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Hair

57 Short, Layered Haircuts For Every Hair Type and Color

 

Short layers can be intimidating. Their longer counterparts, however, have seamlessly blended into our salon vocabulary, with short layers carrying connotations of choppy and drastic looks that take serious commitment to pull off (and to grow out). The stigma, though not unwarranted, needn't apply to you. Short layers are really the ultimate versatile cutting technique, amping up styles for those with thin hair, adding body to straight pieces, and even adding depth and volume to natural curls in iterations that can be as soft and romantic as they are edgy and dramatic. Below, find 57 short, layered haircuts and commentary from professional hairstylists that'll inspire you to finally make the chop once and for all.

Meet the Experts

• Adrianne Johnston is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. 
• Colin Ford is a professional hairstylist and education director at Sachajuan.

Curly Shag

Model Mica Arganaraz already has covetable curls to work with, and she keeps the curl pattern bouncy and gorgeous by cutting layers into her shag with strategically snipped bangs. "Layers are great for adding softness and movement while showcasing texture," says hairstylist, Adrianne Johnston. "They can eliminate bulk for thick hair, create fullness for thin hair, and add an edge or balance, depending on your desired look."

Key Takeaways

According to Johnston, layers work for all hair types; they can remove bulk for thick hair while creating texture and fullness for thin hair.
"Remember to consult with your hairstylist to find the best layered haircut that compliments your hair type, face shape, and personal style," hairstylist, Colin Ford adds.

Tousled Bob

A textured bob is perfect for those with naturally thick hair. The layers add structure and volume that provide extra oomph. If you don't have naturally thick hair, Ford recommends faking volume with Sachajuan's Root Lift.

Invisible Layers

The best layers blend in and aren't immediately noticeable. We love how Laura Harrier's ghost layers lend body to her relaxed lob.

Romantic Bob

Kendall Jenner's French bob proves that layers needn't be sharp. With plenty of volume and subtle curves, any angular snip can be softened.

Cropped Pixie

A cropped pixie, like Winnie Harlow's, is a great way to blend layers and maintain a chic look. For those with finer strands, style with a pomade or paste and build product for structure. Ford notes, "an asymmetrical pixie cut with longer layers on one side and shorter layers on the other can help balance the volume of thick hair while creating a modern look." 

Cub-Cut Lob

Jenna Ortega is the reigning queen of the shaggy cub cut. Here, she shows off her layered perfection in a voluminous lob.

Blunt Bangs

In our opinion, a chic layered bob combined with straight-across bangs is forever a cool look. And Lily Allen's brow-skimming fringe and cheekbone-length layers are no different, plus they frame her face beautifully.

Splintered Ends

While most layered 'dos concentrate the angles around the mid-length, some shorter styles can get a significant refresh through shattered ends. Greta Lee's splintered bob is as edgy and chic as it is timeless.

Asymmetric Lob

Tons of professional hairstylists—including Anh Co Tran—make bobs and lobs their signature "cut," brilliantly working with the hair's natural texture and using the layered pieces to add dimension and movement.

Tightly Coiled Crop

Though layers can typically help add heft and texture to thin hairstyles, they're just as gorgeous on tightly coiled curls. These add shape to the style (and tons of versatility). "Curly hair can vary throughout the head, so observe the consistency of the curls to determine what layering is best," Johnston says.

Color Play

Megan Thee Stallion illustrates how layers are a great way to highlight (no pun intended) a dimensional dye job. If you have highlights or lowlights, the movement and texture created by the layers will allow the deviations in your color to look even brighter.

Butterfly Bob

A piece-y shaggy bob is effortless and looks even better when air-dried. Here, Selena Gomez adds bangs to the look for more style and movement.

Full Volume

Remember what we said about layers creating volume? This is a perfect example of how they can pump up your look for ultimate fullness, depending on your texture.

Layered Shag

The '60s-inspired shag is, without a doubt, one of the coolest hairstyles right now. The only way to get it? Lots of layers. "You need enough hair and density to pull off a layered shag," says Johnston. "The more movement and piece-y parts, the better, without looking stringy."

Fringed Shag

Take a cue from Georgia May Jagger and add some bangs to your vintage-inspired shag haircut for extra oomph. But be honest with yourself, says Johnston. "If you like to pull your hair up or back, this might not be for you," she says. "But if you like having your hair down and tousled and experimenting with products, this could be your next signature look."

Bouncy Volume

Beyonce's bouncy curls look gorgeous from any angle. We particularly love how the volume is concentrated in the center of the hair to draw attention to the face.

Volume in the Front

For a shorter curly crop, Ford recommends layers in the front to add framing volume around your face and a touch of lightness to the back.

Full Layers

For super-full styles, layers are crucial. If your length isn't enough to make this look happen, replicate it with a layered crochet wig.

Curly Bangs

Alanna Arrington's naturally curly shag is made even more stunning by the slight brightness at her tips. There's dimension and movement, making it gorgeously effortless and sun-kissed.

Chin-Length Strands

For a chin-length style, layers are particularly helpful. "Subtle layers create movement and texture in straight hair, offering a chic and effortless look," Ford shares.

Dimensional Layers

Lucy Hale proves bronde highlights and wavy layers make the perfect low-maintenance hairstyle. "A textured bob with layers gives wavy hair a beachy, tousled appearance, perfect for a relaxed yet stylish vibe," says Ford. To master the perfectly tousled waves, he suggests Sachajuan's Ocean Mist.

Box Bob

Depending on your hair texture, a wispy bob can be the most low-maintenance cut you can get. Look at this layered gorgeousness on Khloe Kardashian, concentrating the majority of the weight at the ends for an exceptionally flattering style.

Baby Bangs

Add some flair to a layered lob with edgy bangs, but be aware of the maintenance involved. "Some shorter shag cuts can be high-maintenance, bringing you to the salon every four to six weeks," says Johnston. "But the right shag gives you more flexibility, maybe six to ten weeks." Johnston confirms, however, that if you care for your hair in-between salon visits, you'll be in great shape either way.

Loosened Coils

If you have naturally curly hair, but your curl pattern is a bit looser, layers add even more volume and a stunning lift. "Having thick or curly hair requires shaping, and sometimes that's with the assistance of layers," says Johnston. "If you have curly hair, this can give strands a chance to bounce around and have some variation."

Dramatic Side Bangs

Of course, the brunette hair color is stunning, but can we discuss the cut? The dramatic bangs make the short pixie sultry and sexy. "A long pixie with side-swept bangs adds dimension to straight hair and provides versatility in styling," Ford says.

Shoulder-Length Coils

Chopping ultra-curly hair into a short, shoulder-length 'do is always a good idea. You can remove any excess that's weighing down your hair, resulting in major volume like Bailey Bass here. Or add a head scarf for daytime to protect the look.

Piece-y With Balayage

Take your balayage or highlights up a notch and give your color the spotlight by getting a piece-y, layered style like this one. Use a product like R+Co. Trophy Shine Texture Spray to achieve the look.

Retro Lob

Chrissy Teigen's layers are all about putting the volume on top. We're obsessed with the richness of the burgundy hue, too.

Extra Fringe

A good layered cut can change the entire shape of your hair. Note how an adorable face-framing fringe complements this look. "Soft fringe complements curly hair by enhancing its natural texture while framing the face elegantly," according to Ford.

Smudged Roots

Play with color while your playing with length, too. Tia Mowry's creamy highlights combined with the smudged dark roots create major texture, volume, and dimension.

Side-Flipped Layers

Kate Mara shows us how a layered side-parted lob is done, with dramatically side swept, wispy pieces of varying lengths. If you have fine hair, "a layered bob with shorter layers at the crown and longer layers towards the ends gives the illusion of thickness and adds texture," says Ford.

Textured Curls

If your natural hair is kinky and textured, embrace the vibe with a short, layered haircut you can style easily every time. Just remember to use hydrating masks to keep that texture on-point. "Keeping the hair hydrated is always a must for textured hair," Johnston says.

Choppy Waves

We love these soft, touchable waves with volume-maximizing layers on Emma Chamberlain. "Opt for choppy layers to reduce bulk and add texture to thick hair," suggests Ford. "This style provides a light, airy feel while maintaining volume."

Soft, Blunt Ends

The best part about a haircut is how healthy and soft your hair feels afterward. We love ends that look perpetually soft and touchable like Mindy Kaling's.

Blown-Out Lob

Luxe layers will help you achieve max volume and drama if you're into the blowout look. Notice the body they give to Zendaya's fine, short hair?

Sister-Locs Bob

There's nothing more gorgeous than locs at any length, and this side-parted, sister-locs bob is pure perfection. The shoulder-length chop maximizes the bouncy fullness of the style, too.

Voluminous Curls

Keep it wider and more voluminous near the face to draw attention to your best features like Yara Shahidi. Try Bumble and Bumble Curl Defining Cream to replicate the look.

Wispy Ends

Going for a jaw-grazing chop? Ask for layered, wispy ends like Hailey Bieber's to give your style shape and texture.

Loose Spirals

Keep your spirals bouncy and fresh (and give them some extra height) with a layered 'do like Jasmine Sanders's style.

Shaggy Bob With Bangs

We're obsessed with bobs and shag haircuts, and when you combine them with bangs, they're a winning look. But remember to research if you're getting a major chop like this. "Be aware that shorter bangs require maintenance and attention, and they're on your face everyday," says Johnston. "You want them to frame your face and showcase your features."

Wolf Cut

If you're rocking your natural texture daily, choppy layers like Indya Moore's wolf cut should make styling a breeze.

Pop of Color

This pastel root fade is major, but we can't take our eyes off the undone volume Kaia Gerber achieved through layers. "Removing hair to create layers creates less density, so finding the appropriate balance for your hair type is important," Johnston says. "Sometimes it's more about styling to create fullness."

Wispy Bangs

Thinking of getting bangs? Start slow and wispy. The wispy bangs and graduated sides add movement and texture to Ana de Armas's elegant bob, and they're much easier to maintain and grow out than blunt bangs.

Layered Ringlets

Elsa Hosk is proof that you can't go wrong with tousled, touchable ringlets at any length—shoulder and above.

Blunt Bob

Jourdan Dunn's blunt look is hyper-modern and stylish. Those with thick hair should ask for subtle internal layers to remove some weight.

Classic Beach Waves

You can't go wrong with beach waves. But we have to admit there's something totally endearing about this middle-parted, shoulder-length version with sun-kissed ends.

Soft Undercut

An undercut is when a stylist either cuts or shaves the sides or back of your hair, and it can be worn either exposed or unexposed (and the look is wearable, depending on the approach). "Typically, the hair on the sides and bottom is shorter than on top," says Johnston. "By doing this, the hair on top can collapse and look more relaxed and casual in the best, effortless way."

Jaw-Grazing Layers

Face-framing layers that barely graze the jawline are a great way to add dimension to a shorter style. Keep the look in place with Living Proof's Style Lab Flex Hairspray.

Straight-Hair Bob

Short, layered haircuts work for straight hair, too—ask for lots of piece-y layers to help pump up the texture and give you some volume. (Bonus points: Layers are your friend when you're trying to grow your hair, so if you're not fully committed to a sliced and tapered bob, you can easily grow it out to a lob or longer lengths.)

Roughed-Up Layers

When you have naturally thin or fine hair and want to pump it up a little bit, you usually have to get creative. We're obsessed with the piecey bits that give Lily Aldridge's fine strands a rough-around-the-edges, "built-in-movement" vibe.

Tousled Bangs

If you're more into towel-drying than blow-drying and have a similar hair texture, Maya Hawke's wavy bob is an instantly chic cut that you can copy.

Sleek Flip

If you have naturally fine hair, a sleek, piece-y bob with a few well-placed layers like America Ferrera's is the perfect way to spice things up and add some oomph.

Piece-y Layers

Olivia Culpo demonstrates how piece-y layers can look with this sleek bouncy 'do. To replicate the style, blow-out the hair and use a medium-barreled curling iron to create loose waves.

Vintage Vibes

As we said, the key to a good shag is many layers. The tapered ends, bangs, and extra volume on top give it a gorgeous hair shape. 

Slicked-Back Bob

This look utilized an undercut in the back to remove bulk. For blunt little bobs like this, texturizing products are everything.

Shaggy Mullet

The shullet is here to stay. A cross between a shag and a mullet, this style relies heavily on layers, making it a solid choice for those looking for a light and wispy cut.

Wet-Look Layers

Layers don't have to be blown out to be seen. Style your hair wet and let pieces fall naturally, a la Willow Smith's bob-length cut.