Chin-length hair, a few bobby pins, and a mini claw clip cover most of what follows, and many of these styles take two minutes or less on second-day hair. Pixies, lobs, and short curls get their own picks too. These are the easy hairstyles for short hair I’d reach for on a rushed work morning.
1. Half-Up Mini Top Knot
A half-up mini top knot gathers the top section of a bob into a small knot at the crown. Section from the temples back, twist and wrap with a small elastic. It needs hair at least chin length. Light layers at the crown help it hold. It suits round faces, since it adds height. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that takes two minutes. Use a little texture spray for grip.
2. Barrettes Above One Ear
Barrettes above one ear push one side of a bob back and hold it with two or three clips in a row. It shows off the jawline and face-framing layers on the other side. It suits straight and wavy hair of fine to medium density. Use a deep side part. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that takes one minute. Mix gold and pearl barrettes.
3. Sleek Tucked Bob
A sleek tucked bob is blow-dried smooth and tucked behind both ears. A blunt perimeter cut with no layers keeps the line clean. It suits oval and heart faces and straight hair of fine to medium density. Use a smoothing cream and a paddle brush, then finish with a shine spray. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that looks polished for work. Trim every 6 weeks.
4. Mini Claw Clip Half-Up
A mini claw clip half-up twists the top section of short hair back and holds it with one small clip. It keeps a growing-out fringe off the face. It suits fine to thick hair at least chin length. Use a clip about two inches wide so it grips. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that works on second-day hair with dry shampoo. It takes under a minute.
5. Twisted Side Pin-Back
A twisted side pin-back twists a front section from the part back along the side and pins it behind the ear. It keeps short hair off one side of the face. It suits any density and works well on bobs with face-framing layers. Use two crossed bobby pins for hold. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair for clients growing out bangs. It takes two minutes.
6. Mini Space Buns
Mini space buns on short hair are two small knots on either side of a center part, using only the top section. Twist each side and secure with a small elastic. It needs at least chin-length hair. It suits fine to thick hair and oval or heart faces. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for festivals and weekends. Leave the back down and pull out a few face-framing pieces.
7. Half-Up Pigtails
Half-up pigtails take two small sections from the top of a bob and tie them into short ponytails above the ears. It works on hair at least chin length. It suits round and oval faces and any density. Use small clear elastics or mini scrunchies. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that grows out bangs without clips. It takes two minutes.
8. Short Low Ponytail
A short low ponytail gathers a lob or long bob at the nape into a small tail. Shorter layers at the front will fall out, so I pin them with small bobby pins or leave them as face-framing pieces. It suits medium to thick hair at least shoulder grazing. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair for the gym. Use a little gel at the hairline.
9. Mini Low Bun
A mini low bun twists a lob into a small knot at the nape. Pin it with three or four U-pins. It works on hair at least collarbone length. Layers will slip out, so let them frame the face. It suits medium to thick hair and oval or heart faces. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair for work and weddings. Finish with a light hold spray.
10. Dutch Braid Headband
A Dutch braid headband braids the front hairline from one ear to the other and pins it behind the ear. It keeps short hair off the face and leaves the back down. It works on bobs and pixies with at least three inches on top. It suits any density. Use a light gel to grip short pieces. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for growing out bangs.
11. Braided Bangs
Braided bangs braid the fringe sideways along the hairline and pin it above the ear. It works on bangs that reach at least the cheekbone. It suits round and heart faces, since it opens the forehead. Use a light gel before braiding. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair when bangs need a wash. It takes about three minutes.
12. Two Dutch Braids on a Lob
Two Dutch braids on a lob part down the middle and braid underhand from the hairline to the nape. On short hair, the braids end just below the ears. It suits medium to thick hair at least collarbone length. Use a light gel for clean parts. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for workouts. Sleep in them for heatless waves.
13. Twisted Crown
A twisted crown twists a section from each temple toward the back and pins them together at the crown. It keeps a bob off the face without an elastic. It suits fine to thick hair and oval or heart faces. Use small bobby pins in a matching color. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that looks good with a flat iron wave.
14. Bob With a Padded Headband
A padded headband on a bob adds height at the crown without teasing. Push it back two inches from the hairline. It suits oval and long faces, since it lifts without adding width. It works on straight or wavy short hair. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that hides second-day roots. Curl the ends under with a round brush.
15. Silk Scarf Headband
A silk scarf headband folds a square scarf into a thin band and ties it at the nape under the hair. It keeps a bob or pixie off the face. It suits any hair type and covers regrowth between color visits. Tie the knot to one side for a softer look. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair for travel and hot days.
16. Bandana Tied Back
A bandana tied back folds a cotton square into a triangle and knots it at the nape over short hair. Leave the front pieces or bangs out. It suits any texture and density. Cotton grips better than silk on fine hair. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for the beach and errands. It takes one minute and covers a missed wash day.
17. Flat Iron Waves on a Bob
Flat iron waves on a bob twist small sections half a turn and glide the iron down. Leave the last inch straight. Point-cut ends help the waves separate. It suits fine to thick straight hair. Finish with a texture spray. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that lasts two days with dry shampoo. Trim the bob every 6 to 8 weeks.
18. Flipped-Out Bob
A flipped-out bob turns the ends outward at the jaw. I keep the perimeter slightly blunt so the flip holds. It suits straight hair of medium density and round or oval faces. Blow-dry with a round brush rolled out at the ends and set with hairspray. It is one of the cute short hairstyles from the 1960s. Trim every 6 weeks so the ends stay crisp.
19. Curled-Under Bob
A curled-under bob bends the ends toward the neck for a rounded shape. Light graduation at the nape helps the ends turn under. It suits fine to medium straight hair and oval or heart faces, and works well for women over 40. Blow-dry with a medium round brush rolled under. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that looks finished. Trim every 6 weeks.
20. Slicked-Back Wet-Look Bob
A slicked-back wet-look bob combs a strong-hold gel through damp hair and brushes it straight back. Let it dry without touching it. It suits oval and heart faces and straight to wavy short hair. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for evening events. Use a wide-tooth comb for clean lines. Wash out at night with a clarifying shampoo to avoid buildup.
21. Messy Textured Bob
A messy textured bob is air-dried with sea salt spray and scrunched, then broken up with a little paste. Point-cut layers help it fall in pieces. It suits wavy hair of medium density and oval or long faces. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that takes five minutes. Trim every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the shape.
22. Side-Part Swoop Bob
A side-part swoop bob moves a deep part to one side so the front sweeps across the forehead. Blow-dry the front across with a round brush for lift. It suits round and square faces and medium-density hair. A light layer at the crown adds height. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that makes fine hair look fuller. Pin the swoop with a hidden bobby pin.
23. Pixie With Side-Swept Bangs
A pixie with side-swept bangs leaves the fringe long enough to sweep across the forehead. I taper the nape and point cut the bangs on a diagonal. It suits round and square faces and fine to medium hair. Blow-dry the bangs across and finish with a light pomade. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that dries in five minutes. Trim every 5 weeks.
24. Slicked Pixie
A slicked pixie combs a light pomade through the top and brushes it back or to one side. The sides and nape stay short and tapered. It suits oval and heart faces and fine to medium straight hair. Use a fine-tooth comb for a smooth finish. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for formal events. Trim every 4 to 5 weeks.
25. Textured Messy Pixie
A textured messy pixie uses a razor-cut top and a matte paste worked through dry hair. Push pieces in different directions with your fingertips. It suits oval and heart faces and fine to medium hair. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that takes two minutes. Trim every 4 to 6 weeks to keep the top from getting heavy.
26. Pixie With Bobby Pin Accents
A pixie with bobby pin accents pins the fringe back in a crossed X or a row of colored pins above one ear. It keeps grow-out pieces in place. It suits any face shape and fine to medium hair. Use a little gel where the pins go. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that changes a pixie in one minute.
27. Short Curly Wash-and-Go
A short curly wash-and-go applies a curl cream and gel to soaking-wet hair, then diffuses or air-dries. I cut short curly hair dry, curl by curl, so the shape stays round. It suits 3A to 4A curls. Refresh with water and a little gel on day two. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair with natural texture. Trim every 8 to 10 weeks.
28. Short Curly Pineapple Puff
A short curly pineapple puff gathers the curls at the crown with a satin scrunchie and lets the front fall forward. It works on curls at least four inches long. It suits 3B to 4B hair. Smooth the edges with a soft brush and edge gel. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for day-three curls. Refresh with water and a leave-in.
29. Short Twist-Out
A short twist-out sets two-strand twists on damp, moisturized hair and unravels them when dry. On short natural hair, it gives defined, stretched curls. It suits 4A to 4C hair of medium to thick density. Separate gently with oiled fingers and sleep in a satin bonnet. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that lasts four to five days.
30. Finger Waves
Finger waves set S-shaped ridges into short hair with a strong gel and a fine-tooth comb. Form each wave with your fingers and clip until dry. It works best on hair two to five inches long. It suits oval and heart faces. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for formal events. Remove the clips once fully dry and finish with shine spray.
31. Half-Up Bubble Ponytail
A half-up bubble ponytail on a bob ties the top section into a small ponytail and adds one or two clear elastics. Pull each section out into a small bubble. It needs at least chin-length hair. It suits fine to medium hair. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for school and weekends. Leave the rest down straight or waved.
32. Ribbon Half-Up
A ribbon half-up ties a satin ribbon over a small ponytail at the crown of a bob. Section from the temples back, secure with a clear elastic and tie the ribbon in a bow. It suits all densities. Curl the ends of the bob with a 1-inch iron. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that takes under three minutes.
33. Velvet Bow Clip
A velvet bow clip pins one side of a bob back above the ear. It adds color and keeps hair out of the face. It suits any density and works on straight or wavy short hair. Choose a clip with a strong snap so it holds fine hair. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for the holidays. Curl the ends under with a round brush.
34. Undone Top Knot on a Lob
An undone top knot on a lob gathers the hair at the crown and wraps it loosely. Pieces will fall out at the nape and temples, which is the look. It needs hair at least collarbone length. It suits medium to thick hair. Spray dry texture spray first for grip. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair on second-day hair.
35. Short Faux Hawk
A short faux hawk pushes the top of a pixie toward the center with a firm paste while the sides stay flat. It works on pixies with three to four inches on top. It suits oval and heart faces and medium to thick hair. Blow-dry the top upward first. It is one of the bolder cute short hairstyles. Trim every 4 weeks.
36. Heatless Braid Waves on a Bob
Heatless braid waves on a bob come from two or three small braids put in damp hair at night. Take them out in the morning and break up the waves with your fingers. It suits straight to wavy hair of fine to medium density, at least chin length. Apply a light mousse before braiding. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that avoids heat.
37. Bob With Curtain Bangs Styled Out
Curtain bangs on a bob styled out roll each side of the fringe away from the face with a small round brush. The bob stays smooth. I cut the bangs to open at the cheekbones and blend into the bob. It suits oval, long and square faces. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that looks finished in ten minutes. Trim the bangs every 4 weeks.
38. Pinned-Back Pompadour Bangs
Pinned-back pompadour bangs lift the fringe at the root and pin it back with two crossed bobby pins. Tease lightly at the root for height. It works on bangs or a pixie top at least four inches long. It suits round faces, since height lengthens the face. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair for growing out bangs. Finish with a firm hold spray.
39. Mini Braids With Hair Cuffs
Mini braids with hair cuffs braid two thin sections at the temples and slide small gold cuffs onto each. The rest of the bob stays down. It works on any texture at least chin length. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for festivals and vacations. Cuffs slide off for washing. Secure each braid with a clear elastic and a drop of gel.
40. Stacked Snap Clips
Stacked snap clips line three to five small colored clips along the part or above one ear. They hold short hair back and add color. It suits fine to medium straight hair. Twist each section once before clipping so the clips do not slide. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that takes one minute. Remove the clips before bed.
41. Air-Dried Wavy Bob
An air-dried wavy bob relies on the cut. I point cut the ends and add light layers so the wave pattern shows. It suits 2A to 2C waves of any density. Scrunch in a light mousse on damp hair and leave it alone until dry. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that needs no tools. Trim every 8 weeks.
Short hair is forgiving because a mini claw clip or two bobby pins fixes most mornings without a full restyle. For easy hairstyles for short hair I keep the pins by the mirror so the two-minute version actually holds past the commute. A little matte paste at the ends stops the pieces from flipping out. oval face haircuts stay the shape I get asked about most, and the same length rules apply whether the cut is curly or straight.
Short hair is forgiving because a mini claw clip or two bobby pins fixes most mornings without a full restyle. For easy hairstyles for short hair I keep the pins by the mirror so the two-minute version actually holds past the commute. A little matte paste at the ends stops the pieces from flipping out. oval face haircuts stay the shape I get asked about most, and the same length rules apply whether the cut is curly or straight.