Read on to learn the best ways to texturize and style your short haircut so that it’s anything but run-of-the-mill. Who knows, you might even discover your next signature look in the process!
Fun, Short Layered Haircuts with Waves
1. Rockstar shag
Remember that messy rock-band look of the late ’80s? This is it’s more cleaned-up cousin. Like its predecessor, the modern shag features a rounded shape with layers that starts at the cheekbone area downwards, giving a weaker jaw area more definition. In this version however, layers are left chunkier and softer—not as much of those piecey strands that flip out at the neckline. The bangs are also upgraded to 2016 status as a piecey or micro fringe iteration, which earns some fashionable fluff with some clarifying wash-and-care products, like TRESemmé Purify & Replenish Shampoo and TRESemmé Purify & Replenish Conditioner, used daily.
2. Beachy lob
Chances are if you’ve seen a cool-girl version of the lob, it’s been styled with waves. This ubiquitous ’do is popular for a reason: It’s sassy, perfect for day-to-night (crucial for city girls!) and relatively low-maintenance—as in, if you’re used to styling with an iron when you had long hair, this will be a cinch. For a truly relaxed look, you don’t even have to think about the direction your barrel faces. Pro tip: The sections at your hairline always look best when curled away from your face, and when they’re nuanced with some wax. We like the chic matte finish of Bed Head by TIGI Manipulator Matte Cream.
3. Stacked bob
An update on your favorite chin-length bob with the back angled slightly higher than the front, this hairstyle features quite bendy waves rather than barreled. The front layers are also kept wavy and left to loosely frame the face, which makes this style a flattering option for ladies with round or heart-shaped faces. Style with some curly-hair mousse (we love how Dove Style+Care Curls Defining Mousse gives our ringlets structure) and blast with a diffuser.
4. Chunky with bangs
Even if you may not think so at the time, a fringe is almost always a good idea, even on short hair. It breathes new life into your features, and especially when teamed with a choppy, above-the-chin haircut, the result is youthful, gamine and almost exotic—kind of like that foreign leading lady you always tag as your #WCW. These kinds of short, layered haircuts are best styled by creating loose waves all around your lengths (we usually ace this with a salt spray like Suave Professionals Sea Mineral Infusion Texturizing Sea Salt Spray) but keeping your fringe swept to one side.
5. Middle-parted layers
The more uptown version of the beachy lob, this style features subtler layers (the lengths are usually found gathering near the collarbone) and softer, less crunchier waves all throughout. It oftentimes looks best with a classy middle part and touchable texture, and is one of the most romantic and evening-ready ways to give a lob some texture. Achieve this boho-luxe feel with some hair whip lightly fingered through the mid-lengths, such as Nexxus New York Salon Care Exxpand+ Volumizing Whip. Which of these short layered haircuts with waves are you ready to try this summer?
