The 65 Best Short Hairstyles and Haircuts for Women

(Image credit: Edward Berthelot/Getty Image)

published 14 March 2022

If you're dying for a change in 2022, why not finally cut your hair short? Hey, since we're officially a few months into the new year, you might as well start fresh with a short hairstyle—one that'll be conveniently off your neck for the breezy summer days to come. And you don't have to go short-short if you don't want to. Start by shedding off a few inches with a lob, then take it from there.

When it comes to short hair, there are options for every texture. If you're not someone who likes to spend a lot of time on their hair, there are shake-it-and-go cuts just for you. (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!) We've got everything on this list, from fashion-forward pixie cuts to cute lobs to natural short styles to short hairstyle meant to complement round faces. And honestly, even the more high-maintenance short hairstyles on this list are low-effort compared to long styles. (My favorite: Short blonde hair you can't look away from.) You're going to want to save these to your mood board.

1/65

Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe's purple pixie has become her signature look on and off the field. For the 2021 Met Gala, Rapinoe coiffed it into sleek, glossy curls.

2/65

Samira Wiley

Actress Samira Wiley rocked a half-shaven head at the Emmy Awards in 2021. My favorite part, though? How the buzzcut perfectly contrasted her voluminous curls.

3/65

Billie Eilish

Eilish's blunt blonde bangs were a departure from her long, often-dyed-green locks. For the 10th Annual LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles, she styled her hair silky smooth and shiny.

4/65

Ariana DeBose

West Side Story's Ariana DeBose showed off bold blonde highlights and a dramatic side part at the 28th Annual Screen Actor's Guild Awards in February 2022.

5/65

Willow Smith

There are two schools of thought when you go for buzz. You can either dye it blonde or a fun color like some of the other celebrities on this list, or you can keep your hair its natural color. Willow Smith took the opposite approach in 2022.

6/65

Kaia Gerber

Hollywood loves a bang! Gerber wore her shaggy, '70s-inspired cut to the 6th Annual InStyle Awards in 2021. A texturizing spray will help you achieve a similar look at home.

7/65

Iris Law

Top model Iris Law showed off her super short bleach blonde pixie cut on the runway at Roberto Cavalli's Fall/Winter 2022 show at Milan Fashion Week.

8/65

Ruth Negga

I love this retro-feeling cut that Ruth Negga pulled off to perfection at the Hollywood Reporter's Women In Entertainment Gala in December 2021.

9/65

Ciara

Colored contacts weren't the only bold thing about this look! Ciara's wispy, caramel-hued pixie cut at Billboard's Women in Music event has me watching to chop all of my hair off.

10/65

Maude Apatow

Euphoria's Maude Apatow traded in her character Lexi's signature waves for a sleek chin-length bob at Saint-Laurent's Fall/Winter 2022 fashion show at Paris Fashion Week. A hair gloss will give you a similar shine.

11/65

Venus Williams

Venus Williams can truly rock any look. Case in point: her blunt, angular bob hairstyle at The Batman premiere in New York City in March 2022.

12/65

Phoebe Bridgers

Phoebe Bridgers' cute, silver 'do played perfectly with her cream-colored suit (and matching silvery-purple eyeliner!) in March 2021. If you want to go short but not too short, this cut is for you.

13/65

Miley Cyrus

We're calling this one 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 (opens in new tab), no one has to see the grease.

14/65

Chriselle Lim

Mega-influencer Chriselle Lim's slightly asymmetrical bob feels so modern. I promise, all the extra trim appointments will be worth it!

15/65

Katie Holmes

I am living for Katie Holmes' natural, lived-in texture. Her lob has been styled so many ways, proving that it is the ultimate versatile haircut.

16/65

Natalie Portman

A piece-y bob is oh so French Girl-chic, and subtle highlights (opens in new tab) throughout add dimension for some extra swishy movement.

17/65

Jordan Alexander

The Gossip Girl star's tight shave is enough to convince us to pick up the clippers. If you've been considering The Big Chop, this fall might be the time.

18/65

Maisie Williams

A classic bob is always chic, but 2020 has been the year of mullets. A shaggy, '70s bob is the new look for fierce, edgy women. Add some choppy bangs to really complete the look.

19/65

Zoë Kravitz

Chances are, your eyes are fixated on the allure of Kravitz's ravishing red lipstick (opens in new tab). But her face-framing pixie cut, which complements her features so well, also plays its part with choppy layers subdued with an inky-black hair color for peak chicness.

20/65

Barbie Ferreira

While we're waiting for Euphoria season two, get prepped by copying Barbie's classic chop. This look is perfect for both fine and thick hair. Clip some sections back with barrettes for a face-focused style.

21/65

Ruth Bell

Ruth Bell, who formerly rocked an amazing buzzcut, grew out her strands to this amazing Mia Farrow-esque look. A little pomade helps keep strands in place, for a effortlessly chic style.

22/65

Jodie Turner-Smith

Allow Queen & Slim (opens in new tab) breakout actress Turner-Smith to take your breath away. In case you needed further confirmation, this constructive cut shows that natural curls can be worn in endless ways.

23/65

Karlie Kloss

A classic clavicle-brushing lob is an unbeatable classic. A sharp middle part helps achieve the model-esque look, but switch it up with a side part for an edgier look.

24/65

Kendall Jenner

Try cutting a classic lob into a super-sharp, asymmetrical, angular shape for added dimension. Playing up the style with barrettes makes this look even more your own.

25/65

Ryan Destiny

Actress Destiny looks incredible no matter the style, but this glossy-textured bob, made piece-y with a few perfectly placed stray hairs and wispy ends, is one our favorites.

26/65

Sophie Turner

Turner looked nearly unrecognizable (opens in new tab) to Team MC's eyes at the 2019 Billboards Awards with her bright blonde lob. Take a flat-iron and add soft bends wherever you want more body to lift an otherwise flat lob with more volume.

27/65

Zoey Deutch

The Politician actress Deutch told Marie Claire in an interview (opens in new tab) that this slicked-back, flipped bob is her favorite red carpet beauty look. We must agree.

28/65

Rowan Blanchard

This might be a hard ask, but I never want Blanchard to grow out her again. Short hair is made for the actress. If you don't feel like fussing with your hair at all, try this back-swept style to let your makeup steal the show.

29/65

Margot Robbie

Feast your eyes on Robbie at the 86th Academy Awards, which should have featured a "Best Lob of the Night" award. This bright blonde, blunt cut lob accentuates her neckline so beautifully.

30/65

Bella Hadid

This fall called for a bobbed-up Bella. Although everyone was saying this style is very KKW (opens in new tab), this sultry dark chocolate shade and chin-grazing cut looked incredible on the supermodel. Another takeaway: your part doesn't have to be perfect. Let it go!

31/65

Ashley Benson

Benson's been known to move on from hairstyles quick, but one thing she's kept consistent the past year is a short cut. Team MC has kept up with her ever-changing (opens in new tab) hair, but these golden mermaid waves reign supreme. Case in point: figuring out the shade that complements your skin tone the most should be a priority.

32/65

Irina Shayk

Long hair Shayk is no longer, and the dramatic change to a sleek, angular bob is for the better. TBH, when you have a breathtaking bone structure like this do you even need hair to begin with?!?

33/65

Selena Gomez

Warm shades of caramel peeking through is the reason Gomez's graduated bob doesn't look juvenile curled under. You can revive and modernize this '90s style with color.

34/65

Ruby Rose

What sets Rose's salt and pepper pixie a part from the rest is her shaved sides. Sure, it's badass, but you're a badass too.

35/65

Cynthia Erivo

Erivo showcases the most tried-and-true way to jazz up a buzzcut: color (but make it fun). The gradient effect of this platinum shade is eye-catching in the best way.

36/65

Mila Kunis

Kunis' deep side part stylizes this cut so easily by adding structure. If you're sick of a straight-edge lob, get a little risqué with a shorter cut on one side.

37/65

Michelle Weaver

OWN's Love Is actress Weaver is giving us '90s Halle Berry vibes with close-cut curls. The answer is no, this pixie style will never get old.

38/65

Saoirse Ronan

There's nothing much more minimalist than a sleek, center-parted, blunt cut bob. Ronan is proof that this classic cut is peak elegance.

39/65

Leighton Meester

Some extra styling, like a half bun à la Gossip Girl's Meester, takes the guesswork out of how to make a look your own. Plus, it'll show off your hair color if you also have ombré dip-dyed ends.

40/65

Demi Lovato

Lovato's layered all the way up, which breathes life into an otherwise shapeless lob. The motto: the piece-ier, the messier, the better.

41/65

Dua Lipa

A slightly asymmetrical bob like Lipa's will do nothing but accentuate your gorgeous jawline and give you more room to dress up your bare neckline with whatever you see fit.

42/65

Damaris Goddrie

These defined curls look so gorgeous on Goddrie, and will look so goregous on you. You can always depend on tight ringlets for added dimension.

43/65

Halle Berry

You can't talk about short hair without paying homage to Berry's iconic pixie cut. There's a reason this style goes down in beauty's history books.

44/65

Meagan Good

Good's skin looks so flawless, and there's no doubt her bright blonde pixie cut, which complements her complexion, has a lot to do with that glow.

45/65

Tilda Swinton

Swinton is the epitome of très chic with this structural cut. There are three words to describe this cut: cooler than cool.

46/65

Taraji P. Henson

Henson dressed up her lob with an asymmetrical cut, which adds fullness and volume to this sleek style.

47/65

Lupita Nyong'o

It's impossible to pick just one of the "best" short styles Lupita Nyong'o has worn so well throughout the years. She honestly deserves her own gallery, because this woman makes magic with her natural hair. Can't choose between an afro and a buzzcut? Do both!

48/65

Charlize Theron

How can we not talk about Marie Claire's latest cover star, Charlize Theron (opens in new tab), and her inimitable, chin-grazing, dark brown bob she stunned the 2019 Oscars red carpet (opens in new tab) with? A sleek, a-line cut coupled with a fresh dye job will transform your entire look, and shave 10 years off of you.

49/65

Lucy Boynton

Stop trying to smooth down your flyaways, and work with them instead. Everything about Lucy Boynton's graphic eyeliner, brushed-up brows, and choppy bob is a vibe.

50/65

Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira's braided lob stole the show at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscars Party. Trying different textured styles, like braids, passion twists, bantu knots, and more look so good with bobs.

51/65

Yara Shahidi

Curls can do anything. So much yes for Yara Shahidi's curly side bangs and blunt cut. Ugh, and that blue eyeshadow. I can't.

52/65

Cardi B.

Long live the pixie cut Cardi B debuted at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. Celeb stylist Tokyo Styles is responsible for this wig, which paid homage to Halle Berry's famous '90s 'do in the best way. Leave it to Cardi to make this throwback style feel completey fresh.

53/65

Hailey Baldwin

Over the years, Hailey Baldwin has experimented with several hair colors. She's transformed her locks from chestnut brown to pastel pink. But Baldwin keeps going back to blonde, and considering how good this wavy bob looks in that hue, we 100-percent support the decision.

54/65

Halsey

Halsey's cotton-candy pink hair is serving retro vibes, and we're here for it. Notice how much volume she has...on short hair. Don't let anyone tell you it has to be otherwise.

55/65

Solange Knowles

Solange Knowles (who I like to call Solo the Songstress) stuns in every style. However, her natural curls kept short and dipped in platinum might arguably be my favorite. Just look at those perfect ringlets!

56/65

Tessa Thompson

Major heart eyes for actress Tessa Thompson's latest starring role in Creed II AND this gorgeous chin-grazing cut we'll never get over. Romantic waves dress up this bob beautifully.

57/65

Amandla Stenberg

Fact: Amandla Stenberg changes her hair as often as the weather (and we love it). On this day, she decided to go with a deep side-part and slicked curls. Be sure to use a pomade to finger-through your curls so they'll look extra defined like this.

58/65

Lucy Hale

Jet-black hair is a lewk. Try pairing this inky color with a subtle asymmetrical cut, like Hale's, and you'll instantly become the coolest-looking girl in the room.

59/65

DeWanda Wise

Tip: Glorious curls and a subtle touch of color will breathe so much life into a standard bob. Doesn't actress DeWanda Wise's textured cut make you want to try curly bangs (opens in new tab)? Same.

60/65

Emilia Clarke

The GoT's star's grown-out pixie manages to look mature and fresh, edgy and sophisticated, all at once. Plus, her high-contrast color job adds major dimension. Are we bold enough to bring this pic to our stylist? We just might be...

61/65

Samile Bermannelli

Let us all bow down to these insanely gorgeous curls that manage to stay voluminous on top thanks to a smattering of short, graduated layers. For even more of a heart-shaped lewk, create a deep side-part over the arch of one eyebrow, like Bermannelli's.

62/65

Kristen Stewart

In which Kristen Stewart convinces us that shaved, bleached hair is definitely one badass way to keep your head cool in the heat (now, if only we had her courage to go through with it).

63/65

Julia Garner

Curly haired gals, we've got you: use a diffuser when you're drying hair to boost volume at the rooms. Or, look for a half-inch curler if you want to create your own corkscrew curls.

64/65

Lily-Rose Depp

Depp keeps it classic with this elegant, ever-so-slightly rounded-at-the-ends style.

65/65

Janelle Monáe

Monáe's been experimenting with all kinds of beauty looks for her Hidden Figures press tour, from Minnie Mouse ears (opens in new tab) adorned with safety pins to extravagant top knots (opens in new tab). But for the everyday, we're all about the sophisticated puffy curls that give this blunt look so much more character.

Taylore Glynn is the Beauty and Health Editor at Marie Claire, covering skincare, makeup, fragrance, wellness, and more. If you need her, she’s probably roasting a chicken, flying solo at the movies, or drinking a bad Negroni at JFK.