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.
Half-Buzzcut
Not ready to go full buzzcut just yet? We have you covered. Actress Samira Wiley rocked a half-shaven head at the Emmy Awards in 2021. Our favorite part? How the chop perfectly contrasted her voluminous curls.
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.)
Tendril-Bedecked Lob
Ciara's adorable crop is simple as can be, but a few key details make it one of the best red carpet hairstyles she's ever done (which is saying a lot). The first being that adorable tendril. The second? That delicious gold eyeshadow.
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.
Angular Bob
Venus Williams can rock any look. Case in point: her blunt, angular bob hairstyle at The Batman premiere in New York City in March 2022.
Face-Framing Short Cut
Phoebe Bridgers' cute silver hair with ample face framing plays perfectly with her dark lipstick and simple earrings. If you want to go short but not too short, this cut is for you.
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.
Lived-In Lob
While Katie Holmes now has longer hair, I was obsessed with Katie Holmes' natural, lived-in texture from a few years ago. She styled it in so many ways, including in updos and waves, proving that it is the ultimate versatile haircut.
Piece-y Bob
A piece-y bob is oh so French Girl-chic, and the subtle highlights Natalie Portman added throughout add dimension for some extra swishy movement.
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."
Short Mullet
A classic bob is always chic, but have you considered combining its classic elements with the mullet? The shaggy hairstyle is the perfect look to match a fierce personality—add some choppy bangs like Kristen Stewart's version seen here, to really make it shine.
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.
Inverse Angled Cut
Allow Jodie Turner-Smith to take your breath away, because the queen of a fun makeup look can also rock a structural haircut like no other. In case you needed further confirmation, this constructive cut shows that natural curls can be worn in endless ways.
Super-Sharp Lob
Try cutting your classic lob into a super-sharp, asymmetrical, angular shape like this look from Kendall Jenner. The shape brings some added dimension, and playing up the style with barrettes makes this look even more unique.
Vintage Bob
Ryan Destiny looks incredible no matter the style, but this vintage bob is one of my favorites. The major side part makes the volume all the better.
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.
Flipped-In Bob
Fall 2022 saw Bella Hadid in this gorgeous bob, and the sultry dark chocolate shade and chin-grazing cut looked incredible on the supermodel. Another tip for your short-haircut era: your part doesn't have to be perfect. Your hair often looks even better when it's a little imperfect.
Graduated Bob
The warm shades of caramel peeking through take Selena Gomez's bob to the next level. The '90s-inspired hairstyle looked even more elevated thanks to the subtle dimension.
Bleached Buzzcut
Jada Pinkett-Smith is a masterclass in how to make a buzzcut more versatile, and a fun color is one of her go-to tricks. This white shade contrasted beautifully against her skin tone (and made me want to reach for a pair of shears instantly).
Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA)
Rihanna's decision to step out with super short curls was a major treat, as she doesn't always show off her natural hair. This TWA was taken up a notch thanks to the honey blond shade that perfectly complemented her undertones.
Long Pixie
In this picture, Deutch's pixie is almost veering into bob territory, proving that there's nothing to be scared about when it comes time to grow out your haircut. She styled the look beautifully with a headband and a few pieces framing her face.
Middle-Parted Bob
There's nothing more minimalist than a sleek, middle-parted blunt bob. Can you even tell what year this picture was taken? Saiorse Ronan is proof that this classic cut never goes out of style.
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."
Sleek Asymmetrical Bob
A slightly asymmetrical bob like the one seen here on Dua Lipa will accentuate your gorgeous jawline. Plus, it'll also give you more room to dress up your bare neckline with whatever you see fit.
Spiky Pixie Cut
You can't talk about short hair without paying homage to Halle Berry's iconic pixie cut. There's a reason this style goes down in beauty's history books—it's one of the most defining hairstyles of the '90s.
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."
Asymmetrical Bob With Highlights
Taraji P. Henson has worn many short haircuts over the years. This iteration saw her dress up her bob with an asymmetrical cut, which adds fullness and volume to the sleek style. Plus, her shining highlights complemented her golden gown perfectly.
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.
Short Hair Chignon
Here, Charlize Theron proves that you can create a perfect updo while rocking a short haircut. That loose strand at the front of her face adds a touch of elegance, while her expert highlights add enough visual intrigue to make the simple style feel intentional yet timeless.
Braided Lob
Danai Gurira's braided lob stole the show at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscars Party. Combining different textured styles, like braids or twists, looks so good with a bob.
Shoulder-Length Curls
Curls can do anything, at any length. Take Yara Shahidi's shoulder-length curly style for example. It's so simple yet so classic—perfect for people who prefer a low-maintenance hair routine.
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.
Platinum Short Curls
While Solange Knowles has been wearing her hair long and dark, I'll never forget the time she dipped her natural curls in platinum. It was the subject of my group chats for weeks.
Romantic Waves
We'll never get over Hailey Bieber's gorgeous chin-grazing cut. She's since grown her hair back, but she was often spotted in these romantic waves, which dressed up the hairstyle beautifully.
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."
Face-Framed Updo
For this look, Lucy Hale pulled her short dark locks back and let the front of her hair—complete with two face-framing strands—shine. It's a simple, beautiful look that is just as welcome on the red carpet as it is at your standing weekly dinner reservation.
Side-Swept Pixie
For this look, Janelle Monáe swept her hair to one side and accessorized with some giant sequins, proving that you can still have fun with hair accessories when you have shorter hair.
Short, Graduated Layers
Don't be afraid of layers when you have shorter hair, as they can add tons of volume to the look. For even more of a heart-shaped look, create a deep side-part over the arch of one eyebrow, like Samile Bermannelli does here.
Messy Curls
Curly-haired gals, we've got you. Use a diffuser when you're drying your hair to boost volume at the roots. Additionally, use a half-inch curler if you want to create uniform corkscrew curls a la Julia Garner at the 2021 Met Gala.
Puffy Curls
Monáe has experimented with all kinds of beauty looks over the years, but for an easy, everyday style, these voluminous, sophisticated curls give this blunt bob so much more character.
