Thick hair is often viewed as the ideal type of hair to have, but those who were born with a full head of thick, luscious locks are definitely familiar with the struggle of managing their mop. Sure, having volume is great and there are tons of options for creating versatile hairstyles, but what about the constant frizz and the time it requires to style that hair? If you’re struggling with the upkeep of thick hair, not to worry, we have crafted an entire guide of everything you need to know about caring for your thick mane. From products to accessories and healthy habits, follow along for the ultimate thick hair care guide.
Products
Thick hair tends to be more on the dry side of the hair spectrum, so it’s important to use products that keep your hair hydrated and keep the frizz at bay. If you’re a thick haired babe whose struggling to keep her hair tamed, especially in these humid summer months, below are our top product recommendations.
Why does frizz happen?
Before diving into which products to use to tame frizz, it’s important to understand why frizz happens. Frizz is caused when the outer layer of your hair cuticle is lifted, causing moisture to pass through and swell the hair strands. When the cuticle is flat and not raised, the hair strands remain smooth and frizz free.
This lifting of the cuticle can be caused by multiple reasons, but the most common reason for thick haired ladies is dry hair, leaving the hair cuticles more prone to lifting. Let’s say you have thick, dry hair, and you go outside when it’s humid…what happens to your hair? Because your hair is dry and the outer layer of your hair strands are lifted, moisture from the air will rush into your hair strands causing each strand to swell, resulting in big, frizzy hair. So, how do we combat this?
HAIR OILS
If you’re a thick haired gal suffering from dry hair, hair oils are going to be your best friend. The key to maintaining frizz is keeping your hair strands moisturized and nourished, which can be obtained with a few different types of hair oils.
Coconut Oil
It’s no secret that we love Coconut Oil here at Luxy Hair, and for good reason! Coconut Oil has moisture retaining properties, Coconut Oil stays inside the hair, moisturizing the hair strands from the inside out, making it one of the most effective hair oils for frizzy hair. Coconut Oil is best used as a moisturizing hair mask. Simply coat your hair with the oil from root to tip, pop a shower cap on, and leave the oil to do its work for about 20 minutes. Then, rinse off your hair, shampoo and condition as normal, and enjoy smooth, moisturized, frizz-free hair.
Argan Oil
Argan oil, also known as Moroccan oil, is packed with beneficial nutrients like vitamin E, ferulic acid, fatty acids, and antioxidants. Just a few drops of Argan Oil will give your hair that extra boost of moisture to help fight dryness and frizz. Argan Oil is also not as greasy as Coconut Oil, so it’s perfect to use everyday as a finishing oil.
HOT TOOLS
When it comes to choosing the right hot tools, it is important to choose the right hot tool for your hair type. Contrary to popular belief, not all hair dryers, straighteners, or curlers are made the same way, and certain materials are more beneficial to maintain the hair’s integrity as well as prevent the hair from drying out. Ever wonder why professional hot tools cost so much more than your run of the mill drugstore brand or why your hair always looks that much smoother and shinier when you leave the salon? It’s because your hair stylist has invested in higher grade hot tools, which you should too!
Sidenote: hairstylists mastered the art of the blowout, which is also why your hair looks so perfect after the salon.
HAIR MASKS
Again, thick hair is usually much more prone to drying out, as the natural oils are unable to travel all the way down the hair shaft. This is why if you have thick hair, the ends of your hair will likely suffer from dryness naturally—especially if your hair strands are thick as well. Experimenting with a DIY hair mask is an inexpensive and convenient way to bring moisture and lustre back to your tresses. Masks are important for every hair type, thick-haired girls included!
Half-up hairstyles can be a struggle for girls with thin hair since they don’t have much to work with. Often when the hair is styled half up, it doesn’t leave much hair down to be styled and can sometimes make thin hair look even thinner.We hope you found our thick hair guide helpful and incorporate some of our tips to caring for your thick hair.