31 best short hairstyles for thick hair, from pretty pixies to cool-girl bobs

If you've been searching high and low for some short hairstyles for thick hair inspo, then you've come to the right place. And we understand your woes. A truth well-known by thick-haired girls, is that it’s not always a walk in the park. Granted, you may have more body and volume than most, but when your shower drain looks like Chewbacca’s armpit and an embarrassing amount of your income goes on conditioner, it’s tempting to chop the lot off.

Technically speaking, hair thickness refers specifically to the width of a single strand. Generally, the diameter of hispanic and african hair tends to be larger (and therefore thicker) than that of caucasian hair. However, hair density comes into play, too. If you have fine strands, but loads of them, overall your hair would be considered to be thicker than those with a low hair density of fine strands.

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XXL curls are big, bouncy and beautiful – here's how to maximise your curls' natural texture

By Elle Turner

While the main problem faced by thin-haired girls is flat, pancake strands, a major problem faced by thick and full-haired girls is ‘the pouf’. In fact, the pouf is a big reason why so many thick haired-girls opt for a slightly longer length, as the extra weight can keep the whole lot from pinging up and out of control.

Before we settle for anything less than an utterly-phenomenal cut though, it’s important to point out that tactical cuts with considered layers can work incredibly with full hair to enhance and celebrate the texture.

How to style short-thick hair

Short hairstyles are stylish – there is no denying it. They're timeless and should be easy to work around, but the moment you add volume, things start to look a little more complicated. You can start by trying nape-length crops and delicate pixie cuts, which can help to structure thick hair beautifully. Curly and loosely waved lobs are a pretty middle ground if you want to retain length while gaining a little more shape. And there’s an endless array of bobs that work beautifully. We love Yara Shahidi’s slick, structural, sliced bob for curly textures, or the cheek-skimming French bob for full, thick, wavy and straight strands.

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The wavy bob is the ultimate in sexy texture and versatility

By Elle Turner and Bianca London

A layered bob is also a pretty popular option, and like pixie cuts, they add texture and reduce excess volume while still showcasing the true thickness of the hair. It might sound counter-intuitive, but to style short, thick hair, start with a volumising shampoo and conditioner to enhance its natural body.

Use a lightweight mousse or styling cream to define layers and control frizz. Blow-dry with a round brush for added volume and shape. Consider adding subtle waves or curls with a curling iron for a playful touch.

Don't be afraid to embrace the natural thickness of the hair by keeping styling simple, and use minimal product for maximum movement and to maintain a light, effortless feel. Short hairstyles for thick hair not only provide a dead chic aesthetic, but also ease of maintenance for the girlies on-the-go.

For more from GLAMOUR's Deputy Beauty Editor, Elle Turner follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk.

For more from GLAMOUR's Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona.

Here’s 31 of our favourite short hairstyles for thick hair...