Short Hair Styles

Choose Your Style

If you trust your stylist or you like taking risks, you can certainly walk into the salon, sit down, and say, "Let's cut it short today." Otherwise, you should examine assorted styles to see what might look good on you. Some salons have style books on hand so you can flip through pictures while you're waiting, but if not you will need to do some preliminary research.

The internet is a good place to start. Search for "short hair styles" and you'll find many sites with photographs, such as Hair News, which has a gallery of hundreds of different styles including very short, short, medium, and long. Be warned that a lot of hair style sites make money through advertising; if you have a pop-up blocker, turn it on before visiting.

Fashion magazines are another good place to look. Pick up a couple, or even stop by the library and flip through the pages to see what's popular. Some years you'll have trouble finding any models or celebrities with short hair. Other times, it seems that short is all the rage. Will you mind if you're the only one in your circle with short hair? Will you be disappointed if people think you're copying a celebrity? These are questions to consider before making the first cut.

Short Hair Styles that Work for You

When you're looking at pictures, you should look at the model’s face as well as her hair. A style that looks great on a woman with a pixie face might not work on someone with apple cheeks or a strong chin. Some short hair styles are better for round faces or for women carrying a few extra pounds, while others accentuate great cheekbones.

Also examine texture of the model's hair. Is it thin? Thick? Curly or wavy? The type of hair can really make a difference when considering the overall look of hair cuts. Sleek, short hair styles work much better with straight hair. If your hair is curly, getting that look could require a lot of products and a significant time commitment every morning. Talk to your stylist for advice on what styles are best for your hair.

Many short hair styles are cut just above the ears. If you've always had styles that covered your ears, pull your hair back and take a look in the mirror. Do your ears stick out? Do you have scars from over-zealous piercings? Make sure you're comfortable showing your ears to the world.

Choosing a Stylist

Giving a good short haircut requires skill since short hair is not very forgiving of mistakes. If the shape isn't quite right, the cut won't look good. You might not even be able to say what's wrong, but you'll know something is.

If you have a regular stylist, ask if he or she is comfortable cutting short hair. If you're planning to try a new salon, ask who's best with shorter styles. You may find that there's someone at the salon who specializes in short hair. Don't be afraid to tell the stylist if you don't like the way the cut turns out. Reputable stylists will offer to fix it for free. If you're still not satisfied, try another salon. It's worth the effort to find someone who can make your short hair style look great.

Maintenance for Short Hair Styles

Many short hair styles require minimal daily care. Short hair dries quickly, and doesn't usually get split ends. Some of the shortest styles don't even need to be combed! You'll probably find that your shampoo, conditioner, and styling products last longer because you use only a little bit each time.

The downside to short hair is that it does require monthly maintenance. You'll need a trim every four to six weeks to keep the style looking sharp. If you're on a budget, you may be able to see your stylist a few times a year and get touch-ups at a less expensive place. Just watch to make sure that the budget salon keeps the shape of the original cut.