105 Low Maintenance Short Haircuts for Any Hair Texture

April 28, 2023 (updated February 14, 2024) — Written by

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Short hairstyles are always in, well, style. You can easily be on-trend and save yourself some daily maintenance with a shorter haircut, and we can help. Whatever your reason for contemplating a chop, we’ve got you covered with this lookbook of low maintenance short haircuts for any hair texture.

A woman with a long bob haircut.
My bob cut back when I was growing out my gray.

By: Lisa Fennessy

Meet the Expert

Jennifer Nast

Jennifer is a stylist at Sharon Dorram Color @ Sally Hershberger Salon. When it comes to hair, she oftentimes sees herself more a tailor than a hairstylist, which is not surprising considering the focus she gives to the structural elements of a cut. “I have to customize the cut and style for each client, so I can’t really have any preconceived ideas before I have the client in front of me. I approach the face, the eyes, the neckline like a tailor’s form. Then I bring in their tastes, lifestyle, dislikes, daily routines and finally make a decision about what shapes will work best. The best cuts HAVE to be made-to-measure.”

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RELATED: 3 Minute Hairstyles For Every Length

A woman with a bob haircut sitting in a lounge chair holding a drink.
The Italian Bob haircut is the cut for 2024. Image courtesy of Byrdie.

At some point it’s likely you will have a, “I’m cutting it all off!” moment. This moment could be inspired by many things like maybe you experience a breakup and are looking for a fresh start. Maybe you are sick of washing-it-and-drying-it-and-styling-it every dang day and decide it’s time to clock into your most efficient hair life. Maybe the cool girl at work has a cute short haircut and you want one too. Maybe you are growing out your hair gray and want to get to that all-natural-look faster. Or maybe you ask for “a symmetrical” haircut but the hairdresser heard “asymmetrical” and now you need a quick fix, lol. 

I don’t know! But what I do know is if you are reading this post you are at one or more of these crossroads and need help. That’s why we’ve rounded up 105 low maintenance short hair inspo pics broken down by hair texture and hair style so you can find the perfect short haircut for you. 

We’ve also connected with Jennifer Nast, a stylist at Sharon Dorram Color @ Sally Hershberger Salon in NYC, to guide you through each section offering industry insight and professional advice to help you make the best choice for you. Let’s get to it!

RELATED: How To Go Gray: Before and After Pictures

Things to consider when you’re getting a short haircut

Jennifer gave us a great list of things to think about before getting a chop. First, consider the cost—and not just the emotional cost if you’re making this decision because of a breakup, lol. “Going shorter can be costly as you will need to get more frequent haircuts to keep the style,” Jennifer says. “A good rule of thumb [for time in between cuts] is short hairstyle [needs a cut] every 4 weeks, medium is every 8 weeks and long hairstyles are every 12 weeks.” 

And what about your age? Says Jennifer, “I’m not a big believer in the old tropes of ‘you can’t have long hair when you are old or cutting your hair short will make you look older.’ Everyone is different, so I suggest finding a great hairstylist and working with them to find the best look for you.”

One tip we really love if you’re wondering if that mega chop is for you: “If you are considering going shorter, like a pixie…start by slowly going shorter and work your way to a pixie. For example, if you have long hair, get a lob, then a chin length bob, then a pixie.” This gives you the checks and balances you need to make sure the cut is right for you.

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Short haircuts by hair texture

Jennifer says, “The most important thing to consider when going short is your hair density and texture.” With that in mind, if you don’t know your hair density (thick, fine, medium, etc.) or texture (straight, wavy, natural, etc.), you’ll want to start there before choosing a style. Checking in with a trusted stylist can help!

Short haircuts for thick hair

Jennifer’s advice: “If you have super thick hair, you may opt for a longer bob. This way, you keep some weight in the haircut to keep it from popping up.”

A woman with thick hair looks off to the side.
Image courtesy of kultura_moscow
A woman with bright red lips looks off to the side.
Image courtesy of madeleineschoen
A woman with curly red hair looks straight onward.
Image courtesy of maidilunediessensuals
A woman with a wolf cut and a nose ring.
Image courtesy of SDSHsalon
A woman with pouty pink lips and platinum blonde hair.
Image courtesy of rachelwstylist
A woman with short black hair.
Image courtesy of kash_meera
A woman with curly short hair in a green sweater.
Image courtesy of xonitarose
A woman with a short fluffy haircut.
Image courtesy of shorthairqueen
A woman wearing sunglasses has a short blonde haircut.
Image courtesy of shorthair_queen
A woman with salt and pepper hair that is curly.
Image courtesy of hairbytroypenn

Short haircuts for fine hair

Jennifer’s advice: “If your hair is on the finer side, going shorter can help your hair feel thicker.”

A woman with thin hair that is piecey.
Image courtesy of ceremonyportland
A woman with a sleek haircut for her red hair.
Image courtesy of kimr_.r
A woman with short gray hair.
Image courtesy of claudiaharrisonhair
A trio of photos of Scarlett Johanssen with short hair.
Image courtesy of croppedtoperfection
A woman with brown hair and blonde highlights.
Image courtesy of michele-sanford
Two photos of a woman with sunglasses and purple in her hair.
Image courtesy of masterofblonde
A short haircut on a woman with brown highlighted hair.
Image courtesy of shawnna.manzano
A smiling woman wearing glasses with a short haircut.
Image courtesy of graphichair
A blonde haired woman with a basket of laundry behind her.
Image courtesy of belleofthebay
A woman with short thin hair looks off to the side.
Image courtesy of rachel.naomi.hair
A woman in a red suit and short hair poses.
Image courtesy of SDSHsalon
A close up of a woman with cropped blonde hair.
Image courtesy of kurzehaare
The side view of a woman with black hair.
Image courtesy of nancyopdahl

Haircuts for short natural hair

A smiling woman with natural black hair.
Image courtesy of Brandi Noor
A woman with natural black hair looks down and off to the side.
Image courtesy of transitioningchicks
A woman with big hoop earrings and curly hair.
Image courtesy of matymahera
A woman with a close cropped haircut wears sunglasses and earrings as she looks off to the side.
Image courtesy of phiwe_kawe
The side view of a woman with curly short black hair.
Image courtesy of intrinsicurlyme
The side profile of a woman with long black twists.
Image courtesy of Dee Mills / Byrdie
A close up of Kerry Washington with long earrings and fingernails.
Image courtesy of kerrywashington
A woman with short natural black hair.
Image courtesy of mandy_jacobz
A smiling woman with curly black hair.
Image courtesy of aishanicole_stylist
A straight on view of a woman with dreadlocs.
Image courtesy of locs_and_ankara

Haircuts for short curly / wavy hair 

A woman with cropped curly hair and freckles.
Image courtesy of passingshimsies
A curly haired woman with brown shoulder length hair.
Image courtesy of sunnydeedoeshair
A smiling woman with bright red glasses looks onward.
Image courtesy of thestylingworks
A curly haired woman looks off to the side.
Image courtesy of alissa.iris
A close up of a woman with blonde curly hair and freckles.
Image courtesy of rachelwstylist
A close up view of a woman with curly short hair standing near floral wallpaper.
Image courtesey of Friendshairx
A straight on view of a woman with cropped curly natural hair.
Image courtesy of Versatile_coils_n_curls
A woman gazes at the camera with shaggy brown hair around her face.
Image courtesy of hairstylestutorials995
A woman with curly brown hair and purple eyeshadow smiles.
Image courtesy of aoki_hair
A woman with a nose ring and curly brown hair looking down.
Image courtesy of curlygirlserina
A woman with curly blonde hair who has tilted her head down.
Image courtesy of camrynscurls

Short haircuts for women (sorted by style)

Jennifer’s advice: “When your hair is flat and doesn’t get much volume, going with a strong shaped haircut like a pixie, a bixie or even just a short bob can give you major style.”

Wolf cut haircuts

A woman with a black wolf cut and a nose ring stands in front of a wall of hair products.
Image courtesy of ashadoeshair
A woman in a black leather coat rocks a blonde wolf cut.
Image courtesy of Brandi Voor
A woman with big gold hoop earrings has a black wolf cut.
Image courtesy of simply.cie
A woman with a multi-colored hair and dark eyeliner looks off to the side.
Image courtesy of the chromahair
A woman with a mix of white and blonde hair colors looks off to the side.
Image courtesy of rachelwstylist
A smiling woman with curly red hair and a nose ring rocks a wolf cut.
Image courtesy of nicurlywurly
A woman stands in front of a neon yellow background.
Image courtesy of olivethehairapist
A woman in a white sheer shirt with a black wolf haircut.
Image courtesy of rodankersalons
A woman with platinum blonde hair stands in front black and white wallpaper.
Image courtesy of worcestertoniaandguy

Pixie cut haircuts for women

A woman with a black pixie haircut gazes off to the side.
Image courtesy of cropped2perfection
The side profile of a woman with long earrings and gray pixie cut.
Image courtesy of kurzehaare
A smiling woman with short black hair looks off to the side.
Image courtesy of maggi_frisor
A woman with short black hair looks down.
Image courtesy of styleqhair
A woman with short gray and black hair and big black hoop earrings looks up.
Image courtesy of shorthair_queen
A woman with a black pixie cut and botanical tattoos on her chest looks off to the side.
Image courtesy of cropped2perfection
A close up of a woman with close cropped blonde hair and dark eyebrows looks straight ahead.
Image courtesy of jem.jeminihairartistry
The side profile of a woman wearing glasses and a haircutting apron.
Image courtesy of salongkarma
A woman with large hoop earrings and a short haircut.
Image courtesy of thecutlife

90s Lob haircuts for women

A celebrity with a long bob haircut.
Image courtesy of jessicaalba
A woman with a long brown lob haircut.
Image courtesy of thehairfable
Michele Pfieffer with a long blonde lob haircut from the 90s.
Image courtesy of 90sloveforreal
A rosy cheeked woman with a short blonde haircut.
Image courtesy of leanne_love_emily
A smirking woman with a sleek brown lob haircut.
Image courtesy of smsludhiana
A duo of photos of a smiling Jennifer Aniston with a shoulder length haircut.
Image courtesy of jenanistonhair
A woman with dark black hair and red highlights lifts her hair up.
Image courtesy of hairbynathi
A duo of photos of a smiling blonde haired woman.
Image courtesy of walter_hairstylist
A curly haired woman with bright red lipstick and hoop earrings.
Image courtesy of aline_franca_18
A woman with dark brown hair leans forward.
Image courtesy of cesarbinelo

Bixie haircuts for women

A woman in a white suit with bright red lips stands in front of a group of men.
Image courtesy of Locate Your Look
A woman with short wavy brown hair and double-pierced earrings.
Image courtesy of Raeganml_
A woman with a short blonde haircut lifts her chin up in the air.
Image courtesy of barbarianstyle_net
The side view of a woman in a black leather jacket and a short black haircut stares ahead.
Image courtesy of ashleenormanhair
A woman with blonde hair cut into a long bixie cut.
Image courtesy of loni.hairstyles
A woman with a nose piercing and a short bixie haircut.
Image courtesy of curlcousin
A woman with freckles and short bixie haircut.
Image courtesy of marco_firriolo
A straight on shot of a woman with a short pixie haircut.
Image courtesy of boomershinekaylynn
A woman in a striped shirt with orange hair.
Image courtesy of capellididavu
A woman in denim overalls wearing bright lipstick.
Image courtesy of jenjoneshair

Bob haircuts for women

A blonde woman smiling big.
Image courtesy of Jennifer Nast
A set of four photos of a woman with a sleek bob haircut.
Image courtesy of SDSH Salon
A woman with a short haircut in the back seat of a car.
Image courtesy of Jennifer Nast
The side profile of a woman with a gray bob haircut.
Image courtesy of francisca_shinehairstudiosc
A woman with a sleek bob and a big smile on her face.
Image courtesy of beautifiedbybekah
The side view of a woman who has pulled up part of her hair into a bun.
Image courtesy of chloenbrown
Taylor Swift with her hair cut into a bob.
Image courtesy of rahsalondallas
A woman with a nose ring has a sleek brown bob haircut.
Image courtesy of devhairartist
A woman with blonde hair sits in an office chair.
Image courtesy of The Bob Haircut
A curly brown haired woman in glasses smiles.
Image courtesy of nymphaea_rose_arey_
A woman with a short wavy haircut looking straight ahead.
Image courtesy of daiana_ellis

Lived-in layers for women

A woman with a layered haircut looking up and off to the side.
Image courtesy of glamupyourlifestyle
Vanessa Hudgens with a sleek black bob haircut.
Image courtesy of vanessahudgensloveandsupport
A straight on photo of a woman with a short haircut on her platinum blonde hair.
Image courtesy of rachelwstylist
The side profile of a woman with a layered haircut.
Image courtesy of Hair by Jeanna Marie
A black woman with a short stylish haircut.
Image courtesy of gracilyndiamond_london
Jennifer Garner, the actress, with a short wavy haircut.
Image courtesy of jennifer.garner
An older woman with dark black glasses and salt and pepper hair.
Image courtesy of mystylist_melbhair.au
A blonde woman looking off to the side.
Image courtesy of maryfenety_hair
A thin woman with a short haircut on her red hair.
Image courtesy of toniandguymunich
A woman in a turtleneck sweater with short brown hair.
Image courtesy of beautyby.jennc
A young woman with a gray hair cut and nose ring.
Image courtesy of joshua.thomas92
A woman with long colorful earrings looking up.
Image courtesy of hair.bytina

xo, lisa in cursive

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FAQ

What is the new short haircut for 2024?

The wolf haircut is currently trending for 2024. See more trending cuts here.

What is the most popular short haircut for women?

Current popular short haircuts include Italian bob, wolf cut, bixie, 90s lob, bob and pixie. See photos of these trending cuts here.

Short haircut, what should you keep in mind if you have thick hair?

“If you have super thick hair, you may opt for a longer bob. This way, you keep some weight in the haircut to keep it from popping up.” explained professional stylist Jennifer Nast. Learn more here.

Does short hair make you look older or younger?

Says Jennifer Nast, professional stylist, “I’m not a big believer in the old tropes of ‘you can’t have long hair when you are old or cutting your hair short will make you look older.’ Everyone is different, so I suggest finding a great hairstylist and working with them to find the best look for you.” See examples of trending short hair styles and cuts here.

By Lisa Fennessy

Lisa is the founder of The New Knew. Passionate about clean beauty, organic eats and nontoxic lifestyle, Lisa writes to create awareness. Conscious consumerism and informed decisions will impact the marketplace, our health and THE WORLD!

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1 Comment

  1. Reply

    Kathleen

    June 19, 2023

    Thank you so much for this! I have found some good tips from this post, thanks!

    Kathleen

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