Thick hair is a blessing, but it can also pose styling challenges. While short hairstyles might feel risky due to the extra volume, and long hair may demand a time-intensive care routine, shoulder-length hairstyles offer the perfect balance. They highlight your texture while remaining versatile and manageable.

We spoke with celebrity hairstylists Fallon Toni Chavez and Marcus Francis to understand why this length works wonders for thick hair. They shared their expert insights on styling shoulder-length looks for dense locks, and we’ve compiled 60 fabulous ideas to inspire your next hair makeover.

60 Shoulder-Length Hairstyles for Thick Hair

1. Malt Shop Bob

Inspiration: Kylie Jenner
This retro-inspired bob features flipped ends that offer a playful, malt-shop aesthetic. It’s perfect for creating the illusion of shorter hair without committing to a drastic chop. Use a round brush and a lightweight hairspray to set the flipped-out ends.

2. Center Part With Curls and Volume

Inspiration: Ciara
Ciara’s natural curls are styled to perfection with a center part, adding volume and dimension. Thick curls naturally frame the face, creating a dramatic yet soft look. To enhance definition, try a curl-enhancing mousse.

3. Slicked Back With a Side Part

Inspiration: Laura Harrier
For a sophisticated evening look, Laura Harrier’s slicked-back hairstyle with a side part is a stunning choice. Add a touch of styling gel to keep the hair sleek while curving the ends slightly for a softer finish.

4. Blunt Ends With a Side Part

Inspiration: Khloé Kardashian
Khloé’s blunt-cut locks gain extra character from a side part. Tucking one side behind the ear not only adds asymmetry but also highlights accessories like statement earrings.

5. Old Hollywood Glam

Inspiration: Zendaya
Zendaya’s vintage-inspired lob channels Old Hollywood charm with its soft, textured waves. This glamorous style works beautifully for formal occasions. Use a curling iron to create defined waves and set them with a light hold spray.

6. Ombré Dreadlocks With a Side Part

Inspiration: Jodie Turner-Smith
Jodie Turner-Smith’s shoulder-length dreadlocks are effortlessly chic. Adding an ombré effect brings depth and a contemporary twist to this timeless look. A subtle side part adds elegance.

7. Textured Blunt Cut

Inspiration: Olivia Palermo
Olivia’s rough, wavy chop breathes life into blunt ends. This style is all about dimension and effortless cool. Chavez notes, “This cut helps eliminate damaged ends while maintaining a fresh, modern vibe.”

8. Braided Bob

Inspiration: Amandla Stenberg
Amandla’s braided bob showcases how shoulder-length hair can be both practical and fashionable. The braided texture creates a bold silhouette that’s perfect for anyone seeking a protective yet stylish option.

9. Invisible Part With Body

Inspiration: Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka’s voluminous locks are elevated by an invisible part, giving her hair a fuller, lifted appearance. Achieve this look by using a root-lifting spray before blow-drying.

10. Long, Sleek Layers

Inspiration: Joan Smalls
Joan Smalls’ sleek, layered lob is a timeless option for thick hair. Layers that graze just below the shoulders reduce bulk while adding movement. Finish the look with a shine-enhancing spray for a polished finish.

11. Bejeweled Natural Lob

Inspiration: Kerry Washington
Adding hair gems to textured locks is an easy way to elevate your style. Kerry Washington pairs slicked-back sections with colorful jewels, creating a playful yet refined look perfect for special occasions.

12. Flipped-Out Ends With Heavy Fringe

Inspiration: Melissa Barrera
A heavy fringe paired with flipped-out ends creates a striking contrast. Melissa Barrera’s look highlights the versatility of thick hair. Use a round brush to style the ends outward and the fringe inward for a polished finish.

13. Beachy Waves

Inspiration: Olivia Munn
Olivia Munn’s layered, beachy waves are an effortlessly chic option for thick hair. Add a few spritzes of salt spray for a tousled, vacation-ready vibe.

14. Chandelier Layers

Inspiration: Lili Reinhart
Lili Reinhart’s cascading layers frame the face while adding structure to her thick, straight hair. Use a lightweight mousse to maintain the volume and definition of your layers.

15. Voluminous Curls

Inspiration: Kerry Washington
For shoulder-length hair, voluminous curls like Kerry Washington’s make a statement. Use a curl cream to enhance shine and bounce while maintaining a natural look.

Sleek-Straight Lob

Vanessa Hudgens stuns with her ’70s-inspired sleek, straight lob. Featuring a sharp center part and clean lines, this single-length cut is ideal for thick hair without excessive bulk. To maintain the smooth texture and fight frizz, apply a product like Matrix Total Results Mega Sleek Iron Smoother ($22) before styling.

Wavy Shag

Jennifer Lawrence’s wavy shag may be slightly shorter than shoulder-length, but it’s too stunning to exclude. This versatile cut, with shaggy layers, enhances movement and body, making it perfect for thick hair. As stylist Francis notes, “The length keeps the texture manageable and offers numerous styling options.”

Light, Curly Layers

Solange showcases the beauty of natural hair with her voluminous curls shaped by light, airy layers. These layers define the curls while keeping them effortlessly ethereal. For thick hair, going natural like this minimizes styling time while maximizing impact.

Sleek and Blunt

Margot Robbie’s blunt midlength haircut emphasizes the health and thickness of her locks. This super-clean, polished look, as suggested by stylist Chavez, is a foolproof option for thick hair. Keep your strands straight and glossy to elevate this sophisticated style.

Ombré With Long Layers

Jourdan Dunn’s long layers highlight her striking ombré effect, with lighter ends that reduce the weight of thick tresses. This gradient color adds dimension and enhances the overall softness of the cut.

Accessorized Lob

Lucy Hale’s sleek, straight bob paired with a bold, gold-bauble headband is a standout look. The angled cut beautifully frames her face, while the headband adds a touch of drama. Finish with a smoothing serum for a glossy, refined finish.

Face-Framing Layers

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s choppy, face-framing layers add dimension and movement to her look. Whether styled wavy or straight, these layers flatter her face shape and make this cut incredibly versatile for thick hair.

Varied, Woven Layers

Nathalie Kelley’s layered midlength cut is ideal for wavy-haired individuals. The delicate layers fall just above the shoulders, while caramel highlights enhance the natural texture, creating a low-maintenance, effortlessly chic look.

Cool-Girl Lob

Aimee Song rocks a grown-out version of the classic lob with an effortlessly cool vibe. Known to suit all hair textures, this shoulder-grazing cut keeps thick hair manageable while still trendy and flattering.

Side-Parted, Natural Curls

Corinne Bailey Rae embraces her natural curls with this voluminous, shoulder-length style. Layers at varying lengths add shape and personality, making thick, curly hair look stunningly effortless.

Choppy Layers

Selena Gomez’s platinum locks gain extra dimension with choppy layers that fall just above the shoulders. These layers break up the thickness of her hair and soften the overall look, creating a stylish, modern silhouette.

Asymmetrical Lob

Jennifer Hudson’s asymmetrical lob exudes edge and elegance. This pin-straight style is longest at the front, creating a sleek, dramatic effect. Use a flat iron for precision and add a shine-enhancing serum like Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum ($6).

Choppy Ends

Padma Lakshmi’s midlength cut is elevated by choppy ends, adding a touch of edginess to her sophisticated look. These ends reduce the visual weight of thick hair, making it look airy and light. A dry texturizing spray will enhance the effect.

Sleek and Retro

Tessa Thompson’s glossy, shoulder-length waves are vintage-inspired perfection. These structured, well-oiled waves shape her thick hair while giving it a polished, red carpet-ready finish. Try Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil ($39) for sleek, shiny results.

Loose Waves

Camila Mendes’s natural loose waves in a shoulder-grazing cut bring out the best in her thick hair. The choppier layers reduce bulk, while the tousled texture adds a playful touch. For styling, use a lightweight mousse for added texture and hold.

Wavy Shag With Fringe

Linda Cardellini’s modern shag combines thick bangs with soft, romantic waves. This style is perfect for thick hair, providing texture, movement, and an effortlessly chic finish.

Voluminous Blowout

Janelle Monáe’s shoulder-length blowout is full of volume and personality. A side-swept wave lends a retro touch to this bold style. For extra body, use a volumizing mousse before blow-drying.

Slicked-Back

Bella Hadid’s slicked-back style is sleek and fashion-forward, making thick hair appear lighter and more refined. The androgynous appeal of this look adds an edgy yet sophisticated touch

Voluminous Afro

Esperanza Spalding’s natural afro is both bold and beautiful. To keep thick curls hydrated and defined, use a leave-in conditioning milk and scrunch the ends lightly for added shape.

Structured S-Waves

Jenna Dewan’s Old Hollywood-inspired S-waves are the epitome of glam. These polished waves follow the curves of her face, highlighting her features and creating a timeless, red carpet-ready style.

Curly Lob and Bangs

Yara Shahidi
Yara Shahidi’s defined ringlets are simply mesmerizing, each one standing out beautifully. Her curly fringe, brushing just above her brows, adds a playful yet polished touch, while her hair’s glossy finish screams health and vitality. To maintain curls like hers, hydration is key. Consider using Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil ($69) to lock in moisture and keep curls bouncy.

Windswept Waves

Kristin Cavallari
Kristin Cavallari epitomizes effortless beach chic with her relaxed waves and glowing tan. To recreate this laid-back look, apply a texturizing spray such as Eva NYC City Grit Matte Texture Spray ($11), infused with argan oil and fatty acids. This formula provides soft, touchable body without the crunch.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, derived from the kernels of the Moroccan argan tree, is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, offering hydration and anti-inflammatory benefits for your hair.

Brushed-Out Curls

Thandie Newton
Thandie Newton’s voluminous brushed-out ringlets showcase the beauty of thick, textured tresses. Her shoulder-length style creates the illusion of length and fullness, perfect for coarse curls. Post-wash, use SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Multi-Action Leave-In ($12) to define and nourish.

’60s Mod Waves

Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson’s lob exudes a retro ’60s vibe, thanks to a bumped-up crown and center-parted front. The backcombed volume adds a mod edge, while a flexible hold hairspray like Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode Flexible Hold Hairspray ($34) ensures everything stays in place.

Vintage Curls

Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne’s hairstyle perfectly balances a sleek side part with a burst of curls. The combination of these textures creates a vintage-inspired look that’s timeless. A strong-hold gel like Kenra Styling Gel 17 ($18) works wonders for locking in sleek sections.

Barrel-Curled Ends

Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion embraces glossy barrel curls, elevating natural texture into a glamorous statement. Paired with her signature winged liner and lined lips, this look is both casual and chic.

Curtain Fringe

Carey Mulligan
Carey Mulligan’s curtain bangs offer an easy, low-maintenance style upgrade. Parted down the middle, they frame her face elegantly, blending into shoulder-grazing choppy layers. For a fresh, weightless look, use dry shampoo to absorb oil and keep bangs lifted.

Finger-Waved Edges

Logan Browning
Logan Browning’s twist-out features delicate finger waves at the edges, channeling vintage sophistication. The slick crown transitions into loose curls, flattering her features. For a polished finish, try The Doux Big Poppa Define Gel ($13).

Bendy With Bangs

Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s disheveled A-line bob pairs perfectly with side-swept bangs for a modern, effortlessly tousled aesthetic. Choppy layers create dimension, giving her a relaxed yet stylish vibe.

Shag With Bangs

Constance Wu
Constance Wu’s sleek, modern shag features flipped-under ends for a sophisticated edge. This polished look is ideal for those seeking a classic yet contemporary hairstyle.

Sombré Bob

Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen’s subtle ombré transitions from rich brown roots to caramel ends, giving her bob natural depth and movement. Light waves enhance the multidimensional color for a chic, breezy look.

Mermaid Waves

Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie’s tight waves mimic mermaid tresses, offering a beachy yet refined style. Her butter-blonde shade with shadowed roots complements the texture, while weekly use of a product like dpHUE Cool Blonde ($28) helps maintain vibrancy.

Piece-y Fringe

Rashida Jones
Rashida Jones combines straight bangs with long, layered waves for a versatile, soft look. Blow-dry straight bangs with a round brush to achieve a smooth finish while keeping the rest of your hair tousled.

Flipped-Out Ends

Millie Bobby Brown’s flipped-out ends add a playful, retro-inspired touch to her shoulder-length lob. The symmetrical barrettes near her temples elevate the style, giving it a youthful and polished vibe. To replicate this look, blow-dry the ends of your hair outward with a round brush. Secure hair back with chic barrettes, and finish with a light-hold hairspray like L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray ($13) to keep the style in place. Add dainty ear jewelry for a fun, flirty finish.

Tousled Shag

Eiza González’s tousled shag is the perfect blend of playful and sultry. With loose curls and long, wispy bangs, this style offers texture and movement. Enhance natural curls by applying Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream ($36) to damp hair, then diffuse for a voluminous, frizz-free finish. This versatile look flatters any occasion.

Curly Lob

Keke J’s curly lob features strategic layers that remove bulk without sacrificing volume. Her luscious ringlets, including the face-framing bangs, create a flattering and natural silhouette. To maintain this look, use a deep-conditioning mask like Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Hair Mask ($39) to keep curls hydrated and bouncy.

Sleek Waves

Zoey Deutch’s polished lob features soft waves that beautifully accentuate her cheekbones. With no visible layers, this style achieves a sleek and refined appearance while removing excess bulk. Use a 1.25-inch curling iron for soft bends, and finish with a shine-enhancing spray like Kenra Professional Shine Spray ($19) for a glossy effect.

Curly Mullet

This modern take on the mullet brings together tousled curls and gradual layering for a softer, sexier silhouette. Face-framing bangs enhance the look, while the tousled finish keeps it effortlessly chic. To style, apply a curl-enhancing mousse like DevaCurl Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam ($28) to damp hair and air-dry for maximum volume.

Tucked Locs

Halle Bailey’s tucked locs create the illusion of a medium-length style with a sophisticated twist. Her elegant updo gives her locs a fresh, versatile look. To recreate this, twist and pin the ends of your locs at the nape of your neck, securing with bobby pins. Spritz with Locsanity Rosewater & Peppermint Daily Moisturizing Spray ($20) to keep locs hydrated and fresh.

Razored Layers

Margaret Zhang’s choppy, razored layers bring an edgy vibe to her straight, thick hair. The punk-inspired fringe that falls over her eyes adds to the drama. Achieve her glossy finish with Amika Glass Action Hydrating Hair Oil ($29) for hydration and shine.

Lifted Crown

Florence Pugh’s lifted crown is a clever way to style medium-length hair for an event while leaving it down. This look also elongates rounder face shapes. To recreate, use a comb to tease the crown section, then smooth over with gel and secure with hairspray like TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray ($8) for long-lasting hold.

Dip-Dyed Lob

Winnie Harlow’s dip-dyed lob features chestnut-toned ends that seamlessly blend with her nearly black roots and mid-lengths. This style is elegant yet versatile. Use a flat iron to achieve a sleek finish, and apply a heat protectant like CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray ($16) to prevent damage.

Supersized Curls

Iman’s voluminous curls are the epitome of glam for thick, medium-length hair. Caramel highlights add dimension and warmth to her rich brunette locks. To style, wrap sections around a large curling wand and use Oribe Curl Gloss ($42) to define curls and reduce frizz.

Corkscrew Curls

Viola Davis’s head full of corkscrew curls is pure perfection. Her curly bangs and gradual layers enhance shape and definition. For similar results, use a curl-defining gel like SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie ($15) to enhance and hold ringlets.

Retro Waves

Kristen Bell’s retro waves are sleek and glamorous, making them ideal for a formal occasion. Distribute your hair over one shoulder while tucking the other side behind the ear. Use a medium-barrel curling iron and a setting spray like Redken Triple Take 32 Hairspray ($23) to lock in the vintage-inspired waves.