A chin-length bob can feel like it only does one thing, but a couple of bobby pins, a small claw clip, and two minutes in the morning change that fast. Most of these easy hairstyles for short hair hold up on second-day hair with a little dry shampoo or texture spray, and several keep growing-out bangs off your face.
1. Mini Top Knot, Half-Up
This pulls 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. The hair needs to be chin length at least, and light crown layers help it stay put. Because it adds height, it suits round faces. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this one takes two minutes. A bit of texture spray gives grip.
2. Barrettes Over One Ear
Here one side of a bob is pushed back and pinned with two or three barrettes in a row. The jawline and the face-framing layers on the other side get shown off. Straight and wavy hair of fine to medium density suits it. Part deeply to the side. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that takes a single minute. Try mixing gold and pearl clips.
3. Tucked Sleek Bob
A sleek tucked bob gets blow-dried smooth and tucked behind both ears. A blunt perimeter with no layers keeps the line clean. Straight hair of fine to medium density and oval or heart faces suit it. Work in smoothing cream, dry with a paddle brush, then add shine spray. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this is the polished one for work. Trim every 6 weeks.
4. Half-Up With a Mini Claw Clip
This twists the top section of short hair back and holds it with one small claw clip. A growing-out fringe stays off the face. Fine to thick hair of at least chin length suits it. Pick a clip around two inches wide so it grips. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that works on second-day hair with dry shampoo, and it takes less than a minute.
5. Side Twist Pinned Back
This takes a front section from the part, twists it back along the side, and pins it behind the ear. One side of the face stays clear of short hair. Any density works, and it sits well on bobs with face-framing layers. Cross two bobby pins for hold. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this one is for anyone growing out bangs. It takes two minutes.
6. Space Buns, Mini Version
On short hair, mini space buns are two small knots either side of a center part made from the top section only. Twist each side and tie off with a small elastic. The hair needs to be at least chin length. Fine to thick hair and oval or heart faces suit it. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for festivals and weekends. Leave the back down and pull a few pieces loose at the face.
7. Pigtails, Half-Up
Half-up pigtails pull two small sections from the top of a bob into short ponytails above the ears. The hair needs to be chin length or longer. Any density and round or oval faces suit it. Use small clear elastics or mini scrunchies. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that gets bangs through grow-out without clips. It takes two minutes.
8. Low Ponytail on Short Hair
A short low ponytail pulls a lob or long bob into a small tail at the nape. The shorter front layers will drop out, so I pin them with small bobby pins or let them frame the face. Medium to thick hair that at least grazes the shoulders suits it. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this is the one for the gym. A little gel tidies the hairline.
9. Low Mini Bun
A mini low bun twists a lob into a small knot at the nape, held with three or four U-pins. The hair needs to reach the collarbone at least. Layers will slip free, so let them frame the face. Medium to thick hair and oval or heart faces suit it. It is one of the easy hairstyles for short hair that works for both the office and weddings. Set with a light hold spray.
10. Headband Dutch Braid
A Dutch braid headband runs a braid along the front hairline from ear to ear and pins it behind the ear. Short hair stays off the face while the back hangs down. It works on bobs and pixies with three inches or more on top, at any density. A light gel grips the short pieces. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for growing out bangs.
11. Bangs Braided Back
Braided bangs take the fringe sideways in a braid along the hairline and pin it above the ear. The bangs need to reach the cheekbone at least. Because it opens the forehead, it suits round and heart faces. Smooth in a light gel before you braid. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this one saves bangs that need washing. It takes about three minutes.
12. Double Dutch Braids on a Lob
Two Dutch braids on a lob start at a middle part and braid underhand from the hairline to the nape. On short hair the braids finish just below the ears. Medium to thick hair of at least collarbone length suits it. A light gel keeps the parts clean. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for workouts. Sleep in them and wake up with heatless waves.
13. The Twisted Crown
A twisted crown takes a section from each temple, twists it toward the back, and pins the two together at the crown. A bob stays off the face with no elastic. Fine to thick hair and oval or heart faces suit it. Pick small bobby pins in a matching color. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this one pairs well with a flat iron wave.
14. Padded Headband on a Bob
A padded headband gives a bob height at the crown with no teasing. Set it two inches back from the hairline. Since it lifts without adding width, it suits oval and long faces. Straight or wavy short hair works. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that covers second-day roots. Turn the ends under with a round brush.
15. Headband From a Silk Scarf
A silk scarf headband folds a square scarf into a thin band tied at the nape beneath the hair. A bob or pixie stays off the face. It suits every hair type and hides regrowth between color appointments. Set the knot off to one side for a softer finish. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this is the one for travel and hot weather.
16. Tied-Back Bandana
A bandana tied back folds a cotton square into a triangle and knots it at the nape over short hair, with the front pieces or bangs left out. Any texture and density suits it. On fine hair, cotton grips better than silk does. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for the beach and running errands. It takes a minute and saves a skipped wash day.
17. Bob With Flat Iron Waves
For flat iron waves on a bob, twist small sections a half turn and glide the iron down, leaving the last inch straight. Point-cut ends let the waves separate. Fine to thick straight hair suits it. Finish with texture spray. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this one lasts two days with dry shampoo. Trim the bob every 6–8 weeks.
18. The Flipped-Out Bob
A flipped-out bob turns the ends outward at the jaw. I keep the perimeter a little blunt so the flip stays. Straight hair of medium density and round or oval faces suit it. Blow-dry with a round brush rolled out at the ends, then set with hairspray. It is one of the cute short hairstyles borrowed from the 1960s. To keep the ends crisp, trim every 6 weeks.
19. The Curled-Under Bob
A curled-under bob bends the ends in toward the neck for a rounded shape. Light graduation at the nape helps them turn under. Fine to medium straight hair and oval or heart faces suit it, and it works well for women over 40. Blow-dry over a medium round brush rolled under. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this one always reads finished. Trim every 6 weeks.
20. Wet-Look Slicked-Back Bob
For a slicked-back wet-look bob, comb strong-hold gel through damp hair and brush it straight back, then leave it alone until dry. Straight to wavy short hair and oval or heart faces suit it. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for evening events. A wide-tooth comb gives clean lines. Wash it out that night with a clarifying shampoo so product does not build up.
21. Textured Messy Bob
A messy textured bob is air-dried with sea salt spray, scrunched, then broken up with a touch of paste. Point-cut layers let it fall in pieces. Wavy hair of medium density and oval or long faces suit it. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this one takes five minutes. To hold the shape, trim every 6–8 weeks.
22. Swoop Bob With a Side Part
A side-part swoop bob pushes a deep part to one side so the front sweeps across the forehead. Blow-dry the front across over a round brush for lift. Round and square faces and medium-density hair suit it. A light crown layer adds height. It is one of the cute short hairstyles that makes fine hair read fuller. Hold the swoop with a hidden bobby pin.
23. Side-Swept-Bang Pixie
A pixie with side-swept bangs keeps the fringe long enough to cross the forehead. The nape gets tapered and I point cut the bangs on a diagonal. Round and square faces and fine to medium hair suit it. Dry the bangs across the forehead and finish with a light pomade. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this one dries in five minutes. Trim every 5 weeks.
24. The Slicked Pixie
A slicked pixie combs a light pomade through the top and brushes it back or over to one side, while the sides and nape stay short and tapered. Fine to medium straight hair and oval or heart faces suit it. A fine-tooth comb gives a smooth finish. It is one of the cute short hairstyles for formal occasions. Trim every 4–5 weeks.
25. Messy Textured Pixie
A textured messy pixie relies on a razor-cut top and matte paste worked through dry hair. Push the pieces in different directions with your fingertips. Fine to medium hair and oval or heart faces suit it. Among easy hairstyles for short hair, this one takes two minutes. Trim every 4–6 weeks so the top does not get heavy.
A chin-length bob can feel one-note, but a couple of bobby pins and a small claw clip turn it into three looks by Thursday. IMO, short hair is the laziest win there is. For the face-shape map, the oval face haircuts guide has it.
