You know the feeling when you finally decide you’re ready to take the plunge and go short? You head to the salon and show your stylist the cut you’ve been lusting over. While you sit in the chair quaking from anticipation, it takes all of your courage not to shed a tear when you see long swaths of hair hit the floor. Luckily, the payoff is well worth it when you leave the salon looking and feeling flawless!
Nothing can change how you feel about your new cut—that is, until you wake up the next morning and realize you have no idea how to style short hair! Don’t worry, we’ve been there.
If you’ve recently chopped off your locks and are in need of a few killer hairstyles, look no further. These styles will make you wonder why you ever wanted long hair in the first place.
Faux Shaved Side
If you love the way shaving off the sides of your hair looks but aren’t ready to shave your head, a simple braid will create the illusion of the look you’re seeking.
Make a part on the left or right side of your head. Then, grab three segments of hair (beginning at the hairline of the smaller section) and create a basic French braid or cornrow. Style the remaining hair in a voluminous pompadour to contrast the braided side of the ‘do.
If your hair is very short, all you’ll have to do is brush back your hair and set it with a hairspray to style your pompadour. If you’re hair is a little longer or you’re hoping to achieve more height, backcomb the hair to create volume at the roots before smoothing back and setting with a firm hold hair spray.
Poof
For this look, you’ll need a brush, a hair pick, a firm hold pomade, and an elastic or shoelace. Make sure your edges are absolutely laid and your poof is as big as possible. Begin by using a hair pick to create volume all over your head, then apply a firm hold pomade to your edge and brush through until your hair lays completely flat.
Gather all of your hair on the top of your head and secure it with an elastic. If your hair is super thick (hair elastics have the tendency to snap) you may want to use a shoelace instead.
Braided Space Buns
Space buns are the ultimate cool girl hairstyle and adding braids takes them to the next level. For this look, you’ll need a comb, two elastics, bobby pins, a brush, and medium hold styling pomade.
Begin by parting your hair down the middle with a comb and securing one section with an elastic. Take the loose section of hair and part it down the middle horizontally. Take the bottom section of hair and create a French braid or cornrow beginning at the nape of your neck and ending at the horizontal part. Once you reach the part, tie off the braid. Repeat the braiding process on the other side.
Once you’ve braided both sides of your hair, begin to form your buns. Working with one section at a time, apply a medium hold pomade to your edges and brush through them. Then take the loose section of your hair and combine it with the tied off end of your French braid and secure in a ponytail. Next, backcomb or fluff the pigtail and wrap around into a bun shape. Secure the bun with bobby pins. Repeat the steps and create a matching bun on the opposite side.
Flat Twist Crown
A flat twist crown is a smart choice when you’re in a rush but still want to look put together. You’ll need a comb, bobby pins, hair elastics, and a medium hold pomade. To begin, decide where to part your hair and divide it into two sections. Working with just one section, twist it near the hairline over the second. Be sure to keep your twist close to the scalp. Continue the twisting motion, gathering more hair until you reach the nape of your neck. Secure the style with bobby pins, pancaking it to give the twist more volume. Repeat the process on the other side.
Once you've twisted both sides of your hair, you can either gather the remaining hair in a bun, pony, or twist the remaining hair and pin the hair for a full crown look.
Frohawk
This edgy style takes minutes to create and you’ll get compliments all night long. To begin, part your hair horizontally into three or four sections. As you part each section, apply a medium hold styling pomade to your edges and brush it through your hair until your edges lie flat. Secure the section in a ponytail in the center of your head. Repeat those steps for the rest of the sections. Once your hair has been sectioned off and secured into three or four ponytails, backcomb each ponytail to give your frohawk serious volume.
Bantu Knots
Begin by parting your hair, forming enough sections for your desired amount of knots. Add a cool visual element to your style by parting your hair so the bases of your knots form geometric shapes. Once your hair has been sectioned off, coil each section around itself until it forms a tight twist. Then, wrap that twist around itself to form a “knot” and secure it with bobby pins or a small, clear elastic.
Bantu knots can also be used to create heat free curls. To ensure you have a flawless knot out, knot your hair while is it damp and apply a light hold styling pomade to each twist. After your hair is completely dried and you’ve killed your bantu knot look, your heat free curls will look absolutely perfect.
