I Know You're Stylish If You've Swapped Your French Bob for This Trending Cut
If you've landed here, you're probably considering getting a very short hairstyle. Perhaps you already have a bob hairstyle and are ready to go shorter, or maybe you have longer hair already and want a bigger haircut transformation. You might even have a short haircut already but just want to switch it up a little.
Either way, changing your hairstyle can really exciting, but also a little daunting if you're not sure where to start. This is why I've rounded up some of the chicest very short hairstyles for women (read: anything above the chin) that I've seen as I've been scrolling on Instagram. These cuts are so stylish that they're making me consider calling my hairdresser and going for the chop myself.
What to Consider Before Getting a Very Short Haircut
If you're considering a very short hairstyle for the first time, Philipp Haug, former London Hairdresser of the Year co-founder of Haug London Haus, has some advice on starting your short hair journey.
If you have a longer hairstyle at the moment, Haug recommends opting for a bob hairstyle first to ease you in. “We definitely see clients try a bob first to give them the confidence to go even shorter, and we’ll be seeing a lot of shorter cuts this year," he says. "Last year we were inspired by Gigi Hadid’s micro-fringe and mid length haircut in the Miu Miu campaign, and since she proved that shorter is chicer by chopping her length off into the iconic bob cut, we’ve noticed the Gigi effect in-salon," says Haug.
“What sets it apart as a statement style is the length grazing the jawline—gone are the days of shoulder-length long bobs, now it's all about a style that sits higher off the shoulders, as seen all over the red carpet at the Oscars on Sydney Sweeney, America Ferrera, Carey Mulligan and Florence Pugh," says Haug.
Which Very Short Hairstyles Are Trending?
There are also plenty of very short hairstyles for women that aren't just bobs. From pixie cuts to the mixie haircut and the bixie cut, there are so many cropped hairstyles to suit your hair texture and personal style. So what are the short hair trends we’ll be seeing next?
1. The Mixie
"The mixie haircut is a unique blend of a pixie cut and a mullet," says Haug. "This style combines the soft, textured, feminine essence of a pixie cut with the edgy flair of a tail peeking out from behind the ear, creating a catwalk-inspired look that exudes a high-fashion vibe."
2. Invisible Fringes
Another easy way to switch up a very short hairstyle is with a fringe. "America Ferrara at the Golden Globes looked so pretty and fresh with this style—the bangs are almost the same length as the cut and can be tucked behind the ears and blended with the lengths," says Haug. "This is a super-relaxed way to embrace the short bob trend without committing to a sharp fringe."
3. Hair Accessories
Hair accessories are one of the easiest ways to instantly elevate your very short hairstyle with minimum effort. "Versace started the trend for spring/summer with the cutest mini headbands and bows attached to clips in sorbet-sweet shades like lemon sherbet and candy pink, and the trend has continued at fashion shows, on celebrities and with influencers ever since," says Haug.
"On short hair, work with smaller fabric bows and stack them along your hairline, gently bending your hair to follow the shape. Two placed one on top of the other is very on-trend for short hair."
Ready for some very short hairstyle inspiration? Scroll ahead for the sleekest styles I've saved.
Very Short Hairstyle Ideas for Women
1. Buzzcut
A buzzcut creates such a sleek silhouette.
2. Slicked Pixie
A pixie cut with a slightly longer length is perfect for creating a slicked-back style.
3. Bantu Knots
I'm obsessed with this Bantu knot-inspired style on Zoe Kravitz.
4. Choppy Pixie
Choppy layers instantly give a pixie cut loads of volume and texture.
5. Wavy Bob
Jaw-skimming lengths are great for letting natural texture shine as well as curling or straightening—so versatile.
6. Sleek Bob
I love the sleekness of this blunt bob cut, which is just long enough to still be tucked behind the ears.
7. Braided Bob
Why not experiment with braids at a shorter length? This style is so chic.
8. Bob With a Fringe
A fringe always looks amazing on shorter haircuts.
9. Braided Bob With Beads
This shorter braided style is elevated with beads at the end.
10. Natural Texture
Short hairstyles are ideal for styling your natural hair texture.
11. Pixie With Choppy Fringe
A pixie haircut always makes hair look thicker.
12. Long Pixie
A longer pixie cut allows you to create incredible volume and body.
13. Bowl Cut
The bowl cut is back, and how stylish does it look?
14. Jaw-Length Bob
A blunt bob that just skims the top of the jaw is a really elegant haircut.
15. Mixie Haircut
This is inspiring to take the plunge on a mixie haircut.
16. Bixie Haircut
How to Style Short Hair
Even short hair can benefit from hair growth serum to encourage fuller-looking hair—this one from UKLash is incredible for increasing hair volume.
A hair pomade is a lifesaver for adding texture to choppy layers or creating slicked-back looks.
You don't want anything too heavy weighing down shorter lengths, so this lightly hydrating conditioner is perfect for short hair. Just apply to the very ends to keep hair in good condition.
Mini hair straighteners will be your best friend. The smaller plates are nimble enough to get right into the roots, whether you're straightening or curling.
A spritz of a texturising spray can provide root lift and hold through your lengths.
Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at beauty website Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections with written and styling work.Working as a beauty journalist since 2015 after graduating in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, she has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is to provide readers with honest and helpful beauty content. Through words, video and live broadcast, she has interviewed several celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and top dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson. She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. She has also amassed a large collection of fragrances and can never say no to a new candle.When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty product or treatments, she’s on the seafront in her hometown of Brighton and Hove, where she lives with her partner and her miniature dachshund.
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