How to manage thick/coarse hair like a stylist
A woman with voluminous locks may be the envy of all her friends, but when it comes to actually styling that thick mane, it can be trickier than they imagine. It may seem like it's impossible to achieve the polished, salon-level look at home, but manipulating tresses like a professional stylist doesn't have to be hard. Here are some tricks of the trade to help thick-haired ladies keep their luxurious locks looking, well, luxurious.
Building Blocks
The power of the right haircut shouldn't be ignored. Particularly thick hair can be thinned out with a little judicious layering, though salon-goers should be wary of over-doing it; adding too many layers can make hair start to look a bit large. A good stylist (preferably one who is experienced in working with coarse hair, or has some herself) can help ladies with thick hair show off the natural beauty of their lush tresses with a flattering cut, such as long, angled layers or a graduated bob.
Washing Thick Hair
Because it takes longer for the scalp's natural oils to work down into thick hair, washing too often can actually dry it out, exposing it to more potential for damage. Additionally, spacing out showers and allowing natural oils to work is a great way to boost hair health. Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Curl Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner, won't strip moisture and is helpful in hydrating hair for a smooth, silky shine. Making time for a regular Leave In Treatment to add moisture and strength to dried-out locks is also a good idea. Properly hydrated hair is much easy to manage when it's time to style!
Styling Thick Hair
With the right techniques, thick-haired ladies can achieve a salon-quality blow-out right at home. Women with curly hair should skip the brush and opt for a wide-toothed comb and a diffuser, while those with straighter locks can grab the high-powered blow dryer or straightener. With so much hair, blow-drying can be exhausting on the arms, but good news: the same salon-style effects can be achieved by rough-drying until nearly dry, then bringing in the smoothing nozzle for backup at the very end. When brushing, it’s important to focus on one section at a time. Brushing a section no wider than the brush itself will help prevent those oh so painful tangles. It can be tough to manage voluminous hair, but with a few salon-style clips and a little patience, hair can be sectioned off so that it's easier to focus on one area at a time and keep track of locks that still need attention. For frizz-prone hair, before styling try using Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream, which can smooth hair for long-lasting frizz control and shine.
