Discover the perfect medium layered haircut for thick hair with a voluminous blowout style. Get expert tips on styling, maintenance, and best products!

What is a Medium Layered Haircut?

A medium layered haircut refers to a hairstyle where the hair length falls between the shoulders and the collarbone, featuring multiple layers cut at varying lengths throughout the hair. These layers create dimension, movement, and texture, making the hair look fuller, lighter, and more dynamic.

Instead of having hair cut bluntly at one length, layering involves strategically trimming sections of hair at different lengths. This technique reduces bulk in thick hair and adds volume and bounce to fine or straight hair. Medium layered cuts are incredibly versatile—they can be styled straight, wavy, or curly—and suit almost every face shape and hair type.

Key characteristics of a medium layered haircut:

• Length: Generally falls from shoulder to just above the chest.

• Layers: Multiple sections cut at different lengths to add texture and movement.

• Purpose: Adds volume, reduces weight (especially in thick hair), and creates a natural flow.

• Styling flexibility: Works well with blowouts, curls, or natural waves.

By incorporating layers, this haircut enhances the natural beauty of your hair, allowing for easier styling and a more polished, elegant look.

Why Choose a Layered Haircut for Thick Hair?

If you have thick hair, you know it comes with both perks and challenges. While thick hair often feels luxurious and full, it can sometimes be heavy, difficult to manage, and prone to looking bulky or flat without proper styling. This is where a layered haircut becomes a game-changer.

Here’s why a layered haircut is especially beneficial for thick hair:

1. Reduces Bulk and Weight

Thick hair can feel heavy and weigh down your style, making your hair look flat or lifeless. Layers strategically remove some of that excess weight without sacrificing length, making your hair lighter and more comfortable to wear.

2. Enhances Natural Movement and Volume

Layers create dimension by allowing the hair to move more freely. Instead of thick hair clumping together, layers separate the strands, giving your hair a lively, voluminous look. This added texture also helps achieve styles like a voluminous blowout with ease.

3. Improves Manageability

Without layers, thick hair can take longer to dry and be harder to style. By reducing bulk and creating natural shape, layered cuts speed up blow-drying time and make styling more straightforward, whether you want a sleek finish or tousled waves.

4. Adds Shape and Definition

Layers provide shape that frames the face beautifully and balances the hair’s volume. This means no more “helmet” effect — instead, you get a flattering silhouette that enhances your facial features.

5. Customizable for Different Styles

Whether you prefer soft, subtle layers for a classic look or choppy, textured layers for a modern edge, layering can be tailored to your personal style and hair goals.

Expert Tip: To get the best results, always ask your stylist to customize the layering technique based on your hair’s density and texture. Texturizing techniques like point cutting or razor cutting can further enhance movement without creating uneven volume.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting the Perfect Medium Layered Cut

Achieving the ideal medium layered haircut for thick hair requires precision, the right technique, and a good understanding between you and your stylist. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to help you get that elegant, voluminous look you desire:

1. Consultation: Communicate Your Vision

Before any cutting begins, have a detailed consultation with your stylist. Discuss your hair type, lifestyle, and how much daily styling you’re willing to do. Show pictures of medium layered haircuts you like — this helps ensure you both are on the same page.

Tip: Mention that you want layers specifically designed to manage thick hair and create volume with a blowout style.

2. Hair Preparation: Clean and Dry

Your stylist will usually start with clean, dry hair, as this gives a better idea of your hair’s natural fall and texture. Layering thick hair on dry hair helps avoid cutting too much bulk and ensures better precision.

3. Sectioning the Hair

The hair is divided into four to six sections — usually two at the front, two at the back, and sometimes top and crown sections. This organized approach allows the stylist to work evenly and control the length and layering effectively.

4. Determining the Base Length

The stylist first establishes the base length of your haircut, which in a medium cut usually falls between the shoulders and collarbone. This base sets the foundation for your layers.

5. Cutting the Layers

• Elevation Angle: Layers are cut by lifting sections of hair at specific angles, typically between 20° to 45°, depending on how much volume or texture you want.

• Long Layers: For a subtle layered look, the stylist will cut longer layers that maintain weight but add movement.

• Shorter Layers: To reduce bulk and create more volume near the crown, shorter layers may be cut strategically.

• Texturizing: The ends may be texturized using techniques like point cutting or thinning shears to soften edges and remove excess weight.

6. Checking for Symmetry and Balance

Your stylist will carefully check both sides of your hair to ensure the layers blend seamlessly and your haircut is balanced. This is crucial to avoid unevenness, especially in thick hair.

7. Final Styling

Once cut, your stylist will blow-dry your hair — often using a round brush — to showcase the layers’ natural volume and movement. This step helps you visualize how the layers enhance your hair’s texture.

8. Styling Tips and Maintenance Advice

Your stylist should offer personalized advice on how to style your medium layered haircut at home, including product recommendations and tips to maintain volume and health.

How to Achieve a Voluminous Blowout Style

A voluminous blowout is the perfect finishing touch for a medium layered haircut for thick hair. It enhances movement, lifts the roots, and brings out the natural dimension created by layers. Whether you’re getting ready for an event or just want that polished “fresh-from-the-salon” look, here’s exactly how to master the technique at home.

🎯 What You’ll Need:

• Volumizing shampoo and conditioner

• Heat protectant spray or cream

• Volumizing mousse or root lift spray

• Round brush (preferably ceramic with a large barrel)

• Hair clips for sectioning

• Blow dryer with a concentrator nozzle

• Cool shot feature on your dryer

• Lightweight hairspray or texturizing spray

💨 Step-by-Step Blowout Process for Volume

Step 1: Start with Clean, Prepped Hair

Wash your hair with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner (such as Pureology Clean Volume or Living Proof Full Shampoo). Towel dry gently to remove excess water, then detangle with a wide-tooth comb.

Apply:

• Heat protectant to prevent damage from hot tools.

• Volumizing mousse or root lift spray, focusing at the crown and roots.

Pro Tip: Avoid applying heavy creams or oils before blow-drying—they can weigh down thick hair and kill volume.

Step 2: Rough Dry to About 80%

Before using a round brush, rough-dry your hair by flipping your head upside down or lifting sections with your fingers. This technique helps lift the roots and boosts natural volume. Stop when hair is about 75–80% dry.

Step 3: Section Your Hair

Divide hair into 4–6 sections using clips: top, sides, back, and crown. This helps you control the blowout and ensures even volume throughout.

Step 4: Blow Dry with a Round Brush

Start with the lower sections:

• Wrap a section around the round brush, pulling it tight while aiming the dryer downward along the hair shaft.

• Roll the brush outward and upward as you move down the strand. This technique smooths the cuticle and adds body.

• Focus on lifting from the roots and gently curling the ends under or away from the face for movement.

Repeat this process section by section, always drying from roots to ends.

Step 5: Use the Cool Shot to Set Volume

Once each section is dry, use the cool shot button on your dryer for a few seconds to lock in the shape and lift. This step seals the cuticle, adds shine, and helps the blowout last longer.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

• Use a light texturizing spray like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray for added grip and volume.

• For long-lasting hold without crunch, apply a lightweight hairspray such as L’Oréal Elnett Satin.

💡 Expert Styling Tips for Thick Hair Blowouts

• Root Teasing (Optional): Lightly tease the crown area with a fine-tooth comb before setting with hairspray for extra volume.

• Velcro Rollers Trick: Set crown sections in large velcro rollers after blow-drying for 10–15 minutes to boost lift.

• Use a Boar Bristle Brush for Shine: After drying, run a boar bristle brush through your hair for extra smoothness and natural shine.

Best Products for Thick Hair Blowouts

The secret to achieving a salon-quality, voluminous blowout on thick hair lies not only in technique but also in using the right products. These selections are curated specifically to help reduce weight, boost volume, protect from heat, and keep your blowout lasting longer—without frizz or heaviness.

Each product is carefully chosen based on reviews, professional endorsements, and performance with medium layered haircuts.

🧴 1. Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner

🌟 Recommendation:
Pureology Clean Volume Shampoo & Conditioner

Why it works:
Sulfate-free and lightweight, this duo gently cleanses thick hair without stripping moisture while prepping strands for volume. It also protects color-treated hair and adds body without buildup.

💨 2. Heat Protectant Spray

🌟 Recommendation:
Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray

Why it works:
This cult favorite cuts drying time by 50% and provides intense thermal protection up to 428°F. It also controls frizz—a common challenge for thick hair—and leaves hair silky and smooth.

💁‍♀️ 3. Root Volumizer or Mousse

🌟 Recommendation:
Living Proof Full Root Lift or Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse

Why it works:
These lightweight formulas are designed to lift heavy roots without stickiness. Ideal for medium layered styles, they add dimension at the crown and enhance the shape of your haircut.

💨 4. Texturizing Spray

🌟 Recommendation:
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Why it works:
This luxurious spray acts like a hybrid between dry shampoo and hairspray. It absorbs oil, adds airy texture, and holds volume without weighing hair down—perfect for day-two styling.

💧 5. Lightweight Hair Oil or Serum (Optional)

🌟 Recommendation:
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil or Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil

Why it works:
Use sparingly on ends to reduce frizz and add shine without collapsing volume. These are ideal for thick hair that gets dry but still needs movement and bounce.

💨 6. Finishing Hairspray

🌟 Recommendation:
L’Oréal Elnett Satin Hairspray

Why it works:
Beloved by professionals, this spray provides buildable hold with a soft finish—so your blowout stays touchable and full of life.

📌 Pro Styling Combo:

Start with: Pureology Clean Volume Shampoo + Conditioner
Prep with: Kenra Blow-Dry Spray + Living Proof Full Root Lift
Finish with: Oribe Texturizing Spray + Elnett Hairspray

Styling Tips to Maintain Volume and Elegance

You’ve achieved the perfect medium layered haircut with a voluminous blowout—now how do you keep that bounce and elegance going for days? With the right aftercare and styling habits, your blowout can last 3–5 days, even on thick hair.

Here are the pro tips to maintain volume, body, and polished elegance between washes.

💤 1. Sleep Smart: Use a Silk or Satin Pillowcase

Cotton pillowcases can cause friction, frizz, and flatten your style overnight. Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase reduces static and preserves the smoothness and volume of your blowout.

Bonus Tip: Tie your hair loosely in a high ponytail or soft scrunchie “pineapple” to keep volume intact while you sleep.

💨 2. Refresh Roots with Dry Shampoo

By day two or three, oil buildup at the scalp can weigh down volume. Use a volumizing dry shampoo at the roots to absorb oil and add lift.

Top pick:
Batiste Volume Dry Shampoo or Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

Spray at the root, wait 1–2 minutes, then massage or brush through for instant refresh.

💁‍♀️ 3. Flip and Finger Comb for Instant Lift

Instead of brushing (which can flatten your layers), flip your head upside down and shake out your hair with your fingers to reactivate volume. This quick trick works wonders for layered haircuts that are losing shape.

💧 4. Avoid Heavy Oils or Creams

While thick hair can handle some weight, avoid reapplying serums, creams, or oils after your initial blowout. They can collapse volume and make hair look greasy faster. If needed, use a pea-sized drop of light oil (like Olaplex No.7) only on the very ends.

💨 5. Use a Lightweight Volumizing Spray on Day 2+

If your blowout is starting to look flat, revive it with a spritz of texturizing or lift spray at the crown.

Try:
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray or IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo

Spray lightly at roots, then use your fingers or a round brush with a quick blast from your dryer to reshape and lift.

💇‍♀️ 6. Touch Up With a Round Brush and Dryer

If you notice certain areas (like the crown or front layers) falling flat, don’t reach for a flat iron—grab your round brush and blow dryer.

• Lightly mist hair with water or a leave-in spray.

• Wrap the section around your round brush.

• Dry while lifting upward and finish with a cool shot.

🗓️ 7. Don’t Over-Style: Let Your Layers Work

The beauty of a medium layered haircut for thick hair is in its built-in shape. Avoid excessive heat styling or re-curling. Instead, work with your layers—shake them out, lift at the roots, and focus on bounce over perfection.

💡 Expert Insight:

“Thick hair holds onto style better than fine hair—it’s about maintenance, not repetition. A good blowout combined with smart styling habits will last you days without extra heat.”
— Sophia Landers, Celebrity Stylist & Blowout Specialist

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Medium Layered Haircuts and Blowouts

Even with the perfect haircut and styling tools, small missteps can cause your voluminous blowout to fall flat or make your thick hair appear bulky and unmanageable. Here are the most common mistakes people make—and how to avoid them—to keep your style looking salon-fresh and elegant.

❌ 1. Overloading on Product

The Mistake: Applying too many styling products, especially heavy creams, oils, or serums.

Why it’s a problem: Thick hair already carries weight. Excess product not only flattens your blowout but can make the hair greasy and limp—especially at the crown.

What to do instead: Stick to lightweight, volumizing products and apply them strategically—mousse at the roots, oil only on the ends.

❌ 2. Skipping Heat Protection

The Mistake: Blow-drying without a thermal protectant spray.

Why it’s a problem: Thick hair requires higher heat settings to style effectively, which makes it more vulnerable to long-term heat damage, frizz, and dryness.

Fix it: Always use a heat protectant like Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Spray to guard against thermal damage and add shine.

❌ 3. Not Layering Products Correctly

The Mistake: Applying all products at once or in the wrong order.

Why it’s a problem: Product layering is key for both protection and hold. Poor layering can lead to uneven styling, reduced volume, and a weighed-down finish.

Correct order:

1. Heat protectant (mid-shaft to ends)

2. Root lifter or mousse (roots)

3. Blow-dry

4. Finishing spray or texturizer

❌ 4. Brushing Too Much After Styling

The Mistake: Brushing through your blowout with a paddle or fine-tooth brush.

Why it’s a problem: Over-brushing disrupts the shape of your layers, removes volume, and can make thick hair look fluffy or frizzy.

Do this instead: Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to gently separate strands and maintain bounce.

❌ 5. Choosing the Wrong Layering Technique

The Mistake: Asking for generic layers instead of customized ones for thick hair.

Why it’s a problem: Not all layers are created equal. Without the right layering method (such as texturizing or internal layering), thick hair can look pyramid-shaped or too bottom-heavy.

Solution: Request long, blended layers that reduce bulk and maintain structure. Mention your desire for a blowout-friendly style.

❌ 6. Using the Wrong Brush for Blowouts

The Mistake: Using a small round brush or metal bristle brush that tangles or burns.

Why it’s a problem: These brushes can pull on thick hair, cause breakage, or overheat, leading to damaged cuticles and poor volume.

Fix it: Use a large ceramic or boar bristle round brush that evenly distributes heat and smooths the cuticle without flattening.

❌ 7. Blow-Drying Wet Hair Without Rough-Drying First

The Mistake: Jumping straight into round-brushing soaking-wet hair.

Why it’s a problem: This makes blowouts take twice as long, puts stress on your hair, and limits lift at the roots.

Best practice: Rough-dry to 75–80% first (with your head flipped upside down), then style in sections using a round brush.

❌ 8. Washing Your Hair Too Soon

The Mistake: Shampooing the next day after a blowout.

Why it’s a problem: Frequent washing removes the natural oils that help hold shape and texture in thick hair. Plus, it shortens the lifespan of your blowout.

Recommendation: Wait at least 2–3 days between washes and use dry shampoo to refresh.

🧠 Final Tip:

Thick, layered hair thrives on intentional styling. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll enjoy longer-lasting blowouts, better volume, and a more refined finish—without unnecessary frizz or flatness.

Embrace the Elegance of Layers & Volume

A medium layered haircut for thick hair isn’t just a trendy choice—it’s a strategic, flattering solution for enhancing natural volume, reducing heaviness, and adding effortless movement. When paired with a voluminous blowout, this haircut transforms your hair into a show-stopping style that looks professionally done, even at home.

By choosing the right cut, the proper styling products, and maintaining it with smart care techniques, you’ll find that your thick hair becomes more manageable, elegant, and full of life. Whether you’re looking for a polished everyday look, preparing for a big event, or simply want to elevate your hair game, the layered blowout is timeless, versatile, and always in vogue.

Remember: hair frames your face, and medium-layered hair provides the perfect balance of structure and softness. Don’t be afraid to show off your natural fullness; celebrate it with the right cut and styling habits that complement your hair texture, not clash with it. If you’re ready to improve your hair care routine or need more styling or care tips, be sure to visit our blog.