How to Style Short Hair in 37 Chic, Easy Ways (2024)

• Nate Rosenkranz is a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City. His clients include Julia Stiles, Hailey Bieber, and Jessica Wynn.
• Ryan Richman is a celebrity hairstylist who works out of Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York City. He has worked with Lili Reinhart, Sarah Hyland, Sadie Sink, and more.

Margot Tenenbaum Bob

When Hailey Bieber wanted a fresh chop, she opted for a blunt, layer-free bob a la Margot Tenenbaum. The Rhode founder put her own spin on The Royal Tennenbaums-inspired look, adding lustrous waves and a coppery hue.

Textured Pixie

Pixie cuts are chic by nature, but this textured take on Thandiwe Newton adds a fresh edge. To achieve it, follow Richman's tips:

• "Use a blow dryer with the concentrator nozzle attached and a flat mixed bristle brush.Direct thehairwhere you want it to lay with your brush and follow close behind with your blow dryer."
• Next, he recommends finding a great texturizing product likeMonat Studio One Dry Texturizing Spray ($35). "Use your fingertips to create a tousled texture."
• "If your pixie has bangs, use a medium-sized round brush on top of the bang section to pull the bangs forward as you dry them while rolling the brush back towards your forehead.Release thehairfrom the brush by pulling it back towards the crown of the head to create the perfect side-swept bang."
• Finally, style with a small amount of molding paste or wax like Oribe Rough Luxury Molding Wax ($39) or Monat Restyle Instant Sculpting Taffy ($35).

Breezy Bob

Bobs are classic, but this version worn by Kaia Gerber is also effortlessly cool. Rosenkranz instructs:

• "To get Kaia’s look, start by applying a smoothing serum then blow-dry your hair with a round brush like the Wet Brush Break-Free Volume & Body Round Brush ($15). You want to get your hair smooth, but don’t stress too much on getting it perfectly straight."
• "Once dry, take medium-size sections and use a flat iron or curling iron to create a slight bend at the ends, both towards and away from the face, alternating sections for a natural feel."
• "A great tool option is the new Bio Ionic 3-In-One Styling Iron ($149)—it’s a flat iron, curling iron, and wand in one," says Rosenkranz. "Its multi-use features allow you to achieve endless styles."

Texturized Bob

Rihanna proves that a textured bob can add volume to thin hair. To get that damp look, spritz on a gloss spray like Kenra Professional's Shine Spray ($19). Don't be afraid of giving your fringe short layers—it adds to the cool-girl look and can be swept to the side, parted in the middle, or curtained out like Rihanna's bangs.

Curly Shag

Prada muse, Mica Arganaraz, is one of our favorite poster girls for a shag cut. By working with her hair's texture and embracing her curls, she achieves a look that is both casual and cool.

• "Shags are all about volume and texture.If you have a natural wave to yourhairuse a diffuser nozzle on your blow dryer to dry yourhairand embrace your natural texture," says Richman.
• "For straighterhair, rough dry yourhairupside down while moving thehairback and forth with your fingertips for maximum volume and texture."
• "If you need to, use a round brush when thehairis mostly dry to smooth the ends."
• "Use a flat iron or curling iron to create your desired wave; make sure to curl in multiple directions for a shaggy, undone style."

Sleek Chignon

Those with short hair shouldn't feel limited to wearing it down. Buns are perhaps one of the most versatile updos, and the chignon is its most sophisticated variation. This chic, low, middle-parted chignon bun is low-maintenance, ye elevated. Get the look:

• While the sleek chignon tends to work best on those with straight hair, a flat iron and shine serum can help those with any hair texture achieve this style.
• Once hair is prepped, simply gather into a low pony and separate into two sections.
• Wrap one section into a bun and the second section around it. Secure with a few bobby pins and you're all set.

Natural Curly Bob

Embrace your natural texture and let your curly hair run free. All it takes is the right product to achieve this natural curly bob. Liberating and low-maintenance, this look has lots of volume and shine.

Blunt Bob

Anyone can pull off a bob, as Jennifer Hudson does here with style and grace. Follow Richman's advice for getting the look:

• "Prep towel-driedhairwithMonat Studio One Blow Out Cream($38) to protect against heat and to restore softness and shine."
• "A straight sleek bob is best styled with a blow dryer with the concentrator nozzle attached and a Denman Row Brush ($21) or similar."
• "Grab each section ofhairat the root with the edge of your brush and glide the brush down followed closely behind with your dryer."
• "If you need to, use a flat iron on very low heat to smooth out the ends."
• If your strands are natural or curly, you'll want to condition hair on the regular before you pick up the blow-dryer and flat iron.

Lived-In Strands

Hair is easier to style when it's a little lived in, so sit back, relax, and let your hair do its thing.

• To ensure you make the most of your natural texture, sans frizz, use a microfiber towel like Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban ($30)—the fabric is much kinder to your hair cuticle. It will soak up excess water post-wash.
• After that, work a leave-in mousse, balm, or cream into your hair with your fingers, and let it air-dry.

Long Pixie

Sonoya Mizuno's sleek pixie cut is easy to achieve, yet super elegant. Whether you're sporting recently cut locks or are growing out your pixie, you can rock this look both day and night. To add shine, apply a dime-sized amount of hair oil, working through strands with a wide-toothed comb and sweeping to one side for a polished finish.

Messy Slick-Back

Slicked-back hair is everywhere—and for good reason. Here, Rowan Blanchard demonstrates the look. Rosenkranz gives some advice for achieving it:

• "Creating some tousled volume is a deceptively simple approach with a lot of impact."
• "Start by blow-drying the sides and back of the head close to the root in the direction you want the hair to lay. Then move to the top, creating volume towards the front by over-directing your blow dryer forward with a round brush."
• "Use a cream gel like Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Professional Styling Luxe Crème Gel ($40) throughout the hair to set in place."
• "Try fluffing up your roots with some dry shampoo, running your fingers through your hair in a backwardmotion, and finishing the lookoff with a good dose of flexible hair spray."

Wet Textured Bob

Wet-look hairstyles have taken the world by storm. Here, Saoirse Ronan nails the look via texturized bob. Rather than pull hair away from her face, her deep side part allows her tendrils to fall naturally in front.

• "A wet look is best created with an oil-based product," says Richman. Work it into your hair to score the style you want.
• "To finish, applyMonat Rejuveniqe Oil Intensive ($99)section by section for even distribution.Monat also makes a light version of Rejuveniqe Oil that will add intense shine and a wet look without thehairfeeling too greasy."

Wavy Lob

If a bob sounds too short for your taste, a lob can be just as flattering while allowing you to maintain a bit of length, as seen here on Gemma Chan.

• "Start by applying a mousse like Ouidad VitalCurl + Soft Defining Mousse ($26) from roots to ends and blow-dry with a round brush," says Rosenkranz.
• "As you are releasing each section, unravel the hair and pull downward on it a bit while it's still warm to elongate the wave; hold for a few seconds as it cools and sets."

Banged Bob

No matter your hair texture, a short cut can breathe life into thin hair by adding volume and fullness. The key to rocking a curly fringe? Avoid heavy-duty styling products to prevent weighing the hair down.

Braided Side-Part

When in doubt, part your hair to the side, tuck it behind your ears, and create a simple Dutch braidon the opposite side of the part, pinning it behind yourear.Pair with a red lip and no one will know your look only took five minutes.

Beachy Waves

Beachy waves are the epitome of sexy. Here, Chrissy Teigen gives us dressed-up beach vibes on the red carpet. If you have a curling iron, you can recreate this après beach look in just five simple steps:

• First, air-dry the hair.
• Then, section hair horizontally using clips.
• Using a curling iron, alternate the direction in which you curl hair with every other section.
• Set with hairspray and apply a finishing agent.

Wet Slick-Back

Our approach togreasy rootsis to disguise them with a conditioning treatment that doubles as a look: Slather on a heavy-duty hair mask or nourishing oil, slick it back, and go.

• "For this great look, start by blow-drying the sides and back of the head close to the root in the direction you want the hair to lay," instructs Rosenkranz.
• "Then move to the top, creating volume towards the front by over-directing your blow dryer forward with a round brush."
• "Use a cream-gel throughout the hair to set in place."

Pixie Curls

Pixie cuts don't have to be piece-y. Ruth Negga's take on the short style features sleek, lush curls and a side part.

Piece-y Pixie

Zoë Kravitz's piece-y pixie is practical, expressive, and lucky for us, easily achievable:

• Simply work a texturizer like Living Proof Dry Volume & Texture Spray($32) into your strands, styling with your hands to create a mussed-up and texturized look.
• With closely cut sides and a bit more hair on top, this versatile cut can complement those with round or square faces.

Sleek Bob with Fringe

Zendaya is giving off some serious femme fatale vibes with this blunt bob. Although this is actually a wig, you can also recreate the look using your natural hair. According to Rosenkranz:

• "While [hair is] wet, apply a smoothing balm like Number 4 High Performance Smoothing Balm ($30) from roots to ends and blow-dry with a flat brush in a slight C-shape to get the smooth shape."
• He adds, "This look isn’t about volume, so avoid focusing on creating any lift at the root while blow-drying."
• "To add extra shine and create that glass-like smooth polish, finish the style by brushing the hair from root to ends with a smoothing brush."

Modern Pin Curls

In addition to the aforementioned bob, hairstyle chameleon Zendaya has also worn her hair in sleek curls. At the 2023 SAG Awards, the Euphoria actress radiated Old Hollywood glamour with a modern, bouncy take on pin curls.

Tousled Bob with Deep Side Part

A deep side part paired with loose, fluffy flat-iron waves istrès chic. Those with thin strands will benefit from the short 'do, thanks to its volume-boosting capabilities. Bonus: a deep side part elongates facial features.

S-Wave Lob

For a more classical take on retro hair, try an S-wave. This style evokes Old Hollywood glamour. For this, you'll want to use hot rollers, like T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe ($130).

Accessorized Wavy Bob

Jeweled metal hair accessories look especially whimsical on short, curly, or wavy hair and would be perfect for a wedding, holiday party, or another formal event. Plus, not only are hair accessories an easy way to dress up your look, but they also serve the practical purpose of masking unwashed hair—just sayin'.

Textured Lob with Curtain Bangs

When it comes to cool-girl hair, Alexa Chung can do no wrong. Her textured lob is low-key and inherently French—although she is, in fact, British. Her middle part curtain bangs frame her face beautifully and have a laidback vibe. To style, Richman says:

• "Section your curtain bangs in a V-shape starting at the high point of the head and take diagonal partings out towards the eyebrows."
• "Using a medium-sized round brush, place it on top of thehairand pull the brush forward off of your face."
• "Once the brush reaches the ends of thehair, roll the brush back down to your head where you started following with your dryer until dry.This will give your bangs that perfectly swept shape."

Cornrows

As you run from errands to brunch to errands again, a braided lookis an infinitely cool way to keep your strands out of your face. Cornrows are beautiful, and they have the added bonus of protecting natural hair. And because they are so versatile, you'll never tire of wearing this braided style.

Teased Bob

Here's a style that worksbest on second-, third-, or fourth-day hair. Tease the living daylights out of the hair on top of your head and then smooth it back. Because teasing works to add volume, this look works well on thin hair.

Wavy Lob with Middle-Part

So simple, yet so effective, Kerry Washington's wavy lob gives us hair envy. Regardless of your hair type and face shape, this haircut looks flattering on everyone. It's a great option if you're transitioning to a shorter 'do, too.

French Fringe

In early 2023, Megan Fox unveiled a beige-blonde lob with a set of Birkin bangs. Named after the French style icon, the fringe style pairs straight-across bangs with an easy, wispy feel.

Voluminous Curls

Yara Shahidi lets her natural curls shine with this look. To replicate her style, Rosenkranz says:

• "Start with a great shampoo and conditioner for extra hydration like Ouidad Curl Quencher® Moisturizing Shampoo ($18) and Conditioner ($20)."
• "Next, apply Ouidad Curl Quencher® Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream ($26) from roots to ends and separate hair into sections."
• "Starting at the nape of the neck, separate each section into sub-sections and create twists to the hair using your hands."
• "Work in sections moving up the head, repeating the same technique. Make sure to put in the side part as you are working through. Air-dry or use a hood dryer on low airspeed and low heat to speed up drying."

Tousled Lob

Halle Berry's tousled lengths are visually effortless and a tad playful. Layers work to give this cut added texture and movement while removing any weight that may weigh down the style.

The Quiff

The Crown's Claire Foy didn't even need jewels to prove how luxe a quiff can look —but her heavily adorned gown doesn't hurt. The 1950s style adds a flat top to a classic pompadour.

Pushed-Back Blunt Bob

A perfectly straightened blunt bob pushed back and securedin place with amatte pomade is never a mistake. We recommend Byrd Matte Pomade ($20), which offers a medium hold and low sheen. It's ideal for natural and texturized hairstyles, and its water-based formula washes out in one go.

Wavy Lob with Side-Swept Bangs

Maya Rudolph looks stunning with her wavy lob. A wide-barrel curling iron will give you the same romantic waves. Worried about taking the plunge with bangs? Side-swept fringe is super low-maintenance and will complement almost any hairstyle and face shape.

Vintage Coif

We are obsessed with vintage coifs inspired by men's styles on short hair. To style:

• Use a soft wax or a gel to give you hold and shine.
• Apply the product to hair's mid-lengths and ends.
• Then make a side part and sweep hair over, followed up by combing the sides and back to finish.

Shoulder-Grazing Waves

Jenna Ortega hit the 2023 SAG Awards rocking a goth take on mermaid waves. The Wednesday star wore her chestnut brown hair in textured bends that grazed the top of her shoulders.

Shaved Side

Taraji P. Henson's asymmetrical crop with a shaved side is one of our favorite looks on The Color Purple actress. This dimensional chop has a slight undercut for added volume.