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Short haircuts come in many styles. After all, every person is different, and you should know about all of your options. Read on to see 30 examples of short hairstyles for women and what we like about each.
Looking for Short Haircuts for Women?
If short haircuts have been on your mind and it’s time for a change, we’ve got you covered.
Maybe you’re sick of your long hair and are ready for the big chop. Maybe you’ve been enjoying short hair for years and just want to switch up your style.In any case, there’s just something appealing about short hairstyles – they are always popular and work for any hair type, texture, and look.
There are so many short hair options today. You don’t have to choose between a basic bob or putting the pedal to the metal with a super-short pixie. Why not see what short hairstyles are out there so you can choose the perfect one for you?
We’ve gathered tons of style ideas that you can gather inspiration from. We’ve found styles that work whether your hair is straight, curly, wavy, relaxed, coarse, thick, or thin.
Intrigued? Keep reading to see our favorite examples of short haircuts. We’ve also included some tips you should consider before going short at the end of this guide. Get ready to find your new look!
30 Short Haircuts for Women
We’ve browsed through thousands of photos to find the 30 best examples of short haircuts. See all the different style options below and learn how to ask your stylist for each cut and style.
1. Choppy Lob
Popcorner/Shutterstock
Ah, we love a good lob – all the benefits of a bob with a little more length and movement. If this short haircut is your cup of tea, have your stylist heavily layer and thin the bottom for an edgy look.
Read Next: Long Bob Haircuts
2. Messy Pixie
Kiukson/Shutterstock
There’s a Tinkerbell vibe with a cut like this, and we are HERE for it. Have your stylist leave the top longer to give you plenty to work with when you style it.
3. Blunt Bob with Bangs
Metamorworks/Shutterstock
This short haircut adds a little dimension to the ever-popular bob. Have your stylist do a chin-length cut and add blunt bangs to get this look.
4. Wavy Pageboy Bob
Look Studio/Shutterstock
We love the vintage pageboy look of this short haircut, especially when it’s paired with waves. This is essentially an ear-length bob with a little texture and layers cut in.
5. Mega Quiff
Kiuikson/Shutterstock
Join the likes of P!nk and celebrity chef Anne Burrell with hair cut short in the back, longer on the sides, and plenty of length on top.
6. Long on Top
Mimagephotography/Shutterstock
Looking for a short haircut that’s easy to style and maintain? Have your stylist keep it longer on top to give you something to work with, but cut the sides and back short to keep it simple.
7. Old Hollywood
Sofia Zhuravetc/Shutterstock
You’re giving off definite old Hollywood glamour vibes when you rock this cut and style. Have your stylist cut your hair just below your chin and thin the ends just a bit. Add some classic, soft waves to get the look of this classic short haircut.
8. Chin-Length Bob
Popcorner/Shutterstock
If you’re all about classic style, you’ve gotta give the chin-length bob a try. Have your stylist cut the length to your chin level and add some texture to the ends for more movement.
9. Relaxed Crop
Mimagephotography/Shutterstock
If you’re planning on having your hair relaxed or want a new cut to accentuate your hair’s texture, this crop is perfect. Soft layers on the top give you tons of options to style it.
10. Wavy Chop
Dean Drobot/Shutterstock
If your hair is wavy or you wear it in waves often, an ear-length cut like this shows off the texture. Ask your stylist for some light layers to get the whimsical little flyaways in the photo.
Read Next: How to Get Waves
11. Layered Long Bob
AC Studio/Shutterstock
This short haircut works for any hair texture, but we especially love it with waves. For a layered bob, ask for a just-above-the-shoulders cut with long layers to accentuate the texture of your hair.
12. Crop With Bangs
Stockfour/Shutterstock
If you’re a fan of side-swept bangs but want to keep the length pretty short, opt for a crop with bangs. This style works for any hair texture and would be beautiful with curls, too.
13. The Marilyn Monroe
Popovich_vl/Shutterstock
Some like it hot, and that’s exactly how you’ll look with a short cut that reaches just past the chin with slight layering. Add lots of volume and set your hair with hot rollers to really look the part.
14. Natural Tapered Cut
Sirtravelalot/Shutterstock
Take advantage of those natural curls and have your stylist taper the ends to give them a little more definition. This short haircut is classic, elegant, and just looks natural.
15. Undercut Asymmetrical Bob
Yulia Chsherbakova/Shutterstock
Have your stylist cut your hair into an asymmetrical bob with one side cut to ear level and the other side cut to your chin. Then ask for an undercut shave that tapers into the longer side of the bob.
Read Next: Asymmetrical Bob
16. Textured Quiff
Kiuikson/Shutterstock
Show off your hair’s waves or curls with a textured quiff. This eye-catching short haircut features a shorter back and sides with a longer length on top for a nice contrast and more styling options.
17. Shaved Sides
Spaskov/Shutterstock
Show the world your edgy side with this daring cut that features long, heavily textured hair on top and close-shaved sides.
18. Short Pageboy
Olena Serzhanova/Shutterstock
Okay, we love the shape and style of this classic pageboy cut. Make it more modern with a bold color like the bubblegum pink ombre pictured.
19. Tapered Lob
Margo_black/Shutterstock
If you like a bob to be longer in the front and shorter in the back, ask for a tapered bob. If you’d like it longer than chin length, make sure to let your stylist know.
20. Faux Hawk Crop
Puhhha/Shutterstock
Like this short haircut? Have your stylist leave a little more length on top to give you plenty of hair to style into a choppy faux hawk. Let it lay down for a more casual look.
21. Finger-Waved Lob
Sofia Zhuravetc/Shutterstock
If you’re looking at shorter styles but do want to keep some length, check out this gorgeous long bob. Old school finger waves set this haircut off and make it one of our favorites.
22. Long on Top Curly Crop
Roquillo Tebar/Shutterstock
If you’re blessed with bouncy curls, show them off by keeping the top of your hair longer and having your stylist taper the shorter sides down.
23. Short Pixie
Milan Ilic Photographer/Shutterstock
If you’re after a bolder short cut that’s easy to style and maintain, this may be the one. The top is kept short, so you can wash, brush, and go.
24. 60s Style Bob
Photoagent/Shutterstock
Sport a short haircut that was and still is iconic with this blunt bob. Your stylist can add precisely cut, gradual layers to get that rounded look that sets this style apart.
25. Chin-Length Curly Lob
Luna Vandoorne/Shutterstock
We love this natural, freeform look for curly hair. Any woman with curls knows there’s more length than it appears, so have your stylist cut your hair a little below your chin to get this look.
26. Shaved
sun ok/Shutterstock
No haircut says “step into your power” quite like a shave. If you’re after a bold look, there’s no better option than this.
Read Next: Shaved Hairstyles for Women
27. Asymmetrical Bob
YuriyZhuravov/Shutterstock
We like the asymmetrical look of this bob, where one side is cut to the ear level, and the other side drops down to the chin at a soft point.
28. Stacked Side Part Bob
myboys.me/Shutterstock
If you like to wash and go, this cute cut with built-in layers that stack in the back is what you need. The layers will play up any natural texture in your hair while giving you some height at the crown.
29. Shoulder-Length Lob with Bangs
YuriyZhuravov/Shutterstock
Heavy, side-swept bangs are the standout feature of this classic cut. You can’t go wrong with a shoulder-length long bob and bangs!
30. The New Karen
StockLite/Shutterstock
No need to ask for the manager – just ask your stylist to cut a short, asymmetrical bob with extra length on top and up front. Choppy layers in the back and around the sides give this cut its recognizable sass.
Read Next: Karen Haircut Inspiration
Things to Consider Before Going Short
Your hair is front-and-center anytime you go out, hop on a Zoom call, or check your reflection in the mirror. Deciding to go with a short hairstyle is a big deal and can be quite a change!
To make sure the change is refreshing instead of repellent, there are a few things you should consider before you book an appointment for the big chop.
- Dry or wet cut?Your stylist will either cut your hair wet or dry. There are pros and cons for each, but it’s a good idea to think about which type of cut you’d prefer. For curly hair, it’s a good idea to have your hair cut dry, so there are no surprises in terms of length if it’s cut wet.
- Will it suit your face shape?The shape of your face plays a major role in how well a haircut will suit you. Any cut will work for oval faces. Rectangular or square jawlines are very suited for short cuts, especially with layers and bangs added in to soften the face and add fullness to the sides. Round and heart-shaped faces should steer clear of cuts that add volume to the sides of the hair.
- Growing your hair out takes time.The old adage, “It’ll grow back!” may be true, but it’s not super helpful if you cut your hair short and hate the results. Before you get a drastic cut, remember that hair grows about half an inch per month. Growing it out takes time. Are you willing to wait if you’re not thrilled with the cut?
- Your curls will be more pronounced.Short hair weighs less, so once you take off a good amount of length, you should know that your curls or waves will suddenly be much tighter. Keep this in mind so you can choose a length that works for you.
- Regular trims will be a thing.If you don’t mind visiting the salon every few weeks, this will be no problem. But if hopping in the stylist’s chair every 4-6 weeks to maintain your short hairstyle isn’t on your priority list, you may want to reconsider getting a short haircut.
- Styling options may be limited.With longer hair, you can always throw it up in a pony, twist it into a messy bun, or do a quick braid to tame it. If you go shorter than shoulder length with your hair, you might lose some or all of these options. On the other hand, you can always opt to use clips, barrettes, and headbands to keep your hair out of your face when needed.
How to Choose the Perfect Short Haircut
You’ve seen some great examples of hairstyles for short hair. We’ve talked about some of the important things to consider before you head to the salon. Now, you might be ready to choose the perfect hairstyle for you – but how do you narrow the choices down?
- Face shape:If your face is oval, most cuts and styles will look great. Square or rectangular faces should consider styles with bangs and layers. Round and heart-shaped faces look best with styles that don’t add extra volume or fullness to the sides of the face. Not sure what cut to get? Check out our post titled, “What Haircut Should I Get?“
- Hair texture:If you have curly hair, remember that your curls will be tighter and more defined with a short cut and style. If you have super thick hair, make sure you get layers and texturing to keep your hair from puffing out too much.
- Styling requirements:No one knows you better than you. Will you actually be willing to fully style your hair every day, or are you more likely to be comfortable with a wash and go style? Don’t get a cut that requires more styling time than you want to dedicate.
- Time to grow out:If you’re really not sure a short hairstyle will suit you, you might consider opting for a long bob or shoulder-length style first to see how you like shorter hair. If you don’t dig it, it won’t take long to grow out. You can always get more cut off, but you can’t put it back on!
- Your desired look: What’s your style and vibe? If you gravitate toward basic, classic styles that never go out of style, bobs and lobs are always a great choice. If you’re willing to try bold styles and like to be at the forefront of new trends, check out undercuts, shaved styles, and asymmetrical styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does short hair make you look older or younger?
In most cases, short hairstyles make women look younger. However, in the case of aging and elderly women, short hairstyles leave less volume and might make wrinkles and aging spots more noticeable. But we think both of those are beautiful and should be embraced.
How do I know if short hair will suit me?
Easily determine if short hair will suit you by holding a ruler to the bottom of your ear and a pencil to your chin. If the total distance between the ear and pencil is less than 6 cm, short hair will likely look good on you. However, your face shape will determine which short cut you should get.
How short should I cut my hair?
To determine how short you should cut your hair, you should consider your face shape, facial features, and volume of hair. If your hair is fine, you should keep it longer or get layers, as taking it too short will skew the dimensions of your face.
What is the best short hair style for women?
This year, the long bob and bob with bangs are both trending. Both are easy to style, look great on most shapes of faces, and are slightly edgy. Not to mention the benefit you receive by spending less time drying your hair.
Is a pixie cut a Karen haircut?
Not necessarily. Pixie cuts can be Karen haircuts, but they're not a Karen cut if they aren't dyed and don't have the "lobster claw" in the front of the face. To avoid making your pixie a Karen cut, chop the bangs short.
Is Short Hair in Style in 2021?
Short hair is extremely trendy and will continue to be a fashion-forward and stylish look for the seasons ahead. The chic hairstyles worn by celebrities and fashion models keep shorter hair in the spotlight. Most stylists will tell you which short haircuts are trendy right now and which are timeless and best for you.
What Is the Most Popular Short Haircut?
Short hairstyles are very popular, especially the bob. It is stylish, versatile, and can be styled wavy or straight, and it can be cut into a variety of styles and lengths. The bob may also be layered for more volume and swing, depending on personal preference. If you are looking for a chic haircut, the bob is a great option.
What Short Hair Says About a Woman?
Short hair can say a lot about a woman, depending on the style of haircut she chooses. Some short hairstyles are very professional and reserved, while others are more fun and playful. Ultimately, the message a woman wants to send with her short haircut is up to her.
Does Short Hair Make You Look Younger?
Short hair can make you look younger because it may draw attention away from age by making their face appear less angular. However, short hair can also look more professional or mature. Ultimately, it depends on the individual's features, how they style their hair, and how they want to be perceived.
What Is a French Bob?
A French bob is a short haircut that is typically angled around the face in a way that is reminiscent of the bob haircuts popularized in France in the 1920s. It can be styled in various ways but is most commonly worn sleek and straight. This style is popular among women because it is low-maintenance, versatile, and classic.
What’s Your Favorite Short Haircut for Women?
H_Ko/Shutterstock
Choosing the perfect short style means thinking about your wants and needs, the texture and characteristics of your hair, and the commitment your new style will require from you. There are so many short hairstyles out there.
Just consider these important factors as you search to find the style that will suit you best.
Whether you decide to go as short as possible or border on medium-length hair, you’re sure to find a short style that makes you say, “That’s so me.” Who knows? It might end up being your signature look.
You Might Also Like:
- Short Haircuts for Older Women
- Short Haircuts for Women Over 60
- Short Curly Hair
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Short Haircuts for Women: Exploring Different Styles
If you're considering getting a short haircut, you're in luck! Short haircuts for women come in a variety of styles that can suit different hair types, textures, and looks. In this article, we'll explore 30 examples of short hairstyles for women and discuss some important factors to consider before going short.
30 Short Haircuts for Women
The article provides 30 examples of short haircuts for women, each with its own unique style and appeal. Here are a few examples mentioned in the article:
- Choppy Lob: This short haircut is a longer version of a bob with added layers and thinning at the bottom for an edgy look [[1]].
- Messy Pixie: This cut leaves the top longer, allowing for more styling options [[2]].
- Blunt Bob with Bangs: This short haircut adds dimension to the classic bob by incorporating blunt bangs [[3]].
- Wavy Pageboy Bob: This vintage-inspired short haircut features waves and layers, creating a textured look [[4]].
- Mega Quiff: This style involves longer hair on top and shorter sides and back, creating a bold and voluminous look [[5]].
- Long on Top: This short haircut keeps the top longer for easy styling while keeping the sides and back short [[6]].
- Old Hollywood: This classic short haircut exudes old Hollywood glamour with soft waves and a chin-length cut [[7]].
- Chin-Length Bob: This classic style features a bob cut that ends at the chin, adding texture to the ends for movement [[8]].
- Relaxed Crop: This short haircut is perfect for showcasing textured hair and can be styled in various ways [[9]].
- Wavy Chop: This ear-length cut is ideal for wavy hair, accentuating the natural texture [[10]].
These are just a few examples of the short haircuts mentioned in the article. Each style offers its own unique look and can be tailored to suit individual preferences and hair types.
Things to Consider Before Going Short
Before making the decision to go for a short haircut, there are a few important factors to consider:
- Dry or Wet Cut: Decide whether you prefer your hair to be cut wet or dry. Curly hair, for example, is often best cut dry to avoid any surprises in terms of length [[11]].
- Face Shape: Consider your face shape when choosing a short haircut. Oval faces can generally pull off any cut, while rectangular or square jawlines are well-suited for short cuts with layers and bangs to soften the face [[12]].
- Growing Out: Keep in mind that growing out short hair takes time. If you're unsure about a drastic cut, consider starting with a longer bob or shoulder-length style to test the waters [[13]].
- Curl Definition: Short hair tends to make curls or waves more pronounced. If you have naturally curly hair, be prepared for tighter and more defined curls with a short cut [[14]].
- Maintenance: Short haircuts often require regular trims to maintain the style. Consider whether you're willing to visit the salon every few weeks for upkeep [[15]].
- Styling Options: Shorter hair may limit your styling options compared to longer hair. Consider whether you're comfortable with the styling options available for shorter hair or if you prefer the versatility of longer hair [[16]].
How to Choose the Perfect Short Haircut
Choosing the perfect short haircut can be a personal decision based on various factors. Here are some tips to help you narrow down your choices:
- Face Shape: Consider your face shape when choosing a short haircut. Oval faces can generally pull off most styles, while other face shapes may benefit from specific cuts and styles [[12]].
- Hair Texture: Take into account your hair's natural texture. Curly hair, for example, may require different cuts and styles to enhance the texture [[14]].
- Styling Requirements: Consider how much time and effort you're willing to dedicate to styling your hair. Some short haircuts require more styling time than others [[16]].
- Time to Grow Out: If you're unsure about going very short, consider starting with a longer bob or shoulder-length style to see how you like shorter hair. It's easier to cut off more hair later if desired [[13]].
- Desired Look: Think about your personal style and the vibe you want to achieve. Classic styles like bobs and lobs are timeless, while more bold and trendy styles may suit those who like to experiment [[16]].
Remember, the perfect short haircut is one that makes you feel confident and suits your individual preferences and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
The article also addresses some frequently asked questions about short haircuts for women. Here are a few of them:
- Does short hair make you look older or younger? In most cases, short hairstyles make women look younger. However, for aging and elderly women, short hairstyles may draw attention to wrinkles and aging spots [[17]].
- How do I know if short hair will suit me? You can determine if short hair will suit you by considering your face shape and the distance between your ear and chin. If the distance is less than 6 cm, short hair will likely look good on you [[18]].
- How short should I cut my hair? The ideal length for a short haircut depends on factors such as face shape, facial features, and hair volume. Fine hair may benefit from keeping some length or adding layers to maintain proportions [[19]].
- Is a pixie cut a Karen haircut? A pixie cut can be a Karen haircut if it includes specific characteristics like dyed hair and a "lobster claw" shape in the front. However, not all pixie cuts are considered Karen haircuts [[20]].
- Is short hair in style in 2021? Short hair is currently trendy and fashionable. Celebrities and fashion models often sport chic short hairstyles, keeping shorter hair in the spotlight [[21]].
- What is the most popular short haircut? The bob is one of the most popular short haircuts. It is versatile, can be styled in various ways, and suits different face shapes and hair textures [[22]].
- What short hair says about a woman? Short hair can convey different messages depending on the style chosen. Some short hairstyles exude professionalism, while others are more playful and fun [[23]].
- What is a French bob? A French bob is a short haircut that is angled around the face, reminiscent of bob haircuts popularized in France in the 1920s. It is often worn sleek and straight [[24]].
Remember, these are just a few of the questions addressed in the article. Short haircuts offer versatility and can be tailored to suit individual preferences and styles.
Conclusion
Short haircuts for women offer a wide range of styles to choose from, allowing you to find the perfect look that suits your face shape, hair texture, and personal style. Whether you opt for a classic bob, a trendy pixie cut, or an edgy asymmetrical style, short hair can be both fashionable and empowering. Consider the factors discussed in this article, and don't be afraid to experiment and find the short haircut that makes you feel confident and beautiful.
