10 Layered Haircuts for Thick Hair: The Best Short, Medium, and Long Styles
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Thick hair can be both a blessing and a challenge. If you’re tired of managing the bulk, struggling to style it, or feeling like it’s just too much on some days, you’re not alone. The right layered haircut for thick hair can transform it from high-maintenance to effortlessly stylish and manageable.
Whether you love it short, medium, or long, layered cuts for thick hair bring out the best in every texture—straight, wavy, or curly. Get ready to discover haircuts that reduce bulk, add movement, and make your hair easy to style, so you can truly enjoy the beauty and volume that thick hair offers.
Why Layered Haircuts Work So Well for Thick Hair
Layered haircuts are a game-changer for thick hair. By adding layers, we can reduce that heavy bulk, allowing for a lighter, more balanced shape that’s much easier to style. Layers create movement, breaking up dense hair so it doesn’t sit heavily but flows naturally, whether your texture is straight, wavy, or curly.
Beyond just aesthetics, layers make thick hair far more manageable day-to-day. They allow for better definition in natural textures and help prevent that dreaded “pyramid” shape, giving your hair a more flattering, effortless look. Plus, with less weight, your styling time drops dramatically—perfect for busy mornings or low-maintenance days.
Best Layered Haircuts for Thick Hair
I’ve curated these layered cuts specifically with thick hair in mind, choosing styles that balance volume, add movement, and make your hair more manageable. Each cut offers its own unique benefits, whether you’re looking to lighten up, add shape, or create that effortless flow.
Pro Tip
Bring photos of your favorite cuts to your stylist and be open about your hair goals—whether that’s easier styling, reduced bulk, or enhancing your natural texture. A good stylist can customize any cut to work with your unique thickness, texture, and face shape, ensuring it’s tailored just for you.
Now, let’s dive into some tried-and-true layered cuts for thick hair that will keep you looking fabulous with less fuss!
Short Layered Haircuts for Thick Hair
When going for a short layered cut with thick hair, strategic layering is key to prevent an overly boxy or bulky look. Short layers can add amazing texture and structure, but without the right balance, thick hair might feel too full or difficult to manage.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind for short layered haircuts on thick hair:
Talk About Texture: Ask your stylist to consider your hair texture—whether it’s straight, wavy, or curly—since this will impact how the layers fall and how much weight needs to be taken out.
Focus on Shape, Not Just Length: For thick hair, shaping is as important as cutting. The right angles and lengths around the face or at the nape can give you a more refined look that’s both flattering and lightweight.
Consider Maintenance Needs: Short-layered cuts can require a bit more upkeep than longer styles to keep the shape and layers fresh. Talk with your stylist about a maintenance plan that works for your schedule, especially if you’re after a low-maintenance look.
Personalize the Layers: Thicker hair benefits from customized layering, which your stylist can tailor to reduce heaviness in areas that might weigh your look down or feel too voluminous.
Ready to explore the best short layered cuts for thick hair?
Here are some go-to styles that bring out the best in your natural texture while offering a chic, easy-to-manage look.
Shoulder-Length Haircut With Curtain Bangs
This shoulder-length cut is slightly textured with soft curtain bangs that frame the face beautifully. It’s ideal for adding movement without too much layering, giving a relaxed and modern feel.
Best Suits For: Straight to wavy textures
What to Ask Your Stylist:
Front: Request curtain bangs that fall softly along your cheekbones or slightly longer for a more versatile look. Mention you want a bit of texture to keep it light and airy.
Back: Ask for a shoulder-length base with soft layers to maintain volume without adding bulk. This keeps the look structured yet relaxed.
Shaggy Bob
The shaggy bob combines the classic bob shape with tousled, choppy layers to create a relaxed, textured look. This cut brings an effortless, slightly edgy vibe and works wonderfully for those who want volume without a lot of styling.
Source: Pinterest
Best Suits For: Wavy, Straight
What to Ask Your Stylist:
Front: Ask for soft, face-framing layers with a few choppy pieces that fall around the cheeks for a balanced, slightly undone look.
Back: Request a bob length that lands between the chin and jawline, with light, blended layers throughout to maintain volume and texture.
FREE DOWNLOAD
FIND YOUR PERFECT
HAIRCUT FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE
The struggle is real when it comes to getting the perfect haircut! Most of the time, you never really get the haircut you want.
That stops now! This FREE GUIDE will give you the best haircut ideas for your face shape. While also breaking down how to describe the haircut to your hairstylist.
Medium-Length Layered Haircuts for Thick Hair
For those with thick hair who want a balance between length and manageability, medium-layered haircuts are a perfect choice. Each of these cuts is designed to give you that ideal middle ground, where your hair feels lighter and looks beautifully textured without sacrificing length.
Let’s dive into some of the best medium length layered cuts for thick hair that strike the perfect balance between style and practicality.
Medium-Length Cut with Long Layers and Wispy Bangs
This medium-length cut is perfect for thick hair, as it features long layers that reduce bulk and add beautiful movement. The wispy bangs frame the face softly, adding a modern, playful touch. This cut allows for both volume and shape without feeling heavy, especially on thick hair.
Source: Pinterest
Best Suits For: Straight, wavy, or curly hair.
What to Ask Your Stylist:
Front: Ask for soft, wispy bangs that blend naturally with the rest of your hair for a seamless transition.
Back: Request long layers that start around the chin level to create flow and reduce thickness, enhancing the natural texture of your hair.
Textured Lob (Long Bob)
The textured lob is a chic and versatile cut that falls just above the shoulders. With subtle layers, it reduces the bulk of thick hair while maintaining a full-bodied, sleek look. This cut is ideal for those who want a low-maintenance yet sophisticated hairstyle that can easily transition from day to night.
Source: Pinterest
Best Suits For: Straight or wavy hair.
What to Ask Your Stylist:
Front: Request a subtle angle or face-framing layers that gently taper toward the front, giving a soft, elongated look.
Back: Ask for long, minimal layers to keep the overall length intact while adding dimension and movement.
Shoulder-Length Cut with Face-Framing Layers
This shoulder-length cut combines elegance with ease. The face-framing layers soften the look, drawing attention to your features while adding a subtle contour effect. This style is perfect for those who want a polished look that remains low-maintenance and versatile for various styling options.
Source: Pinterest
Best Suits For: Straight or wavy hair.
What to Ask Your Stylist:
Front: Request face-framing layers that start around the chin or slightly below, depending on your preference. These layers should be subtle yet defined to enhance your facial structure.
Back: Keep the length close to shoulder level with minimal layering at the ends to maintain fullness while adding movement.
Curly Shag
The curly shag is a dream cut for thick, curly hair, offering texture, volume, and that effortlessly tousled vibe that’s both stylish and manageable. With layers strategically placed throughout, this cut adds definition to curls, stacking them beautifully without creating a heavy, overwhelming shape.
Adding subtle face-framing layers or soft bangs can further enhance your features, giving the cut that extra edge.
Source: Pinterest
Best Suits For: Curly or wavy hair.
What to Ask Your Stylist:
Front: Soft, face-framing layers or optional bangs to shape the face and balance volume.
Back: Layers that gradually shorten towards the crown, adding lift without creating the dreaded “pyramid” effect at the bottom.
FREE DOWNLOAD
FIND YOUR PERFECT
HAIRCUT FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE
The struggle is real when it comes to getting the perfect haircut! Most of the time, you never really get the haircut you want.
That stops now! This FREE GUIDE will give you the best haircut ideas for your face shape. While also breaking down how to describe the haircut to your hairstylist.
Long Layered Haircuts for Thick Hair
When it comes to thick hair, long layers allows you to keep that beautiful length while adding movement and definition.
Below are some of the most flattering long layered cuts that work for different textures and styling preferences. These styles bring out the best of long hair, making them flowy, light, and easy to style, whether you prefer to wear your hair down, in a braid, or in an elegant updo.
Long Layers with Feathered Ends
This cut is designed to keep the length intact while adding subtle movement and dimension through feathered ends. The layers cascade gently down, giving thick hair a weightless, airy feel that flows beautifully, especially when worn down.
Source: Pinterest
Best Suited For: Straight, wavy
What to Ask Your Stylist:
Front: Ask for long layers starting from the chin or collarbone, with ends that are feathered to reduce weight.
Back: Request a blended look with feathered ends to maintain fullness while adding softness at the bottom.
V-Cut Layers
The V-Cut layers are all about creating a cascading effect that accentuates the length of your hair. With layers cut at angles to form a subtle “V” shape at the back, this style enhances the natural volume and flow of thick hair, giving it a dynamic and dramatic look from behind.
Best Suited For: Straight, wavy
What to Ask Your Stylist:
Front: Ask for long layers that gradually blend towards the back, maintaining length around the face for a soft frame.
Back: Request layers that form a pronounced “V” shape to keep the focus on the length while removing bulk.
U-Cut with Soft Layers
The U-Cut with Soft Layers gives your hair a subtle “U” shape at the back, creating a rounded and balanced look that’s perfect for adding volume and flow to thick hair. This style keeps the length intact while incorporating soft layers throughout, adding dimension without compromising on fullness.
Source: Pinterest
Best Suited For: Straight, wavy, curly
What to Ask Your Stylist:
Front: Ask for subtle, face-framing layers that blend seamlessly for a softer, natural look.
Back: Request a “U” shape with gentle layers, focusing on a smooth gradient that reduces bulk without sacrificing length.
Long Curly Layers
Long Curly Layers are perfect for embracing the natural texture of thick, curly hair. The layers prevent the hair from looking overly dense or “pyramid-like” by adding a beautiful cascading effect that flows naturally. Ideal for those who love volume and texture!
Best Suited For: Wavy, curly
What to Ask Your Stylist:
Front: Request soft, face-framing layers that blend with your curls to keep the style looking cohesive and airy.
Back: Ask for long layers throughout to maintain length while enhancing movement and preventing bulk at the ends.
FAQs: Layered Haircuts for Thick Hair
Do layers thin out thick hair?
Yes, layers can help thin out thick hair by removing excess weight and bulk. They create a lighter, airier feel and make thick hair more manageable without compromising volume or texture.
Are layers good for thick, frizzy hair?
Yes, layers are great for thick, frizzy hair because they help distribute the volume more evenly. By reducing weight, layers can also help enhance your hair’s natural texture, making it easier to manage frizz.
Which layer cut is best for thick, frizzy hair?
For thick and frizzy hair, layered cuts like the curly shag or a long layered cut with face-framing layers work well. These cuts help reduce bulk and allow your natural texture to shine without too much frizz.
How often should I trim layered thick hair?
To keep layered thick hair looking fresh and balanced, aim for a trim every 8-12 weeks. Regular trims prevent split ends and help maintain the shape and definition of your layers.
Is the butterfly cut good for thick hair?
Yes, the butterfly cut is excellent for thick hair. It creates shorter layers near the crown and longer layers below, adding volume without overwhelming bulk. This cut is ideal if you want a playful, textured look with a lot of movement.
How do I manage the volume with a layered cut?
To manage volume with a layered cut, use lightweight styling products that enhance texture without adding weight. A leave-in conditioner or curl cream works well for curly or wavy hair, while a smoothing serum can help control frizz in straight, thick hair.
What are the best low-maintenance layered haircuts for thick hair?
The best low-maintenance layered haircuts for thick hair include the shoulder-length lob, textured bob, and long layers with feathered ends. These cuts don’t require much daily styling and look great even as they grow out.
Can I still tie my hair up easily with layers?
Yes, you can still tie your hair up with layers. Just make sure to keep some length at the bottom to avoid shorter layers sticking out. Styles like the butterfly cut or shoulder-length layers provide versatility for both updos and down styles.
Is a V cut good for thick hair?
A V cut is very good for thick hair. It maintains length while creating a V shape in the back, which reduces bulk and adds a natural flow to the hair. This shape is especially flattering on thick, long hair.
Is it possible to have layers without losing too much length?
Yes, it’s possible to have layers without losing too much length. Ask your stylist for long layers or face-framing pieces. These types of layers add texture and reduce weight without taking away significant length from your hair.
Find Your Perfect Haircut for Thick Hair — Tailored to Your Face Shape
The right haircut can make you feel unstoppable. But the wrong one? That usually means weeks of bad hair days or throwing it up in a ponytail (I can’t be the only one, right??).
Here’s the secret to avoiding those regrets: Choose a haircut that complements your face shape. Knowing what works best for your unique features is a game-changer, and I’ve created a FREE Haircut Guide to help you do just that!
With this ebook, you’ll learn how to identify your face shape, explore tailored haircut recommendations, and get tips on communicating your desired look to your stylist with confidence.
Download it today and find your next look that truly feels you!
