12 Hairstyles for Puffy Frizzy Hair That Look Intentional

Puffy hair gets a bad reputation it doesn’t deserve. The volume that makes it puffy is the same thing that makes it dramatic and beautiful once you stop trying to flatten it and start styling with it in mind instead.

Here are twelve styles that make puffiness look like a choice, not a problem you’re managing.

The Big, Bold Puff

Sometimes the answer is to lean all the way in. A high, full puff secured with a wide headband reads confident and completely intentional.

[IMAGE 1] Woman wearing a big, bold voluminous puff · Alt: hairstyles for puffy frizzy hair big puff · Pin title: “12 Hairstyles for Puffy Frizzy Hair”
[IMAGE 2] Close-up of the full, rounded puff shape

Puff With Cornrow Sides

Cornrow the sides back into the puff for a style that controls the perimeter while still letting the crown stay full and voluminous.

[IMAGE 3] Puff hairstyle with cornrowed sides
[IMAGE 4] Close-up of the cornrow detail

Half Puff, Half Down

Pull just the crown up into a small puff and let the rest fall naturally for a softer take on the style that still controls the top volume.

[IMAGE 5] Half-up puff style with hair left down
[IMAGE 6] Close-up of the crown sectioning

Double Puffs

Two smaller puffs instead of one large one distribute the volume evenly and give a playful, youthful energy to the style.

[IMAGE 7] Woman wearing two symmetrical puffs
[IMAGE 8] Close-up of the even double-puff sectioning

Puff With a Scarf Wrap

Wrap a patterned scarf around the base of your puff for a look that adds color and personality while helping to secure the volume in place.

[IMAGE 9] Puff hairstyle wrapped with a colorful scarf
[IMAGE 10] Close-up of the scarf wrap detail

Structured Afro Shape

Use a pick to shape your natural puff into a rounded, defined afro silhouette that reads polished rather than accidental.

[IMAGE 11] Structured, rounded afro-shaped puff
[IMAGE 12] Full look of the shaped, defined style

Complete the Routine: More Frizzy Hair Ideas

Pair this with our hairstyles for thick frizzy hair post for more volume-forward styling ideas. Are you team big puff or team controlled sides?