So, you’ve gone for the chop in an attempt to embody the perfect Zoe Kravitz or Charlize Theron, but now you’re wondering about the versatility your mere centimetres of hair can achieve. Just how do you style short hair??
Well, put your worries aside, channel Destiny’s Child era Kelly Rowland and say, ‘no, no, no’ to the onslaught of hair-related anxiety you’re feeling. With the help of the right styling products and accessories, there are so many ways to switch up your look.
From finger waves to adding a bit of bling, here's six ways to turn your pixie cut up to eleven.
Short Hairstyle No.1 - Add Texture
Adding texture can be a cute way to change it up that doesn’t require much skill (see finger waves for a more advanced option).
Get The Look
‘Using a rake comb as a styling tool is always really good for adding a textured look to short sleek hair,’ says hair stylist Nikki Nelms. Take inspiration from Zoe Kravitz’s look at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscars party and create texture with a salt spray, styling mousse or putty, followed by a softer hold hairspray like the Sam McKnight Barely There Texture Mist. With its baby pink packaging, it may just be the most Insta-worthy hairspray bottle we’ve ever seen.
Celebrity hair stylist George Northwood recommends having a salt spray in your kit: 'Salt Sprays on short hairstyles can create lots of texture without that waxy finish from other styling products. It's the go-to product when you want to accentuate any hair with a natural wave. It can create that ‘fresh from the surf’ slightly bed-head look that’s very attractive'.
Short Hairstyle No.2 - Finger Waves
For this style, we’re delving back into the hair history books. What started off as the flapper girl’s hairstyle of choice in the 1920s, and was later adopted by 90s Hip Hop stars (thank you, Missy Elliott), finger waves are a next level way to tame your short hair.
Also sported by Solange in her Don’t Touch My Hair video, when we asked Nelms aka the hair stylist responsible for her look, for her thoughts on the style, her answer was simple: ‘definitely chic!’. Enough said.
Get The Look
To achieve this look you’re going to need a comb, a mirror, considerable upper-body strength, or a helpful friend, as this could take a while.
First, load up on a strong hold styling gel, apply more on the top and front sections of the hair where the waves will be most visible, then, using your comb, make a deep side parting.
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Create the waves starting from the parting by combing a C shape stroke backwards. Place your finger over it to hold in place, then make another C shape moving forwards.
Repeat this process all the way down your head making sure that your waves line up. Then go in with tonnes of hairspray for extra hold.
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Short Hairstyle No.3 - Sleek Sweep
For those second day dirty hair moments, or when you're feeling just a little lazy, a slicked back look is ideal.
Get The Look
What are the three essentials a short-haired girl should never be without? ‘A comb, a small Denman brush and a can of mousse’, says Charlize Theron’s hair stylist Enzo Angileri. ‘I love the Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam. It comes in a variety of strengths and it dries quickly with no flakes.’
As with any style, it’s also important to take your hair’s natural texture into consideration before you start piling on the products. ‘How curly your natural hair is will determine whether or not you need to include a few more steps,’ explains Nikki Nelms.
‘If your hair is super curly, you may want to start with a clean moulding process, include setting lotion or a pomade and sit under a hooded dryer to ensure your sleek look will last a little longer.’
Short Hairstyle No.4 - Pump Up The Volume
Adding volume is a lifelong struggle for some of us, particularly if you have thin, fine or super straight hair. Luckily, with short hair it’s easier to achieve as you don’t have the weight of longer hair dragging it down and losing its oomph throughout the day.
Get The Look
‘Always blowdry hair upside down,' says Angileri. 'If your hair is very short, add some mousse and blow dry in the opposite direction to the hair’s natural growth. When it's completely dry, add some light hairspray to the roots.'
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Short Hairstyle No.5. Add Embellishment
A fun way to add some sparkle or intrigue is to incorporate a few hair accessories. Nikki Nelms has added everything from googly eyeballs to pearls to Janelle Monae’s red carpet hair, but it’s not always easy.
Get The Look
‘Sometimes I'll attach the accessories to a hair pin, bobby pin or some type of clip using a glue gun or super glue so that I have more control of the accessory.’ We recommend you hang fire with the hot glue gun on your own hair, but don’t be afraid to try out bold accessories like Ashley William’s diamanté barrettes to ramp up your look.
If your accessories start to stray, reinforce them with extra hair grips and make sure you have spares in your bag ready for any malfunctions later in the day.
13 Of The Prettiest Hair Accessories To Buy Now
Ganni Pink And White Cotton-Poplin Scrunchie
The White Company Tortoiseshell Set Of Three Resin Barrette Hair Clips
Burberry Monogram Print Silk Hair Scarf
Short Hairstyle No.6 - Wrap It Up
Having a bad hair day? Well you’re in luck! Regardless of the length or style of your cut, head-wraps, turbans, ties and scarfs can hide or expose just the right amount of hair. It’s also a great way to incorporate colour and pattern into your look.
Get The Look
Channel vintage Rihanna and go seriously bling, or opt for a more AW20 look with a monogrammed silk scarf a la Dior. ‘For short hair, I love when the hair band pushes the hair away from the forehead and creates one area of sleek hair but the rest is all messy,' says Angileri. 'I call it calibrated messy’.
35 Short Hair Styles For All Your Bob And Pixie Crop Needs
