45 Beautiful Short Haircuts for Women Who Want a Change

Are you attracted to the liberation that short haircuts for women offer? You’re definitely not alone! 2020 and 2021 have found women choosing easier hairstyles that don’t require a lot of fuss. Short hair is a huge draw these days for working moms, stay-at-home moms, and anyone who is just ready for a change that results in casual and easy maintenance. Further, you may be socializing more than you did the previous year and want to come out of hibernation with a fresh new look!

Whatever your motivation may be, short haircuts for women are trending today more than ever before. We wanted to get a better idea of the hottest styles for today and what new styles are making waves and what retro ones are making a comeback. So, we took to social media to discover what the trendsetters are choosing and what might be the perfect style for you! We found 45 amazing short haircuts for women that we think you’re going to love. Check them out!

Get Inspired by These Genuinely Gorgeous Short Haircuts for Women!

The Modern Diana

The first haircut on the list is The Modern Diana, it’s a bob that borders on a pixie which makes it the perfect compromise. This look is perfect for those with a hankering for those semi-feathered short locks that look oh so stylish. This is definitely a look for the new generation and they’re absolutely bound to love it loads.

Shaggy Curtain Bangs

The next haircut we have is a shag haircut. These semi-beachy styles look excellent in the form of short haircuts for women as you get the drama of the curtain bangs with the ease of shorter layers all around. It’s a super cute hairstyle that is perfect for people who want something simple, fun, and pretty easy to style up.

Get Buzzed

One of the more popular haircuts for women is the buzz cut. It’s great if you’re ready for some radical change and think you’’ be able to wait for a while if you want it to grow back out. It’s a short crop that is going to showcase your gorgeous face and draw attention to your dazzling eyes and cheekbones.

Be Blunt About It

This cut is a super cute bob with blunt, straight-across bangs are an excellent way to hide fine lines or a high forehead. They look excellent and are almost retro when styled this way with the layered bob. On top of that, this style is dyed a really pretty pink color, which makes it a nice choice to experiment with.

Get Blunt with That Bob

This haircut is either called a blunt bob or a strong bob. It’s a cool, and sophisticated look that includes a blunt bob with a hard line in a single layer that is going to deliver the sauciness you’re after. It definitely makes a statement so that when you enter the room, you’re bound to become the center of attention.

Consider the Asymmetrical Bob

Here’s another bob for you. For a flirty and casual look, consider the asymmetrical bob which features a long side and a short. It’s one of the short haircuts for women that can be as bold or subtle as you choose and go about your day-to-day. It’s definitely cute, kinda fluffy, and all-around sure to please however you style it.

Got Curls?

This curly bob adds a little more volume to your everyday hairdo and it might just take your breath away. This bob looks fantastic and if you ask your barber to cut some subtle bangs, you might just be able to add a bit of extra drama with those curls. All in all, this hairstyle is a pretty solid choice.

Go Classic with a Pixie

If you want more of a traditional pixie cut then this is the one for you. It has just a bit of bang and a bold burst of red that lets you know this one can definitely be customized to your liking. The pixie cut is bold and exciting. It’s for anyone looking to get out of their comfort zone.

A Clean Bob

This is just a simple and clean bob. It’s different from what we’ve seen in recent years, a lot of short haircuts for women have featured tons of layers with an almost messy bedhead vibe. This of course means that this hairstyle is for those who like to keep it neat and tidy. This one is absolutely a solid choice.

Short, Tight Crop

This hairstyle is short and sweet, and if you scroll through Lupita Nyong’o’s Instagram account and you will quickly realize that’s she one of the most daring folks when it comes to her hair. A short crop will liberate you and showcase your beautiful face! This haircut is nice for those looking to make a change while still looking gorgeous.

A Lob with Plenty of Curls

This cut is perfect for those who want a little more volume and movement in their day-to-day. One of the best short haircuts for women that doesn’t feel all that short is a lob cut with curls. You get tons of texture with a style that’s shaped to frame your face perfectly. isn’t that freedom what everyone wants?

Get Round with That Bob

A rounded bob offers a retro look that is reminiscent of the 1960s. It’s a really neat and fresh look that frames every face beautifully. This look is slightly geometric with very clean lines, It’s one of the best short haircuts for women as it looks fantastic on all. Overall this haircut is a really great choice for anyone looking.

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Bonjour, French Bob!

This french bob is definitely chic it’ll find you with hair that’s chin-length or shorter with blunt bangs. Overall, the style gives a sort of wedge look that’s very en vogue right now. This haircut looks like it’ll have you walking the runway in no time at all. If you’re looking for trendy and stylish, go try the French Bob!

Teeny-Tiny Bangs

This short haircut with micro bangs will definitely give you a younger and edgier look. If you’d like to “open” your face up more try a short fringe. This is a nice look for people who want to experiment with their style and try something different. You’ll definitely draw looks if you go with this bold and eccentric haircut.

Curly Sharp Bobby

This bob is super cute, sharp, and curly. There’s a lot of shape being played with here and you can get the coveted wedge shape with this cut. It’s a really nice look that, while it might come with a, it’s absolutely worth it for those who want something chic, and fun. All in all, this look is definitely great!

Traditional Lob

This next one is a traditional bob cut that looks super stylish for those with straight hair. It looks great on every face shape and you can add a little bang situation for even more visual interest and texture. There’s a really good reason that this haircut is one of the most popular short haircuts for women. It just works.

Layer That Bob

This layered bob looks more easy-going and is a breeze to style, and If a clean bob or blunt bob seems too severe for you, you should definitely try this one. This is one of the short haircuts for women that offers a softer, more touchable look. The slight waves in this bob make it a sight to look for.

Shag + Bob

This haircut offers a whole lot of playfulness it’s considered a short shag or a shaggy bob. You get those wonderful curtain bangs without all the baggage of long layers. It’s the perfect compromise for a cut that wears like a long one but that’s super easy to maintain. This haircut is perfect if you want to embrace that playfulness.

Braid That Bob

This hairdo offers all the stylishness of box braids without all the added weight of the length. It’s a super clean and stylish look that’s a bit of a throwback to the 90s. This look is so fun, and there’s definitely some room to customize your look to how you want it. This look is definitely one for the books.

Rounded Bob

This haircut is another one of the simpler ones. It’s similar to a round bob, a curved bob will keep your hair from doing the dreaded flip out over the shoulders. The upside-down triangle shape you get when the hair flips out tends to age older folks, so keep that in mind if you’re after a youthful cut. It’s amazing!

Be Cheeky

A cheek-length bob marries all the things you love about a bob with the ease of a pixie cut. This is one of the short haircuts for women that directs all the attention to the cheekbones. This is a really fun look that will definitely get you a lot of compliments. If you’ve got great cheekbones, this is for you.

Super Sleek

This slicked-back bob is one of the more chic variations of the hairdo, and it’s great if you’re looking for a more sophisticated and fashion-forward look. Slicking it back can result in a beautifully androgynous look that screams “look at me.” If people are smart, you’ll definitely be the center of attention with this all-around great look.

Ultra Polished

One sharp, single layer epitomizes the draw of a classic bob haircut. No frills, just business. It is simple, straightforward, and super clean. This haircut is perfect for those looking for a no-nonsense do that keeps up with your day-to-day life, and lets people know that you’re all about the business. It’s very clean and very stylish.

Dip Those Tips

This dip-dyed look is just perfect for those who want to play with a bit of color. This hairstyle helps you embrace a more youthful and playful look, there’s no doubt that you can switch up the colors that you want to play with and get it down to your exact liking. This style offers a lot of customization.

Flip That Bob

For a retro sixties-inspired hairstyle, consider flipping that bob. A word of caution: this look will not look great on aging faces. But for those who can pull off a more youthful look, this hairstyle might just be the one for you. It’s a really classic look that’ll take you right back to the 60s, and you’ll definitely enjoy it.

Full Curls

Like Kerry Washington in the picture above, you can let your curls do all the talking for you. Whether or not you shape it up into a wedge shape or just let them live their best lives. Either way, this hairstyle lets you and your hair live your best life while still looking good doing whatever you need to do. 

Here for the Hairline Bob

This next style is one that everyone from Kurt Cobain to Gwen Steffani wore in the 1990s. these cute little crops that hug the hairline are super popular and one of the most on-trend hairstyles for women today. This hairstyle still looks super chic and stylish and is great at showing off your face. This is a great look!

Swoop It

This hairstyle is flirty and playful and perfect for anyone who wants to cover up fine lines, or just looking to try out something new and exciting. It’s a medium bob with a big, dramatic swoop bang across the forehead. This hairstyle gives you a whole bunch of layers for a whole lot of fun that isn’t just one-off.

Extreme Side Part

Here Dua Lipa is rocking one of the many admirable short haircuts that have been popular in recent years. This is one of our favorites and it features a dramatic side part and adds volume and movement to the look. This look is perfect for people who want something a bit more youthful that has a daring edge.

The Razor Cut

The razor cut will leave your hair with a lot of volume and a bit of an edge. Jennifer Lopez rocked this look in 2018 and it’s still a pretty hot one. Overall this hairstyle is very trendy and sure to get you some compliments as you make your way through the day. This hairstyle is absolutely one to look for.

The Mushroom

Julianne Hough isn’t the only one who can pull off a mushroom shag! Add a lot of volume at the top of the head to get you that shape. You can go heavy with the bangs to make it more dramatic. To avoid a bowl cut, ask your barber to thin out the ends and give texture to your ends.

Curly Medium Shag

Let those bangs go au naturel in curls! As promised, here’s Sandra Oh sporting a curly shag look with curly bangs. What a 1970s dream! This haircut definitely has a lot of movement and on top of all that movement is just a good-looking hairstyle that’ll get you a lot of compliments and you’ll love it all the more.

Rock ‘n’ Roll

A dramatic undercut with curls that are styled forward into bangs proves a winning look. You can choose to shave the other side as well for a cleaner look or get a short bob on that side for something more asymmetrical. This haircut will definitely give you an edgy and bold look that might be just what you’re looking for.

A Modest Pixie Bob

Here’s a good middle-of-the-road length for a short pixie bob with a medium-length bang. It’s cut more like a pixie on the left side but like a short bob in the back. This haircut is fairly easy to maintain and take care of and doesn’t take a lot of effort to style. This one is definitely popular for a reason.

Litle Bebe Shag

Zosia Mamet has had some notable short haircuts through the years but her baby one, or as we like to call it “bebe,” was a really cute look that still maintained a softness. If you’re after a shoulder-length shag cut, consider doing something similar for a modest but still beautiful look. These curls will definitely serve you and your style.

A Thoroughly Modern Mullet

The mullet has made a comeback, and Miley Cyrus is just one of many to rock this hairstyle. A mullet is simply a bold, short, and asymmetrical haircut. So if this is what you’re looking for, do as Cyrus has done and chop your hair off. This hairstyle is super cool and still going strong among the more trendy neighborhoods.

Blunty Bobby Shag

If you’re not looking to mullet (cheers!) and you want something that’s a little easier to manage, a short shag haircut could be the perfect option for you. You can do your bangs in a cute way as this person has done with curtain bangs or choose to sweep them to one side for a more contemporary look. It works!

More Kerry Washington

Kerry makes a second appearance on this list. She went with looser curls for this look that is almost blunt but the texture keeps it from looking severe. To make it look a little more romantic, soften the ends and A little swoop bang is all it takes to help frame the face and make this cut look so fresh. 

Loving That Lob

Here’s a hair style that Selena Gomez used to rock all the time, the lob. We look back fondly on those lob days in which her hair looks very symmetrical and also somehow choppy at the same time. Unlike a normal lob, the shag gives so much more texture and organic movement. It’s one of the best short haircuts here.

Teeny-Tiny Bangs (Again)

Here we come back to the tiny bangs, but these are a bit bigger than the micro bangs that we saw earlier. If you’d like a short haircut that feels fresh and modern go short with your bangs and either part them into mini curtain bangs or swoop them to one side for something dramatic. This hairstyle is a winner.

More Shaggy Bob, Please

Get the best of both worlds with this bob and shag hybrid. For this hairstyle, the back will need to be cut shorter than the front to give you the movement you’re after. Just keep those front pieces stay long enough to frame your face well. This is one of the most youthful-looking short haircuts for women on this list.

Keep Chopping That Bob

Do the lob but ask for it to be as choppy and textured as possible for the ultimate medium-length style. You want dramatically short layers in there so don’t be afraid to commit. Also, you won’t want to leave your salon without some texturing spray it will help you make magic with one of the easiest, medium short haircuts for women.

Let’s Talk Color

Don’t forget that you can bring more life to these haircuts by adding some color. While you could absolutely throw some highlights in there to achieve more visual interest, going full color is also rewarding! If you’ve got blue eyes, go warm and if you’ve got darker eyes, make them pop with something moody or contrast with lighter, cool colors.

The Cooler Side of Color

If you were turned off by the orange haircut we showed you earlier, here’s another option in blue. Go with some fun colors to really show off all of the hard work your stylist put into layering and texturizing your beautiful short haircut. The more unique your hair the more singular your style will be. It’s like a signature.

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Stack It

Finally, to end off the list, we have a stacked bob. It’s named this way because it looks like a bob stacked on top of another bob, and because mullets have also been in style, if you want to avoid falling in with that one specific trend,  you can chop the back as you would a standard pixie bob haircut.

There you go! We hope you feel inspired by these short haircuts for women. These hairstyles offer versatility, and best of all, easy maintenance when styling, washing, and conditioning. Short hair really makes a statement, especially if you’ve worn your hair long for years. Short haircuts for women really do offer a youthful look. If you’re interested in other styles that will make you look younger, take a look at the hairstyles below!

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Layers at the Bottom

We turn to the incredible Gabrielle Union for haircut inspiration. According to Carrie Butterworth, a stylist at Roy Teeluck in NYC, if you have long, thick hair, add layers at the bottom. According to her, “This will release a lot of the visual and literal weight of the hair. When thick hair has no layers, it almost resembles a blanket and has no style of movement.”

Wild Bangs

If you’ve got a high forehead, consider bangs, especially asymmetrical ones that can be swept to the side. If you have fine lines on your forehead, this is also a great way to cover those up a bit. We think Rashida Jones looks smashing with them!

Go Long & Shaggy

The old adage about not having long hair after 40 should really be put to bed. If your hair is still thick, it will actually make you look younger the longer you let it grow. A shoulder-length or longer haircut is best and if you want to do as Julia Roberts does, get a subtle shag with layers to add even more depth.

A Curly Bob

If you do want to go short, a curly bob is not only cute, it’s relatively easy to style for almost any occasion. A short bob will draw the eye up and away from facial imperfections and reorient focus to your eyes and cheekbones.

Smooth, Long Waves

For aging faces, haircuts that are long and straight can look severe. Consider adding some waves to your long layers for a smooth, fresh look. The looser the waves, the better for a younger appearance.

Ringlets with Highlights

Beyonce‘s hair always looks 100 because Beyonce is always 100. While not all of us have her amazing locks, you can imitate her style for a fresher look. Layers release the weight of the hair making it look younger and healthier. If you’re lucky enough to have curls, show those babies off with some highlights for added dimension.

Bangs & Curls

Natasha Lyonne has been rocking a cute shag haircut for a few years now that includes a messy bang that she sometimes curls and other times wears a touch straighter. Both work extremely well as they have volume that matches the rest of her luscious locks. Consider a similar shag with bangs and plenty of layers to lighten everything up.

A Sleek Undercut

For aging women, undercuts can prove winning haircuts as they crop the hair close to the sides of the face and add volume up top which draws the eye up. If you’re a little thin on top, ask your stylist to cut at the ends for added volume and depth. All hail, Tilda Swinton!

Asymmetrical Bob

An asymmetrical bob where one side is pushed over like a bang will frame your face well if you do not have thick hair. A deep side part will ensure coverage of your roots and thin hair at the scalp. Charlize Theron does it well!

A Chin-Length Bob

A chin-length bob with or without a bang will give the illusion of fuller-bodied hair. Dame Helen Mirren has become a champion of these styles through the years. Notice how her haircuts always accentuate the bone structure of her face. That’s what you’re after!

Grey with Choppy Layers

We love it when celebrities show off their grey hair. Dianne Keaton has been rocking it for the better part of two decades now. She’s kept it looking contemporary by employing choppy layers to give the hair some edge and plenty of texture.

The Deep Side Part

Eva Mendes always looks so glamorous and timeless. We chalk that up to her haircuts that feature shoulder-length hair with one hell of a deep side part. As we age the hair feels frizzier and so the best length for most is going to hit right at the collar bone. If you’re a touch thin on top, a deep side part is your friend!

Medium-Length with Soft Curls

Legend, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has been sporting a version of this haircut off and on for decades. She goes medium-length and lets her natural, soft curls give dimension and depth. Curls add texture and volume without weighing the hair down.

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Highlights!

The incredible Laura Dern has had the most gorgeous haircuts through the years. Most are beyond shoulder-length with plenty of highlights that make her hair appear lighter and fuller. Her haircuts tend to have a layer that frames her face perfectly. They draw attention to her enviable cheekbones and eyes!

A Short Crop

If you have a narrow face shape, consider a short crop that allows your curls to go wild. Superstars Kerry Washington and Viola Davis have both sported this style and it looks so stunning on both actors.

Beachy Waves

For someone who is so quintessentially a New Yorker, Sarah Jessica Parker has completely championed some long, beachy haircuts with tons of waves for years. In recent years she has gone with a darker layer underneath but we find a lighter approach helps bring body and brightness to hair that otherwise might fall flat.

Short-ish Bob with Layers

Journalist Katie Couric has had several haircuts that are truly winners through the years. We love her short (almost to the shoulders) bob with plenty of layers. You want to avoid the triangle shape with your layers which can flare out and become unflattering. Couric’s got smooth layers that frame the face figured out and down to a science.

The Short, Blunt Bob

Lucy Liu has had some awesome haircuts through the years but she recently stepped out with a bob that’s to die for. Again, these look weightless and give the illusion of more volume than there actually is.

If You’ve Got It, Flaunt It

If you’d like to grow your hair out, consider long voluminous hair like Kim Kardashian sometimes wears. Get plenty of layers and take a curling iron to the bottom and middle of your hair for added texture that will make it big and beautiful.

Long, Angular Bangs

Halle Berry often wears long and angular bangs with some texture that gives volume. It’s one of the things that will look excellent with just about all haircuts no matter the length. Throw some highlights in those bangs and you’ve got yourself a party.

Embrace Balayage

A wonderful French technique for coloring hair that looks much more natural than standard highlights is called balayage. It looks much more natural and thus less treated. It’s more subtle than an ombre and will add plenty of depth. This technique looks great for all haircuts but it looks particularly good for Drew Barrymore at this medium length.

A Choppy Bob

A choppy bob looks excellent on just about any face shape. It’s one of the haircuts you really can’t go wrong with as it adds a lot of texture but still looks light and unburdened. It’s also a very easy cut to maintain and style which we feel makes it a real winner. Kristen Wiig had this wickedly good one a few years back and we still think fondly of it!

Pixie Haircuts

There’s a reason matriarch Kris Jenner has had some form of a bob for the last several years. It’s one of the easiest haircuts to style and it’s just the sort of wash and wear style that will appeal to many busy moms. A little side-swept bang goes a long way with pixie haircuts and you would be wise to try one!

Golden Highlights

Reese Witherspoon‘s locks look stunning as always but we’d like to point your attention to Jennifer Aniston‘s highlights. She’s been a hair trendsetter for decades for a reason! Those warm, almost chunky, golden highlights bring so much to brunette hair. They are like a colorful lift for your entire face.

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Shaggy with Volume Up Top

Connie Britton‘s copper-colored dream hair seems to look better each year. Recently, she stepped out with a dramatic side-swept bang with shaggy layers that appeared more voluminous up top and tamer at the bottom. The shape will likely be new to most but it’s bordering on haircuts kids are getting these days called wolf cuts. A little bit shaggy but still sophisticated, this would be a winning cut for those with longer hair.

There you go! We hope you found some haircuts that will make you look younger and feel like a whole new version of yourself. Getting out of a hairstyle rut can be difficult especially when you’ve been wearing your hair the same way for years or even decades. Go ahead and try something new and surprise yourself with just how youthful a fresh cut can make you look and feel!