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10 Drop-Dead Gorgeous Ways to Style Short Hair

To the short-haired darlings fresh out of ways to style their mane, fear not: We’re here to resupply you with ten charming (and uber-chic) hairstyles perfect for cropped lengths that you can create in a jiffy. Scroll ahead now to get inspired! 

Sometimes, second-day hair allows for the best hair days. Case in point: This adorable front twist. Create a deep side part then spray Batiste’s Dry Shampoo ($8) on your roots. Split the hair at the back of your crown into two and twist them together (like you’re French braiding), adding hair gradually as you work your way across the hairline. Pin the end of the twist underneath your hair to conceal bobby pins. 

For a fun and flirty pixie: Starting with straightened side-swept bangs, rub a pea-size amount of Nioxin’s Definition Creme ($15) between your fingers and run them through the end of your bangs to give your locks a rough effect. Add an embellished headband to glam the look up.

When you’re going for sleek and sophisticated, try slicking your pixie back. Rub TRESemmĂ©’s Thermal Creations Volumizing Mousse ($4) at the roots of damp hair then blow dry the hair back with a brush to maintain volume. Go over the ends with a straightener, then rake a dollop of Oribe’s Rough Luxury Molding Wax ($36) through your hair while gently pressing down to flatten flyaways.

Half-up anything is the definition of effortless glam—simply tie the very top half of your bob into a messy bun and leave a few strands down to frame your face.

A double top knot is a genius (and not to mention underrated) styling hack for cropped hair. Using the sectioning end of a rat tail comb, divide your hair into two even parts. Prep each side with a little bit of Bumble and bumble’s Sumotech ($29); this will add texture and make slippery hair easier to style. Brush one side of your hair up into a high side ponytail using the brushing side of the rat tail comb. Once done, gather the strands of hair that were too short to be tied in the ponytail, brush them upward, and spray them down with Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Extra Hold Hairspray ($3). Secure these strands to the back of your head with a bobby pin. Return to the ponytail and twist it into a small tight bun and pin it in place. Repeat these steps on the other side and your sporty-chic ‘do is good to go.

Another super-cute way to style a super-short bob? Grasp a one-inch wisp of hair on both sides of your center part and twist each tightly, leaving the ends untouched. Cross the twists at the back of your head and combine them with bobby pins. 

You don’t need long locks to pull off stick-straight strands—no, a chin-grazing bob will work just fine. Get the polished look by applying KMS California Hair Stay Styling Gel ($11) onto damp hair then combing it through with a rat tail comb. Take more of the KMS styling gel, this time slicking the top middle section of hair and holding it back with a barrette. For a gorgeous sheen, spritz Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Sheen Spray ($5) over the sides and the middle.

A deep side part plus tousled locks equal one stunning lob (long bob). Prime and texturize with a mist of Sachajuan’s Ocean Mist Texturizing Spray ($28) then wrap your hair around a one-inch curling iron, going in alternating directions. Finish by straightening the ends and spraying Style Sexy Hair Texturizing Spray Clay ($19) to keep waves intact all day.

Half-up top knots also look divine on shoulder-grazing bobs. Give yourself beachy tousled waves then tie the hair at your crown into a high ponytail. Next, wrap the ponytail into a tight knot and secure it with bobby pins.

There’s only one word to describe this Bohemian-esque lob: Magical. Create a straight center part and separate a small section of hair on both sides of the part. Start twisting the first section, adding new strands of hair as you go along the back of your head. Keep this first twist in place with a curl clip then repeat on the other side. When finished, tie the twists together with a clear elastic. 

What other hairstyles do you love for short hair, collegiettes?
Nina Aghadjanian is a versatile multimedia journalist who graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a Bachelor's Degree in Literary Journalism and minor in Management. She is a former Fashion and Lifestyle Production intern at E! News, an editor at UC Irvine's Her Campus chapter and an on-camera reporter at Anteater Television, a student-run news program. Nina's other previous roles include remote Contributing Writer and Blogger at Her Campus, the number one global online community for college women; editorial intern at Byrdie, an online magazine devoted to all things beauty that was launched by the creators of WhoWhatWear.com; and social media manager at Party Bravo, an online wedding directory. Nina is an aspiring on-camera entertainment news correspondent and digital magazine editor with an obsessive attention to detail in writing and superb reporting, interviewing and interpersonal communication skills. She is equally adept at managing multifarious projects and meeting tight deadlines, always doing so with an intent to increase productivity without cutting quality. When Nina isn't monitoring celebrity whereabouts, new haircuts and breakups like a hawk, she's perusing glossy and digital fashion magazines and thinking of more reasons why Los Angeles, not Disneyland, is the happiest place on earth. Nina is eager to build on her love for editorial and encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture, celebrity, beauty and fashion. Contact Nina directly at aghadjanian102@gmail.com or connect with her via Instagram @sincerely_ninaa.