The Best Short Haircut for Your Hair Type, According to Hairstylists (2024)

• Clariss Rubenstein is a professional hairstylist and a member of the R+Co Collective.
• Jamie Stevens is a professional hairstylist based in London.

Fine Hair: Fluffy Pixie

Ruth Negga proves that even short hair can have a little flair. Here, her hair is kept super-short but slightly layered. Add shine spray to complete the look.

Fine Hair: Short and Sleek

For those with fine hair, layers and piece-y waves like Kaia Gerber's add some volume and movement to a sleek bob. To get Gerber's waves, use a curling iron or wand and smooth Sachajuan'sShine Serum($36) throughout your lengths to achieve silky shine.

Fine Hair: Pixie with Bangs

Though a pixie is relatively low maintenance when it comes to daily styling– if your hair is on the straighter side–, you may need to visit the salon more regularly to keep your locks at the right length. This is especially true if you give the style some edge with bangs, as Ginnifer Goodwin does here. To add some texture without overdoing it, opt for a spray rather than a pomade—we like R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray ($16).

Fine Hair: Tousled Lob

We love the length of this cut, which goes just past the jawline but not quite to the shoulders. The slenderness of Hailey Bieber's oval face allows this length to hug her bone structure just right. And as she demonstrates, an air-dry and a quick spritz of texture spray can work wonders.

Fine Hair: Cropped Pixie

Worried about your fine hairlooking sparse? Opt for a classic pixie crop, says Stevens. "As a rule, the shorter fine hair is taken, the thicker it will look," he explains. "Ask your stylist for a cut that's blunt with no texturizing or thinning out."

Many facial types can rock a pixie, but be sure you're comfortable with your face being on full display. "Remember that your facial features will be more exposed with this cut," warns Stevens. "If you have strong features, the shorter the haircut, the more prominent they'll appear," he adds. Kristen Stewart's bone structure suits a cropped pixie style well.

Wavy Hair: Textured Bob

The best part about short, wavy hair, adds Stevens, is that it's incredibly low maintenance.Regrowth won't be as much of a problem, and leaving it to dry naturally will create some fabulous texture. "Make sure you've got the right products to tame any fluff and frizz," adds Stevens.

Rubenstein says that investing in a solid wash day routine will come in handy, too. "The right shampoo and conditioner is so important and has such an impact on how the hair behaves, especially for those who do less blow-drying and styling," Rubenstein says. "I’m loving R+Co BLEU De Luxe Reparative Shampoo ($59) and Conditioner ($59) for thicker hair. It’s so nourishing and moisturizing, not a hint of frizz."

Wavy Hair: Lengthy Lob

Not sure how your waves will behave? Aim for the longer end of the short hair spectrum, advises Stevens. "Most short haircuts will suit wavy hair, but I would normally say that the shorter the haircut the more the waves will look like Marcel waves [i.e. finger waves], which can be incredibly aging," he explains. "Lean toward something slightly longer—around four to five inches all over—to avoid adding years on."

Wavy Hair: Wet Look

Rihanna embraces her natural hair– which sits just above her shoulders– by rocking the wet look. An easy to achieve style, we recommend applying Color Wow Dream Coat For Curly Hair($24) to damp hair then blow-dry with a diffuser attachment.

Curly/Afro Hair: Tight Curls

While most lengths will work on hair with tight curls, Stevens warns that it's key to work with an expert who understands the impact of shrinkage on your lengths. "Make sure your hairdresser is on the same page regarding the natural spring in the hair, as the end results in length won't be the same as the length of the cut," he explains. "My personal recommendation is to keep the hair on the slightly longer side of what you want—it'll naturally spring up a few inches shorter when dry." Keep your curls well moisturized with Nexxus Curl Define Hair Conditioner ($19).

Curly/Afro Hair: Asymmetric Bob

We love Taraji P. Henson's asymmetric bob, which sees more volume on one side. Cutting one side slightly shorter adds an avant-garde feel that flatters those with thicker hair.

Curly/Afro Hair: Buzz Cut

Keep your curls nice and short by opting for a buzz cut, as seen on Lupita Nyong'o. Bonus points if you like to have fun with bold makeup choices. Although beyond easy to style, we do caution that this is a high-maintenance cut if you intend to keep it at a cropped length.

Curly/Afro Hair: Fringed Bob

If you've got a collection of stunning coils like Yara Shahidi, show them off with a fringe bob. To keep her curls moisturized, Shahidi swears by Mielle Mint Almond Oil ($14), which promotes healthy hair and soothes a dry scalp, thanks to the cooling sensation of– you guessed it– peppermint.

Thick Hair: Classic Hollywood Bob

According to Stevens, you're winning already if you have thick hair: "If I'm honest, thick hair is really the best hair type to suit all short haircuts," he says. "The reason being, it's a lot easier for stylists to make thick hair thinner, rather than the reverse."

Before you get carried away, however, bear in mind that your chop might come with a lot of upkeep—especially if your thick hair is prone to waves or unruly behavior. Use a smoothing oil like Ouai Hair Oil ($30) to keep it sleek, especially if you're after Tessa Thompson's perfectly coiffed Hollywood waves.

Thick Hair: Tousled and Textured

A textured bob is perfect for those with naturally thick hair. Beyoncé's layers remove the bulk that comes with thick hair and makes the style more manageable with movement and volume.

Thick Hair: Pompadour

If you've got it, flaunt it. That's the idea behind the pompadour, which sees a lot of height concentrated on top of the head. It's a great way to show off volume and thickness, even with a short cut.

Thick Hair: Blown-out Lob

Use thick hair to your advantage and bring the drama with a blown-out lob like Lady Gaga. While Gaga's length rests comfortably on her shoulders, a round brush, some smoothing serum, and a heat protectant—we love Bumble & bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat and UV Protective Primer ($30)—is all you need.

Thick Hair: 1990s Bob

Zendaya's thick hair looks great in this sexy style. Here, hair is kept full and voluminous, with a wide-barrel curling iron adding serious bounce to the ends.

Straight Hair: Box Bob

Pin-straight locks? Beware of going too short, says Stevens. "Medium-short cuts work best on hair that's naturally very straight, as the extra length and weight will help it sit better," he explains. "If poker-straight hair is cut too short it will stick out everywhere. Short box bobs with a fringe are best."

While you'll get to enjoy a relatively low-maintenance life with your cut, Stevens notes that it's vital you visit a quality salon—it'll be easy to spot a cut that hasn't been well-executed on your hair type.

Straight Hair: Off-centered Part

If you tend to lack volume, focus on lifting from the root, using a lift-enhancing product. "Thickening shampoo is ideal for hair that needs volume—with or without a blow dryer it gives thin hair some great lift," Rubenstein says. We like Sachajuan Ocean Mist Volume Shampoo ($31) for creating texture and body on fine strands. Moving your part slightly off-center also helps with volume.

Straight Hair: Blunt Lob

A blunt blob, or in Jamie Chung's case, a lob can be a flattering look on everyone. Especially if it just ever so slightly skims the shoulders. We like the Ghd Platinum+ Professional Performance Styler ($279) for its ability to straighten short hair in just a few minutes.

Straight Hair: One-Length Bob

As Kourtney Kardashian demonstrates, a bob can go in many directions. Here, it's kept blunt at the ends, but with a little texture (and wet look styling), it veers modern.

Straight Hair: Razored Pixie

Rather than keeping your pixie all one length, ask your stylist to razor the edges. Using a blade gives the effect of layers and adds a little edge and texture.