We love short hair. It’s bold, it’s brave and it looks incredible. There’s just one drawback. Lop your hair off above your collarbone, and it can make tying hair back a hassle. Anyone who’s tried to scrape their jawbone-length crop off their face will be familiar with “the nub”. The teeny, tiny stub of hair that just about forms a low ponytail with a little coaxing. Go even shorter, and the different length layers mean a weensy top-knot or steggy buns staggered down the back of your hair (like the back of a dinosaur) are pretty much the only options available.
Kind of. We’ve scoured the net for the best short updo inspo out there for short-haired babes. Turns out there’s plenty of new twists on short hairstyles, which is just as well since it seems more of us have the itch to slice away our strands. According to Google search data "short hairstyles" is one of the most Googled beauty trends around the world. And the UK searches for this term most. Ecr Transparent
While XXL strands and midi cuts have gained ground over the past year, lots of us are are ready for a drastic chop, and there's plenty of celebs jumping in and offering up inspo, too.
After growing her hair back out past her shoulders, Hailey Bieber decided to chop the lot off this year. Since then, her hairstylists have been getting creative with styles, like the dinky braid and bow moment created by Amanda Lee.
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Or the mini twist created by Danielle Priano.
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Florence Pugh set her hair stylist, Peter Lux, a challenge after she chopped her own hair (at different layers) for a movie role. Which meant sectioning, slicking and tying up the pieces that were long enough.
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Really, really short cuts can benefit from headbands, embellished clips, shower-fresh slick-backs and even tiny braids (we’ve seen it done). Meanwhile, lobe-length chops open up the possibility for simple touches like ear tucks (very chic), undone topknots and nubs or mini ponytails or puffs. You can even achieve face framing baby braids. A little longer and you might even get a dinky bun out of your strands (adorable and utterly chic).
As for short hair inspo, celebs like Sarah Paulson, Kate Mara, Ruby Rose, Janelle Monae, Lucy Boynton and Cara Delevingne can all show you how it’s done, having worked with some of the industries top hair stylists to work out some beautiful and unusual styles. Likewise, street-style veterans like Vanessa Hong and Ellie Delphine know what works. Finally, our hair crush, Taylor Lashae has taken her bob about as short as you can go, grown it out, then chopped it short again, so she has a fair few examples of how to ensure awkward lengths always look chic.
Face framing plaits are add a cute detail to chin-length hair.
A teensy nape neck bun works for shoulder-length bobs and longer
Why stop at one top knot when you can do multiple. This is cool and cute.
If the lower section of your hair is too short to tie up, a half-up bun works beautifully.
If your hair is long enough that it's flicking at the bottom, it's long enough for some dinky pigtails or bunches.
A bob shape, created with multiple braids, this protects hair and looks incredible.
Super cute and easy to do.
An adorable departure from the classic, mono bun.
Knot the top and leave longer lengths and your fringe loose.
Simple, but effective. It looks chic, and keeps hair out of your face.
Tease the crown to add height and volume.
Twist the length at the back, then pin into place with a bobby pin.
Centre part hair and slick it behind ears.
This tiny bun keeps hair out the way and everything looking neat.
Keep any wispy short sections in line with cute hair slides.
Doing the buns high on your head mean you make the most of your length.
Twist and pin the top half, then keep the bottom loose.
Proof that even super short hair has plenty of options. Use gel to lock the style into place.
The short-haired gals take on the chignon.
Looks like the spikes on the back of a stegosaurus, only cuter.
A pretty accent to pixie cuts.
The easiest style for shoulder-length bobs.
A pretty embellishment can add extra interest.
NGL, extensions may be necessary.
The half-up solution for short-haired babes.
The loose sections at the front make the most of pretty crops and bobs.
For when you cba to dry it.
We love the '90s addition of these moneypiece tendrils.
Half-up space buns for something a little more playful.
This is pure festival vibes.
Our favourite throwback hair accessory is back and ready to work.
Midi hair works well with baby braids.
Glass Fiber Chopped Strand Transparent Mat A sweet way to wear shoulder-length strands.