These Short Hairstyles Are the It Girl Cuts for Summer 2025
Chop chop.


A short hairstyle is a great move for any hair type or texture, and its especially ideal for the summer months. Who wants a thick mane of hair down their back when it's blindingly hot outside? Bobs are super trendy right now (look to Julianne Moore and Kerry Washington), pixies dry quickly (a huge pro for summer), and lobs feel lighter without all that weight on your shoulders. But before you jump into a major short hairstyle (it's a massive change, trust me) it's important to know exactly what you want and consult with a pro to learn how to style your newly shorn locks.
"A big haircut is a commitment, so have lots of reference pictures ready for your stylist and make sure you’re getting a proper consultation prior to the cut, including tips for styling and maintenance," explains New York-based hairstylist at LRN Beaut, Lacy Bennet. You can go slow and steady or do a massive chop right off the bat, just make sure you talk with your stylist about the right cut for your hair texture and desired level of upkeep.
Ahead, we're showcasing a variety of chic short haircuts to aid you on your journey to a pixie cut, buzz, curly bob, short layered hairstyles and everything in between. Keep reading for all the short hair inspo you need—plus styling tips from professional hairstylists.

Coiffed Pixie
Let's start things off strong, shall we? Megan Rapinoe's pixie has become her signature look on and off the field. Back in 2021, the soccer star coiffed her then-purple locks into sleek, glossy curls for the Met Gala.
"It’s such a versatile haircut and can be styled multiple ways and works great on every type of hair: straight, fine, curly, coarse, thick," explains Phenix Salon Suites founder Gina Rivera of her favorite short hairstyle.


Sequined Locks
Lupita Nyong'o is so good at accessorizing—her short hair especially. For this particular look, she weaved some crystals into her faux-locs, which paired perfectly with her sequinned dress.

Natural Buzzcut
There are often two schools of thought when people go for buzz cuts: keeping its natural color or dye it a fun color like some of the other celebrities on this list. For her short haircut, Willow Smith took the natural approach while balancing things out with a very grungy black lip color.

Bleached Pixie
Iris Law showed off her feathery bleach blonde pixie cut at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. "The day I shaved my head, I changed my life," she told Vogue in 2021. “I looked in the mirror and thought it was going to be emotional but it wasn’t. It felt so positive."

Curly Lob
"The perception of short hair is 'I feel like I am going to have to style it every day and there is only one way to style it for it to look good,'" shares Rivera. "This is not always the case; there are so many ways you can style your short cut! You can even leave it to air dry, especially if your hair is naturally curly."
(Case in point: We love this super voluminous cut that Ruth Negga pulled off to perfection in July 2024. Her natural ringlets are gorgeous.)


Shoulder-Length Bob
Maude Apatow traded in her Euphoria character Lexi's signature waves for a sleek chin-length bob circa 2022 and hasn't looked back since. A good hair gloss will give you a similar shine.



Accessorized Shag
We're calling this Miley Cyrus special the 'Beanie Baby,' and it makes us want to grab the scissors and snip-snap ourselves a mullet. Added bonus: If you've run out of dry shampoo, no one has to see the grease under your hat.

Silky Pixie
If you have a silky straight hair texture like Maisie Williams, we promise all the extra trim appointments will be worth it for this cute pixie. Plus, as far as time management goes, maybe this is your chance to air dry and run out the door, living your life unencumbered by the styling you used to do with long strands.



Tight Shave
Is Joy Sunday's lovely head enough to convince you to pick up the clippers? If you've been considering a buzz, now might be the perfect time.
"Transitioning to short hair can be a thrilling experience, but there are a few things to consider before taking the plunge," says Matrix celebrity hairstylist Castillo Bataille. "First, think about your face shape and hair texture, as these will influence the style of bob that suits you best. Maintenance is another crucial factor; while a bob can be less time-consuming than long hair, it still requires regular trims to keep its shape. Additionally, styling shorter hair can be different—embrace the change and experiment with new techniques and products to find what works best for you."


Choppy Pixie
Chances are, your eyes are fixated on the allure of Kravitz's ravishing red lipstick in this picture. (Can't blame you there.) But her face-framing pixie cut also plays its part with choppy layers subdued with an inky-black hair color for peak chicness.

Mia Farrow Pixie
Ruth Bell, who has rocked an amazing buzzcut in the past (and can now readily be seen in a bob), grew out her strands to this lovely Mia Farrow-esque look back in 2020. If you want to recreate a similar style, a little pomade helps keep strands in place for an effortlessly chic style.




Extra-Long Lob
Sophie Turner looked nearly unrecognizable to my eyes at the 2019 Billboard Awards where she premiered a bright blonde lob for the first time. After growing her hair out, she took us by surprise again when she chopped it in 2024. For a look like this one, take a hair straightener and add soft bends wherever you want more body.

Slicked-Back Bob
Zoey Deutch once told Marie Claire in an interview that this slicked-back, flipped bob was her favorite red carpet beauty look. We have to say, she does look phenomenal in the chic hairstyle.

Spiky Crop
This is a hard ask, but I never want Rowan Blanchard to grow out her hair again. If you have a fancy event coming up and don't feel like fussing with your strands, try this back-swept style to let your makeup steal the show.
"If you’re a person that likes to put in product on dry hair, I recommend pomades and pastes," says celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh. "Put it on the ends of your hair to piece it out. If you’re looking for the demi-glossed wet look, you can use a fusion of a gel and a balm, so it has a little bit of hold but softens up so it’s not as crunchy."

Tousled Bob
Bright, blonde, and blunt, Cate Blanchett's tousled bob accentuates her neckline so beautifully. To get the windblown look, grab one of your favorite sea salt sprays and start spritzing. Finish the look off by raking a light bit of hair gel through your strands.







Layered Lob
When it comes to a layered bob, remember this saying: the more piecey and messy, the better.
"For a flawless bob, I love using products that enhance texture and volume," adds celebrity hairstylist Castille Bataille. "A Curl Can Dream Scrunch N' Go Defining Spray is a lightweight spray that can help define waves and curls for up to 48 hours. This definition is fantastic for adding soft, natural movement to your hair. It's perfect for giving your bob that effortless, lived-in look."



Blonde Pixie
Meagan Good is known for her flawless skin and being one of the purveyors of goddess locs (and its offspring, goddess braids). Still, back when she was in her pixie era, she was never afraid of playing with color, and there's no doubt that this bright blonde hue added to that glow.

Swooped Pixie
Tilda Swinton is the epitome of très chic. As far as styling products go, all you need is a texturizer to create the look. Bennet recommends Texture AIIR Spray.
"It’s a texturizing spray that’s used in dry hair. It’s the perfect finishing product that adds just enough grit to hold your style but not feel dirty," she says. "It’s also infused with mica minerals so it adds shine instead of giving a matte finish."


Buzzed Afro
It's impossible to pick just one of Nyong'o's hairstyles and call it the "best"—she's worn so many so beautifully throughout the years. If you can't choose between an afro and a buzzcut, follow her lead and do both. It's a gorgeous statement hairstyle that will be sure to turn a few heads and make you the main character in any room you walk into.




Soft Updo
According to Bennet, the way to know you're ready for a chop is if you’re in a long-term rut with your hair. "Maybe your density or texture has changed over time and your long locks aren’t vibing anymore. Or maybe you’re just wanting a big change," she explains.
If you're someone who's used to throwing their hair up (this messy updo on Leighton Meester is my personal favorite night-out look), make sure your stylist knows so they can cut accordingly. You do not want to miss out on those precious ponytails.



Voluminous Vintage Curls
Ayo Edibiri went with a deep side-part and voluminous curls for the 2024 BAFTA Awards. But was this look classified as a bob or a lob?
"The primary difference between a bob and a lob lies in the length," explains Bataille. "A bob typically falls around the jawline or slightly above, creating a chic, classic look. On the other hand, a lob, or long bob, extends to the shoulders or just below, offering a bit more versatility while still maintaining the stylish appeal of a bob. Both styles can be tailored to suit different face shapes and hair textures, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preference and how much length you want to keep."





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Sophia Vilensky is a Freelance Beauty Writer at Marie Claire with a beauty, wellness, and entertainment journalism portfolio that includes contributions to Byrdie, Bravo, Teen Vogue, and Us Weekly. Growing up in a family of beauticians—and through her own personal studies—she developed an in-depth understanding of aesthetics, cosmetic product formulation, and beauty treatment development and has also held roles as a senior copywriter, content strategist, and proofreader for top beauty and wellness brands. Even so, you'd be hard pressed to find her with her hair and makeup actually done. Sophia is based in Minneapolis and is a 2019 graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she majored in English and minored in cinema studies. During her time at the university, she was the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Minnesota Daily, earning the 2019 Editor of the Year award for her work. She connected deeply with the Twin Cities arts scene, collaborating with leading beauty professionals, designers, and artists. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, her thesis—a close-reading of Vanderpump Rules—was featured on NPR. When not immersed in writing or testing new products, Sophia enjoys watching reality TV, reading, and exploring the newest woo-woo wellness trends. Keep up with her on Instagram @sophiavilensky.
- Taylore Glynn
- Maya AllenFormer Beauty Editor