18 Cute, Short Hairstyles That You *Must* Try If You Have Thick Hair

It's time to debunk the common misconception that people with short hair don't have a lot of hairstyle options, because they totally do.

Maybe you’re super adventurous with your styling and have been tempted to go for a drastic cut, but you’re trying to get a feel for what styling options you’ll have with your newly-short hair. Or maybe you’ve had short hair for a while, but you usually style it the same way every day and are looking to spice things up. And if you recently made the big chop and suddenly don't have the option of simply securing your hair into a messy bun, don't panic — there are so many cute, fun ways to style short hairstyles for thick hair. All you need is a healthy dose of inspo.

If you have short, thick hair, it's helpful to have some go-to hairstyles just in case your plentiful tresses decide not to cooperate one morning. Won't lay flat? Hit it with a side braid. Need something sleek, yet shiny? Straightener, heat protectant, and hair oil will do the trick. Woke up with a bird's nest on top of your head? Brush it out a little bit, and then make it purposefully mussed with texturizing spray. Confidence is key to pulling off that I-woke-up-like-this look and embracing your thick hair in all its glory.

And if you thought that thicker hair types shouldn't go short, think again — you just need to find the right style and cut. Chicago-based hairstylist Raven Hurtado from Maxine Salon explained that the best and easiest short styles for thick hair are shaggy haircuts like the wolf cut, the pixie cut, the medium layered bob, or textured layers. "By texturizing layers on thick hair, it removes weight which will give the layers flow and movement. It’ll feel light and easier to manage." Plus, shag haircuts are super hot right now — just look at Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, or literally anyone under the #wolfcut hashtag on TikTok.

Hurtado continued, "When you go to the salon, ask for a style that will be manageable and easy to maintain, as well as asking for texturized layers to remove bulk." With the right sort of haircut and styling tricks, you'll be out the door in no time each morning. Here are some of our favorite short hairstyles for thick hair.