Short hair is fun, fresh, and easy to manage, but sometimes, it can be tricky to style. If you have short hair and don’t know where to start, in this guide, I’ll show you simple and easy ways to style short hair so that you can look great every day and with the help of our Hair Expert - Melissa, you'll learn how to style your short hair.
And if you ever miss having long hair, don’t worry! You can easily switch up your look with our (very) easy-to-use hair extensions or human hair wigs.
Extensions will add length and volume to short hair, giving you a new style in minutes, while our high-quality wigs let you completely transform your hairstyle whenever you want.
what to do before styling your short hair.
Before styling, it’s important to know what kind of hair you have. Knowing your hair type will help you choose the best products and styles.
A. Determine Your Hair Texture.
Understanding your hair texture is important for styling short hair effectively. (Hair texture refers to the natural pattern and structure of your hair, and it can be straight, wavy, curly, or kinky).
How to: start by washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup. Let your hair air-dry without using any styling products.
Observe your hair’s natural pattern: if it lies flat against your head, you have straight hair; if it forms a gentle “S” shape, you have wavy hair; if it has a more defined “S” shape, you have curly hair, and if it has a zig-zag pattern, you have kinky hair.
B. Understand Your Hair Porosity.
Hair porosity is all about how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture, and it plays a significant role in how your hair responds to different products and styling techniques. There are three levels of hair porosity: low, medium, and high.
How to: find out your hair porosity with the water drop test. Take a strand of your hair and place a single drop of water on it. If the water is absorbed quickly, your hair has high porosity. If it takes a few seconds to absorb, you have medium porosity hair.
If the water sits on the surface, your hair has low porosity. Understanding your hair’s porosity will help you select the right products to keep your short hair healthy and manageable.
C. Understand Your Face Shape.
Choosing the right short hairstyle can be greatly influenced by your face shape. There are six main face shapes: oval, round, square, heart-shaped, triangular, and diamond. Each shape has unique characteristics, and certain hairstyles can enhance or balance these features.
How to: determine your face shape by looking in a mirror and observe the overall outline of your face. Measure the length and width of your face.
If your face is longer than it is wide, you have an oval face shape. If it’s as wide as it is long, you have a round face shape. A strong jawline and angular features indicate a square face shape. Knowing your face shape will guide you in selecting the most flattering short hairstyles.
2. Preparing Your Hair for Styling.
Good styling starts with clean, healthy hair. Here’s what you should do:
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Wash your hair with the right shampoo and conditioner. If you have oily hair, use a lightweight shampoo. If your hair is dry, choose a moisturizing one. Additionally, using oils can improve the texture and appearance of dry hair.
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Towel dry gently. Rubbing too hard can cause frizz. Instead, pat your hair dry or use a soft microfiber towel.
💡 Expert Tip from Hairstylist Melissa Souza (@styledxmelissa):
“A new shorter style will switch up your look and your hair care routine. You’ll want your new hair looking their healthiest and just as with longer hair, my number one hair tip is a silk pillowcase.
Of course, product choice and amount will differ for a shorter do, but keeping your style healthy is key to it looking amazing. I love leave-in products for this. Just remember, less is more to ensure you’re not weighing the style down or leaving it looking greasy.”
3. Simple Short Hairstyles Ideas.
Now, let’s explore easy ways to style your short hair! Shorter hair is incredibly versatile and practical, allowing for cute hairstyles like space buns and poufed ponytails.
A. The Messy Look (for Casual Days)
If you want a 'I woke up like this' look, try this messy look.
How to do it:
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Apply a little texturizing spray or mousse to damp hair.
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Scrunch your hair with your fingers while drying it with a blow dryer.
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Use a small amount of hair wax or pomade to add definition.
Best for: Wavy or fine hair. The messy look is also great for unwashed hair, as it can be easily styled with texturizing spray.
B. Sleek and Straight (for a Polished Look)
A sleek style looks classy and works for professional settings.
How to do it:
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Blow-dry your hair with a round brush, pulling it downward.
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Use a flat iron to straighten sections of your hair.
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Apply a little bit of serum or light hair oil to add shine.
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Use a smoothing serum to keep hair smooth and sleek.
Best for: Straight or thick hair.
C. Volume Boost (for Thin or Flat Hair)
If your hair lacks volume, this trick will help! This technique is particularly effective for thin hair, as it helps create the appearance of fullness.
How to do it:
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Apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair.
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Blow-dry with your head upside down to create lift.
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Use a small round brush to lift the roots while drying.
- Add short clip-in hair extensions.
Best for: Fine or straight hair.
D. Soft Waves (for a Feminine Touch)
Waves add a playful and stylish look to short hair.
How to do it:
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Use a diffuser or braid your hair overnight to curl hair.
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Use a curling iron or flat iron to curl small sections of your hair.
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Loosen the curls with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
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Spray with a light-hold hairspray to keep the waves in place.
Best for: Wavy or curly hair.
E. The Pixie Flip (for Short Pixie Cuts)
If you have a pixie cut, a simple flip can change your style.
How to do it:
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Blow-dry your hair upwards to create volume.
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Use a small round brush to flip the ends of your hair outwards.
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Apply a small amount of wax or pomade to hold the shape.
Best for: Pixie cuts or very short hair.
4. Want Longer Hair? Try Extensions or Wigs.
If you love short hair but sometimes want long hair, you can change your look instantly with hair extensions or human hair wigs.
Hair extensions: add volume and length to your short hair within minutes.
Human hair wigs: High-quality wigs allow you to completely change your hairstyle, from short to long, curly to straight, or even different colors!
Extensions and wigs are great because they give you the best of both worlds - you can enjoy short hair on some days and long, flowing hair whenever you want!
6. Must-Have Hair Products for Short Hair.
Here's the checklist of essentials every short-haired lady should have to style her hair properly:
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Texturizing spray: Adds volume and makes styling easier. This product is beneficial for all hair types, making it versatile and effective across different styles.
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Hair wax or pomade: Good for defining short styles.
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Hairspray: Keeps your style in place.
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Heat protectant: Protects your hair from damage.
💡 Expert Tip from Melissa Souza (@styledxmelissa):“I love leave-in products for short hair. They help keep hair hydrated without making it heavy or greasy. Just remember, use a small amount - less is more!”
7. Common Mistakes.
8. Experiment and Have Fun!
One of the best things about short hair is that you can try many different styles easily. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Use different products, change your parting, or add accessories like hair clips and headbands.
If you ever miss long hair, hair extensions and wigs give you the freedom to change your style whenever you want!
Special thanks to Melissa Souza (@styledxmelissa), Editorial Hairstylist + Extensions Specialist, for expert insights!
Try some of these tips, and enjoy your cool short hair! ✨
