The 30 Best Short Haircuts for Women in 2025

Nineties hair is back and this layered lob is on the top of the list. “It has soft, wispy layers that frame the face and add movement,” says Whiteman. “Think Cindy Crawford and Rachel from Friends, but with a more modernized, undone finish.” To style the cut, the Whiteman recommends dividing hair into sections and blow drying using a large round brush. For even more volume, consider Velcro rollers and spritzing texturizing spray to enhance movement. 

Scared of scissors? A long, layered look will give your hair a bit of edge without the risk of an awkward growing-out period. If you need any more convincing, just bring this picture of Jennifer Lopez to your next appointment. 

Quite possibly the most low-maintenance short haircut ever (and one of the reasons why it's so popular), a piece-y lob actually looks better a little messy. Just add sea salt spray and air-dry.

It goes without saying that lobs are hot. The freshest take on the ubiquitous cut? Asymmetry. Have your stylist crop your hair shorter in the back and gradually longer in the front for a sharper look like Rose Byrne above.

Here’s one of the best haircuts for wavy hair. The long bob lays right above the shoulder and does a great job at showing off your swirls. 

Believe it or not, a ‘mom cut’ isn’t always an asymmetrical bob. This modern chop is super chic and low-maintenance. It can be rocked shoulder-length or slightly shorter like Margot Robbie. Overall, it’s meant to frame the face and add fullness, especially for fine or thinning hair. 

The micro bob is the latest cut making headlines, with celebs like Lily Collins, Gabrielle Union and Michelle Williams jumping on the trend. “It’s a fresh off-the-runway chin-length bob. It’s sleek, sharp and softly textured for movement,” says Brook. It’s also a short haircut that all hair types can try out. If you’re looking to style it, the expert recommends using a hair serum for straight locks, texturizing spray for wavy hair and a curl-defining gel for curly hair. 

You've eased into a lob and now you're ready for more. Try taking it up a couple inches and pair with a deep side part for a little more polish (and loads more volume).

Or try a sleek, single-length look instead. The trick here is using a flat iron through each section before applying shine spray for a glossy, frizz-free finish. 

How to achieve really good hair: Keep it flipped and close to the chin for a foolproof fix against deflated strands. In order to achieve Sydney Sweeney’s ‘do, use a round brush and blow dryer combo to keep it bouncy and voluminous all day. 

The box bob emerged in 2023 and it continues to be a most-requested short haircut. As Brook explains, “It’s a structured, blunt bob with a strong, square shape. It’s bold and graphic, often hitting the jaw or cheekbone level for a statement look.” When asking your stylist for this trendy cut, Brook recommends talking about your desired structure—do you want it blunt and sharp or softer with a little more movement? 

The 2024 fall/winter New York Fashion Week shows saw an influx of the baroque bob, a larger than life haircut that’s all about the styling. “The baroque bob is a below-the-chin length bob, sitting just above the shoulders,” explains Chaz Dean, a celebrity hairstylist. “It’s typically a blunt cut, which adds some weight and density. [The bob is] always styled with a subtle wavy curl, prominently around the face.” 

As soon as the Italian bob came on the scene, I could see the allure. As Whiteman shares, “The Italian bob is a luxurious, chin-to-shoulder length bob that’s all about volume and bounce. Unlike a super sleek bob, this cut has a body, subtle layers and a more rounded shape for a fuller look.” This trendy look is especially great for straight and fine hair as it offers internal layers for extra body. Once you achieve the cut, Whiteman notes a texturizing spray can enhance movement and regular trims (every eight to ten weeks) can maintain shape. 

Also known as the barista haircut, this French-inspired bob lets you channel your inner Emily in Paris. “It’s shorter than your normal bob and cuts above the center of the neck, near or above the jaw in a square line (aka a straight line from back to front without an angle),” shares Connor. According to the stylist, the internal layers can add movement and volume for straight hair, whereas the cut can work with wavy/curly patterns to enhance shape and definition. As for styling, consider using a texturizing spray or mousse to show off your natural texture. 

Looking for a classic short haircut? Look no further than the pixie. “The pixie is short, lightweight and easy to style. It can also be edgy or soft and remains a timeless favorite for its versatility,” says Brook. Consider a polished, sleek look or go for a more piecey vibe like Emma Stone. 

Somewhere between a pixie and a bob (a pob?), Carey Mulligan's cut is equal parts feminine and fun.

Sweep it to the side. Rock a faux hawk. Rumple however you damn well please. The beauty of the pixie is that it's surprisingly versatile and always looks *done.* (Just become best friends with a good pomade.)

Like I mentioned, a good pomade can take your look from subtle to bold in seconds. Halle Berry was the OG pixie star and she was not afraid to add texture to her signature cut. 

FYI: A pixie is not only for straighter locks. As Connor explains, “I recommend minimal tension to allow the curls to do what they want to do. I build a round silhouette, especially in the back of the head. This area tends to flatten out, so having a round shape adds a sense of femininity.” 

I’ve compiled a ton of curly bob haircuts, but this graduated style is my favorite. The layers add shape and define Viola Davis’s gorgeous curls. Use a curling cream or mousse and you’ll be red carpet ready, too. 

Fact: Yara Shahidi is the perfect reference for finding a haircut for curly hair that works for you. This rounded cut frames the face and offers even layers for a fuller style. A curly gal’s answer to a lob, this one brushes just slightly against the collarbone. 

Take a cue from Samira Wiley and cut the sides super short and leave a little more length up top for volume.

A wolf cut combines a shag haircut with wispy layers—and this version takes a shorter approach. “This trend embodies the casual energy of young people, emphasizing not taking yourself too seriously and showing off an androgynous look that is super popular right now,” says Rogério Cavalcante, a hairstylist and salon owner in New York. “It also offers practical hairstyle options that don't require the use of blow dryers, curling irons or straighteners.” All you need is mousse for volume and a flexible hold. 

Looking for a low-maintenance style? A textured bob with a longer fringe looks cooler, messier.

The mixie might be the boldest cut yet. The lovechild of a pixie and mullet, this edgy haircut is loved by celebs and stylists alike. The top is cut short to resemble a classic pixie and the back is left long and tousled like a mullet. Just use a pomade or a texturizing spray for a piece-y finish. 

If you’re a big fan of the pixie, but want to maintain some length, the bixie is the next best choice. “This cut is a hybrid between a bob and a pixie. It offers the best of both worlds: the structure of a bob with the light, feathered texture of a pixie,” explains Whiteman. “It’s the perfect in-between length for those who want to go short but not too short. It maintains its structure even if you opt for something above the ear, or slightly below.” 

Another pixie hybrid that adds a shaggy flair to the mix. The wixie consists of wispy pieces around the face, layers down the side (and around the ears) that wing out and long layers near the nape of the neck. Rock it tousled and texture, or use a styling gel for a slick down style. 

A lob, textured layers and grown-out fringe make up the kitty cut. The trendy cut is versatile and works for all hair types. A stylist will use a drying technique to shape and define your natural texture. According to April Kayganich, a hairstylist and educator, this helps establish the length to “create longer layers through the shape and around the face. The point of this cut is to create subtle movement, and if you create too much shape, you can lose that soft texture.”

When in doubt, go for the shortest haircut of them all.

Additional Experts

• Chaz Dean is a celebrity hairstylist, colorist and the founder of WEN hair and body care line. Dean has over 25 years of experience, and his salon has served the likes of Ming-Na Wen, Nicole Murphy, Gilles Marini, Alyssa Milano, Gwyneth Paltrow and others. WEN is also the winner of multiple QVC Beauty Awards.
• Rogério Cavalcante is a hairstylist and the owner of The Second Floor Salon in Soho. He has 17 years of experience, starting his career in Brazil before making his way to New York City in 2007. Since then, he has collaborated with brands such as L’Oréal Paris, perfecting his own dry cutting technique and working with publications such as Vogue and Elle Magazine.
• April Kayganich is a hairstylist, educator and network stylist for Hairstory. She is currently a texture and color specialist based in Los Angeles and teaches aspiring stylists about how to work with all hair types.