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the best short hair styles
JB Lacroix

From the Tinkerbell to the flipper, these are the best short hair styles to bookmark

These celebrity cuts will have you running to the salon.

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Debating taking the plunge and going for a big chop? Or maybe you already have short hair and are looking for ways to give your style a refresh. Whichever sounds like you, a short hair style has never been more appealing. With our busy schedules (and the temptation to lie in for 10 more minutes), a lower maintenance hair routine is more tempting than ever – especially when a short cut looks this good. From Emma Stone’s recently debuted effortlessly chic pixie, to Raye’s vintage-glam bob, short hair has been taking the red carpet by storm and giving us hair envy.

At GH beauty, we love a short cut. Not only is it chic, but it’s also a great way to add dimension and volume to your hair while showcasing and framing your features.

‘Wearing short hair offers such great potential for contouring and flattering the face shape, more so than much longer hair, which often sits past the face,’ explains Tom Smith, London-based hairstylist and trend forecasting expert. And, in especially good news for those of us with a finer hair texture, ‘​​Short hair allows for easier volume creation and fuller textures, which can be great to enhance finer, thinning or flat hair types.’

As for styling your short hairstyle, you don’t need to worry. We’ve put together some of our top tips, alongside some of the best products, from hair oil to styling tools, so you’ll always have a perfect hair day.

Whether you’re after a classic bob, a statement crop, or something in between, we have you covered, pulling together a list of our favourite short hair styles that will tempt even those with the longest lengths. Don’t forget to save these for your next trip to the salon…

1

The Tinkerbell Pixie

the best short hair styles
Marc Piasecki

Emma Stone debuted her statement crop, which Tom Smith has labelled as the ‘Tinkerbell Pixie’, at the Golden Globes earlier this year.

This cut is characterised by subtle asymmetry and a gentle side parting, which softens the face, creating an ultra-feminine yet modern, fashionable look.

For this look, you’ll want to invest in a smoothing blow-dry cream to add definition and shine. We love JVN Complete Blowout Styling Milk.

2

The Beachy Lob

the best short hair styles
Marc Piasecki

There’s nothing better than a perfectly tousled, beachy wave. Victoria Beckham’s softly waved bob is the epitome of effortless chic.

To replicate this look, try using a wave spray and scrunching your hair. This will enhance natural waves and give you an extra boost in volume.

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3

The Side Swept Bob

the best short hair styles
Matt Winkelmeyer

For a polished, sleek look, give Naomi Watts’ side-swept bob a try. This razor-sharp cut, paired with the asymmetry of a deep side parting, will always have you looking ultra-chic.

After running straighteners through, finish off the look with some hair oil to keep frizz at bay: we’ve been loving Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Glossy Nourishing Hair Oil.

4

The Dolce Vita Bob

the best short hair styles
Jamie McCarthy

Raye’s iconic ‘dolce vita’ bob has us dreaming of a summer spent on the Italian coast. Full of glamour, volume and bounce, this hairstyle is perfect for those with thicker locks.

To achieve this dreamy look, Tom Smith recommends a classic blow-dry with a round brush. Alternatively, ‘you can hack your way to the result using heated rollers or tools such as the Dyson Airwrap’ (a product tried, tested and approved by the Good Housekeeping Institute).

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5

The Flipper

the best short hair styles
Jamie McCarthy

Feeling a little more Sixties? Then you’ll love Halle Berry’s sleek, flippy bob. The flipped ends are sure to bring something playful to your look.

The best part is, it couldn’t be easier to recreate. All you need is a trusty straightener. Simply section and smooth your hair, then once you reach your ends, turn the straightener upwards to flick. We always find ourselves reaching for the original GHD straightener.

6

The Hollywood Crop

the best short hair styles
Mike Coppola

Da’vine Joy Randolph arrived at the Oscars with the perfect Hollywood crop. This sophisticated cut makes a bold statement, exuding glamour and edge.

These glossy, structured curls can be achieved with a round-brush blow dry. First, use a hair gloss to achieve that high shine – we love the L'Oreal Paris Glycolic Gloss treatment. Once you’ve blow dried, finish off with a good hairspray to lock that beautiful shape in.

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7

The Classic Pixie

the best short hair styles
Stuart C. Wilson

We all know and love Dame Judi Dench’s signature pixie cut. With short, uniform layers, this textured crop requires minimal styling.

To create a modern edge, opt for a volumising powder on your roots to add an instant boost. The Got2b Powder’ful styling powder is a great option to add to your basket.

8

The Shaggy Lob

the best short hair styles
Manny Carabel

Sandra Oh has nailed the low-maintenance shaggy look, paired with a face-framing fringe.

This is a great choice for those with natural curls. Keep your routine simple with a curl defining cream, for an effortless yet defined look. We recommend trying Amika Curl Corps Defining Cream.

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9

Short and Sleek

the best short hair styles
Pascal Le Segretain

For an ultra-polished look, look no further than Michelle Yeoh’s sleek and shiny bob. Cut just below the chin and softly curled inwards, this style frames the face beautifully.

Shiny but strong hair is key to recreating this look. Tom Smith recommends investing in a wax spray, such as Evo Shebang-a-bang Dry Spray Wax, for ‘definition, hold and shine’.

10

The Elegant Quiff

the best short hair styles
Steve Granitz

Looking to elevate your pixie with something a little bolder? Take some inspiration from Jamie Lee Curtis, who shows you can be both chic and cool by adding a sweeping quiff.

To achieve this look, apply a volumising mousse after towel drying, then blow dry your hair forward, concentrating on the roots to add lift.

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11

Voluminous and Tight Curls

the best short hair styles
Michael Buckner/GG2025

Tight textured curls and shorter hair are always a good combination, and Viola Davis is the perfect example of this.

Hydration is key to keeping those beautiful curls defined; try opting for a curl jelly to lock in moisture – Camille Rose Curl Maker jelly is a great choice.

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