Haircuts for Thick Hair (Men): 10 Cuts That Control It

The best haircuts for men with thick hair remove bulk from the sides and add texture on top: an undercut, a textured quiff, a pompadour, a side part with a taper, a textured crop, slicked-back hair, a messy fringe or longer flow with layers. Ask your barber to thin or texturise the top, and keep the sides short, or thick hair puffs out into a round, helmet-like shape.

Wendy WeiSeptember 27, 2026 · 3 min read

The Thick Hair Problem: Bulk

Thick hair is an advantage most men envy, but grown out evenly it puffs out at the sides and forms a round, heavy shape. The fixes are short sides, which remove bulk where it shows most, and texture on top, which breaks up the weight so hair moves instead of sitting like a block.

Ask your barber to 'take weight out' of the top with thinning scissors or point cutting. Here are 10 cuts that make the most of thick hair.

1. Undercut

Short or shaved sides disconnected from a longer top. It removes the most bulk and lets you style the top however you like.

2. Textured Quiff

Thick hair holds a quiff easily. Texture the top so it looks full but not stiff.

3. Pompadour

Thick hair is ideal for a pompadour, which needs volume. Keep the sides faded or tapered.

4. Side Part With a Taper

A tapered side part keeps thick hair neat. Ask for the top to be texturised so the part sits flat.

5. Textured Crop

A short, choppy top with faded sides. Thick hair gives the crop shape without much product.

6. Slick Back

Thick hair stays in a slick back well. Use a medium-hold product and keep the sides short.

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7. Messy Fringe

A longer, piecey fringe pushed forward. Texture is essential, or it becomes a heavy bowl shape.

8. Longer Flow With Layers

Ear- to collar-length hair pushed back. Layers stop it from getting wide and triangular.

9. Crew Cut

The low-maintenance option. Thick hair gives a crew cut a dense, even look.

10. Curly Top With a Fade

If your thick hair is curly, keep the curls on top and fade the sides. It's the best way to stop thick curls from growing out round.

Choosing by Face Shape

Round and square faces suit the taller options (quiff, pompadour, undercut styled up). Oblong faces suit the flatter ones (crop, messy fringe, side part) with a little fullness at the sides. Oval faces suit all of them. See face shapes for men.

The free face scan in Ollie Stylist measures your face shape in the browser and ranks cuts for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What haircut is best for thick hair men?

Cuts with short sides and a textured top: an undercut, textured quiff, pompadour, textured crop or side part with a taper.

How do I stop my thick hair from puffing up?

Keep the sides short and ask your barber to take weight out of the top with thinning scissors or point cutting.

Is long hair good for thick hair men?

Yes, with layers, which stop thick hair from widening into a triangle shape as it grows.