35 Short Hair Trends Everyone’s Obsessed With Right Now
Short hair is having a major moment right now, and we’re totally here for it! Gone are the days when chopping off your locks meant sacrificing style or versatility. Today’s short haircuts are all about making bold statements, embracing effortless styling, and showcasing your unique personality. Whether you’re contemplating your first big chop or looking to refresh your already-short style, these 35 trending looks are guaranteed to inspire your next salon visit.
From edgy pixies that scream confidence to sophisticated bobs that mean business (while still being totally fun), short hair has never been more exciting. Ready to find your perfect short-hair match? Let’s dive into the styles that everyone – and we mean everyone – can’t stop obsessing over!
The Bixie Cut
Not quite ready to commit to a super-short pixie but bored with your bob? Meet the bixie – the perfect hybrid that gives you the best of both worlds! This trendy cut features the length of a bob with the layered texture of a pixie, creating a style that’s both bold and feminine.
What makes the bixie so special is its incredible versatility. The soft layers create natural volume and movement, making it perfect for those with fine hair looking for a boost. Plus, styling is practically effortless—just add a bit of texturizing spray, tousle with your fingers, and you’re good to go!
The bixie works beautifully across different face shapes, with the option to customize your layers and fringe to highlight your best features. It’s the ultimate cool-girl cut that says “I’m effortlessly stylish” without trying too hard.
Box Bob
When precision meets style, you get the box bob—a geometrically perfect cut that’s taking the fashion world by storm. With its sharp, even length and precise edges, this modern interpretation of the classic bob creates a bold silhouette that frames the face beautifully.
What sets the box bob apart is its architectural quality. The clean lines and structured shape create a polished look that works wonderfully for both casual and formal settings. Wear it sleek and straight for a sophisticated vibe, or add a soft bend at the ends for a touch of playfulness.
This style works especially well for those with straight or slightly wavy hair, as it showcases the cut’s clean lines. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance yet high-impact style that makes a statement, the box bob should be at the top of your list.
Curly Crop
Curly-haired beauties, your time to shine is now! The curly crop celebrates everything that makes natural texture special—volume, bounce, and incredible dimension. This style features shorter lengths that enhance your curl pattern rather than trying to tame it.
The beauty of the curly crop lies in its customization. Your stylist can tailor the cut to work with your specific curl type, whether you have loose waves or tight coils. The result is a playful yet sophisticated look that showcases your natural texture in all its glory.
Maintenance is surprisingly simple: regular trims keep the shape intact, while moisturizing products enhance shine and definition. Embrace your curls, define them with your favorite styling products, and let your natural texture do the talking!
Asymmetrical Bob
Want to add some edge to your look without going too extreme? The asymmetrical bob offers the perfect balance. This modern twist on the classic bob features a longer length on one side, creating visual interest and a contemporary silhouette that turns heads.
What makes this style so appealing is its ability to be customized to your comfort level. Go subtle with a slight angle or make a dramatic statement with a more pronounced asymmetry—the choice is yours! Either way, you’ll end up with a cut that’s both sophisticated and boldly unique.
The asymmetrical bob works beautifully on straight, wavy, or even curly hair, making it incredibly versatile. Style it sleek for a sharp, editorial look, or add texture for a more relaxed, lived-in vibe that’s equally stunning.
Shaggy Lob
The shaggy lob (long bob) perfectly captures that coveted “I woke up like this” vibe that we’re all secretly chasing. By combining the practicality of the lob with the texture-heavy approach of the shag, this cut delivers effortless cool with minimal styling time.
Characterized by its layered approach and face-framing pieces, the shaggy lob creates movement and dimension that works with your natural hair texture rather than fighting against it. The result? A carefree style that looks intentionally undone in the most flattering way possible.
This cut works wonders for all hair types but really shines on those with some natural wave or texture. A bit of texturizing spray or sea salt spray enhances the layers and creates that coveted lived-in look that’s both youthful and sophisticated.
Slicked-Back Short Hair
When you need a style that means business but still makes a statement, the slicked-back look delivers every time. This sleek approach to short hair creates a polished, high-fashion appearance that works for everything from board meetings to evening events.
The beauty of this style lies in its transformative power—the same cut that looks casual and textured when air-dried becomes dramatically different when smoothed back with styling product. It’s like having two completely different hairstyles without an actual cut!
To achieve this look, apply a medium-hold gel or pomade to damp hair and comb back away from your face. The result is a glossy, sophisticated style that showcases your facial features and exudes confidence. It’s particularly striking on pixie cuts, bobs, and crops with a bit of length on top.
Buzz Cut with Design
For the truly bold, the buzz cut with intricate designs offers unparalleled opportunity for personal expression. This daring style combines the simplicity of an ultra-short cut with the creativity of custom patterns shaved into the hair.
The possibilities are virtually endless—from geometric shapes and lines to more elaborate designs that reflect your personality. The contrast between the ultra-short buzz and the shaved design creates a visually striking look that’s impossible to ignore.
While this style requires regular maintenance to keep the designs sharp and the length consistent, it’s surprisingly easy to care for on a daily basis. It’s perfect for those who want to make a bold statement while enjoying the freedom of super-low maintenance styling.
Modern Mullet
Yes, you read that right – the mullet is back, but not as you remember it! Today’s modern mullet takes the “business in front, party in back” concept and refines it into something surprisingly chic and fashion-forward.
The contemporary version features more blended transitions between the shorter front and longer back, creating a harmonious silhouette that’s edgy without veering into dated territory. Add some textured layers and face-framing pieces, and you’ve got a style that’s unexpectedly flattering.
This bold choice works wonderfully for those with natural texture, as the varying lengths enhance waves and curls. It’s the perfect option for the fashion-forward individual who isn’t afraid to experiment with unconventional styles that break all the rules.
Layered Crop with Bangs
The layered crop with bangs combines playfulness and sophistication in one incredibly versatile package. The layers add dimension and movement, while the bangs frame the face and add a youthful touch that’s utterly charming.
What makes this cut so special is its adaptability – the bangs can be customized to suit your face shape and style preferences, from wispy side-swept fringe to bold, straight-across bangs that make a statement. Meanwhile, the layered crop creates volume and texture that works with your natural hair pattern.
This style transitions seamlessly from casual to formal settings, making it ideal for those with busy lifestyles who need a versatile cut that requires minimal styling time. A bit of texturizing product is all you need to enhance the layers and create effortless movement.
Blunt Bob
Some styles never go out of fashion, and the blunt bob is definitely one of them. This classic cut, characterized by its clean lines and precise edges, creates a striking silhouette that exudes confidence and sophistication.
What makes today’s blunt bob fresh and modern is its customization—whether worn at chin length, grazing the jawline, or slightly longer, the key is the sharp, even cut that creates a bold shape. The absence of layers puts all focus on the precision of the cut, making healthy, shiny hair a must.
This style is particularly flattering on those with fine to medium straight hair, as it creates the illusion of thickness and weight. Style it sleek for a polished look, or add subtle waves for a softer approach that’s equally elegant.
Textured Pixie with Undercut
For those ready to make a statement, the textured pixie with undercut delivers maximum impact. This style combines the feminine appeal of a textured pixie on top with the edgy contrast of a close-cropped undercut on the sides or back.
The beauty of this cut lies in its versatility—when styled forward or to the side, the longer top layers can completely conceal the undercut for a more conservative look when needed. Push those same layers back, and the undercut becomes a focal point that adds edge and attitude.
This style works particularly well for those with thick hair, as the undercut removes bulk while the textured top layers add movement and dimension. A bit of styling paste or wax enhances texture and provides hold without stiffness.
Choppy Bob with Fringe
Looking for a style with personality and flair? The choppy bob with fringe delivers both! This playful cut combines textured, uneven layers with a face-framing fringe that adds character and dimension.
Unlike more structured bobs, the choppy version embraces imperfection. The deliberately uneven ends create a relaxed, lived-in look that’s both modern and low-maintenance. Add a fringe (whether full or side-swept), and you’ve got a style that instantly transforms your entire look.
This versatile cut works beautifully across different hair textures, though those with natural wave will find it particularly effortless to style. A bit of texturizing spray or paste enhances the choppy layers, creating that perfectly undone look that’s become a hallmark of contemporary style.
Short Afro
The short afro celebrates natural texture in its purest form, creating a striking silhouette that’s both timeless and thoroughly modern. This style showcases the natural volume and definition of coily and kinky hair types, creating a beautiful rounded shape that frames the face perfectly.
What makes today’s short afro different from versions of decades past is the emphasis on health and definition. Modern styling products enhance natural curl patterns, creating definition and shine while maintaining the distinctive volume that makes this style so iconic.
While relatively low-maintenance in terms of daily styling, the short afro thrives with proper care—regular deep conditioning treatments, protective nighttime routines, and trims to maintain the shape keep this style looking its absolute best.
Edgy Spiky Cut
The edgy spiky cut brings rock-star attitude to short hair, creating a bold, textured look that’s impossible to ignore. This style features shorter sides with longer pieces on top that can be styled into spikes or tousled pieces for dramatic dimension.
What makes this cut so appealing is its transformative nature – sleek it down for a more conservative daytime look, then add some texturizing paste and create spikes for an edgier evening vibe. It’s essentially two styles in one!
This versatile cut works well for various hair types but is particularly effective for those with straight to slightly wavy hair. The key to nailing this look is finding the right styling product – something with enough hold to maintain the spikes without creating stiffness or crunch.
Chin-Length Bob with Highlights
The chin-length bob is a classic for good reason, but add some strategically placed highlights, and you’ve got a thoroughly modern style that’s full of dimension and visual interest. This cut sits at that perfect sweet spot – short enough to be easy to manage but long enough to offer styling versatility.
The highlights are what truly elevate this look, creating depth and movement that make even the simplest cut look expensive and sophisticated. Placement is key—face-framing highlights brighten your complexion, while subtle highlighting throughout adds natural-looking dimension.
This style works beautifully for all hair types and is particularly flattering for heart-shaped and oval faces. The chin-length cut creates a nice frame for the face, while the highlights add warmth and dimension that enhance your natural features.
Soft Waves with Short Hair
Who says beach waves are only for long locks? Soft waves on short hair create a relaxed, effortless vibe that’s perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions. This style adds movement and dimension to bobs and lobs, creating a look that’s both polished and perfectly undone.
Creating waves on shorter hair is surprisingly simple – whether you prefer using a flat iron to create gentle bends, overnight braids for heat-free waves, or a curling wand for more defined texture. The result is a versatile style that adds volume and interest to even the most basic cut.
This look works for most hair types but is particularly stunning on those with some natural texture. A light-hold texture spray helps maintain the waves without weighing them down, creating that coveted “I just left the beach” look year-round.
Short Hair with Braids
Adding braids to short hair creates unexpected texture and visual interest that elevates your style to the next level. Whether it’s a single accent braid along the side, multiple small braids throughout, or a braided crown, this technique adds artistic flair to short cuts.
The beauty of this approach is its customization—braids can be as subtle or as statement-making as you prefer. They work wonderfully on pixies with longer tops, bobs with sufficient length, or crops with varied lengths that allow for creative plaiting.
This style works across different hair textures and is particularly striking on those with highlighted or color-treated hair, as the braids showcase the dimension of multiple tones. It’s the perfect way to add interest to your short style when you’re looking for something a bit different.
Tapered Natural Hair
The tapered natural cut celebrates textured hair with a shape that’s both structured and free-flowing. This style features a gradual reduction in length from the crown to the sides and back, creating a sculpted silhouette that enhances natural curl patterns.
What makes this cut so striking is the contrast between the fuller top and the closely cropped sides and back. This variation in length creates a beautiful shape that showcases the versatility of natural hair while remaining practical and easy to maintain.
This style works wonderfully for those with coily and kinky textures, creating a defined shape that highlights the natural volume and texture of the hair. Regular shape-ups keep the sides and back looking fresh, while the longer top offers styling versatility.
Short Hair with Underlights
For those who want to experiment with color without a full commitment, underlights offer the perfect solution. This technique involves adding vibrant color to the underside layers of short hair, creating a peek-a-boo effect that’s both subtle and striking.
The beauty of underlights is their versatility – wear your hair down for a hint of color peeking through, or tuck one side behind your ear for a more dramatic reveal. It’s like having a secret splash of personality that you can choose to show off or keep hidden.
This technique works wonderfully on bobs, lobs, and pixies with longer tops, offering countless possibilities for customization. From bold blues and purples to more subtle caramel or copper tones, underlights add dimension and interest to even the most classic cuts.
Short Bob with Curtain Bangs
The combination of a short bob with curtain bangs creates a face-framing style that’s both flattering and on-trend. The bob provides structure and polish, while the softly parted curtain bangs add movement and softness around the face.
What makes curtain bangs so universally flattering is their customization—they can be cut to accentuate your best features, whether that’s your cheekbones, eyes, or jawline. The center part creates a balanced frame that opens up the face rather than concealing it.
This versatile style works beautifully across different hair textures and face shapes, offering a sophisticated yet approachable look that transitions effortlessly from professional to casual settings. Style with a round brush for a polished look, or air-dry for a more relaxed vibe.
Tousled Short Hair
The tousled look brings casual coolness to short hair, creating texture and movement that looks perfectly undone. This style embraces natural texture and adds strategic piece-y-ness for a lived-in finish that never looks too “done.”
The key to successful tousling is the right cut – layers that are strategically placed to enhance your natural texture and create movement. Once the foundation is set, styling becomes incredibly simple – a bit of texturizing product, some scrunching with your fingers, and you’re good to go!
This approach works beautifully across different short styles, from bobs to crops to pixies with longer tops. It’s particularly effective for those with fine hair seeking added volume, as the tousled texture creates the illusion of fullness and dimension.
Faux Hawk
The faux hawk offers all the edge of a traditional mohawk without the commitment of shaving the sides. This versatile style features longer length on top that gradually tapers to shorter sides, creating a mohawk-inspired silhouette that can be as dramatic or subtle as you prefer.
What makes the faux hawk so appealing is its transformative nature—style it up with strong-hold product for the full effect, or wear it down for a more conservative approach. It’s essentially multiple styles in one, making it perfect for those who like to change up their look.
This style works well for straight, wavy, and curly textures, with each creating a unique variation on the theme. The textured top adds height and visual interest, while the shorter sides create contrast that draws the eye upward for a lengthening effect.
Layered Bob with Side Part
The layered bob with a side part offers timeless elegance with modern movement. The layers create dimension and volume, while the side part adds asymmetry that frames the face beautifully.
Unlike more structured bobs, the layered version moves with you, creating a dynamic silhouette that’s both polished and effortlessly chic. The side part adds a touch of sophistication that works perfectly for professional settings while remaining stylish for casual occasions.
This versatile cut works wonderfully across different hair textures and face shapes, offering a customizable option that can be tailored to enhance your specific features. Style with a round brush for a sleek finish, or embrace your natural texture for a more relaxed approach.
Short Hair with Shaved Sides
For those ready to make a statement, short hair with shaved sides delivers maximum impact. This edgy style combines longer length on top with closely cropped or completely shaved sides, creating a bold contrast that’s unapologetically cool.
The beauty of this cut lies in its versatility—the longer top can be styled in countless ways, from sleek and smooth to textured and tousled, while the shaved sides create a clean canvas that highlights the styled portion.
This dramatic look works across different hair textures and can be customized to your comfort level—opt for a subtle undercut that’s only visible when hair is pulled back, or go for a more dramatic contrast with very short sides and a longer top for maximum impact.
Short Hair with Twists
Twists add beautiful texture and dimension to short hair, creating a style that’s both sophisticated and full of personality. Whether you opt for mini-twists throughout or larger statement twists, this technique adds visual interest that elevates basic short cuts.
The versatility of twists makes them particularly appealing—they can be styled in countless ways, from neat rows to more random placement for a freestyle effect. The result is a textured look that showcases your personal style while adding volume and dimension.
This technique works beautifully on natural hair textures, particularly type 4 coils that hold the twists securely. The defined texture creates a striking look that can be dressed up or down, making it perfect for both special occasions and everyday wear.
Short Hair with Finger Waves
Finger waves bring retro glamour to short hair, creating sculpted waves that lie close to the head for a sleek, sophisticated finish. This technique, popularized in the 1920s and 30s, has made a stylish comeback on modern short cuts.
The precision of finger waves creates a striking contrast to more casual, textured styles, offering a polished look that’s perfect for special occasions. The waves can be subtle and soft or more defined and dramatic, depending on your preference.
This technique works beautifully on pixies, crops, and very short bobs, creating texture and interest without adding volume. A strong-hold gel and careful styling are key to achieving the defined waves that characterize this classic look.
Short Hair with Mohawk
The mohawk takes short hair to bold new heights – literally! This dramatic style features a strip of longer hair running from the forehead to the nape, flanked by closely cropped or shaved sides that create striking contrast.
Today’s mohawks range from subtle interpretations with just a slight difference in length to more dramatic versions with significant height. The versatility of this style allows for customization based on your comfort level and personal style.
This attention-grabbing look works across different hair textures, with each creating a unique variation on the theme. Straight hair creates a sleek, architectural mohawk, while curly and coily textures add natural volume and dimension for an equally striking effect.
Short Hair with Color Blocking
Color blocking takes short hair from simple to spectacular, using contrasting colors to create visual sections that turn your hair into a work of art. This technique uses clearly defined areas of different colors to create bold, graphic patterns within your cut.
The possibilities are endless – contrast the sides with the top, create panels of color, or opt for strategically placed blocks that frame your face. The precision of the color placement creates a high-impact look that showcases both the cut and the color.
This creative approach works particularly well on geometric cuts with clean lines, as the structure provides a perfect canvas for the color blocking technique. It’s a bold choice for those who view their hair as the ultimate accessory and form of self-expression.
Short Hair with Waves and Highlights
Combining waves and highlights creates a sun-kissed effect that adds incredible dimension to short hair. The waves create movement and texture, while strategically placed highlights enhance that movement by catching the light at different angles.
This combination creates a natural, lived-in look that appears effortless yet intentional. The highlights mimic the natural lightening effect of the sun, while the waves add a beachy texture that’s universally flattering.
This style works beautifully on bobs and lobs, offering a perfect balance of polish and relaxed texture. The dimensional color enhances the waves, creating a harmonious look that’s both sophisticated and approachable.
Short Hair with Tapered Fade
The tapered fade brings barbershop precision to short styles, creating a clean, graduated effect that transitions from longer lengths on top to shorter sides and back. This technique creates a polished silhouette that’s both modern and timeless.
What makes the tapered fade so appealing is its customization—the fade can start higher or lower, be more or less dramatic, and transition more quickly or gradually based on your preference. The result is a tailored look that perfectly frames your features.
This style works across different hair textures and is particularly effective for those seeking a low-maintenance yet polished look. Regular touch-ups maintain the precision of the fade, ensuring your style always looks intentional and fresh.
Short Hair with Wispy Bangs
Wispy bangs add a delicate softness to short hair, creating a feminine touch that balances edgier cuts. Unlike blunt bangs that create a strong line, wispy bangs feature light, airy pieces that gently frame the face for a softer effect.
The beauty of wispy bangs lies in their versatility—they can be styled straight across, swept to the side, or blended into the rest of your cut for different looks. Their lightweight nature means they’re easy to grow out when you’re ready for a change.
This flattering addition works beautifully with pixies, bobs, and crops, adding dimension around the face without overwhelming your features. The result is a youthful, fresh look that enhances your natural beauty while adding interest to your overall style.
Short Hair with Textured Layers
Textured layers bring short hair to life, creating dimension and movement that transforms even the simplest cuts into dynamic styles. This technique involves cutting layers at different angles to create piece-y definition rather than uniform blending.
The beauty of textured layering is its ability to enhance your natural hair pattern while adding volume in all the right places. The varied lengths create natural lift at the roots and movement through the ends, resulting in a style that looks full and dimensional.
This approach works across different short styles, from bobs to crops to pixies, offering customization based on your hair texture and desired effect. A bit of texturizing product enhances the layers, emphasizing the deliberately uneven effect that makes this style so modern.
Short Bob with Ombre
The short bob with ombre combines structure and dimension, creating a gradient effect that adds depth and visual interest. This color technique transitions from darker roots to lighter ends, creating a sun-kissed effect that enhances the cut’s movement.
What makes ombre particularly flattering on short bobs is the way it creates the illusion of movement and dimension. The gradual lightening draws the eye downward, emphasizing the clean lines of the cut while adding a modern twist to a classic shape.
This style works beautifully across different hair textures and face shapes, offering a customizable option that can be as subtle or dramatic as you prefer. The low-maintenance color grows out naturally, making it perfect for those who want a dimensional look without frequent touch-ups.
Textured Bob
The textured bob offers the perfect balance of structure and movement, creating a versatile style that works for both casual and formal settings. Unlike more sleek versions, the textured bob incorporates soft layers and subtle graduation for a lived-in finish that’s thoroughly modern.
What makes this cut so universally flattering is its customization—the layers can be adjusted to enhance your natural texture, whether that’s straight, wavy, or curly. The result is a style that moves beautifully and frames the face in the most flattering way.
This adaptable cut works across different face shapes and hair types, offering a low-maintenance option that still looks intentional and polished. A bit of styling cream or texture spray enhances the layers, creating that coveted undone-but-done effect.
Classic Pixie Cut
The classic pixie cut remains a short hair icon for good reason – it’s timeless, versatile, and undeniably chic. This short style features closely cropped sides and back with slightly longer length on top, creating a feminine silhouette that highlights your facial features.
What makes the pixie truly special is its ability to be customized to suit your specific features – longer pieces can be left to highlight cheekbones, while the fringe can be adjusted to flatter your eye shape and forehead. It’s a seemingly simple cut that requires careful consideration to perfect.
This bold yet elegant style works across different hair textures and face shapes, offering a low-maintenance option that still looks intentional and polished. It’s the ultimate wash-and-go cut that never sacrifices style for convenience.
Wrapping it up :
Short hair has never been more exciting or versatile than it is right now. These 35 trending styles prove that cutting your locks doesn’t mean limiting your options—in fact, it opens up a whole new world of styling possibilities! Whether you’re drawn to classic cuts with modern twists or bold statements that push boundaries, there’s a short hairstyle that perfectly expresses your personality while keeping you on-trend.
Remember, the best haircut is one that makes you feel confident and suits your lifestyle. Take these inspirations to your stylist, discuss what works for your hair texture and face shape, and prepare to turn heads with your fabulous new short ‘do!
Which of these trending short styles will you be trying next? Let us know in the comments below!