30 Best Short Hairstyles for Thick Hair, Approved By Stylists

“Short pixie styles are a fun way to create texture and shape,” says Lacy Redway, celebrity hairstylist and Dove partner, who suggests using a flexible hold hairspray to lock in that tousled shape, minimize frizz, and keep the hair looking and feeling soft to the touch.

A cropped Afro style is a great option for those with type three or four hair who are looking for a low-maintenance, short look. We love Lupita Nyong’o’s take on the effortlessly chic hairdo, but there are so many beautiful examples to get inspired by. You could channel Viola Davis’s longer version, Nathalie Emmanuel’s defined take on the style, or Solange Knowles’s more diffused, voluminous Afro.

This “short chin-length bob” is a trendy alternative to the classic, and “is super cute if you have naturally straight or a slight, subtle natural wave,” Heckmann explains. Try adding a piecy or blunt bang to give it even more French-girl flair.

For a haircut that will make you look younger, Jay Vosper, master stylist at Dop Dop Salon in New York City, previously suggested opting for an asymmetrical bob like Helen Mirren’s. “The asymmetry and deep side part provide the hair with lift and fullness,” and will also help enhance your cheekbones, she explained.

This “texturized and layered chin-length bob is a great style for thick hair,” and another option for those who prefer to keep some length, McCool explains. “Hailee Steinfeld’s bob is a great example. You can add subtle layers or more dramatic layers depending on how texturized you want your hair to look!” Plus, it looks great on a variety of hair textures.

“Emma Thompson’s cut is great if you want something shorter, but are intimidated by the idea of a crop or pixie cut,” Carrie Butterworth, a freelance hairstylist in New York City, previously told Prevention. “Known as the ‘firefly,’ this is a long-short haircut with lots of layers and movement that can either be styled or left to be a wash-and-go look,” she explained. “Having the hair swept up and away from the face is a very fresh, clean, and youthful look as it draws features upward.”

“A lot of people are getting into an undercut where they will shave the bottom of their hair,” Gutterman says of this trendy way to shed some weight off thicker hair. “You can also have your barber add designs to make it your own! This look is fun, unexpected, and can be completely your own!”

“For thick hair, cuts that are blunt on the ends tend to make the hair look too heavy and bulky,” McCool says. Instead, opt for a short, pixie cut. McCool points to Halle Berry’s signature pixie cut with textured ends that add lift and volume to the hair.

Textured waves on shorter haircuts are particularly fun and flattering. “This style is great if you use an air-dry cream or use an iron to get a natural texture,” Heckmann explains. We love Meg Ryan’s tousled look, but waves like these look great on shorter and longer lengths alike.

If you have curly or coily hair, consider a protective style. “Protective styles are great for thick hair and will be a huge help with cutting down styling time!” Gutterman explains. “Braids of any kind can help protect your hair and make getting ready so much easier in the morning.”

“Whether you’re doing goddess braids or some straight backs, don’t forget to hydrate your scalp,” Gutterman adds. She suggests the Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp Oil to prevent dryness and flakes.

You can do a lot with short, straight hair. “If your hair is straight, adding a textured bang and angles will add interest to your hair and frame your face,” McCool says. If you have naturally straight hair, you can leave it alone (or flip the ends inward like Jane Fonda!) and add some styling paste or texturizing spray to your bangs. If your hair naturally has some texture, try straightening the majority of it while leaving your bangs alone.

“Half-up styles are here to stay, especially for short-haired girls,” Joseph Maine, celebrity hair stylist and co-founder of Trademark Beauty, previously said of Mindy Kaling’s look while discussing the best short hairstyles. “It’s a great way to get a nice fox eye pull on your eyes and makes it easy to show off your winged liner.” This style is also super versatile in terms of texture—it looks just as great with straight, curly, coily, or wavy locks.

“Short curly bobs are fun to create different shapes with, including side parts, middle parts, and updos,” Redway explains. Use a hydrating, curly-girl-friendly shampoo and conditioner first (like Redway’s go-to Dove Amino Curl Repair Shampoo and Conditioner) to really make your curls pop. Using products like these will “gently cleanse without stripping hair of its natural oils, infusing curls with hydration while targeting damage and reducing breakage for healthier hair,” Redway explains.

If you want to embrace your curls but go even shorter, Gutterman encourages you to channel Tyla’s short haircut. “Doing a big chop will allow you to cut off all dead ends and make your curls bounce again!” she explains. The short length will also cut down on styling time and the amount of product you need for a proper wash and go. “Also, it can be super liberating to do a big cut because hair can hold a lot of energy. This could be an amazing reset for your hair,” Gutterman adds.

No matter what short style you’re already sporting, a slick, tucked-backed style works on nearly every hair type. “This is super cute for an event or an effortless everyday look,” Heckmann says. Simply tuck your hair behind your ears and secure with a bobby pin (preferably one that matches your hair color) before using a bit of hairspray or gel on the front pieces to keep flyaways at bay.

Another protective, braided hairstyle, cornrows look great no matter what length your hair is. You can keep things simple with a few large cornrows or straight, layered cornrows—or you can channel a celebrity like Alicia Keys and get creative with various shapes and patterns. This style is so versatile and is a beautiful way to protect thicker coily or curly hair.

“Short curly pixies are fun,” Redway says. You can style yours by wrapping the hair in foam rollers or using heat to get your desired curls. A pixie cut looks great with looser, wavy curls (like Julia Garner) and tighter coils alike. Try experimenting with your natural texture to find out what looks best on you.

“This is a super shaggy look; it’s a bit more edgy but can also be great if you need to take quite a bit of weight out in the cut because your hair is super thick,” Heckmann says. It combines elements of a shag and mullet with somewhat choppy layers and more volume towards the crown with a lighter look toward the ends.