After years of coveting long mermaid-like beach waves, short hair is back and better than ever. From buzz cuts to pixies to chin-length bobs, women are heading to the salon in droves to chop their locks off. While it may seem like long strands reign supreme, the short hair trend should come as no surprise because it looks good on just about everyone, whether your hair is fine or thick, straight or curly, or dark brown or ash blonde.
While most people create their hair care routine based on their hair texture, your hair also has specific needs depending on its length. If you’ve recently gone a little scissor happy and aren’t sure how to take care for short hair, look no further than our simple tips.
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A silicone-free, paraben-free shampoo that softens but doesn'tweigh hair down. Texturizing spray for all hair types that adds soft texture and lightweight volume for effortless style. 
Cleansing Oil Shampoo
Dry Texture Finishing Spray
Create a hair trimming schedule.
The great thing about short haircuts is that they seem effortless. In reality, however, short haircuts are usually anything but! While you’ll most likely shave a few minutes off your styling time in the morning, maintaining a flawless short ‘do requires spending quite a bit of time in the salon.
One of the trickiest things about styling short hair is just how quickly you’ll notice new hair growth. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your hair grows on average a half an inch per month. Your chosen style will determine your trimming schedule, so you should expect to head back to the salon every two weeks if you’ve taken the plunge and decided on a buzz cut. For cuts like pixies and bobs, heading in for a trim once a month should suffice. If you’re unsure whether about the proper trimming schedule for you and your mane, be sure to schedule a consultation with a trusted stylist!
Find the right products.
A good haircut can be life-changing, but since it doesn’t actually change your hair you may not think there’s any need to switch up your hair care routine. Well, think again. Your hair type and texture may not have changed, but your shorter ‘do has sightly different needs than your long locks did. That means it’s time to pick up some new products—but who are we to complain about a new shopping opportunity?
First, you’ll need to pick up a new shampoo. You may find your cropped hair gets oilier faster than long locks because the natural oils from your scalp have a much shorter distance to travel. Since you’ll most likely want to wash your hair more frequently, consider swapping out your regular shampoo for a gentler formula. A gentle shampoo will help your hair look and feel clean without feeling dry. We recommend Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo. The clarifying shampoo formulated with lemongrass cleanses hair without drying it out. This shampoo transforms into a rich foam that effectively draws out impurities and buildup on the scalp without stripping natural oils. It provides a deep cleansing, leaving hair soft, shiny, and healthy-looking.
Next, you’ll need a dry shampoo—really, who has time to wash their hair every day? On days when you don’t have time (or just can’t be bothered) to wash and dry your hair, dry shampoo will be your savior. We recommend the editor-approved Matrix Style Link Mineral Play Back Dry Shampoo. To refresh your locks between washes, apply the dry shampoo near your roots and then comb the product through your locks until the residue completely fades. In no time your hair will be restored to its day one glory.
Finally, meet your new best friend: Texturizing products. Short haircuts can often give off a matronly vibe. Even though we love our moms, that’s not really the look we’re going for. To ensure your cut looks fun and fresh, you’ll want to make sure it has lots of texture and movement. Texturizing paste and spray allow you to style your locks and make sure it stays put all day without ever looking stiff. We love Redken’s Triple Dry 15 Medium Control Texturizing Spray and Dry Shampoo Paste 05.
If there are a few styling staples you know and love, don’t get rid of them! Experiment with your new and old products and find ways to make them both work for your new ‘do. You’ll find the perfect styling routine in no time.
Stock up on accessories.
As with any haircut, you may fall into a styling rut within a few weeks, months, or even years into slaying your look. This roadblock can feel particularly daunting when you have short hair since you don’t have as much to work with. That’s where accessories come in.
From glittering headbands to pearl adorned pins, your accessories will take center stage as they fashionably embellish your short strands. Even if glitz and glamour isn’t really your thing, you can still work an accessory-heavy look. For a simple (but equally striking) style, use 10 to 15 2-inch bobby pins to slick down the sides of your hair. The look is quick and easy, but so chic you’ll look like you just stepped off the runway.
Interested in more information about how to care for short hair? Use our salon locator to book an appointment at a salon near you.
