Short hairstyles are always in, well, style. You can easily be on-trend and save yourself some daily maintenance with a shorter haircut, and we can help. Whatever your reason for contemplating a chop, we’ve got you covered with this lookbook of low maintenance short haircuts for any hair texture.
By: Lisa Fennessy
Meet the Expert
Jennifer Nast
Jennifer is a stylist at Sharon Dorram Color @ Sally Hershberger Salon. When it comes to hair, she oftentimes sees herself more a tailor than a hairstylist, which is not surprising considering the focus she gives to the structural elements of a cut. “I have to customize the cut and style for each client, so I can’t really have any preconceived ideas before I have the client in front of me. I approach the face, the eyes, the neckline like a tailor’s form. Then I bring in their tastes, lifestyle, dislikes, daily routines and finally make a decision about what shapes will work best. The best cuts HAVE to be made-to-measure.”
IN THIS POST:
- Things to consider when you’re getting a short haircut
- Short haircuts by hair texture
- Short haircuts for women (sorted by style)
- FAQ
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At some point it’s likely you will have a, “I’m cutting it all off!” moment. This moment could be inspired by many things like maybe you experience a breakup and are looking for a fresh start. Maybe you are sick of washing-it-and-drying-it-and-styling-it every dang day and decide it’s time to clock into your most efficient hair life. Maybe the cool girl at work has a cute short haircut and you want one too. Maybe you are growing out your hair gray and want to get to that all-natural-look faster. Or maybe you ask for “a symmetrical” haircut but the hairdresser heard “asymmetrical” and now you need a quick fix, lol.
I don’t know! But what I do know is if you are reading this post you are at one or more of these crossroads and need help. That’s why we’ve rounded up 105 low maintenance short hair inspo pics broken down by hair texture and hair style so you can find the perfect short haircut for you.
We’ve also connected with Jennifer Nast, a stylist at Sharon Dorram Color @ Sally Hershberger Salon in NYC, to guide you through each section offering industry insight and professional advice to help you make the best choice for you. Let’s get to it!
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Things to consider when you’re getting a short haircut
Jennifer gave us a great list of things to think about before getting a chop. First, consider the cost—and not just the emotional cost if you’re making this decision because of a breakup, lol. “Going shorter can be costly as you will need to get more frequent haircuts to keep the style,” Jennifer says. “A good rule of thumb [for time in between cuts] is short hairstyle [needs a cut] every 4 weeks, medium is every 8 weeks and long hairstyles are every 12 weeks.”
And what about your age? Says Jennifer, “I’m not a big believer in the old tropes of ‘you can’t have long hair when you are old or cutting your hair short will make you look older.’ Everyone is different, so I suggest finding a great hairstylist and working with them to find the best look for you.”
One tip we really love if you’re wondering if that mega chop is for you: “If you are considering going shorter, like a pixie…start by slowly going shorter and work your way to a pixie. For example, if you have long hair, get a lob, then a chin length bob, then a pixie.” This gives you the checks and balances you need to make sure the cut is right for you.
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Short haircuts by hair texture
Jennifer says, “The most important thing to consider when going short is your hair density and texture.” With that in mind, if you don’t know your hair density (thick, fine, medium, etc.) or texture (straight, wavy, natural, etc.), you’ll want to start there before choosing a style. Checking in with a trusted stylist can help!
Short haircuts for thick hair
Jennifer’s advice: “If you have super thick hair, you may opt for a longer bob. This way, you keep some weight in the haircut to keep it from popping up.”
Short haircuts for fine hair
Jennifer’s advice: “If your hair is on the finer side, going shorter can help your hair feel thicker.”
Haircuts for short natural hair
Haircuts for short curly / wavy hair
Short haircuts for women (sorted by style)
Jennifer’s advice: “When your hair is flat and doesn’t get much volume, going with a strong shaped haircut like a pixie, a bixie or even just a short bob can give you major style.”
Wolf cut haircuts
Pixie cut haircuts for women
90s Lob haircuts for women
Bixie haircuts for women
Bob haircuts for women
Lived-in layers for women
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FAQ
What is the new short haircut for 2024?
The wolf haircut is currently trending for 2024. See more trending cuts here.
What is the most popular short haircut for women?
Current popular short haircuts include Italian bob, wolf cut, bixie, 90s lob, bob and pixie. See photos of these trending cuts here.
Short haircut, what should you keep in mind if you have thick hair?
“If you have super thick hair, you may opt for a longer bob. This way, you keep some weight in the haircut to keep it from popping up.” explained professional stylist Jennifer Nast. Learn more here.
Does short hair make you look older or younger?
Says Jennifer Nast, professional stylist, “I’m not a big believer in the old tropes of ‘you can’t have long hair when you are old or cutting your hair short will make you look older.’ Everyone is different, so I suggest finding a great hairstylist and working with them to find the best look for you.” See examples of trending short hair styles and cuts here.
