45 Short Hairstyles and Haircuts We're Still Obsessing Over

Chop it like it's hot.

October 26, 2021

Kaia Gerber with one of the best short hairstyles a red lip and sunglasses.

Daydreaming about short hairstyles? We don't blame you. Short haircuts — from shaggy lobs to pixies to bobs — all share a breezy, carefree vibe we can't get enough of regardless of the season. Plus, one of the best things about going short is that hair grows back, so it’s not like you’re making a lifetime commitment. On the other hand, once you go short you may never go back.

Whether you’re looking to lose a little length or are gunning for a dramatic chop, we’ve got you covered. We rounded up 53 of the best short hairstyles rocked by celebs. Scroll ahead to get inspired — and possibly find your new look!

Edward Berthelot
1/45
Low-Maintenance Bob
Kaia Gerber added a softer touch to the bob hairstyle with subtle face-framing highlights. The model, who rocked longer hair for years, said that getting her hair cut short was a cleansing experience and made her feel more like herself. "I definitely feel more ‘me’. It gave me more individuality. It’s also just easier. I think every woman at least once in her life should feel the liberation of cutting her hair off," she said in an interview with Vogue.
Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2 Presented by Amazon Prime Video
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Close-Cropped Curls
Willow Smith's close-cropped natural curls are fire.

Mike Coppola/FilmMagic
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The Shag
If you still don't want to commit to a big big chop, this Miley Cyrus tousled blonde shag is a vibe.
Steve Granitz
4/45
Short Pixie Cut
The key to a short pixie cut? Confidence. (But having cheekbones like Zoë Kravitz doesn't hurt.)

Karwai Tang
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Blunt Cut
A one-length cut is a perennially sleek way to go short. The simple, yet classic look works especially well with straight hair.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
6/45
Layered Pixie Cut
If you can't quite commit to a close-cut pixie, try this alternative. With more length and tons of layers, you'll look playful and unique.

Rich Polk
7/45
Curly Bob
Julia Garner wears her naturally curly, blonde hair like a crown — and she stands out wherever she goes. The sweet style provides a sharp contrast to the tough-as-nails criminal prodigy she plays on Ozark.
Kevin Mazur
8/45
Shoulder-Length Bob
It’s almost tough to remember Taylor pre-chop, wouldn’t you agree? The singer’s lob suits her perfectly and even works well with her naturally wavy hair.

Frederick M. Brown
9/45
Side Swept
Lupita Nyong'o looks lovely in this side-swept short haircut. Because short hair can be a bit trickier when it comes to at-home styling, it's important to talk to your stylist before committing to a shorter cut. Always make sure to ask about the maintenance required for any short hairstyle, including how often you'll need to get it cut, the easiest ways to style it, and what products you'll need to achieve salon looks at home.
Dimitrios Kambouris
10/45
Golden Waves
An oldie but a goldie. Beyoncé dazzles in all hair lengths and styles, including this short, golden wavy hair with ample roots.

Jon Kopaloff
11/45
Classic Pixie with Bangs
Zendaya's cropped pixie isn’t the easiest short haircut to pull off, but it’s a classic for a reason.
Pascal Le Segretain
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Wavy Bob
Proving that sleek and straight isn't the only option for super short crops, Lily Collins adds soft texture to her cut with some subtle waves.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Caruso
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Luscious Lob
This Sarah Hyland short hairstyle has softer layers that really play up her bone structure.
Jon Kopaloff
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Slicked Back
Bob haircuts look extra sleek when they are slicked back with gel — just look at Julianne Hough.

George Pimentel
15/45
Blunt Platinum Bob
Kylie is always changing up her hair, alternating between colors and lengths on a whim — mainly thanks to wigs. One of our favorite looks on Kylie was this short hairstyle she rocked to the Met Gala. Why not make yours permanent?
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
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The Grown Out Lob
This is perhaps the most versatile cut of all if your hair texture is similar to Jenna Dewan’s. Her long lob reaches just far enough to create a tiny ponytail but still counts as short hair. Try this option if you want to go short, but not pixie short.

Peter White
17/45
Curly-Cue
Take a cue from Dilone and let your curls fall naturally for a soft, romantic aesthetic. For an added touch of shine, define your curl pattern with a little bit of leave-in conditioner or curl cream.
Stefania D'Alessandro
18/45
The Chin Graze
We can't decide what we like more about Emma Stone's short haircut in this pic: the chin-grazing length or the vibrant color.

Araya Doheny
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Chocolate Bob
Lucy Hale started with a two-toned bob when she first went short, but soon switched over to a chocolatey shade. The result? A gorgeous contrast that highlights her creamy skin and enviable brows.
Daniele Venturelli
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Short and Straight with Bangs
Gabrielle Union gave herself flirty side-swept bangs with this straightened short hairdo.

Leon Bennett
21/45
Shaved Side
Another one of the best hairstyles for short-length hair is this partially shaved look. Meagan Good pulls off a side shaved effortlessly. If you already have short hair and are itching for a change, consider asking your hairstylist to break out the quarter-inch clippers.
Scott Barbour
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Shoulder-Length Natural Curls
Solange's natural tresses were big on volume and short on length.

Pascal Le Segretain
23/45
Bob Haircut with Blunt Bangs
No list of the best hairstyles for short lengths would be complete without Anna Wintour's iconic banged bob. It's been her trademark hairstyle since her teens.
George Pimentel
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Carefree Crop
Here's another take on the bob with a middle part. This trendy look from Lucy Boynton features textured ends and never goes out of style.

Mike Marsland
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Tousled Bangs
To put a fresh spin on blunt bangs, randomly bend sections of hair over a curling iron to create cool definition and movement. Next, spritz on some spray wax for that piece-y, tousled effect, à la Ruby Rose.
Presley Ann
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The Side-Part
Kristen Stewart's hairstyles never disappoint, but one of our favorites is this tousled, side-slicked bob. Start with mousse for voluminous structure, diffuse with a blow-dryer for natural texture, and then finish off with a styling cream for hold and shine.

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
27/45
Shaggy Pixie with Long Bangs
Rita Ora's piece-y platinum pixie was all the rage in 2015 and beauty, like fashion, is cyclical.
RB/Bauer-Griffin
28/45
Chin-Length Bob Cut with a Middle Part
Kim used to switch back and forth between long hair and short bobs constantly. Though she now favors long hair, this will always be one of our all-time faves.

Vera Anderson
29/45
Pixie Cut
We'll say it again: If you're really daring, try a true pixie cut. Tons of celebs, including Anne Hathaway, have rocked this head-turning style.
Leon Bennett
30/45
Buzz Cut
The buzzed haircut is not for the faint of heart. Here, Halsey pulls off the look with flying colors.

Instagram/AmandlaStenberg
31/45
Cropped Curls
We love the retro '20s vibes Amandla Stenberg was channeling here with her cropped curls. A gel or shine serum will help you create this cool, sculptural effect.
Jon Kopaloff
32/45
The Short Shift
Want to recreate this '10s Katy Perry look? Add volume at the crown by blow-drying with a round brush and smooth out the front layers with a dose of styling wax.

Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
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Piece-y Pixie
What sets this pixie apart? The long layers both at the front and the back.
WireImage
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Loose and Long Bob with Bangs
Though Rihanna is a bonafide hair chameleon (we have proof) this bangs and bob combo is one of our favorites. The longer length of the bangs flatters RiRi’s face shape.

Instagram/Isabella Moner
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Pixie with Volume and Drama
Isabella Moner adds a little drama to your pixie with volume, texture, and a deep side part. The trick is to use a dollop of styling paste for hold and definition.
JB Lacroix
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'80s Inspiration
Create an '80s-inspired look by blow-drying your short hair away from your forehead with a round brush. Keep the style in place — minus the stiffness or icky stickiness — with a light, flexible hairspray.

JB Lacroix
37/45
Tousled Pixie
A tousled pixie requires a tiny bit of effort but it is worth it. Work a dab of styling wax through your hair, then — strategically, but randomly — muss the top of the head, and pull some pieces upward for volume.
Steve Granitz/WireImage
38/45
Longest “Short” Hair That Still Counts as Short
If you're looking for a way to ease yourself into shorter hair, this shoulder-grazing look is one of our favorite hair ideas.

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
39/45
Shaggy Bangs and Layers
Working two hair trends at once, Taylor Swift's layered lob had even more texture and movement thanks to her shaggy bangs.
Taylor Hill
40/45
Structured Pixie Cut
Here's another one of our favorite pixie haircuts. You can use a pomade to get texture and sheen, like Jennifer Hudson did here.

Mike Marsland/WireImage
41/45
Angular Blunt Cut
Model Jourdan Dunn added a bit of dimension to her single-length, blunt cut by keeping her roots dark and dyeing the rest of her hair a warm caramel shade.
Steve Granitz/WireImage
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Chic, Styled Bob
Leave it to Zendaya to take a simple blunt cut and sleek styled bob and make it look impossibly chic.

Photo: Getty Images
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Jet Black Lob with Flipped Ends
Another one of Kylie Jenner's standout short hairstyles was her jet black lob.
Photo: Getty Images
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Piece-y Cut with a Shaved Side
Demi has long loved experimenting with wild hair colors and extensions — but they can also pull off jet black and short styles like nobody's business.