Styling short hair can be a real conundrum. While having shorter strands cuts air-drying time in half and makes your wash-and-go a breeze, there are so many intricate hairstyles that just don’t work if your hair is above shoulder-length.
Just because you can’t achieve every hairstyle (we’ll talk about extensions another day), doesn’t mean there aren’t styles that look amazing on short hair. If you’re searching for trendy hairstyles you can achieve in a pinch, take note of these 16 easy hairstyles for short hair that are pretty and foolproof.
The Best Easy Hairstyles For Short Hair To Try Now
Photo Credit: @lamajbackwards.
Half-Up Ponytail
Is anyone surprised this classic hairstyle made the top of our list? While you might think the half-up ponytail is exclusive to long hair, it’s completely doable on shorter hair! Swap your hair elastic for a scrunchie to give your look a special touch.
Photo Credit: @anhcotran.
Mini Buns
If you’re looking to switch it up from your go-to messy bun (or even the space buns hairstyle), why not opt for more? Split your hair into four even sections and use each section to craft mini buns at the nape of your neck.
Accent Braid
The good news about braids for short hair? While braiding super long hair (particularly on your own) can get a bit complicated, having shorter strands makes braid styling so much quicker and easier. If you’re just learning the ropes of how to braid hair, start with a simple three-strand accent braid.
Photo Credit: @barbararabelo_.
Stacked Accessories
It’s time to utilize all of those hair clips and barrettes you’ve been stocking up on for months! Accessory stacking is one of the trendiest ways to wear throwback accessories. The best part? When it comes to placement, there’s no wrong way to add them to your hairstyle. Stack them one after the other or scatter them throughout your hair for a statement-making look.
Photo Credit: @gregoryrussellhair.
Sleek Low Bun
If you have shorter strands that stick out of any updo you put them in, the sleek low bun is one of the easiest styles to pull off. Beginning with clean or second-day hair, apply a few spritzes of high-hold hairspray like Pureology Style + Protect Lock It Down Hairspray to a brush. Then, brush through your strands to tame frizz and flyaways. Pull your hair back to the nape of your neck and secure it with a hair elastic to create a low ponytail.
Then, wrap the loose hair from your ponytail around the base of your ponytail to create a low bun. Secure the bun with bobby pins. Apply a few more spritzes of high-hold hairspray to complete the look.
Photo Credit: @nunzio.masuzzo.
Messy Shag
One of our favorite things about shaggy haircuts is that they don’t require much effort to style. In fact, a messy, undone shag is undoubtedly one of the trendiest short hairstyles you can try. Use a product like L'Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Architexture Paste to give your mane a tousled, disheveled look.
Photo Credit: @theupdogirl.
Rope Halo Braid
Feeling a little romantic? Whether you’re attending a wedding or getting ready for date night, a rope halo braid is one of our top romantic hairstyle choices for short hair. Let your stray hairs fall to the nape of your neck for an undone, effortless look that works for any romantic occasion.
Photo Credit: @nikita_jane_hair.
Double Dutch Braids
Our favorite thing about braids is how accessible they are to women of all hair textures and lengths. If you’re searching for an easy plaited look to create with short hair, you can’t go wrong with double Dutch braids. Pro tip: Try sleeping in your Dutch braids to create heat-free waves overnight.
Photo Credit: @aprilnicolebrown.
Textured Beach Waves
Wondering how to perfect your at-home beach hair? We get it, nothing is like the real deal, but if you’re looking to achieve that effortless texture from your bedroom, we’ve got just the thing. If you’re searching for a no-heat method, apply a few spritzes of texturizing spray like Pureology Style + Protect Wind Tossed Texture Finishing Spray. This invisible, dry formula holds textured styles with a soft, touchable feel.
Photo Credit: @fantasiaparrucchieri.
Half-Up Braided Space Buns
Channel festival hair any time of year with half-up braided space buns. You may not be hitting the desert anytime soon, but this boho-inspired look will make you feel like you are.
Photo Credit: @dylnkayebeauty.
Half-Up Top Knot
To the lazy girls out there who prefer to spend 10 minutes or less on their styling routines: We hear you. For you, we recommend a half-up top knot, the ultimate easy hairstyle for any hair length. If you’re working with second-day hair, use a few spritzes of dry shampoo like Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo to absorb oil and refresh your look. Then, grab the top section of your hair and use a hair elastic to secure a high ponytail at the top of your head.
Once your ponytail is secure, wrap all of the hair from the ponytail around the base of the hair tie. Use another hair elastic or a scrunchie to hold the top knot in place. Complete your look with a few spritzes of hairspray.
Photo Credit: @mygirlyinnin.
Curly Bangs
Whether you have fringe for real or figured out how to fake the look (thanks Tik Tok), curly bangs are always a good idea. Use a hair gel like Mizani True Textures Perfect Coil Oil Gel to define your curls and coils and keep them intact throughout the day.
Photo Credit: @alimrozhair.
Half-Up Barrette Twist
Your half-up hairstyle doesn’t need to be basic! Skip the hair tie you’ve had in your draw for years and use an on-trend barrette to hold your half-up look in place.
Photo Credit: @bottleblonde76.
Bouncy Curls
We’re striving for big hair energy all year long, and what better way to embrace bigger, bolder hair than with bouncy, bombshell curls? Whether you use a curling iron or go old school with hot rollers, there are so many ways to achieve the look on short hair.
Photo Credit: @kycutwilson.
Slicked-Back Pixie
If you have a pixie with a bit of length to work with, opt for a slicked-back wet look. Wet hairstyles are on trend for 2020 and all you’ll need is hair gel, some hairspray, and a comb to get the look.
Photo Credit: @amyfishcolour.
Deep Side Part
It doesn’t get much easier than switching up your part. For an instant volume boost, make the change to a deep side part. We love the look of a deep side part on a lob haircut.
Style + Protect Lock It Down Hairspray
A fast-drying, strong-hold hairspray for color-treated hair that provides shine and maximum control.
Style + Protect Texture Finishing Spray
A lightweight texturizing spray for color-treated hair that adds body and shine without crunch or buildup.
True Textures Perfect Coil Oil Gel
A moisturizing hair gel that fights frizz and is flake- and crunch-free.
Tecni.Art Architexture Paste
A texturizing paste that gives hair that tousled, disheveled look.
Deep Clean Dry Shampoo
A high-performance dry shampoo that absorbs excess oil on up to day 4 hair.
