23 medium hairstyles for thick hair you absolutely have to see
Make the most of your luscious locks with these medium hairstyles for thick hair.
Many people can only dream of having thick hair, but when you’re faced with the dilemmas of figuring out the right style and cut for this unique hair type, sometimes it can feel like more of a burden than a blessing. With that said, however, there are some amazing medium hairstyles for thick hair that help you work with, rather than against, your fuller locks.
And better yet, they’ll do wonders for making your voluminous strands more manageable on a daily basis, too! Read on to discover some of our favourite mid length hairstyles for thick hair this season.
1. Choppy lob
If you want to retain your length, or just aren’t sure about going too short, we suggest trying the lob (AKA long bob) on for size to ease you in. This in-between haircut looks ultra modern and chic as its length sits perfectly on your collarbone. It also works a treat on a variety of hair textures and types! Win-win, right?
2. Side sweep
If you’re worried about your hair being too thick to pull off shorter styles out of fear of the dreaded ‘triangle hair’, take note of Kendall Jenner‘s voluminous lob. Side-swept medium length hairstyles for thick hair are a great way of balancing out the thickness with just a simple change of your parting.
3. Textured layers
Ask anyone with lots of hair and they’ll tell you that when it comes to finding good medium hairstyles for thick hair, it’s all about the layers. This classic hair-cutting technique can help make the shape of your existing cut more defined, while also removing excess weight and adding texture to help soften it up.
Next read: Layered haircuts decoded – What you need to know before getting layers
Editor’s tip: Thinking about getting layers? Make the most of them with a texturising product like the VO5 Instant Volume Powder to really help emphasise them. As the name suggests, it gives volume and texture to fluff up and amplify your layers with a natural matt finish.
4. Layered haircuts
Those who are new to layers should go for long layers that boast subtler differences to your overall length, or, if you want a more striking look, you can opt for something more dramatic with shorter, choppier layers that’ll help frame your features, too.
5. Angled blunt cut
Create the illusion of more length while growing out your hair with a dramatic angled bob. It essentially involves a longer length at the front, and angles upwards to a shorter length at the back. The cut itself is blunt and sharp, which gives off a polished and controlled look, while also making the best of your lovely thick locks.
Editor’s tip: Straightening your hair will help to make your angled bob look ultra sleek, just remember to use a heat protection spray before using heat on your hair to keep damage to a minimum. Formulated with keratin and marula oil, the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray not only protects strands but also helps to keep them looking silky sleek.
6. Flipped-out layers
On the lookout for medium length hairstyles for thick hair that’ll provide you with more body and bounce? Flicked-out layers like these give hair added width, making it look more youthful and bouncy, while also adding a ’70s retro feel.
Next read: More proof that ’70s hairstyles are back
7. Dramatic side part
It may seem basic but changing up your parting is a super easy trick for refreshing your look. The best thing is you can change up your parting on daily basis, so you’ll never get bored!
8. Shoulder-length cut with a fringe
Many of our favourite medium haircuts for thick hair are those with bangs. Thicker hair can really benefit from cutting in a stylish fringe, as the addition of this new length can also help frame your complexion, while giving a basic blunt cut a point of interest.
9. Fluffy ends
Those seeking a little shape out of their medium length haircuts for thick hair should opt for a rounded cut. Enhance this look by using a curling wand to create gentle, soft waves that are perfect for every day.
Next read: How to create beautiful beachy waves on all hair types
10. Rounded lob
If you love classic cuts, keep it simple and chic with a rounded long bob. The curled under finish puts the focus on your thick and healthy strands and adds excitement to a standard bob.
11. Cool-girl lob with bangs
Love your natural curls but struggling to find coil-friendly hairstyles for medium length thick hair? A cute medium length bob cut like Yara Shahidi’s makes curls pop and the on-trend bangs just help to tie the whole look together.
12. Wavy shag cut
We’re loving this season’s shaggy cuts and more piecey bangs (as demonstrated perfectly by Paris Jackson) and they work wonders in helping to thin out the bottom of your hair, removing any excess weight, while also giving it shape and definition.
13. Side-parted waves
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just fined haired girls who suffer with limp locks. If you have naturally very straight hair, wavy medium length hairstyles for thick hair will instantly create lift and the illusion of more volume.
14. Ombre waves
Give your thick hair a whole new style refresh and make the most of having so much of it by enhancing it with a flattering ombre hue. Jessica Alba‘s caramel hair colour adds detail to her wavy mid-length cut and still maintains a really natural, sunkissed feel.
15. Free-flowing curls
Have fun with your thick, curly hair by making the most of your sumptuous natural textures. We love the look of curls on medium-length haircuts – like this one above – that you can style in a variety of styles. Just be sure to consult a stylist who frequently deals with your hair texture to get the best results in terms of base cut and shape.
16. Long layers
Feeling drowned by your hair but like the length? Break up the bulkiness with some long layers and tonged waves to give your lengths movement and softness.
17. Glossy side fringe
An easy way to frame your face, a deep side parting and sweeping side fringe will make your shoulder-length cut look more polished.
Editor’s tip: Who doesn’t want gorgeous, glossy hair, right? Add shine to your look with the TONI&GUY Finishing Shine Spray and it’ll also help prevent static so you’ll never have a hair out of place.
18. Grown-out bangs
Not ready to get a full-on fringe? Try one of this season’s biggest hair trends, grown-out bangs. Giving you all the benefits of a fringe but with less maintenance, it’s great for commitment-phobes and works for any hair thickness.
19. Face-framing layers
Alexa Chung’s shorter layers frame her face wonderfully and automatically look styled, even with just some basic waves.
20. Curly shag with bangs
Sandra Oh demonstrates why the shag cut is coming back with her gorgeous shaggy curls. Highlights help to make her curls look more defined and the fringe makes her eyes pop.
21. A-line lob
Feel like you’re missing out on all of the cool short haircuts that are around right now? A-line mid length hairstyles for thick hair that graduate from shorter at the back to longer at the front give the illusion of a bob, while still having enough length to do things with.
Next read: A-line haircuts you need to see
22. Medium wavy haircut
The best thing about medium length haircuts for thick hair is that they look amazing on everyone. A swept-back wavy cut gives a youthful feel, making it flattering for women of all ages.
23. Easy shoulder-length cut
Longer than a lob but not quite ‘long’, this medium hairstyle for thick hair is the perfect roll out of bed and still look stylish look.
Editor’s tip: Make your bed hair vibes look totally intentional by using the VO5 Dry Texturising Spray to add a cool-girl texture.
