contribute to the distinctive silhouette of this vintage look. The subtle side part adds a touch of retro flair, enhanced by the 1920s style finger waves.
Short Textured Bob with Side Parted Bangs
Take a page from Emma Stone's book with a blunt cut, choppy bob with texturized, barely there waves. Side-swept bangs offer a subtle framing for the face and are particularly effective for thick hair, as they reduce volume at the hairline.
Sleek Micro Bob with Flipped Ends
If these hairstyles have shown us anything, it's that the shorter, the better. America Ferrera's ultra-short bob is proof of that. She again uses an almost faux wet method, opting to slick her luscious locks parted down the middle and behind her ears. The flick at the end of her hair adds a girly touch and emphasizes her thick, healthy ends.
Nitya Rao is the editorial assistant at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, news, and more.
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