Short haircuts for women offer the perfect blend of style, sophistication, and practicality. While they do require regular maintenance to keep their shape, the right short hairstyle can dramatically reduce your daily styling time and transform your entire look.
The beauty of short hair is its versatility—from sleek pixie cuts to textured bobs, there’s a style to complement every face shape, hair texture, and personal aesthetic. The right short haircut can accentuate your best features, frame your face beautifully, and give you a confidence boost like nothing else.
Ready to make the cut? Finding inspiration is the first step in your short hair journey. That’s why we’ve curated this comprehensive collection of short hairstyles that celebrities and stylists love.
Explore our showcase of 36 stunning short haircuts for women that combine elegance with ease of styling—perfect for the modern woman who values both style and simplicity.
1. Chic Short Hairstyle for Women
Short hair for women doesn’t have to mean boyish, as a lot of people still seem to think. It can actually mean chic. Just take a look at this amazingly modern and stylish cut. It has just the right amount of ‘rough around the edges’ as well as Parisian chic.
2. Curly Bob Short Hairstyle
Excuse me, miss? Were you in the latest commercial for Chanel? This is what they will be asking you once you sport this one of a kind cut and style. The neck length bob is curled in a very elegant style, paired with signature smoky eyes and pearly pink lips.
3. Vintage Curls Short Hairstyle
Speaking of retro, here are some vintage curls for you. Part your hair on the side and use your curling iron to create this old Hollywood glam look. Evidently, the cat eye makeup and striking red matte lips are a must.
4. Box Short Hairstyle
If you like this short hairstyle, prepare to bust out the hair wax, and lots of it. There is no other way you can make all the strands look rogue and unkempt. In other words, you’re going for the bed head look. Shhhh, tell no one!
5. Artistic Short Hairstyle
If you’re looking for something a little bit more sophisticated, then this is the short hairstyle for you. It’s more than just about the cut in itself, which is a slick geometrical bob, but about the color and shine as well. The angles are perfect too, so make sure you point that out to your stylist.
6. Shaggy Short Hairstyle
One of the greatest things about cutting your hair short is that you can throw a handful of mousse in and forget about it. In other words, it can be as messy as you want it to be. Just tell people that’s how you want it styled.
7. Curly Short Hairstyle
If you have curly hair, you probably already know that it’s difficult to have it long as well. Therefore, one of the easiest ways out of this conundrum is to keep it short and sweet. Find a cut that is appropriate for the shape of your face and you’ll never have to worry again.
8. Blowout Short Hairstyle
Here is a mid-length cut which is special thanks to all its volume. Because of the blowout and the straw-like blonde shade, it highly reminds us of the 60s, but with a strong modern vibe, which is exactly what you want.
9. Natural Short Hairstyle
You woke up like this. This should be your motto once you go for this cut. It’s simplicity and elegance at their finest and you needn’t bother with this haircut very much. You can just use a bit of hair wax and blow it out in the morning and you’re good to go.
10. Silver Fox Short Hairstyles
Women going over a certain age talk about ‘the big cut.’ That’s when they have to chop off all their hair and go for the pixie or the bob as part of the aging process. However, you can do that and look like a granny or you can be a total silver fox. Your choice.
11. Posh Pixie Cut
One way you can go up one level in the women short hairstyles game is dying your hair in an unconventional color. This pixie cut with shaved sides and very long feathery bangs all in a wonderful lilac toned has us all in a whirlwind.
12. Curly and Wavy Short Hairstyle
This is the perfect styling option for when you’re in a hurry in the morning, rushing to get to the office or to school. Do you know what the amazing thing is? In the evening, it transitions seamlessly into a romantic do for a date.
13. Quick and Easy Short Hairstyle
One of the easiest ways to style your short hair is by tying a little bun in the back, half way up. Part your hair in the middle, on its horizontal axis. Use a small rubber band or a few pins to tie it up, as loosely as you want and you’re done.
14. Short Hair for Prom
If you have short hair and you’re wondering how to style it on the big night of the prom, here’s a great idea. Braid your hair in a simple three-strand on the crown of your head. Then, at the sides, down the parting lines, add copious amounts of glitter, in a color complimenting your dress and shoes.
15. Icy Blonde Short Hairstyles
If you fancy being Queen Elsa, then why not go full platinum blonde? This choppy, feathery bob goes well with any eye color and especially well if you happen to have very fair skin. Just a touch of light makeup will do.
16. Ombre Bob Short Hair
The ombre trend is not reserved for long hair only. You can get the same fantastic results with a medium length bob as well if you know what you’re doing. Here is a perfect example of a natural reddish-brown color streaked with blonde at the ends.
17. Asymmetrical Short Bob
Although it is not so much on trend now as it was a couple of years ago, we still had to put it on the list, for nostalgia reasons. Just a few seasons ago, there wasn’t a celebrity, teacher, newswoman, or soccer mom in sight who didn’t don this cut. The good, old times…
18. Side-Shave Short Hairstyle
Bring some punk into your life with this one of a kind, outstanding cut. It is, basically, a bob, but with a twist. One side of it is completely shaven off. In a sense, one side of your head gets a classy bob, the other a buzz cut.
19. Androgynous Short Hairstyles
If there’s something that we love, then it has to be hairstyles that laugh in the face of convention. This is a tamed down version of a mohawk, fiery indigo in color, with a natural brown shaved undercut. Eyebrows to match, of course.
20. Everyday Easy Short Hair
The beauty of this type of haircut, with short sides and back and curly big top is this: it will elongate your facial features, making them appear slimmer at the same time. Not only that, but it will also add a few inches to your height, should you need them.
21. No Fuss Short Hairstyle
Who has time for going to the stylist in this day and age? There’s so much to see and do that one simply cannot spare a minute. If you’re one of those gals, cut your locks short, wear them loose and naturally straight, in a half up half down small ‘man-bun.’
22. Loose Curls and Short Hairstyle
If you have naturally curly or wavy hair, a pixie cut will come as a true blessing to you. All you need to do is find the right hair care products. Apply some mousse or a bit of hair wax every morning to make sure you don’t have any straight hairs and you’re good to go.
23. Faux Mohawk Short Hair
Even though your rebellious years might be behind you, that doesn’t mean you can’t still sport a mohawk. Or, in case, a type of mohawk. Shaved sides and a very long middle part guarantee that very same effect, without the hassle of your teen years.
24. Braided Short Hairstyle
If you’re looking for ways to style your bob, look no further. Braids are in once more and you need to take advantage of this trend as soon as possible. If you don’t know how to braid, you can ask a friend or learn. There are thousands of tutorials online, on YouTube or Pinterest.
25. Boyish Pixie Cut
No list of short hairstyles for women would be complete without a boyish pixie cut. The amazing thing about this choice is that it allows the focus to shift entirely toward your face. This way, you can highlight your eyes, lips, and cheekbones as much as you want.
26. Gemma Arterton Short Bob Style
You may recognize her from Clash of the Titans or Love’s Labour’s Lost, and you should. Gemma is hair inspiration to us all with this outstanding choppy blunt bob, complete with straight bangs. Wowza!
27. Marion Cotillard Short Hair
The quintessential French girl, Marion Cotillard is here to teach us a lesson on short hairstyles for women. There’s no need to fuss about it. A chin length bob parted sideways will do. Let your natural curls and waves run wild in the wind and enjoy the joie de vivre.
28. Cameron Diaz Asymmetrical Short Bob
The comedy actress has always been partial to the short hairstyles. Here she is sporting an amazing asymmetrical bob with dark brown roots and undergrowth and blonde strands. We cannot help but notice the theatrical makeup and accessories. Well done!
29. Updated Marylin Short Haircut
We cannot possibly talk about short hairstyles for women without referring to the one and only Marylin Monroe. Here we propose an updated Marylin, however. Platinum blonde hair, wavy curls, no parting, which is very on trend right now and the signature diva red lipstick.
30. Jaimie Alexander Hair Short Style
Jaimie Alexander has done nothing but wow us on the red carpet since we fell in love with her in Thor. She’s had a string of dresses that left everyone gaping. Remember the black cut out one that left little to the imagination? Her hair is just the same. Cut down to the bare minimum, revealing her natural, beautiful self.
31. Lilly Collins Curly Short Hair
Seeing Lilly Collins sport some short hairstyles and especially this type of old hair Hollywood glamor makes it easy to understand why she was chosen to play Snow White. Therefore, if you’ve ever fancied looking like the Disney princess with the shortest hair of them all, go for it.
32. Emma Watson Short Haircut
Right after she finished filming the Harry Potter series, Watson made the bold move of chopping off her long tresses. The world gasped, but she looked wonderful. Sweet, classy, and elegant. Take a cue from the wallflower herself and go for a pouffed up short bob.
33. Jennifer Lawrence Short Hair
She’s the queen of our hearts and we can’t get enough of her. When she went for a pixie cut, she inspired us all to do the same. Hers is a feathery, blunt chop, a bit French on the side and in the back, with long, blonde bangs that accentuate her blue eyes.
34. Anne Hathaway Style
This actress is no stranger to short hairstyles either. We’ve actually see her go totally G. I. Jane hair wise while playing Fantine in Les Miserables. However, it’s this dark chocolate pixie cut that we love the most. How very Audrey Hepburn of her!
35. Kaley Cuoco Hairstyle
She freaked out Sheldon on the show when she did it, but she delighted all of us in real life when she went for a pixie cut. Kaley’s layered haircut in a butter batch shade mixed with brown undertones surely had us all swooning. Just look what it does for her cheekbones!
36. Emma Thompson Short Bob Hair
Two-time Academy Award winner Emma Thompson is aging as gracefully as one possibly can. One of the reasons is her outstandingly fabulous long textured pixie cut. The other reason is her beautiful face. Can we all be Emma Thompson now, please?
Ready to Transform Your Look with a Short Haircut?
Short haircuts are more than just a style choice—they’re a statement of confidence and personality. The right cut can frame your face perfectly, highlight your best features, and give you that extra boost of self-assurance.
If you’re considering making the cut, remember to consult with a professional stylist who can recommend the best short hairstyle for your face shape, hair texture, and lifestyle needs. Bring photos of styles you love from our collection to your next salon appointment!
Frequently Asked Questions About Short Haircuts
How do I know if a short haircut will suit my face shape?
Different face shapes complement different short styles. Oval faces typically suit most short haircuts, while round faces benefit from styles with height on top and angular lines. Square faces look great with soft layers that soften the jawline, and heart-shaped faces often pair well with side-swept bangs and chin-length cuts. A professional stylist can help you determine the perfect short cut for your unique face structure.
How often should I trim my short haircut to maintain its shape?
Short hairstyles typically require more frequent maintenance than longer styles. For pixie cuts and very short styles, expect to visit your stylist every 4-6 weeks to maintain the shape and prevent the awkward growing-out phase. Bobs and longer short cuts might stretch to 6-8 weeks between trims, depending on how quickly your hair grows and how precise you want the style to remain.
What styling products work best for short hair?
The best products for short hair depend on your hair texture and desired finish. Lightweight products like texturizing sprays and mousses add volume without weighing hair down. Pomades and waxes provide definition and hold for pixie cuts and textured styles. For sleeker looks, smoothing creams help tame frizz while maintaining movement. Start with a small amount of product and build up as needed—short hair requires less product than longer styles.
Can I still style my short hair in different ways?
Absolutely! Short hair is surprisingly versatile. Even pixie cuts can be styled sleek and sophisticated for work, tousled and textured for casual outings, or slicked back for evening events. Accessories like headbands, clips, and scarves can completely transform short styles. As your short cut grows out, you’ll discover even more styling options during the transition phases.
How do I deal with the growing-out phase if I decide to go longer again?
The growing-out phase can be challenging but manageable with the right approach. Regular trims every 8-10 weeks help shape your hair as it grows and prevent it from looking unkempt. Invest in versatile styling products to control awkward lengths and experiment with accessories like headbands, scarves, and clips to manage transitional styles. Consider trying slicked-back looks, textured styles, or even temporary extensions for special occasions during this phase.
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Susan is a successful hair stylist who chose to combine two of her biggest passions: writing and styling! When she is not sharing her experience with out readers, Susan updates her skills and knowledge with new styling courses and trainings. She specializes in event hair and makeup and is working on her own illustrated hairstyle book.
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