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The Best Products for Thick Hair

Key Takeaways

  • Thick hair isn’t one size fits all. Understanding the difference between density and texture is essential to choosing the best thick hair routine. 
  • The key to a good haircare routine starts at the most basic level. Finding a shampoo and conditioner that works best with your hair type is crucial. 
  • Thick hair often needs targeted hydration and smoothing to manage frizz, enhance definition, and support the styling process.

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Best Products for Thick Hair

If you have thick hair, learn what OLAPLEX® products work best with it. Discover the best formulas to smooth, strengthen, and hydrate your hair.

Understanding Thick Hair: What Makes it Different?

Thick hair is often thought of as simply having a full head of luxurious hair, but there are several characteristics of thick hair types, such as the coarseness or density of the hair, that should be addressed when making decisions about your hair care routine.

 

One key distinction is density versus texture. Density refers to how many individual strands there are per square inch of your scalp. When talking about thick hair and density, it is more about how tightly your hair is packed on your head. Texture, on the other hand, refers to the diameter and feel of each individual strand, and can range from fine to coarse. Someone could have coarse-textured hair with low density, or fine-textured hair with high density. Both are considered thick hair; however, they require different approaches in routine for the best results.

 

Pro tip: To determine your hair type, check out our in-depth breakdown of Hair Type and Texture

Caring for Thick Hair

Thick hair is beautiful and resilient. With just a little extra care, you can easily manage its unique needs and keep it looking its best. Coarser textures tend to be more porous, making them prone to moisture loss, which causes the appearance of frizz. In addition, dense hair of all types can be harder to style without targeted hair care, and can sometimes feel resistant to styling. It can even take longer to dry due to its volume and structure, but with the right hair approach, you can maintain balance, structure, and long-term hair health. The right thick hair products can help you manage frizz, dryness, and more.

What Are the Best Products for Thick Hair?

The first step of a good hair care routine starts with the basics—a reliable shampoo that is designed exactly for your hair type. For an overall hair cleanse that focuses on your hair’s internal structure, use Nᵒ.4 Bond Maintenance® Shampoo. This shampoo reduces breakage and strengthens hair while hydrating, and smoothing.

 

For a boost in hydration that will also detangle your hair, follow up with Nᵒ.5 Bond Maintenance® Conditioner. Both of these products work together as your first steps towards hydrated, shiny, hair.

 

For coarser hair, focus on reducing frizz and hydrating the hair. For all day frizz reduction, consider using the new Rich Hydration Mask , which can provide 74% frizz reduction and add 119% more shine to your hair while increasing hydration by up to 16 times instantly after use. Multiple molecular weight oils infuse deep moisture into the hair, wrapping it in hydration for a high-slip softness and a halo of shine. This mask also works to prevent cuticle damage over time. 

The Best Stylers for Thick Hair

Look for stylers that will moisturize thick hair, it’s important to keep up with hydration and definition by incorporating smoothing products and hair oils. Nᵒ.6 Bond Smoother® should be applied to clean, damp hair to create a smoother, softer blow-dries and more defined air-dried styles without weighing hair down. Finish the styling process with the OLAPLEX® Nᵒ.7 Bonding Oil™ for an instant boost in shine, vibrancy, heat protection, and softness.

 

Pro tip: Hair oil also helps tame any frizz and flyaways.

Final Thoughts for Stronger, Smoother, Healthier Thick or Coarse Hair

Thick to coarse hair has its own character and needs. With the right products, it becomes more manageable and resilient while also being easier to style. Whether your strands are coarse, dense, or both, building a consistent routine rooted in repair and hydration is key to long-term hair health. Take the Hair Quiz today to get a personalized OLAPLEX routine for thick hair.