How to Style Long, Thick Hair + 7 Hassle-Free Looks
Long, thick hair is the envy of many, but taming those thick locks isn’t for the faint of heart! Due to its sheer abundance, learning how to style thick hair can be a real struggle. It’s often resistant to straightening and curling, prone to tangling, and requires extra time and patience to get just right.
Then there’s the issue of frizz - an eternal nemesis for those with thick hair. Between humidity and natural texture, trying to tame those flyaways can feel like a never-ending battle. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
With the right products and styling techniques, you can tackle these challenges head-on! In this blog post, we’re sharing our favorite tried and true tips to make styling long, thick hair a breeze, along with seven hassle-free styles to save you precious time and sanity. Let’s get started!
How to Style Thick Hair
You’re already well aware of the challenges of styling thick hair, so let’s dive right into what you came here for - how to style your thick locks like a pro! With the following techniques and products in your arsenal, you’ll be able to achieve hassle-free styles that showcase the beauty of your abundant mane.
Prepping Your Mane
To prep long, thick hair for styling, start by washing your hair with our Honey-Infused Hair Wash. This gentle yet effective shampoo is ideal for thick hair because it cleanses thoroughly without causing dryness, leaving it more manageable.
Follow with our Honey Infused Conditioner to nourish your strands without weighing them down. Allow the conditioner to work its magic for a few more minutes before rinsing with warm water. After washing, towel dry your hair gently. Squeeze, don’t rub, and be careful not to rough up the cuticle.
Mist your towel-dried hair evenly with our Honey-Infused Leave-In Conditioner to help you remove tangles. Then, gently comb through your hair with a wide-toothed comb to smooth out knots and tangles without causing breakage.
Essential Styling Products
Apply our Honey Infused Hair Repair Serum on damp hair as the first step in your styling routine. Infused with Mirsalehi Honey, our favorite natural humectant, this concentrated treatment is formulated to repair and intensely hydrate long, thick hair while also smoothing out frizz and acting as a shield against everyday styling and heat.
Up next is our lightweight Propolis Infused Polishing Primer. It gets long, thick hair ready for styling by preventing frizz, reducing drying time, and providing workable hold. Propolis is also our secret ingredient for preventing split ends and breakage while also enhancing definition.
Choosing the Right Hair Dryer
Of course, you can let your hair air dry, and our Polishing Primer will help you achieve the best results. But when it comes to drying long, thick hair, sometimes you want the speed and control of a hair dryer.
Of course, not all hair dryers are created equal. Look for a dryer with high wattage to speed up the drying process. Ionic and ceramic options are ideal for thick hair because they help reduce frizz and static while drying.
Invest in a dryer with multiple heat and speed settings so you can customize your drying strategy based on your needs. And don’t forget about attachments. A concentrator nozzle can help direct the airflow and smooth out the cuticle for a sleeker finish, while a diffuser can add more definition to natural waves and curls.
Blow Drying and Sectioning
Working in sections can make styling long, thick hair much more manageable. Start by dividing your hair into two sections, from ear to ear, using a comb or your fingers. Clip the top section out of the way and focus on drying the bottom section first.
Divide the larger sections into smaller ones as needed, using clips to keep the sections separate and out of the way while you work. Dry each section completely, using a round brush to direct your hair the way you want it to lay in the final style.
Once your hair is completely dry, you can use the same sectioning technique to curl or straighten thick hair with a hot tool. Approach heat styling with caution, though. Using too much heat or using it too often can damage your precious locks. And always apply a heat protectant like our Honey Infused Hair Repair Serum, first!
7 Hassle-Free Looks for Long, Thick Hair
Now that you’ve mastered the basics, here are our favorite hassle-free looks for long, thick hair. Whether you need a quick and easy everyday style or something more polished for a special event, we’ve got the perfect look for every occasion!
Negin’s Signature Bouncy Curls
Looking to add some va-va to your thick locks? Negin’s signature bouncy curls are the perfect way to amp up the volume and glam up your look. Whether you’re heading to a special event or just want to elevate your everyday style, these curls are sure to turn heads.
To get the look, prep and blow dry your hair as described above. Apply a heat protectant, then section your hair, making the sections larger for looser curls or smaller for tighter ones. Use the Gisou Curling Tool to curl each section in alternating directions, allowing each curl to cool in your hand before releasing.
Tousle the curls gently with your fingers, then finish your style with a few drops of Honey-Infused Hair Oil to add moisture and shine. Due to its natural humectant properties, honey helps to maintain the hair’s moisture balance with a dose of hydration that eliminates frizz all day.
Sleek High Ponytail
For a sophisticated and polished look that works for any occasion, you can’t go wrong with a sleek, high ponytail. This timeless look is not only chic but practical, keeping your thick hair out of your face while looking effortlessly elegant.
To achieve this style, start by prepping, blow drying, and straightening your hair as recommended above. Apply a small amount of hair oil throughout the mid-lengths and ends of your hair to tame frizz and create a sleek finish.
Gather your hair at the crown of your head and use a fine-toothed comb to smooth out any bumps or flyaways. Secure with a hair tie. Take a small section of hair from the underside of the pony and wrap it around the base to conceive the hair tie. Secure in place with a bobby pin.
For an even sleeker look, use a flat iron to smooth out your ponytail, working in small sections for the best results. Finish the style with another drop or two of hair oil to add glossy shine, eliminate flyaways, and keep your hair straight all day
Messy Bun with Volume
A messy bun with volume strikes the perfect balance between casual chic and effortless style. It’s ideal for second-day hair and days when you need to be out the door fast but still look pulled together and trendy.
Start by misting your dry hair with our Propolis Infused Texturizing Wave Spray, focusing on the roots to add volume. Flip your head upside down and gather your hair into a high ponytail at the crown, securing it in place with a hair tie to create a base for your messy bun.
Using a fine-toothed comb or teasing brush, lightly tease small sections of your pony, starting at the roots and working your way down to create volume and fullness. Twist and wrap the ponytail around the base, using bobby pins to secure it in place.
Gently tug on small pieces of your bun to loosen it slightly, using your fingers to tousle and arrange the hair until you achieve your desired look. Finish with a quick spritz of hairspray to hold it in place all day.
Heat-Free Beachy Waves
Who doesn’t love effortlessly tousled beachy waves without the damage of heat styling? Heat-free beachy waves are perfect for long, thick hair, giving you that relaxed, summer ready look without any of the hassle.
Start by misting our Propolis Infused Texurizing Wave Spray throughout your clean, damp hair to enhance natural texture and waves. Divide your hair down the middle into two sections, securing with clips while you work.
Braid each section, creating one large braid for loose waves, or multiple small braids for tighter waves. Leave a few inches of hair unbraided at the ends to achieve a beachy, undone look. Once both sections are braided, allow your hair to air dry completely for several hours or overnight. The longer you live the braids in, the more defined your waves will be.
Undo the braids gently, using your fingers to separate the hair. Flip your head upside down and tousle your hair for a more natural look, and add a bit of texturizing spray for extra hold and definition. Finish with a few drops of hair oil to add shine and eliminate frizz.
Effortless Wavy Low Ponytail
The wavy, low ponytail is a go-to hairstyle for everyday looks. This chic yet versatile look showcases the glory of long, thick hair while keeping it looking neat and polished all day.
To get the look, mist our texturizing wave spray throughout the mid-lengths and ends of your dry hair and scrunch to encourage natural waves. If your hair is naturally very straight, you can use a curling tool to curl random sections of your hair, leaving the ends out for a more relaxed look.
Once you’ve created your waves, gather your hair at the nape of your neck and secure it with a hair tie, keeping the ponytail loose for a relaxed look. Gently tug random sections at the crown to create a bit of height, then wrap the base of your pony with a small section of hair to hide the hair tie.
Apply a drop or two of hair oil throughout the lengths of your pony to eliminate frizz and add shine. Set with a light mist of hairspray to hold the style in place all day.
Half-Up, Half-Down
A half-up, half-down hairstyle offers the best of both worlds: the convenience of having your hair out of your face while still showcasing your long, thick gorgeous locks. Even better, this versatile style can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.
To create the style, mist a small amount of texturizing wave spray throughout your hair, focusing on the roots to add grip and volume. For even more volume, backcomb the hair at the crown. Then section the hair on each side of your head, starting at the temples and meeting at the back of your head.
Secure the sections together with a hair tie, leaving the ponytail loose for a relaxed look or pulling it tight for a sleeker finish. Take a small section of hair from the underside of the ponytail and wrap it around the hair tie to conceal it, securing it in place with a bobby pin. You can also opt to use a fun scrunchie instead for a more playful look!
Apply a drop or two of hair oil throughout the lengths of your hair to add shine and eliminate frizz or flyaways. Set the style in place with a light mist of hairspray, if desired.
Braids, Braids, and More Braids
Braids are incredibly versatile, allowing you to create a variety of looks ranging from casual to elegant. They’re also ideal for keeping long, thick hair looking polished and put together all day.
Starting with clean, dry, detangled hair, decide whether you want to create a single braid or create multiple braids for added interest. Section your hair depending on the style you’ve chosen, and use clips to keep the sections secure while you work.
Run a drop or two of Honey Infused Hair Oil through each section to eliminate flyaways, then braid as desired, securing the braids in place with a hair tie or small elastic band. Leaving the ends loose and tugging small sections to add volume at the crown will create a more relaxed look. Finish with a light mist of hairspray to hold the style in place.
Styling Long, Thick Hair Doesn’t Have To Be Difficult!
Being blessed with long, thick hair means the styling options are virtually endless! Whether you keep things simple with a low ponytail or elevate your look with Negin’s signature curls, these seven hairstyles will keep your abundant locks looking polished and put together all day!
Elevate your thick hair styling game with Gisou’s Honey and Propolis Infused Hair Care. Our formulas are enriched with natural ingredients from the Mirsalehi Bee Garden, designed to nourish and strengthen your hair while leaving it soft, shiny, and oh-so-manageable! Trust us, your locks will thank you!
