Short Hairstyles for Women

From Meg Ryan’s varieties of short cuts to Victoria Beckham’s new chic looking one… short hairstyles for women have always been in vogue. In fact, if you flip through the pages of hairstyle history, you will find that over the past hundred years the shag, the chop, the pixie, the bob and various other classic short styles have remained in fashion through the years.

Women who have opted for going short have always known that a well-crafted short style gives them the opportunity to try out practically endless styling possibilities. You can experiment with the wide array of hair styling products at hand these days, ranging from waxes and gels to sprays and creams. You can go stick straight, scrunch, spike, curl, back-comb, or wave, according to your mood, with the range of irons, blow dryers, pins, clips and accessories. For instance, hot flat irons can be used in a variety of ways on small sections of hair, which can then be layered, creating edgy and unusual styles.

Because short hair is so beautifully flexible, it works with practically any texture or type of hair from thick to fine, wavy to curly and straight, or even a combination; hence, short hair is never boring. Plus, it’s so convenient, especially the short pixie cuts – the ultimate in wash-n-wear hair. Just lather it up, dry with a towel, finger pick it, and air dry – it can all be done in a jiff. Great for the ultra busy girl with no time to deal with complicated long hairstyles.

Short hairstyles are also usually instant wear. With the right cut, the hair simply slides into place, and yet looks amazing. Not only do short hairstyles lend a more professional air, but they can often also be the last word in chic, elegance and sophistication.

That said, here are some of the most popular short hairstyles for women:

Blunt Bob

If you have fine hair, this style will make it look thicker. However, it does not work well with curly hair, unless you’re willing to straighten your hair frequently. Get your hairstylist to create a few bangs over the brow and to give you a blunt line. If you choose to get a more severe fringe, it will sharpen the overall look.

To maintain: To keep it in shape, get a trim every 6 weeks. You can blow dry it to style and use a flatiron to finish.

Short Bob

This style looks best with square or oval shaped faces. If you have a very round face, get a longer version. This hair cut is ideal for very straight hair. To get that gamine, face-hugging effect, the longest length of a piece of hair should be about one inch above the chin.

To maintain: To keep this look well maintained you will need to visit the salon about once a month.

Curly Bob

If you have a round face, the hair should be kept longer than chin length, and a little longer at the nape of the neck, to create a balanced look. If you have spiral curls, make sure that your hairstylist doesn’t cut it too short. Curly hair tends to retract, hence keep the length at your cheekbones. You can get a choppy effect by cutting each individual curl.

To maintain: This cut usually maintains its shape, so you will not need to use a bunch of styling products. You will need to trim it about once in six weeks.

Short Shag

This style is great with most types of hair, except very fine or very thick hair. It looks especially good on faces that are delicate with small features. The longest length of hair should be at the crown.

To maintain: This style tends to grow out fast, so you’ll need to get a trim about every 4-6 weeks. Styling this cut is very easy; all you need to do is use a volumizer to pump up at the roots when the hair is damp. While blow-drying it, tousle it with your fingers. Finish it off by kicking out the ends with your fingers.

Pixie Cut

This creates an out-and-out messy and choppy effect. Also known as ‘Elfin’ cut, it is a short, layered cut. This style emphasizes the face, so you need to feel good about your features and skin if you want to try this style out. Basically, the hair is cut short, and at different lengths; hence, there are no even or blunt pieces of hair. This has the effect of creating close-cropped layers of hair that frame the face. Think Mia Farrow in ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ or Twiggy.

To maintain: You’ll need a monthly trim to keep it looking shapely. To get a girly effect, you can push the bangs to one side.

Long and Short Cut

This looks great with an oval shaped face. If you have straight, fine hair, this cut will add amazing body to it. You can create a rocker vibe if you have wavy hair. Keep the layers choppy all around and longish at the back. You can add uneven, heavy bangs, which you can either keep on your face or tuck behind the ears.

To maintain: To keep it looking fresh, you’ll need to get a trim every two months.

Short hairstyles have the ability of creating a new image instantly. Whether you want to show off a new, hot wardrobe or a new weight loss, there’s nothing like getting a new short hairstyle to really set it off. It can add new verve and vibrancy to your image and looks. By Rita Putatunda