Welcome to the world of fabulous short hair! If you’ve recently embraced a chic chop or are thinking about going shorter, you know the freedom and style that comes with it. But sometimes, styling short hair can feel a bit daunting, especially when you’re just starting out.
Good news! Short hair offers a fantastic canvas for quick, easy, and incredibly stylish looks, even if you’re a complete beginner. You don’t need a salon full of tools or hours of practice to achieve a polished or playful look.
This guide is your go-to resource for mastering 12 simple short hairstyles that you can easily recreate at home. Get ready to fall in love with your short hair all over again!
Understanding Your Short Hair
Short hair is incredibly versatile, offering endless possibilities for expression. Whether you have a pixie, a bob, a lob, or anything in between, embracing its natural texture is the first step to effortless styling. Think of your short cut as a foundation for creativity.
Why Short Hair is Fantastic
- It’s low maintenance: Less washing, less drying, less product!
- It highlights your features: Short hair can beautifully frame your face, accentuating your eyes and jawline.
- It’s trendy and chic: Short styles are always in vogue and often convey confidence and sophistication.
- It’s healthy: Less heat styling and chemical exposure often lead to healthier hair.
- It’s empowering: A short cut can feel like a fresh start and a bold statement.
Before You Start: Essential Tools and Products
Having the right tools makes all the difference, especially when you’re just learning. You don’t need a professional kit, just a few key items to help you achieve these easy styles.
- A good quality brush: A paddle brush for smoothing, a round brush for volume.
- Fine-tooth comb: For precise parting and detailing.
- Hair clips or bobby pins: Essential for securing sections or adding accents.
- Hair ties or small elastics: For mini ponytails, braids, or half-up styles.
- Heat protectant spray: Always use before any heat styling.
- Texturizing spray or mousse: To add body and grip.
- Light-hold hairspray: To finish and set your style.
- Dry shampoo: For refreshing your roots and adding volume on non-wash days.
- Styling cream or wax: For definition and control.
1. The Classic Pixie with a Side Sweep
The pixie cut is iconic for a reason – it’s bold, beautiful, and surprisingly versatile. A side sweep adds a touch of softness and elegance, making it incredibly wearable for any occasion.
Suitable hair length and texture: Very short hair, typically above the ears. Works wonderfully with straight, wavy, or slightly curly hair. It gives structure to fine hair and tames thicker textures.
Face shape suitability: Oval, heart, and square face shapes can rock this style. The side sweep softens angles and adds width where needed.
Styling method: Start with damp hair. Apply a small amount of styling cream or mousse. Use your fingers to sweep the front section to one side, creating a soft fringe. Blow-dry with a diffuser on low heat, guiding the hair into place. For extra polish, use a fine-tooth comb on the sides and back, keeping them close to the head.
- Recommended tools and products: Styling cream or light mousse, fine-tooth comb, blow dryer with diffuser, light-hold hairspray.
- Tips to make it last: Use a satin pillowcase to reduce frizz overnight. A quick spritz of hairspray in the morning will keep your sweep in place. Re-activate with a touch of water and styling cream if needed.
2. Effortless Tousled Bob
The tousled bob is the epitome of undone elegance. It looks like you just woke up perfectly styled, but in reality, it takes minimal effort to achieve that breezy, textured look. It’s chic and playful.
Suitable hair length and texture: Chin-length to collarbone-length bobs. Ideal for naturally wavy hair, but can be created on straight hair with a bit of help. Great for adding volume to fine hair.
Face shape suitability: Most face shapes can wear a bob, with the tousled texture being particularly forgiving. Round and square faces benefit from the added height and softness around the jawline.
Styling method: On towel-dried hair, apply a generous amount of sea salt spray or texturizing mousse. Scrunch your hair upwards with your hands. You can let it air dry for a natural wave or use a diffuser on your blow dryer, scrunching as you dry. Finish by gently separating strands with your fingers and a light spritz of hairspray.
- Recommended tools and products: Sea salt spray, texturizing mousse, blow dryer with diffuser, light-hold hairspray.
- Tips to make it last: A touch of dry shampoo on day two can refresh roots and add more volume. Avoid over-brushing to maintain the texture. Sleep with your hair in a loose bun or pineapple to preserve waves.
3. Sleek and Straight Lob (Long Bob)
The long bob, or lob, is a classic for its versatility, and when worn sleek and straight, it exudes sophistication and polish. This style is timeless and makes you look instantly put-together.
Suitable hair length and texture: Shoulder-length hair or slightly longer. Works best with naturally straight or slightly wavy hair that can be easily straightened. Excellent for showcasing healthy, shiny hair.
Face shape suitability: Universal. This style is flattering on nearly all face shapes, as the length is often below the chin, creating a lengthening effect. A deep side part can further customize it.
Styling method: Apply a heat protectant and a smoothing serum to damp hair. Blow-dry your hair using a paddle brush, pulling sections taut for a smooth finish. Once dry, use a flat iron in small sections, gliding from roots to ends. Finish with a small amount of shine serum or a light hairspray to tame any flyaways.
- Recommended tools and products: Heat protectant spray, smoothing serum, paddle brush, flat iron, shine spray or light hairspray.
- Tips to make it last: Sleep on a silk pillowcase to prevent friction and frizz. Use a dry shampoo for oil absorption. Re-straighten any kinks with a flat iron on low heat.
4. Chic Wavy Shag
The shag is making a big comeback, and for short hair, it means layers, texture, and a cool, lived-in vibe. Adding waves to a short shag cut creates a dynamic, youthful, and incredibly chic look that’s easy to achieve.
Suitable hair length and texture: Chin-length to shoulder-length with layers. Ideal for wavy, curly, or even fine hair that needs a boost of texture and volume. The layers enhance natural movement.
Face shape suitability: Particularly flattering on oval, long, and heart-shaped faces. The layers and waves add width and soften angular features, while a fringe can balance longer faces.
Styling method: On damp hair, apply a volumizing mousse or curl-enhancing cream. Scrunch and air-dry or diffuse with a blow dryer. If your hair is straighter, use a small curling iron (1-inch barrel) to create loose, alternating waves. Don’t curl all the way to the ends, leave them slightly straight for a modern feel. Finish with a texturizing spray and gently shake your head to blend the waves.
- Recommended tools and products: Volumizing mousse or curl cream, diffuser, small barrel curling iron (optional), texturizing spray, light hairspray.
- Tips to make it last: Refresh with dry shampoo and a spritz of texturizing spray. Avoid brushing; instead, use your fingers to fluff and reshape. A quick curl refresh with an iron on selected pieces can revive the look.
5. The Half-Up Top Knot
Who says short hair can’t do updos? The half-up top knot is a stylish and incredibly easy way to get hair out of your face while looking perfectly on-trend. It’s a go-to for casual days or adding a cute touch.
Suitable hair length and texture: Chin-length bobs to lobs. Works on all hair textures – straight, wavy, curly – as the top knot itself doesn’t rely heavily on specific texture, though some texture can add character.
Face shape suitability: Universally flattering. This style draws attention upwards, lengthening the face. The pieces left down around the face can soften features for any face shape.
Styling method: Section off the top portion of your hair from just above your ears to your crown. Gather this section as if you were making a small ponytail. Twist the hair into a bun shape, securing it with a small elastic. You can make it neat or leave it slightly messy. Pull out a few small pieces around your face to frame it for a softer look.
- Recommended tools and products: Small elastic hair tie, bobby pins (optional), texturizing spray (for grip), light hairspray.
- Tips to make it last: Use a strong but small elastic. If your hair is very fine, a bit of texturizing spray on the section before tying can help it hold. Don’t pull too tight to avoid tension headaches.
6. Simple Scarf Headband Style
Accessories are a short-haired person’s best friend! A simple scarf tied as a headband is an incredibly effective way to add flair, hide a bad hair day, or just elevate your look with zero effort. It’s perfect for beginners.
Suitable hair length and texture: All short hair lengths, from pixies to bobs. Works with any texture, as the scarf does most of the work. Great for disguising roots or flyaways.
Face shape suitability: All face shapes. The scarf can be adjusted to sit higher or lower on the forehead, altering the visual length of your face. Choose a scarf pattern that complements your outfit.
Styling method: Take a square scarf and fold it diagonally into a triangle. Then, fold the pointed end towards the long edge to create a band. Place the middle of the band at the nape of your neck, bringing the ends up over your head. Tie the ends in a knot (single or double) on top or slightly to the side of your head. Adjust the scarf to cover your hairline as desired.
- Recommended tools and products: A square or rectangular silk/cotton scarf, bobby pins (if extra security is needed), light hairspray (to tame any stray pieces).
- Tips to make it last: Choose a scarf made from a material with some grip (like cotton or linen) to prevent slipping. Secure with bobby pins hidden underneath if your hair is very smooth. A small spritz of hairspray on your hairline before applying the scarf can help it stay put.
7. Side-Parted Smooth Crop
Sometimes, the simplest styles are the most impactful. A deep side part on a smooth, short crop instantly adds drama and elegance. It’s a powerful, minimalist look that’s incredibly easy to achieve with the right technique.
Suitable hair length and texture: Very short, close-cropped styles like short pixies or boy cuts. Best for straight or slightly wavy hair that can be easily smoothed. This style highlights a precise cut.
Face shape suitability: Oval, long, and square face shapes look particularly striking. The deep side part can soften a strong jawline or add width to a narrower face. Experiment with the part location.
Styling method: Start with damp hair. Create a deep side part using a fine-tooth comb. Apply a small amount of smoothing balm or light gel evenly. Use a paddle brush to comb all hair smoothly into place, following the direction of the part. Blow-dry on a cool setting, ensuring all strands are flat and sleek. Finish with a touch of shine serum.
- Recommended tools and products: Fine-tooth comb, smoothing balm or light gel, paddle brush, blow dryer, shine serum or light hairspray.
- Tips to make it last: Use a generous amount of smoothing product at the start. Sleep on a silk pillowcase. If your hair tends to frizz, a light application of hairspray once dry will help maintain the sleekness.
8. Playful Mini Pigtails
Who said pigtails are just for kids? Mini pigtails on short hair are incredibly cute, playful, and a fantastic way to keep hair out of your face with a touch of youthful charm. They’re surprisingly versatile and easy to do.
Suitable hair length and texture: Short bobs or lobs, ideally chin-length or longer, where you can gather enough hair. Works on all textures; straight, wavy, or curly hair all look great.
Face shape suitability: All face shapes can pull off mini pigtails. They tend to soften facial features and add a youthful touch. Adjust the height of the pigtails to best complement your face.
Styling method: Part your hair down the middle or slightly off-center. Gather a section of hair from one side, just behind your ear or higher if you prefer. Secure it with a small elastic. Repeat on the other side, trying to match the height and tension. You can leave out some face-framing pieces for a softer look or pull all hair back.
- Recommended tools and products: Small elastic hair ties, fine-tooth comb (for parting), styling cream (to smooth flyaways).
- Tips to make it last: Use clear or colored elastic bands that match your hair. A touch of styling cream before gathering the hair will help smooth any frizz. Don’t make them too tight to avoid a harsh look.
9. Curly Pixie Enhancement
If you have a curly pixie, it’s all about enhancing those gorgeous natural curls! This style celebrates your texture and makes your short cut look incredibly full of life and personality with minimal fuss.
Suitable hair length and texture: Pixie cuts on naturally curly or coily hair. The shorter length allows curls to spring up and retain their shape without being weighed down.
Face shape suitability: Heart, oval, and square faces look stunning with a curly pixie. The volume on top can balance a narrower chin, while the overall softness frames the face beautifully.
Styling method: After washing, gently squeeze excess water from your hair with a microfiber towel. Apply a curl-defining cream or gel evenly, scrunching it into your curls. You can air-dry, or for more volume and definition, use a diffuser on your blow dryer on low heat, gently cupping sections of hair. Once dry, resist touching it too much to prevent frizz. If desired, use a pick to gently lift roots for extra volume.
- Recommended tools and products: Microfiber towel, curl-defining cream or gel, diffuser attachment for blow dryer, hair pick (optional).
- Tips to make it last: Refresh curls on non-wash days with a spray bottle of water mixed with a little leave-in conditioner. Sleep on a satin pillowcase or use a silk bonnet to protect your curls from friction. Avoid products with heavy silicones that can weigh curls down.
10. Braided Front Accent
Even with short hair, a simple braid can make a big impact. A braided front accent is perfect for pulling back bangs, keeping hair out of your eyes, or simply adding a pretty, detailed touch to your everyday look. It’s surprisingly easy to master.
Suitable hair length and texture: Pixie cuts with longer front sections, bobs, and lobs. Works on straight, wavy, or slightly curly hair. If your hair is very curly, it may be easier to braid when slightly damp.
Face shape suitability: All face shapes. This style draws attention to the eyes and can soften any angles around the forehead. It’s a great way to personalize your short cut.
Styling method: Create a side part. Take a small section of hair at your hairline on the side with more hair. Begin a small French braid or a regular three-strand braid, braiding away from your face along your hairline. Secure the end with a small, clear elastic or a bobby pin tucked discreetly behind your ear or under other hair. You can loosen the braid slightly for a softer, more voluminous look.
- Recommended tools and products: Fine-tooth comb (for parting), small clear elastic or bobby pin, light hairspray or styling cream (for grip and smoothing).
- Tips to make it last: Use a small amount of styling cream on the section before braiding to minimize flyaways and make it easier to grip. For extra security, cross two bobby pins in an ‘X’ shape. Practice makes perfect with braiding!
11. The Slicked-Back Wet Look
The slicked-back wet look is a high-fashion, edgy statement that works incredibly well on short hair. It’s surprisingly easy to achieve and instantly transforms your everyday style into something daring and chic, perfect for an evening out or when you want to make a statement.
Suitable hair length and texture: Pixies, bobs, and lobs. Best on straight or wavy hair, as the goal is to smooth and sculpt. Curly hair can work too, but may require more product to tame.
Face shape suitability: Oval, square, and heart-shaped faces. This style highlights your bone structure, so be confident in showcasing your features. It can add a strong, defined look.
Styling method: Start with damp hair. Apply a generous amount of strong-hold gel or pomade evenly from roots to ends. Use a fine-tooth comb to slick all your hair straight back from your forehead, or create a sharp side part if preferred. Ensure all strands are smooth and flat against your head. Let it air dry, or use a blow dryer on a cool setting to set it. Avoid touching it once it’s set.
- Recommended tools and products: Strong-hold gel or pomade, fine-tooth comb, blow dryer (optional).
- Tips to make it last: Don’t skimp on the product – this look needs hold! Make sure your hair is evenly coated. For a truly ‘wet’ look, a shine spray can be added once dry. Avoid headbands or hats after styling.
12. Accessorized Buzz Cut or Super Short Crop
When your hair is super short, like a buzz cut or a very close crop, accessories become your best friends. They are an effortless way to express your personality, add a touch of glam, or simply change up your look with minimal effort.
Suitable hair length and texture: Extremely short hair, including buzz cuts, faded sides, or very short all-over crops. Works with all hair textures, as the accessories are the stars.
Face shape suitability: All face shapes. Accessories can soften or enhance features. For example, a delicate clip can soften a strong jawline, while bold earrings complement the bare neck.
Styling method: This isn’t really a ‘styling’ method as much as an ‘accessorizing’ one! Simply choose your favorite hair accessories. Place small, decorative bobby pins along your hairline, either on one side or symmetrically. Use a jeweled clip or a small, embellished barrette to add a focal point. You can also opt for statement earrings, which truly shine with super short hair.
- Recommended tools and products: Decorative bobby pins, small hair clips, headbands, statement earrings (as a hair-complementing accessory).
- Tips to make it last: Ensure bobby pins are well-secured. If wearing a headband, choose one with a non-slip grip. Match your accessories to your outfit or jewelry for a cohesive look.
General Hair Care and Maintenance Tips for Short Hair
Keeping your short hair healthy and vibrant is key to making these easy styles look their best. A little care goes a long way in ensuring your hair stays shiny and manageable.
- Regular trims: Short hair needs more frequent trims (every 4-6 weeks) to maintain its shape and keep ends healthy.
- Quality products: Invest in good shampoo, conditioner, and styling products suited for your hair type.
- Don’t over-wash: Washing every day can strip natural oils. Use dry shampoo between washes to refresh.
- Heat protection: Always use a heat protectant spray if you’re using blow dryers, flat irons, or curling irons.
- Scalp health: A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. Consider a scalp scrub or massage.
- Hydration: Even short hair needs moisture. Use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil sparingly on the ends.
Styling Dos and Don’ts for Short Hair
Even with easy styles, a few guidelines can help you achieve perfect results every time. Knowing what to do and what to avoid will boost your styling confidence.
- Dos:
- Do embrace your natural texture: Work with what you have; it often leads to the easiest and best results.
- Do use styling products sparingly: A little goes a long way on short hair.
- Do experiment with partings: Changing your part can completely change your look.
- Do use bobby pins and small clips: They are excellent for adding details or securing strands.
- Do get regular trims: To keep your short style looking fresh and defined.
- Don’ts:
- Don’t over-brush: Especially after applying texturizing products, as it can undo the style.
- Don’t use heavy products: They can weigh down short hair, making it look greasy or flat.
- Don’t ignore heat protectant: Even quick heat styling can cause damage.
- Don’t be afraid to try new things: Short hair grows back quickly, so have fun experimenting!
- Don’t pull hair too tight: It can cause tension on your scalp and make your style look unnatural.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Styling Short Hair
We’ve all been there – a styling attempt goes awry. But by being aware of common pitfalls, you can avoid them and enjoy effortless, beautiful short hair every day.
- Using too much product: Short hair needs far less product than long hair. Start with a pea-sized amount and add more only if needed.
- Skipping heat protectant: Even a quick blow-dry needs protection against heat damage.
- Over-drying with a hot dryer: This can lead to frizz and static. Use a cooler setting or air dry when possible.
- Not knowing your hair type: Products for fine hair won’t work on thick hair, and vice versa. Understand your hair’s needs.
- Ignoring your natural texture: Fighting your hair’s natural waves or curls can lead to a battle you won’t win easily.
- Not cleaning your tools: Product buildup on brushes and combs can transfer to your hair, making it look dull.