Admit it girls, you’ve tried chopping off your hair because you wanted a new look, but missed long hair the very next day. We’ve all been there. Styling long hair can seem to be much easier because you have more to work with. Yet nothing beats the convenience of having short hair in this scorching SG heat. Simply put, the struggle to have short hair and style it nicely is real.
Whether you’re planning on cutting your hair short or have already done so, here are 10 less common ways to style short hair. Now you don’t have to be concerned about looking too “boring” whenever you leave the house.
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With short hair, tying all of your hair up in a high ponytail to channel your inner Ariana Grande is impossibly difficult. The shorter strands at the back just wouldn’t be able to reach that height. Make use of this to your advantage by creating a high half ponytail or bun look, finishing it off by pulling out some loose strands at the sides to frame your face.
This subtle messy hair look has major “I woke up like this” but still look great vibes. It’s a cute hairstyle to pull off no matter if you’re at work or on a date with bae.
Instead of using an actual hairband to keep your hair in place, go for this braided hairband style instead. To achieve this look, first pick out a section of hair from one side to use as your “hairband”. Next, braid your hair upwards instead of downwards like you normally would, and pin the braid to the other side of your head.
If you prefer it to be neater, you can also add strands of hair from each point of your head while you’re braiding upwards and towards the other side. For further guidance, check out a full tutorial of this hairstyle on Youtube.
While the space bun trend has been associated with e-girls on TikTok, it’s easy to see how this cute yet edgy short hairstyle became so popular. For those who are unfamiliar, space buns are pretty similar to the high hair buns that kids would wear during Chinese New Year.
If you have short hair, a great alternative to space buns would be to tie low buns instead. Simply part your hair into 2 sections and bun them up at the bottom instead of on top. Low buns can be done with any hair length, all while maintaining that cutesy look like how Hyuna styled her hair for Prada FW 2021.
Dutch braids, also known as boxer braids, differ from French braids as they create a “floating” look that stands out more. When splitting your hair into 3 sections to tie the braid, bring the left and right sides below the center piece instead of over.
These Dutch braids can also be combined with low buns at the bottom as well. It’s a great alternative to a single scorpion braid that can be hard to achieve with short hair. Not to mention that this neat hairstyle also makes you look chic and youthful, reminding us of our school days.
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Go for the Y2K aesthetic and add some fun to your short hair with these small side braids. You can also take it up a notch by adding colourful butterfly clips on the braids for a refreshing summer vibe.
Pair this hairstyle with beaded rings and some cute jeans and you’re ready to snap next-level OOTDs for the ‘gram.
For those who have more time on their hands and want to try a more unique hairstyle, this braided mohawk will do the trick. As a mohawk typically stands upright in the center of the head, these high braids will give a similar illusion. It’s perfect for keeping your fringe back instead of simply pinning it up when it’s in the way like most people do.
A braided mohawk adds volume to your hair and is a great look for a fun girl’s night out. Check out this step-by-step guide on how to tie a French mohawk braid on Youtube.
If your pixie cut has a ton of layers, you’ll want to bring out the most of your new, short haircut with a textured hairstyle. You can achieve this by spraying your locks with a root lift volumising spray to give your hair some volume and bounce.
Once the product has settled, go in with a flat iron, make an S-shaped lock, and then click the straightener down on the curve of the ‘S’ to set the style in place. Repeat for all layers until your whole head is covered in waves. Take a bit of wax and run your fingers loosely through your hair to maintain the style throughout the day.
Take inspiration from Zendaya, who further emphasises her layers with warm, honey-blonde highlights, giving her look extra dimension.
Styling a pixie doesn’t need to be overly complicated. If you have flat, straight hair, adding loose waves can immediately add a hint of effortlessness and movement to your locks. The best part of this short hairstyle is that you don’t have to focus on the curls being perfect.
Prep your hair with a volumising shampoo and then spritz on some texturising spray for added volume. After drying your hair, use a one-inch curling rod or a flat iron to roughly curl the side sections of your hair so that they nicely frame your face. Finish off with hair spray to lock the curls in place and gently brush them out to loosen the curls even more.
When you’re in a rush or on the go, spending 15 minutes to tie your hair into braids may not be ideal. Here’s where hair accessories would come in handy, whether it’s to add a pop of colour or keep your hair in place.
Claw clips have been the latest fashion accessory recently, with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton releasing a collection of claw clips and scrunchies as well. To complement short hair, make use of smaller claw clips to kiap your fringe back into an easy half ponytail. You can keep it even simpler and push the sides of your hair and fringe back with a single hair clip for a demure and classy look.
Or you can also take on a fancier look by pinning sparkly bobby pins and clips to the side of your head, just like how BLACKPINK’s Jennie styled her hair in her live performance of “SOLO”.
Nothing is sexier than a wet, slicked-back look. Though this hairstyle works especially well on short hair, it can be achieved on almost any hair length. On damp hair, apply some hair gel and start slicking your hair back, running it down to the ends of your hair. Make sure to pat it and flat brush it down to make your look nice and neat. Finish it off with a spritz of hairspray to lock everything in place.
The quote “hair maketh the man” can ring true for women as well, yet styling short hair may feel intimidating at first glance. However, these short hairstyle ideas have shown us that there’s more to short hair than simply brushing it out before leaving the house. Hopefully, this guide can inspire you to switch up your hairstyle and go for a new look too.
This article was first published on 30 August 2021 and last updated on 4 December 2024.
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