An All-in-One Guide for Your New Short Hair

Now that spring has arrived and short hair is trending, you may feel tempted to try something new and cut your own hair. Do it– try a new hairstyle!

Here’s a step-by-step guide to style and accessorize your perfect short hair.

Step 1: Find the right haircut

“Short” hair is deceptively un-descriptive. It can range from a close-cropped pixie cut to a long bob almost touching your shoulders, meaning every person’s short hair can do slightly different things.

That’s the fun with hair, though—every texture, curl pattern, and length is unique to you! You get to take into consideration daily maintenance, your ability to style it, and how it will look with your face shape.

Before you make your salon appointment or bust out your scissors, here are a few popular short hairstyles for inspiration.

Pixie Cut

Beginning with the shortest cut, the pixie cut is a cute, chic, and classic style. It is rumored to get its name from the feisty mythological fairies, and has historically defied women’s beauty norms.

For some women, the charm of a pixie cut lies in length. Because long hair is typically associated with femininity, going short is a great way to feel confident and play with your ideas of gender and expression!

To get this look, aim for the hair to be close-cropped on the sides. More length is kept on top, and sometimes (but not always!) the cut includes bangs.

Mullet

Mullets are a shaggier, messier, effortless way to cut short hair. Mullets can look like a “party in the front, business in the back” style from the 80s, but they have been making a comeback, especially within the queer community.

Mullets can be long, especially the back length, but a softer mullet is one of the most popular shorter hairstyles among Gen Z. By keeping the style shaggy and not too short on the sides, mullets can also be a great edgier haircut.

Bob

Bobs are the epitome of a summer-y short haircut! While people may joke about looking like Willy Wonka, bobs have been a sleek and classy hairstyle for years. The key is finding the correct length for your face shape.

Bobs can be extremely short or longer, which some call the “lob” (long bob). Whether sharp and clean or softer and more casual, bobs are the perfect versatile haircut for spring.

Step 2: Taking care of your hair

Learn how your hair air dries 

With all the extra length cut off, you might notice that your hair dries differently! It’s important to learn how your natural hair settles. Do you have a curl pattern? Are there any new cowlicks?

Experiment with hair product

If you notice a curl or wave pattern, applying the right product can help emphasize its beautiful shape, like a leave-in conditioner or a curl cream to help shape your waves.

For those with straight hair, I recommend sticking to a heat protectant or other smoothing product rather than using heavy products to prevent your hair from being weighed down and greasy. 

Heat style your hair 

Like your long hair, heat styling can shape, smooth, and add shine to your hair. However, you may have to adjust your technique to your new shorter length. 

Blow drying 

Try to keep it bouncy and soft. Let your hair frame your face! 

Hair is fragile and breakable when wet, so the best way to keep it healthy is to let it air dry about 70% before using heat.

I recommend drying it on the lowest heat setting and then using the coolest air feature to add shine. Blow-drying brushes are also an easy way to give yourself a blowout style!

Straightening 

Straightening your hair keeps it sleek, which is great for hairstyles like blunt bobs. You could also use a flat iron to curl the ends of your hair.

Either way, a heat protectant is an important first step! Depending on your hair texture, blow-drying your hair straight before using a flat iron could help smooth your curls.

Curling 

A curling iron is the perfect tool for adding body and movement to your hair. Curling away from your face lets your features shine through, creating smoother, beachy curls. If you curl your hair towards your face, the hair will be voluminous and less natural. Either way, curls can be easily dressed up or down, making them a great skill to master!

If you don’t have a curling iron, a blow dryer or flat iron can also create curls. You can also try heatless curls to protect your hair.

Step 3: Styling 

Great! You’ve now reached the most fun part of having short hair! There are so many different accessories and hairstyles to choose from. Whether you want to stick to a classic style every day or match your hairstyle to your outfit, there are so many fast, easy options.

Play with your part 

Whether you have a middle part or a side part, playing with how your hair falls could change your face shape and the way the cut looks. 

Half up, half down 

There are lots of variations in this classic style. You can do two ponytails on each side of your part or braid the tied-off hair. 

French braids 

If your hair is long enough, you can French braid the front and then tie off the braid when it reaches your neck. It’s a cute French braid/pigtail hybrid. Perfect for a warm or windy day! 

Step 4: Play with hair accessories 

Accessories are your new best friends when you cut your hair. There are plenty of ways to add some interest to your outfit or stylishly pull your hair back from your face, especially when you mix accessories with your favorite form of heat styling or hairstyle.

Barrettes

Barrettes are a classic accessory. I like to pull the front pieces out and then smooth them along my temple, stacking 2 to 3 barrettes per side.

There are plenty of fun and funky barrettes out there, too!

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Butterfly Clips 

Butterfly clips are the best way to make a cute ’90s throwback style. One option is to section the front pieces and pull them towards your part. Then, use the clips to secure the hair where you want it to sit. My favorite detail is to alternate the colors of butterfly clips.

Butterfly clips can also add color and shine to your hair, no matter the style. You can clip them into a ponytail or braids, too.

Headbands 

Headbands are another easy way to pull the hair back from your face. Wide and striped headbands are trending, but a thin headband is always classic. For more texture, you could also use a wavy headband.

Pro Tip: push your hair back with the headband and then gently pull out your front strands for a more casual look.

Bandanas

Bandanas add texture and color to your outfit. They’re also a great way to cover up greasy or dirty hair that you just don’t have time to style.

Fold the bandana over so it’s in a triangle shape, then flip your hair upside down and tie the two ends together. Make sure the edge of the bandana is flat against your forehead. Flip your hair back up and then pull the triangular part of the bandana so that the flat end stays at the front. 

Hat 

On the days when you don’t feel like washing your hair or styling it, a hat is another great option to hide your hair. Baseball caps, berets, and pageboy hats are all great options, but I’m also partial to a fun bucket hat. 

Hats are also extremely functional! Try a baseball cap when it’s sunny or a beanie if it’s cold out. Play around with how the hat changes your outfit.

Short hair is one of the most freeing experiences. Not only do you feel a weight off your shoulders (or in this case, your scalp), but there’s also so much room to play and express yourself through your hair. As the weather starts to warm up and we prepare for the summer heat, mix and match and play with your short hair. Short hair is the perfect opportunity for self-expression.

I hope this guide is a helpful resource for your short hair desires. If you have any tips, favorite styles, or specific questions, feel free to share them in the comments below!