11 Best Products for Thick, Unmanageable Hair, According to Hair Stylists

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My hair journey is paved with many broken hairbrushes. Having thick hair is both a gift and a curse. Yes, you’ve got plenty of volume and body to play with, but it takes a meticulous combo of strong tools and actually effective products to keep it looking more fab than a hot mess. And as someone whose job requires playing with products — I know, I know, toughest job ever — I can vouch for this carefully curated list of products for thick hair.

Best Products for Thicker Hair, at a Glance:

Best Detangler for Thick Hair: R+Co Pinstripe Detangling Spray, $31
Best Affordable Classic: Mane n’ Tail Shampoo, $16.99
Best Customizable Formula: Function of Beauty Customized Shampoo, $21+
Best for Curly Hair: Garnier Fructis Nourish Butter Leave-In Conditioner , $35.61
Best Heat-Protectant Product: Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil, $34
Best for Frizz Management:AG Care Fast Food Leave-on Conditioner, $24
Best For Dull Strands: Phyto Specific Curl Legend Curl Sculpting Cream-Gel , $24
Best for 4C Hair: Qhemet Biologics Amla & Olive Heavy Cream, $24
Best Hair Oil: Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosehip, Argan & Coconut Oil Blend , $30
Best Hair Mask: Redken All Soft Heavy Cream Treatment Mask , $31

Of course, I didn’t just blindly pull these together. According to Garnier Consulting Celebrity Hairstylist Ashley Streicher, these types of formulas are best for taming or simply styling broader strands to look their best. Yes, what will ultimately work for you depends on some trial-and-error. But generally speaking, creams, leave-ins and oil-based products are your best bet. And if you want options that don’t cost an arm and a leg, Streicher’s Garnier-specific picks work just as well.

“For this hair type, I would recommend a moisturizing leave-in, such as Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Butter Cream ($4.94). For thick hair with natural waves, I would also recommend Garnier Fructis Curl Treats ($6.99).  And for thick hair that is more straight, a nourishing oil like Garnier Moroccan Sleek Oil ($4.94) works great,” she says. Ahead, check out an assortment of more products to keep in your bathroom storage lineup and if you’ve got textured or thick hair.

What ingredients to look for in products for thick hair

According to Olya Iudina, stylist at IGK salon in NYC, if you have thick hair, you should “look for products that contain oils, like almond, macadamia, shea and olive as they help to restore hydration and repair damage.”

Why? “The most important factor [when dealing with thick hair] is hydration, as your natural scalp oils might not be enough to hydrate thick hair,” explains Iudina. “That’s why masks, conditioners, serums, etc. for thick hair contain a lot of oils to keep strands nourished and hydrated.”

What ingredients to avoid in products for thick hair

Any ingredients that dry out hair, like sulfates, parabens, and alcohol are all ingredients to avoid,” says Iudina.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. R+Co is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.