Thick hair, often perceived as a beautiful burden, presents a unique set of challenges and triumphs, particularly when it comes to styling. While it can translate to longer drying times and a perpetual need for sturdy hair ties, this natural abundance transforms into a significant asset when creating updos. Whether aiming for a sophisticated evening look or a casual, effortless style, thick hair offers an inherent advantage, providing volume and fullness that many struggle to achieve.
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"Thick-haired individuals often find themselves lamenting the effort required to manage their hair, but when it comes to updos, it is a definite advantage," notes Billy Hannam, a seasoned hairstylist at Anushka Spa and Salon in Palm Beach, Florida. "Thick hair provides natural volume and fullness." This inherent quality means that the very density that can make everyday hair care feel like an endurance sport is precisely what unlocks a vast array of stunning updo possibilities. From elegantly polished chignons and romantic buns to dramatic, runway-ready beehives, thick hair offers the kind of built-in body that hairstylists actively seek to enhance.
Marcos Diaz, a New York City-based hairstylist, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the strategic advantage thick hair offers. "One of the biggest advantages of thick hair is that it provides built-in volume and hold," he states. "The key is choosing styles that work with that density rather than trying to control it too much." This philosophy guides the selection of updos that not only showcase the hair’s natural texture and weight but also leverage it for maximum aesthetic impact.
This article explores a curated selection of the most impactful updos specifically designed to capitalize on the inherent beauty and manageability of thick hair, ensuring every substantial strand contributes to a magnificent final look.
Expert Insights on Styling Thick Hair
The journey to mastering updos for thick hair begins with understanding the unique properties of this hair type. Experts like Billy Hannam and Marcos Diaz highlight that thick hair possesses a natural resilience and density that can be both a blessing and a challenge.
Hannam, with his extensive experience, points out the foundational advantage: "Thick hair is a stylist’s dream for updos because it has that inherent structure. You don’t need as many products to create volume or hold, and styles tend to stay put much longer." He also notes that the sheer volume can make simpler styles appear more elaborate. For instance, a basic ponytail on thick hair can look significantly more luxurious and full than on finer hair.
Diaz, on the other hand, stresses the importance of working with the hair’s density. "Trying to fight thick hair is a losing battle," he advises. "Instead, embrace it. Styles that involve twists, braids, or strategic pinning can be amplified by the hair’s thickness, creating a more substantial and visually interesting result." He suggests that understanding how to distribute the weight of thick hair is crucial to preventing styles from feeling too heavy or pulling uncomfortably.
Both stylists agree that preparation is key. Using texturizing sprays or dry shampoos can add grit and separation, making it easier to manipulate the hair without it slipping. For sleek styles, smoothing serums and pomades are essential to control frizz and create a polished finish. For more voluminous or textured looks, mousses and styling creams can enhance natural movement and provide a soft hold.
Textured, Mid-Placement Bun: Effortless Volume
The textured, mid-placement bun is a universally flattering updo that truly shines with thick hair. This style is celebrated for its ability to showcase the hair’s natural volume and movement, offering a modern yet effortlessly chic appearance. It’s a versatile choice, suitable for a wide range of occasions, from casual brunches to formal events.
"A textured, mid-placement bun is one of my favorite updos for thick hair because it showcases the hair’s natural volume and movement while keeping the look modern and effortless," says Diaz. "It’s versatile enough for both casual and formal occasions." The beauty of this style lies in its inherent fullness, which requires minimal styling products to achieve a substantial look.
To achieve this style, the first step involves enhancing the hair’s grip. Applying a texturizing spray, such as Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray or the highly-rated Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray, is recommended. These products create a subtle grip and hold without making the hair stiff, making it easier to manipulate. Once the hair has been lightly misted, gather it into a ponytail positioned in the middle of the back of the head. The key here is to twist the ponytail loosely into a bun, allowing for natural texture and volume. Secure the bun with bobby pins, ensuring they are discreetly placed. For a softer, more romantic finish, gently pull out a few face-framing pieces and add a touch of volume at the crown. This technique adds a touch of softness and frames the face beautifully, enhancing the overall appeal of the updo.
Product Recommendations for Textured Buns:
- Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray: Known for its ability to create instant grit and volume, this spray is ideal for adding texture to fine or slippery hair, making it perfect for thick hair that needs grip.
- Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray: A perennial favorite, this spray provides buildable volume and texture, making hair feel fuller and more manageable for styling. Its ability to add hold without stiffness is a significant advantage.
Sleek, Center-Part Chignon: Timeless Elegance
The sleek, center-part chignon offers a sophisticated and polished aesthetic, making it a perennial favorite for formal events and professional settings. The timeless appeal of this style is amplified by the natural density of thick hair, which allows for a fuller, more substantial chignon that exudes luxury.
"A sleek, center-part chignon is timeless and elegant," states Diaz. "Thick hair naturally creates a fuller-looking chignon, which gives the style a luxurious finish." The contrast between the sharp, clean lines of the center part and the soft, sculpted bun creates a striking visual balance.
To execute this look, begin by creating a precise center part. Then, smoothly gather the hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck. Twist the ponytail into a compact bun, securing it firmly with bobby pins. The key to achieving a sleek finish is to control any flyaways and ensure a smooth surface. Products like Aveda Control Paste Hair Pomade or Fatboy Perfect Putty are excellent for this purpose, providing hold and definition without a greasy feel. A final spritz of a shine-enhancing hairspray, such as Joico Hold Hero High Hold + Shine Boosting Finishing Spray, will add gloss and ensure the style remains impeccable throughout the day or evening. This combination of product and technique ensures a polished, sophisticated outcome that highlights the natural beauty of thick hair.
Product Recommendations for Sleek Chignons:
- Aveda Control Paste Hair Pomade: This pomade offers pliable hold and texture, perfect for smoothing down thick hair and controlling flyaways for a sleek finish.
- Fatboy Perfect Putty: A versatile styling product that provides strong hold and definition, ideal for creating sharp lines and keeping thick hair in place.
- Joico Hold Hero High Hold + Shine Boosting Finishing Spray: This spray offers robust hold and a luminous shine, essential for completing polished updos and adding a professional gloss.
Slicked-Back Puff: Embracing Natural Texture
The slicked-back puff is a stylish and contemporary updo that beautifully accommodates natural curls and textures. This hairstyle offers a sophisticated silhouette while allowing the hair’s inherent character to shine. It’s a remarkably versatile option, easily transitioning from everyday wear to more formal occasions.
"A slicked-back puff creates a sophisticated silhouette, while allowing natural curls to take center stage," explains Millie Morales, a Miami-based hairstylist. "It’s a versatile style that transitions seamlessly from everyday wear to the most elegant occasions." The style’s appeal lies in its ability to control and shape the hair while celebrating its natural form.
Morales emphasizes the importance of a gentle approach to avoid a stiff or crunchy finish. She recommends starting with an air-dry cream, like the Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Soft Power Air Dry Cream, applied through the mid-lengths and ends of the hair. This product helps to hydrate and enhance natural texture without weighing the hair down. Next, a gel is applied to the roots and hairline, followed by using a soft-bristle brush to meticulously smooth the hair back. Once the puff is securely fashioned, often with a satin scrunchie or a specialized puff cuff, Morales suggests using a product like Garnier Curl Construct Creation Mousse to define and enhance the curls. This mousse adds lightweight definition and soft volume, ensuring the puff feels hydrated and airy, never stiff or overly manipulated. The result is an elegant, modern updo that feels as good as it looks.
Product Recommendations for Slicked-Back Puffs:
- Briogeo Style + Treat Yuzu + Plum Oil Soft Power Air Dry Cream: This award-winning cream is designed to enhance natural texture and provide a soft, touchable finish without stiffness, perfect for air-dried styles.
- Garnier Curl Construct Creation Mousse: A budget-friendly option that effectively defines curls, adds volume, and provides a flexible hold, ideal for enhancing textured updos.
Freestyle French Twist: A Classic Reimagined
The French twist, a hairstyle synonymous with classic elegance, offers remarkable adaptability, especially for those with thick hair. Its traditional structure can be modified and personalized to suit individual preferences and hair types.
"A French twist works great with thick hair because you’re not fighting your natural fullness," says Hannam. "It’s working with what you have." The inherent volume of thick hair allows the French twist to appear more substantial and visually impactful, often requiring fewer styling aids to achieve a full look.
Creating a French twist involves sectioning the hair, typically leaving the sides and back down while working on the top. The hair is then brushed to one side and secured vertically with bobby pins. Subsequently, the hair is brushed to the opposite side, gathered into hand, twisted upwards against the back of the head, and secured with more bobby pins. Hannam acknowledges that this style can be challenging for at-home execution, suggesting professional assistance for critical events. "Fair warning: French twists are difficult to do at home," he cautions. "If it’s a very special event, it may be in your best interest to see a professional." This advice underscores the complexity and skill involved in achieving a flawless French twist, particularly with dense hair.
Updo with Braided Crown: Romantic Whimsy
The braided crown, a style that evokes a sense of romantic whimsy, has seen a resurgence in popularity. It’s a particularly suitable updo for thick hair, as the natural volume can create fuller, more dimensional braids.
"It’s a romantic style that works beautifully for special occasions," says Diaz. "Thick hair creates fuller, more dimensional braids, making it ideal for a braided crown updo." The visual appeal of a braided crown lies in its intricate yet soft appearance, which can be adapted to various hair lengths and textures.
To create this look, two braids are typically formed and then wrapped across the crown, secured with bobby pins. For a softer, more voluminous effect, the braids can be gently loosened. The placement of the braids can be adjusted to frame the face or sit further back, depending on the desired aesthetic. This style also lends itself well to half-up configurations, offering further versatility. The natural thickness of the hair ensures that the braids appear robust and well-defined, contributing to the overall elegance of the style.
Modern Beehive: Bold Volume
The beehive, a style that dominated decades past, has been reinvented with a modern edge, offering a bold and eye-catching updo alternative for those seeking a statement look.
"It’s all about sleek sides and volume up," explains Hannam, emphasizing the critical role of teasing. "First, you’re going to want to shape and tease the top to the high heavens—no tease is too much. You’ll want more teasing than you would think." This extreme teasing is what creates the signature height and volume of the modern beehive.
Hannam describes the process as similar to a French twist but with significantly amplified volume at the crown. For a super-sleek finish, the teased hair is smoothed down, and the ends are tucked underneath and pinned securely. Products like Oribe Flash Form Finishing Wax Spray are recommended for their ability to tame flyaways and provide a subtle, almost waxy texture that helps hold the style in place without appearing stiff. The combination of expert teasing techniques and strategic product application is essential for achieving the dramatic height and polished finish of a modern beehive.
Product Recommendations for Modern Beehives:
- Oribe Flash Form Finishing Wax Spray: This product is ideal for updos, offering excellent control over flyaways and providing a subtle texture that helps to sculpt and hold the hair.
High Ponytail: Elevated Classic
The high ponytail, often underestimated as a simple style, is a dynamic updo that can be elevated with volume, texture, and strategic styling. Its inherent versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of occasions.
"A high, textured ponytail is one of the most flattering updos for thick hair because it highlights the hair’s natural fullness while creating lift and movement," says Diaz. "It’s polished enough for an event, but still feels modern and effortless." The high placement of the ponytail can elongate the neck and enhance facial features.
To create this look, start by applying a texturizing spray through the mid-lengths and ends of the hair to add grit and volume. Gather the hair into a high ponytail positioned at the crown of the head. The level of sleekness at the hairline can be adjusted to personal preference. Lightly tease the ponytail to add extra volume and a fuller appearance. Finally, wrap a small section of hair around the elastic band to conceal it and create a seamless, polished finish. This simple yet effective technique transforms a basic ponytail into a sophisticated and impactful updo.
Braided Knot: Intricate Versatility
The braided knot or bun offers a sophisticated canvas for showcasing intricate braid work. This style truly highlights the versatility of cornrows and other braided patterns, allowing for a wide array of creative expressions.
"I especially love when curls remain visible at the ends of the braids," says Morales. "They add softness, movement, and personality, making the style feel polished without looking overly formal." This detail adds a touch of individuality and softness to the otherwise structured look.
The foundation of this style often involves tightly plaited cornrows, which can then be manipulated into various knot or bun formations. Whether the braids are wrapped high or low, intricately coiled, or simply secured with loose tendrils, the possibilities are extensive. Morales notes that achieving highly complex braided knots may benefit from professional assistance, as it can be challenging to accurately style the back of one’s own head. This suggests that for elaborate designs, seeking the expertise of a stylist can ensure a flawless and impactful result that fully leverages the beauty of thick, braided hair.
Conclusion
Thick hair, with its inherent volume and texture, presents a unique set of advantages when it comes to styling updos. From the effortless volume of a textured bun to the timeless elegance of a sleek chignon, the density of thick hair allows styles to hold their shape, appear more substantial, and possess a natural richness. By understanding how to work with this hair type, utilizing the right products, and embracing styles that complement its natural fullness, individuals with thick hair can unlock a world of stunning and versatile updo options. The key lies in appreciating the hair’s natural qualities and choosing techniques that enhance, rather than fight, its inherent beauty.
