Rocking a pixie cut? It can feel like there are no styling options for such a short haircut because most tutorials are for women with longer locks but never fear, there are still ways you can change up your pixie cut with simple styling without spending two hours shaping it every morning.
For instance, an easy and affordable option is using texturizing products. You can add these products, like a styling pomade or sea salt spray, to give your ‘do some extra lift that washes out at the end of the day. A teasing comb is also handy to add body to your cut.
Do you part your hair a certain way? It's easy to get into a habit of parting your hair the same way every day; it just becomes second nature! However, sticking to a middle part every time you straighten, curl, or pull up your hair is limiting and can make you feel uninspired and less confident.
As we've all heard before, variety is the spice of life! If you're desperate for a little change in your style without dumping bleach on your head, simply try parting your locks the other way. Not only does this give you instant volume without using heat and styling products, but can actually boost your confidence!
Sure, most online ads and cable TV commercials use long, blonde-haired models to market their hair products, but beachy waves aren’t just for people with long hair. Even if your hair is jet black and skims your chin, you can rock the waves with grace.
Use sea salt spray for texture, separate your hair into half-inch sections working from bottom to top, and use a clipless curling iron to mimic beachy waves. You can also use your flat iron as long as you bend each section back and forth as you move down before going on to the next section of hair.
The easiest and (most fun) way to easily elevate your short look is by experimenting with hair accessories. By wearing accessories in your hair, such as a headband, hair clip, barrette, or bandana, you have access to a world of new looks to play with even with the shortest hair ever.
Headbands and flower crowns are our personal favorites for gals with pixie cuts, but the possibilities range from oversized clips to even funky sunglasses! Curating your jewelry collection with a variety of bright statement pieces can also work wonders for your short hair by balancing out the rest of your look with your haircut.
‘Frohawks are easier to recreate on your own head than they might seem on the surface. This look works best on thick, curly hair because it pairs perfectly with that hair texture to create natural volume without too much hassle, expense, or time wasted in front of the mirror before work.
Grab the lower section of hair from ear to ear by your neck and tie it into a ponytail. Move up a few inches, grab a new section of hair, and repeat until you’ve tied up all your hair. Easy as pie! Because this look will probably be a new staple in your life, go ahead and invest in some hair scarves and clips for those days you want to feel extra fancy.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to master a braided fringe look, and you don't even need that long of hair. Sure, women with hair to their butts can easily craft a braid crown that wraps around their head three times, but braids aren't only for those people!
Simply section off one side of your hair and twist away from your face to braid it, secure with bobby pins for a discrete look or some colorful clips for a bold style, and BAM -- you’re done! The best part about braided fringe is that it works for so many hair lengths; even pixie cuts! As long as there's a little bit of length in the front to work with, you can do a braid.
If there's only one piece of advice you'll take from this list, remember this: bobby pins. That's it. If you're going short, invest in buckets of bobby pins because you'll need them! From braids to buns to faux hawks and simply losing them in your purse, bobby pins are the secret to short hairstyles.
With that being said, bobby pins are a girl’s best friend when it comes to short hair because they can change your look in under five seconds. If you want a low-fuss style, tuck the front pieces of your hair back, pin them in place, and you're ready to take on the day!
A con about having short hair is constantly feeling like you can't pull back your hair. This problem is a blessing from some people, but if you like your hair down while simultaneously out of your face, a half-top knot is right up your alley. Plus, it's the perfect look if you're working during the day and socializing in the evening.
Gather the front strands of your hair from ear to ear by sectioning out the hair at the crown of your head. Tie these pieces into a bun, which is best achieved by making a ponytail with clear elastics, twisting the hair in one direction, wrapping the hair around itself into a tight circle, and securing with bobby pins around the circumference of the bun.
Need to liven up flat hair? This can be a big obstacle for women with thin, straight hair. Nothing seems to make it voluminous! The easiest way to breathe life into a flat look is by utilizing an combination of strong-hold hairspray and bobby pins for forced volume. In this case, we're making the classic pompadour.
Because we want to keep it simple, we'll give you instructions to create a quick pompadour rather than some fancy 'do. All you have to do is grab and tease the front strands of hair hear your ears and then push them against up and back along your part to build your bump. Pin it in place, if needed, and lock into place with hairspray.
A two-for-one hairstyle, Bantu knots protect your hair while looking stylish at the same time. Disclaimer: your knots will need to be smaller if your hair is shorter, so keep that in mind when attempting this look or run the risk of damaging your locks.
This style is a favorite among women because it's hinged on repetitive actions that are easy to master. First, apply some hair oil for nourishment and moisture. Second, separate each section of hair using an elastic (section size depends on hair length). Do a two-strand twist and secure the twist in a knot with bobby pins.
Do you want bangs, but know that change is a little too much for your poor commitment skills? Good thing it's as easy as ever to fake things nowadays, and faux bangs are just the beginning! You've probably seen cheap clip-in bangs advertised to you on Facebook, and those are a fine, but not exactly what we're talking about.
Turns out you can create fake bangs using your natural hair! Start by making a deep side part and sweeping your hair across your forehead. Secure this tuff of hair under another portion of hair with bobby pins or conceal it using a headband. You can also try the ponytail method if your hair reaches your collarbone.
Like we said before, you might think a pixie cut limits your styling options, but there have plenty to offer as long as you have the right products at your disposal. Don't believe everything shampoo companies tell you! With a little hairspray and mousse, you can go a long way.
Some women like to give their sweet pixie a cut some edge by shaving the underside of their head and spritzing in some salt spray to their fringe for the choppy “I just rolled out of bed” look that has become incredibly trendy in the last few years. Trust us, you'll instantly become the coolest person in the room with this cut.
Short-haired gals usually get the short end of the stick (get it?) when it comes to new trends, so this fad is exciting to see! This trend uses a sheer ribbon with a headband for an upscale look that’s pretty effortless. You can also change the color of the fabric to coordinate with the rest your outfit.
Sure, you might be thinking, "Oh, wow. A ribbon... How original...," accompanied with a sarcastic huff and moody eye-roll. But we don't think you realize just how many looks you can have with a ribbon, much less a sheer one that shows off the hair color you spent way too much money on at the salon. This is definitely something we can’t wait to try!
Similar to the tuck and pin, this look takes two bits of hair, twists them slightly in the opposing directions, and then pins them back for a sort of half-up hair crown. And don't worry, the slightest amount of bobby pins will keep the style in place for hours on end because it's so low maintenance.
If you need a little extra hold for your twist -- especially if you have thick, curly hair -- don’t be afraid to tease and spritz with extra hairspray. Make sure to separate the hair from the very front of your head so you can have lovely face-framing pieces to complete the look.
If your hair is long enough, curl the ends! One of the easiest ways to do this is to get a perm so you can wake up with beautiful hair, but that's not exactly the easiest (or cheapest) option. Either way, going from stick-straight to big and curly is always fun.
Whether you do go for the perm or opt for classic curlers, make sure to use ones with a smaller circumference. There's nothing wrong with big Hollywood waves (stay tuned for more on that style,) but we're going for tight and fluffy curls that can't be achieved with large curlers. Wrapping your hair in small curlers takes longer but is totally worth the result.
Volume like this doesn’t usually come naturally. This kind of look requires a bit of teasing in all the right places with the proper products and tools, of course. We recommend a boar bristle or rattail teasing comb with a pick so you can easily section your hair and limit excessive damage.
First, separate your hair into dedicated sections working from the bottom up. Focus on teasing gently at first instead of going straight to a crazy runway look. Focus your teasing at the crown and on the sides of your head for a balanced look. You can also curl a bit of your hair to give it a some poof.
Side swoops are pretty easy. Honestly, they're more than pretty easy. They're probably the easiest way to elevate your pixie cut aside from running thickening mousse through your hair. Like everything else, all you need are the right tools -- in this case, a rattail comb and shaping gel -- to achieve a full-glam look.
First, curl your hair using a larger barrel and then brush it out a little with a comb. You can go big or small with the swoop, which is affected by your part. For added drama, go for a deep side part. Don’t forget to seal in the whole thing with some hairspray!
The center-braid style is a little more intermediate than the others, but it’s worth practicing because of how beautiful it looks on everyone! It’s basically just a French braid that starts at the top of your scalp and moves backward and ends in a small ponytail or bun, depending on your look.
On top of being a super cute way to glam yourself up for work or your best friend's wedding, this style can also be a great way to grow out a pixie cut, which is undeniably the worst part of getting a pixie because everything is unruly and uncomfortably awkward.
Sleek and straight bobs can look really great if you have a lot of hair. You might assume that straight hair always equals "boring," but look around at the current trends. Crimps and curls are completely valid trends, but super straight hair is and always will be chic. And all it takes is a straightener!
This way of doing your hair has always been "in," and it’s easily one of the classiest ways you can style your 'do. Just use a straightener, or a chemical treatment if you're willing to go that far, to get the locks you’ve dreamed about. If neither of those options sounds good to you if you want to preserve your natural curl pattern, wigs are also super popular right now!
Growing out bangs can be a pain when you have shorter hair, but the pushed-back style is here to save you. This super accessible look is incredibly easy that it almost feels like a cop-out. Even women with long locks rock this style all the time for some red-carpet glam.
Use a little gel or mousse to force your hair back sort of like you were putting your hair up in a ponytail. You can either lay all of your hair against your head for a slick Matrix look or add some texture and volume to your bangs by using the pompadour technique.
Some hairstyles transcend time, and these waves do just that. It’s a classic style that's been on the red carpet for years and years thanks to Hollywood's pervasive influence. We love these waves if you're heading out somewhere special, but that doesn't mean you can't do it day to day!
The first step to achieving this look is curling your hair, usually toward your head for that vintage aesthetic. This can be done with curlers or a curling iron as long as they are at least one inch wide for that big and bouncy look. Second, brush out your curls and shape them using your favorite products, then hairspray for a lasting hold.
If you're looking for glam, then this style is the epitome of that aesthetic. Finger waves are an older Hollywood hairstyle that’s stuck around since the black and white film days. While this style is also a little more intermediate than a simple ponytail, the results are unmatched.
Therefore it may be necessary for some of you to look up tutorials aside from this list that will adapt to your hair type and texture. Just make sure you have enough hairspray or gel to keep the style in place and plenty of time to execute this look!
Learning how to “faux-hawk” is a quick and accessible way to give your short hair an edge even when you feel boxed-in by your length. Like the ‘frohawk, this mohawk-inspired style is not a permanent change, and it only requires a few styling tools to pull off. This look is made for short hair!
The most important step in styling your faux-hawk is texture with the second most being volume. Because most women rock this style with their pixie cut, you’ll find that you actually have an advantage over your long-haired companions. Not only will you use a lot less styling paste, but your hair will actually look like a legit mohawk instead of some Coachella knock-off.
The asymmetrical pixie is pretty self-explanatory. It’s literally just a pixie cut with one side shorter than the other and some long fringe thrown in the mix. Think “emo” without the dark eyeliner and band tees. The best part of getting a pixie like this is that it’s already a “style” without any product.
Think of it this way: people with long hair have to make their hair into a style -- asymmetrical pixies are a style! Of course, some texturizing spray and thickening mousse go a long way to take your pixie to the next level, but they really don’t require much thought to look chic!
Baby bangs are one of the most recent explosive hair trends to crop up in the last year, probably because everyone and their mother was impulsive chopping their locks while stuck inside for months on end. Because so many people were cutting traditional blunt bangs or trendy curtain bangs, the more free-spirited folks turned to something more bold.
Baby bangs come in a variety of lengths, but they can be generally surmised as bangs that stop before the eyebrow. Think 2018 Emma Watson! While this hair trend is inherently divisive, you can’t argue that it’s not unique, and all it takes is one trip to the salon (or three months in quarantine). We especially recommend these bangs for people with edgy shags or textured chin-length bobs.
2015 saw the rise of a hairstyle that continues to dominate at the top of hair blogs everywhere: the lob. The reign of the lob has by no means disintegrated to anarchy, but a new player for this top spot has emerged from the ashes of the 1920s. That’s right, the so-called French bob was last autumn’s most sought after cut and it’s only gaining speed for the summer.
Bob’s in themselves are in high demand due to their ease and versatility, so it’s only natural that this French staple has reinstated itself in American fashion circles. This cut is defined by jaw-grazing ends, natural texture, and wispy bangs that all work together to highlight your cheekbones and emulate a laissez-faire attitude.
As the ‘70s made a roaring return to the world of editorial fashion spreads and Pinterest boards in the past couple years, the shag haircut has subsequently tip-toed back into the salon scene. When you think of the 1970s, you may picture flower crowns accenting super long, but the shag was actually worn by people of all different hair lengths.
From Miley Cyrus to Keke Palmer, a slew of celebrities are debuting their new choppy ‘do on Instagram, and they all have a common attribute: it doesn’t reach past their shoulders. Defined by piecey layers, bold bangs, and swooping pieces, all it takes is flipping your hair over and running through some mousse to style.
Curtain bangs go hand-in-hand with the shag hairstyle, but most women are getting this face-framing fringe to add dimension to their bobs. Parting your hair straight down the middle of your head is back in full-force thanks to Gen Z, so your side-swoop bangs aren’t cutting it anymore in terms of trends.
The best part of these bangs is that they aren’t even bangs in the traditional sense. You can obviously use styling techniques to make them more noticeable, but many women love them because they seamlessly blend into their bob while giving them that extra pizzazz they couldn’t achieve with blunt-cut ends.
We already discussed a half-up hairstyle, but the half up pony gives off an entirely different vibe than the professional top knot. Plus, ponytails are among the most basic styles you can do to change up your look. Ponytails are traditionally associated with athleisure and ultra-casual settings, but this half-up style can work for the fanciest events.
Long-haired women rock the half-up pony all the time, yet we argue that this style really shines for the ladies with lobs. By curling your hair and separating the top half of your hair into a high ponytail, you’ve accessed instant volume without a drop of product. And if you secure a small section of hair around the ponytail to conceal the hair tie, you’ll look like you just walked at the Met Gala.
If we had a dollar for every time we heard a bride say she was growing out her hair for her wedding, we could retire tomorrow! Ladies, save yourself the pain of the awkward phase and ask your wedding stylist for a classic chinon for your ceremony. It doesn’t take nearly as much hair as you’d expect! This ‘do isn’t reserved for weddings, yet it’s traditionally seen as a “fancy” updo.
If you want a simple style for work, follow these steps: first, split your hair into two sections and twist the front sections away from your face; second, make a ponytail using all of your hair; third, make a hole right above your hair tie and pull the ponytail through going toward your scalp; and last, secure the loose pieces into a bun shape, using bobby pins to secure it above the hair tie.
An A-line lob plus blonde balayage equals the perfect short summer haircut. Not only does it look good whichever way you part your hair, but the balayage doesn’t require much touching up if your roots coordinate with the transition colors. Grown-out balayage can easily look fresh by using a wide-barrel curling iron for beachy waves.
In other words, it’s a deceivingly low-maintenance style. Executing the perfect balayage technique isn’t for the amateur hairstylist, so it will take a trip to the salon with an experienced cosmetologist to accurately execute your vision. It’s worth the extra dime! Nobody wants to walk around with botched color...
Cornrows are a traditional hairstyle defined by making underhand, upward motions to make rows of hair braided closely to the scalp. Most of these styles are done in straight lines but they can be manipulated into elaborate designs, including geometric shapes and curves, which is why it’s one of the most popular protective styles.
Weaving cornrows can take upward of five hours, but are made up by its low maintenance once completed. As long as you care for your hair properly by keeping your scalp moisturized, you can leave cornrows in your hair for up to eight weeks. Braiding hair may not increase the rate at which your hair grows, but they are a good option for short-haired women to start the process of growing out their hair.
With one trip to the salon, you can land a hairstyle unlike any other. Shaving designs into your hair isn’t for the faint of heart and definitely reserved for the pros; however, it’s a surefire way to stand out from the crowd even more than you (probably) already do!
Before making the leap into shaving a fancy design onto your head, you’ll probably need to build yourself up to the deed. Unless you have confidence similar to Kanye West, we recommend doing an undercut or pixie cut first before shaving half your head. Most women end up loving their shaved head rather than regretting it, so just do it!
You may know space buns as a festival hairstyle, but they actually have a long history aside from undercuts and glitter. Inspired by 20th-century Mexican revolutionaries called soldaderas, Native American Hopi “squash blossom buns,” and ‘70s “Afro puffs,” Princess Leia was not the first lady to popularize this hairstyle.
All this style takes is splitting your hair down the middle and forming two buns on the side of your head. Star Wars chose to slap them on the side of Carrie Fisher’s head, but modern women prefer them on the top for added volume and an elongated appearance.
Now back to basics. After you graduated from elementary school and moved into the middle school big leagues, there’s no doubt that you left pigtails in the dust. Not only is middle school the most ruthless environment alive, but you were probably tired of your mom making you wear the dang hairstyle every day for five years.
Pigtails in adulthood, however, are massively underrated, in our humble opinion. Ladies with pixie cuts can’t relate, yet the cutest hairdo for short hair you can pull out in a moment’s notice are tiny tails. Trust us, pairing this style with a dress and flats is the epitome of adorable.
Inarguably the most precious hairstyle you’ll ever come across, the curly pixie is great for low-maintenance gals. Curly hair can be so difficult to manage without the right products, stylist, or cut. So why not go short and embrace your natural hair texture? From tight curl patterns to big and wavy, pixie cuts allow women to be flexible with their curls.
Say good-bye to the Lob Empire; that’s right, the curly pixie reigns supreme in our eyes. Some will argue that certain face shapes shouldn’t wear the pixie, and that’s true for certain styles; however, there are so many varieties of close-cropped cuts that there’s bound to be something to complement your bone structure.
Middle parts are back, if you didn’t already know. And side parts are decidedly out, at least to Gen Z. We won’t dare claim that side parts are gone for good, but we can see where the younger generation’s coming from with this one. It’s time for a change, and just look at how bouncy and fun the flouncy middle-part bob looks!
The downside of middle parts is that they aren’t universally flattering by any means, which is why curtain bangs and wispy fringe get so much credit for making them mainstream. The main pitfall of this look is lack of volume, so be sure to add some with a curling iron and texturizing spray so that it doesn’t fall flat.
We could rave about this style all day long! To save you the gory details, shadow roots can add much needed texture to your pixie cut, which runs the risk of looking flat without proper color treatment. This look is achieved by darkening the roots of your hair rather than lightening the ends as used for balayage. However, they can achieve a similar effect.
Most women opt for darkening their roots and coloring the rest of their hair blonde, but there are countless other colors that can give your pixie some contrast. To be honest, fun colors like blue and pink look the best on pixie cuts because they take less space, thus drawing less attention away from your face. Plus, it takes way less time (and moolah) to do all-over color, including the shadow root.
The classic lob is quickly transforming due to a number of retro hairstyles being revamped by modern salons. From the shag to the French bob, the ‘60s flip is another vintage style spreading like wildfire across social media. The traditional “bubble flip” was defined by big shapes, defined curves, and total structure, and the modern version takes inspiration from its boldness.
While we typically focus on volumizing at the roots, women are becoming more inclined to focus their attention on the bottom half of their hair. Flat irons and curlers can be used to flip out the ends of your lob with as little as a flick of the wrist or an overnight curler sesh.
Yes, we know, there’s absolutely nothing revolutionary about a messy bun. Disagree all you want -- messy buns are an elite style for short hair for many reasons. For one, it takes 3 seconds tops to do, keeps hair out of your face, and is perfect for adding accessories into the mix.
In this case, we’re talking scrunchies. Yes, the once-dreaded ‘80s staple has been back on the scene for a few years now. Time to raid your vanity, dig out those vintage scrunchies, and put all those copy-cat younger generations back in their place! The scrunchie-messy bun combo is the laziest hairstyle ever yet it somehow looks better than those impossible braids plastered all over fashion blogs.
Coloring your hair is an in-depth process that oh-so-many people have failed at on the internet. For the most part, $7 box dye you got from the Walmart clearance section isn’t going to cut it. However, there’s still an option for those of you who are impatient enough to try any at-home technique you lay eyes on instead of going to the salon.
Dip-dye bobs solve a few issues right off the bat. First, you don’t have to worry about root touch-ups because only the ends of your hair are colored. Second, coloring your ends is extraordinarily faster and cheaper to dye by yourself than dyeing your entire head. And last, your ends are the most porous part of your hair, so they pick up color better than new growth, increasing your chances of success.
Some women who’ve taken the plunge to chop off their long locks in exchange for a lob or a pixie admit that ditching the length can be surprisingly addictive. For instance, if you go from waist-length to shoulder length, sooner or later you’ll find yourself itching for that same adrenaline rush you got seeing all the dead ends fall to the floor.
Most stop at the pixie cut and suffer through the growing-out process to regain some length, but others do the exact opposite and shave half of their head. That’s about as short as you can get! This look is totally rocker chic, so if you don’t want that edgy look every day, try faking it using gel and bobby pins to slick back one side of your hair while volumizing the rest.
