How to Rock Short Hair

Co-authored by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: December 31, 2021 References

Shorter hairstyles are getting popular fast for women, and it's little wonder why. Though they work for some faces better than others, short hair is sure to make you stand out in a crowd, and with some sense of aesthetic and style, you can make it look as good or better than any longer hairstyle. Truly rocking short hair depends a lot on getting in touch with your natural look and knowing how to bring out the best in yourself. Whether you're going for a conservative, comfortable hairstyle or an edgy fashion statement, carrying whatever hairstyle you have with confidence is the surest way to get heads turning in your direction.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Finding a Style

1
Decide if short hair is right for you. Whether or not you're likely to suit short hair depends on the shape of your face.^{[1]
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Research source} Generally speaking, longer faces favor longer hair, and rounder faces are most suited to shorter styles. If you do have a longer face, you still shouldn't dismiss the possibility of having shorter hair; the bottom line of the matter should depend on your personal style and sense of aesthetic.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 16 June 2021.}
2
Identify your face shape. Anybody can rock short hair, but it does suit some face shapes better than others. One way to find your face shape is to look straight into a big mirror, then trace the outline of your face with lipstick. Then, step back and look at the style. If it's:^{[3]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 16 June 2021.}
- Oval: This is the most versatile face shape—you can wear almost any hair style!
- Round or square: Hairstyles with vertical lines are the most flattering.
- Triangular (narrower across your forehead and wider at the chin): Opt for a style with more weight at the top.
- Diamond: Try a hairstyle with blunt bangs and a bob that stops right at (or just above) your chin.
- Oblong: You'll benefit from a horizontal bang to shorten your face.
- Heart-shaped: Go for a side-swept style, like side bangs or a diagonal fringe, and stop the length slightly above your chin.
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3
Choose a hairstyle. Taking the plunge and cutting your hair will be a big move, but it can be just to think to revitalize your look if you think your style is growing stale. Potential hairstyles are plentiful, and it can be overwhelming to find one that suits you. Go online and check some online galleries that specifically showcase short hairstyles. With each style that appeals to you, try to imagine what you would look like. Spiking hair, slicking it back, and waving it with your fingers are effective ways of crafting a hairstyle.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 16 June 2021.}
- Try to find hairstyles on models with a similar face shape to yours.
- Bring your pictures to your hair appointment. It's the best way to communicate what you want to your stylist!
- Ask a hairstylist. If you're any bit unsure what you should do with your hair, you can always enlist the help of a hairstylist. Hairstylists see a wide range of different hair and face types over the course of their day, and an impartial perspective may help you figure out what you should do.
4
Dye your hair.^{[5]
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Research source} Once you have a hairstyle that suits you, you can choose to dye it if you think it fits your aesthetic. Rocking short hair is sometimes considered a daring move, and it's all the moreso when you add dye to the mix. An unnatural hair color, like orange or magenta, will bring attention to your new 'do.
- It is arguable that dyed hair is actually easier to pull off with shorter hair. It's also quite a bit cheaper, due to the fact you'll have less hair to color.
5
Experiment with your hair. The great thing about hair is that it grows back; of course it's not recommended to treat it lightly or mess with a hairstyle you're already super happy with, but you can always experiment in more subtle ways. Trying out different hair colors, parting or setting your hair in difference ways, or even recutting it will give you a chance to get the hair that matches your personal preferences.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 16 June 2021.}
- It definitely helps to keep a few online gallery tabs open. Use other persons' examples and eye down a style that suits you best; this is much easier than trying them all yourself!
- If you want to go through a number of hairstyles in a short period of time for testing's sake, start with the longest hairstyles, and trim it down until you reach a hairstyle you're comfortable with keeping.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Rocking Your Hairstyle

1
Give your hair some post-shower styling. You'll never know the regular look of your hair until you give it a good soak in the shower. Once you get out and dry off, you should have a better indicator what you'll look like. With each new hairstyle, you should try applying different products (like conditioner and mousse) and drying it different ways. Gel is helpful if you're trying to make it spike, and the way you blow-dry your hair can even help determine how it will set throughout the day.
2
Spruce your hair with extra volume. Adding volume is usually associated with longer hairstyles, but even short hair can benefit from added lustre. Treating your hair with a dime-sized dollop of mousse is a quick and simple way to give your hair volume.^{[7]
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Research source} If your current hair routine doesn't include something for volume, consider looking into it for your new hairstyle.^{[8]
X
Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 16 June 2021.}
3
Wear a headband.^{[9]
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Research source} Headbands are easy to wear, and can give your head an instant look of class. Headbands with short hair are arguably most closely associated with the gamine style from the 1920s and 30s. Adding a headband to your wardrobe is a good move if you're going for a more vintage look.
4
Accent your face with makeup. Makeup is and always should be considered optional, but many find it to be especially effective in the case of a short hairstyle. Short hair will bring added emphasis to your face, and giving your eyes more vibrance with the help of mascaras or eyeshadows. Think of your hair as a frame or your face; look at yourself in the mirror, pick out what features stand out the most, and emphasize them further.^{[10]
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Research source}
5
Dress to suit your hairstyle. A hairstyle is but one aspect of your overall look, and dressing to be consistent with your hairstyle will leave a stronger impression on people. Casual short hair on women is sometimes seen as tomboyish; playing into that conception can be seen as cute, but you can choose to dress very feminine if you're looking to work against it.^{[11]
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Research source} Aim for tighter-fitting clothes, as bagginess doesn't work near as much with short hair.
6
Maintain your hair. Trimming your hair regularly is a must if you're interested in having a short hairstyle. Depending on the length and the style you're keeping it at, a couple weeks of natural hair growth can change (or hinder) the look you're going for. Give it frequent attention, and develop a firm eye for how you think your hair should look.^{[12]
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Research source}
7
Be confident! Now that you've got a new hairstyle, it's time to show it off to the world. Keep in mind, however, that no amount of style can act as a sufficient replacement for believing in yourself and sporting some confidence on the side. Confidence can be a tricky thing for a lot of people, but it doesn't have to be for you. Take a long look at yourself in the morning and know that you rock that hairstyle. If there's anything you're still dissatisfied with, you can always change it.
- If you are worried about looking less feminine with short hair-- don't. Hair length has little to do with femininity. It's all about carrying yourself in a way that lets people know that you love being you.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I make my short hair look cool?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

Try a side part for a cool, sleek look. You could also spike the top of your hair for fun, whimsical vibe.
Question

How can I make my short hair look glamorous?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author

Expert Answer

Finger waves a fun, cool option you can try. This style makes you look fun, sassy, and chic, like a flapper girl.
Question

What if my hair is like SUPER short? Like people think I'm a boy?

Community Answer

If you like it, who cares? You could dress more femininely if you'd like, but if you're being mistaken for a boy, most likely the person just isn't really looking at you. Many people don't pay much attention to what's going on around them, they see short hair and think "boy." This is not a reflection of you, if you like your hair short, you should continue to wear it that way.

Warnings

Hair does regrow in the case that you don't like your shorter hair, but it'll probably take a while before it's back to a length you like. In the meantime, you can make do with what you have; wearing a nice hat is an effective option if you're insecure with your hair length.

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