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Style and beauty

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Original poster

What do you do if you have really, really thick hair?

52 replies

FairPhyllis · 08/08/2013 20:03

I have very thick straight hair and am contemplating a radical new look. Atm it is a huge shapeless mass just below my shoulders because I haven't had it cut since December and it grows like Russian vine. The hair itself is actually not coarse - it's just that it's astonishingly dense - my hairdresser once took a handful and said this is more hair than most people have on their entire heads ...

It's difficult getting ideas for a style because I have seen very few celebs etc who genuinely have thick hair - if they have "thick" hair it's almost always extensions. The only person I've seen who had hair roughly like mine is Princess Diana - she actually had a really thick mop if you look at it. And she always had it short of course.

I am not keen on having it very short because it makes me look about 12 and it grows so fast it would be very expensive to keep in shape.

I know people will say 'what a nice problem to have' but it's actually a huge pita finding a style that works, and it is very hot and takes ages to dry properly. So has anyone else got the same problem or have any ideas please? I am the only person in the universe who would welcome the return of big hair

OP posts:

Original poster

FairPhyllis · 09/08/2013 15:36

While we're doing thick hair therapy/support group angsting, can I also just say: and it's too bloody thick to put up in a nice style as well! It's just too heavy. Normal hair slides and clips cannot contain it!

OP posts:

enormouse · 09/08/2013 15:41

After years of going between several different lengths/styles I find the best for me is a short, pixie-ish crop with a longer fringe. I don't have the patience to style and straighten anymore.

My hairdresser uses thinning scissors to get rid of the weight in the back and sides first.

Chipstick10 · 09/08/2013 15:45

Re Diana having very thick hair, must say I'm quite surprised, never looked really thick to me. Kate however, her hair looks massively thick.

BlingLoving · 09/08/2013 15:49

Yup, layers layers layers and lots of thinning if you want it relatively short and the thinning/layering process seems to take a while before it's really working to make your hair less heavy.

I am currently growing mine out, including the layers and thinning but as it gets longer I'm going to have to put some loose layers in again otherwise it will just be too heavy with zero movement.

turkeyboots · 09/08/2013 15:49

I feel your pain. My hair won't dry overnight, and takes a hairdresser 40mins plus to dry it.

I've now just accepted that shoulder lenght with layers is the only way to cope with my hair. I get bored once a year on average, and my good hairdressers will do some extra layers, but most hairdressers seem too scared to do anything with it!

mrsravelstein · 09/08/2013 15:53

yep very very thick hair here too, have to have a double appointment at hairdressers to get it cut & blowdried. agree with many others that having it thinned out massively after it's been cut & dried makes a big difference, needs thinning every 4 weeks really even though is long so only needs a cut every 10-12 weeks. mine works best when very long and layered, bra strap length, have tried a bob and it just bounces up and makes a big bouffant which looks awful.

the other thing to ponder is having something like Yuko System done on it as it makes it poker flat and takes out all the volume for 6-12 months... its expensive and takes hours but i've had it done twice and it made my hair amazingly manageable, 5-10 mins to blowdry.

angelinajelly · 09/08/2013 15:57

FairPhyllis, Claire's Accessories do a couple of really good, big butterfly clips and also fat bobbles that can hold a full mane of thick hair in. Those tiny little baby ones make me laugh though- what the fuck are you supposed to do with them?

Tubemole1 · 09/08/2013 16:05

I have thick hair like yours, but with a slight wave. I can't even have a fringe as it sticks out like horns of a cow.

I have experimented with many hairstyles, long and short, and only now in my 36th year, I have given up.

I go to the hairdressers when I think the ends look dry, and get a trim and layers. Those thinning scissors, I agree, are one of the finest inventions around. I put my hair up in a clip or hair band. I don't even dye it anymore, because I can't be bothered to get my roots done. My mother has less grey hair than me.

My aim is to have it a bit like Prof Mary Beard's in the future, only sleeker and more layered. I don't mind looking my age .

LadybirdsAreFab · 09/08/2013 16:07

I have really thick hair and have accepted it needs cutting and thinning every 4 weeks. I colour every 8 weeks. When I have a new hairdresser I say either use the thinning scissors or razor and when you think you have done enough, do a bit more. It is shoulder length, any shorter and I have curls to deal with.

I love my rotatating hair brush hair dryer followed by flattening irons. The only way not to have puffy hair. My hairdresser did suggest having a keratin treatment to keep it sleek. Not been brave enough yet.

mistlethrush · 09/08/2013 16:16

Billstickers - mine is more curly and a lot thicker than that... I would look like crystal tips if I had that style!

Mine's coarse as well, just to add to the fun (we're talking same thickness as the horsehair on my violin bow on some hairs, although it is variable).

I use a very heavy conditioner to reduce the volume.

I have a VERY good hairdresser who has, over the years, worked out what works with my hair and how to cut it for best results, and I have a mid-length bob with heavy layers.

I can't blow dry my hair (it adds too much volume) and expect to have damp patches after 4 hrs - or still damp in the morning if I go to bed with wet hair.

motherinferior · 09/08/2013 16:20

Cropped to the skull. It's that it really long for me.

motherinferior · 09/08/2013 16:21

DP and the Inferiorettes all have it too. When it rains it takes a while for our heads to get wet.

bringonyourwreckingball · 09/08/2013 16:29

I have it long, layered and get loads razored out every time. I finally have a hairdresser who understands thick hair which helps. Claire's accessories do a couple of clips for thick hair so I can put it up for work when I don't have time to straighten but I break them regularly.

mistlethrush · 09/08/2013 16:42

Yes to the broken clips! I also break most combs... even the hairdresser has got a special one just because he couldn't get his normal one through mine.

I found short tended just to stick up all over... mind you, long would do that if I gave it any chance. I would have done well with a 60's beehive - very little backcombing required.

Original poster

FairPhyllis · 09/08/2013 16:46

angelina I have one monster clip that does work - trouble is I can't remember where I bought it now, so it is treated like a precious object.

chipstick No Diana really did have naturally thick hair I think - if you look at how layered she sometimes had it - you couldn't do that if it weren't truly thick I think. Kate's hair is not actually that thick - it is very bouncy and wavy and looks like it has a lot of volume, but I don't think she could do some of the styles she does if it were truly that thick. I am fairly certain she has extensions too Yes, I have spent too much time thinking about this.

Those of you who have mentioned straighteners - good point, I have some but keep forgetting I have them.

I'm liking the support we're all finding here, but some pictures would be helpful! (not of individual MNers, but links to things that are similar to what works for you)

OP posts:

Chipstick10 · 09/08/2013 16:59

You read my mind fair I am positive kate has extentions. Have also thought a lot about this, as well as how to get a life. I really need to get out more.

DipMeInChocolate · 09/08/2013 17:12

I have it long (mid boob) with layers. Also takes over 30mins to dry. I envy those who can wash and go. To style my head carpet I blast it for a few mins then leave til almost dry and go back to use the babyliss big hair.

orangeandemons · 09/08/2013 17:26

Mines the same, I can't get any clips to stay in it. I would love the shoulder length layers, but mine goes mad in a horrible flicky outy way. The bottom layers on one side only flick out. They need the weight of the top layer to hold them in place. So I can only have a blunt cut. Drives me mad. Mine is very thick and fine, but also very strong and springy. I wish it was easy to manage

mistlethrush · 09/08/2013 17:29

Personally, I have a tendency towards this, although not quite such tight curls, and if I attempt a hair dryer, something more like this (and I hope the links have worked right)

Original poster

FairPhyllis · 09/08/2013 19:26

Thanks mistle, very helpful

OP posts:

WipsGlitter · 09/08/2013 19:41

Thinning scissors are the work of the devil. I just look mullet like.

Babyliss big hair works on mine.

WipsGlitter · 09/08/2013 19:43

Kate's extensions

awaywego1 · 09/08/2013 21:05

Another thick hair person here-hairdressers are often shocked by how thick and 'strong' unmanageable it is and I have to have a superlong appointment for the blow-dry and straightening part. Mines very thick and Wavy and very frizzy. I've tried so many things over the years-what works best is having it shoulder length with not many layers but like other people having it cut into with thinning scissors and a blade after drying to take the weight out. If I have too many layers it just encourages wildness.
Tbh tho It rarely looks well groomed though outside of the hairdressers as it just takes too much time to blowdry and straighten properly-Keratin treatment helped a bit-although it still needed straightening daily it was less frizzy, I also dye at home regularly and it is oddly more manageable after dyeing.

PoppyWearer · 09/08/2013 21:09

Thank goodness it's not just me!

I've also experimented with shorter hair but concluded that longer hair works better and wear a ponytail or clip it up on the days I don't have time to blow dry it (most days).

Short hair was really hard work, I found.

Titsalinabumsquash · 09/08/2013 21:13

Ahh my home!

I have ridiculously thick hair, I have argued with many a hairdresser who has tried to charge me more half way through an appointment because its taking too long.

I have it chin length, that is the only thing I can do, any longer and it curls out and flick as the end and I look like a prat.

I would like to be brave enough to pixi crop it one day and have an amazing fringe because I have the worlds largest forehead but I'm not brave enough.

My mother gave me an inverted bob as a child and razored layers into the back, they stuck out at right angles and I didn't leave the house for a good few weeks.

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