Short hairstyles for women range from a cropped pixie to a jaw-length bob, and the right one depends on your face shape, hair texture and how much styling you want to do. Here are 15 cuts, who each suits and what to say at the salon.
Choosing short hairstyles for women
Face shape is the first filter. Oval and heart-shaped faces carry almost any short cut. Round faces look best with some height on top or a bob that falls below the jaw. Long faces suit a fringe and a chin-length bob. Then think about hair texture: fine hair looks fuller in a blunt cut, thick hair needs layers, and curls need a shape that is cut dry. You can find your face shape with the free face shape detector.
Pixies and crops
1. Pixie cut
A pixie is cropped at the back and sides, with a longer top.
- Who it suits: Oval and heart faces; fine hair.
- How to ask: Say how short at the nape and how long on top.
- Upkeep: Trim every 4 to 6 weeks.
2. Long pixie cut
A long pixie keeps three to five inches on top.
- Who it suits: Most face shapes; a gentle start for going short.
- How to ask: Ask for a side-swept fringe.
- Upkeep: Trim every 5 to 6 weeks.
3. Bixie haircut
A bixie sits between a bob and a pixie.
- Who it suits: Fine hair and growing out a pixie.
- How to ask: Ask for choppy layers and a tapered nape.
- Upkeep: Trim every 5 to 7 weeks.
4. Undercut for women
A section is clipped short beneath longer hair.
- Who it suits: Thick hair.
- How to ask: Choose the nape or one side.
- Upkeep: Trim every 3 to 4 weeks.
5. Bowl cut
A rounded cut with a straight fringe.
- Who it suits: Oval and heart faces.
- How to ask: Ask for a modern, textured edge.
- Upkeep: Trim every 4 to 6 weeks.
6. Pageboy haircut
Even length with turned-under ends and a straight fringe.
- Who it suits: Straight hair.
- How to ask: Ask for a chin-length line.
- Upkeep: Trim every 6 weeks.
Bobs
7. Bob haircut
One main length between the ears and shoulders.
- Who it suits: Every face shape in the right length.
- How to ask: Say where it should fall.
- Upkeep: Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
8. Blunt bob
A single length with a sharp edge.
- Who it suits: Fine and medium hair.
- How to ask: Ask for a clean line without layers.
- Upkeep: Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
9. French bob
A jaw-length bob with a short fringe.
- Who it suits: Oval, heart and long faces.
- How to ask: Ask for a blunt line and bangs.
- Upkeep: Trim every 5 to 6 weeks.
10. Italian bob
A fuller, longer bob with heavy ends.
- Who it suits: Medium to thick hair.
- How to ask: Ask for internal layers.
- Upkeep: Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
11. Layered bob
A bob with layers for movement.
- Who it suits: Thick and wavy hair.
- How to ask: Ask for layers that follow the shape.
- Upkeep: Trim every 6 to 8 weeks.
12. Inverted bob
Shorter at the back, longer at the front.
- Who it suits: Round and square faces.
- How to ask: Ask for a stacked back.
- Upkeep: Trim every 5 to 6 weeks.
13. Asymmetrical bob
One side is longer than the other.
- Who it suits: Round and square faces.
- How to ask: Show a photo.
- Upkeep: Trim every 6 weeks.
14. Curly bob
A bob shaped for curls.
- Who it suits: Wavy and curly hair.
- How to ask: Ask for a dry cut.
- Upkeep: Trim every 8 to 10 weeks.
Short and shaggy
15. Short shag
A shag cut at chin length with choppy layers and bangs.
- Who it suits: Wavy and curly hair.
- How to ask: Ask for layers around the crown.
- Upkeep: Trim every 8 weeks.
Styling short hair
Short hair looks best with a small amount of product. Use mousse at the roots for volume, a light paste or cream for texture and a drop of serum for shine. A flat iron bends the ends if you want a sleeker finish. Book a trim every five to eight weeks to keep the shape.
Try short hair on your own photo
Going short is the change people most want to preview. Upload a selfie to the AI hairstyle changer and compare a pixie, a bob and a bixie on your own face before you cut.
Related reading: hairstyles for short hair, women's haircuts and medium length hairstyles.
FAQ
What is the most flattering short hairstyle?
A chin-length bob suits the widest range of faces. Pixie cuts flatter oval and heart-shaped faces most easily.
What short hairstyles work for fine hair?
A blunt bob, a French bob or a bixie, since a solid line and light layers make hair look fuller.
Is short hair easier to maintain?
Day to day, yes. It needs more frequent trims, around every five to eight weeks.
What short haircut is good for round faces?
A bob that falls below the jaw, an asymmetrical bob, or a pixie with height on top.
