The big chop isn’t just about hair loss, but also the gaining of new perspectives. Most reactions to big ch chop aren’t loss focused, but rather the neck, jaw, and eye visibility which are often described as more prominent when the hair isn’t there to obfuscate. One of my clients, who was a retired teacher about to go on a solo trip to Portugal, had not cut her hair in thirty years because her ex husband wanted it long. So when she said “take it”, I knew we were going for a big change. Removing the majority of her hair was a huge transformation and it was beautiful.
What many people fail to realize is just how much older a long shag looks compared to a long bob. Over the age of 40, hair and aging are often under estimated. Hair and aging are tiresome experiences for many. With shorter hairstyles, the wearer can stop resisting their hair’s natural state and instead embrace it. Short hair is especially ideal for travelers. Gone are the days of early mornings filled with the anxiety of being on time to flatten the hair. Travel is all about freedom and shorter hairstyles.
#1: A Really Good Textured Bob That Doesn’t Try Too Hard
My hair is an example of a well done bob; the style looks effortless due to the intricacies of the cut. The layers are cut to fall softly. The heaviness of the cut is complemented beautifully by a natural wave to the hair. The highlights are kept subtle; they catch light to provide natural dimension without being distracting. If your hair has any kind of wave, this cut is going to make your mornings quick. You might want to use some texturizing spray to keep the hair from going flat, but other than that you will be done in about four minutes.
#2 The Low-Key Bob That Works With Basically Everything
I would describe this haircut as ‘quietly perfect.’ It doesn’t scream for attention but always ‘fits’ as it looks great in all scenarios. The wavy texture does provide for a smooth blow-dry but the movement really makes it interesting, so why would you? The length hits just above the shoulders. This is that sweet spot where it is long enough to really feel like you have hair but short enough that it isn’t a massive project. The texture here is really doing a lot for itself. For someone whose hair is naturally straighter and with a bit of a bend, this is going to feel like it was made for you. You will need to get it trimmed more regularly than you expect because layers at this length start looking shapeless faster than longer hair does.
#3 Curly Bob That Actually Celebrates the Curl
The ringlets look really nice, great definition, very bouncy and lively. And the cut? Smart- it isn’t fighting the curl pattern at all, it’s shaped with it. So many stylists try to cut curly hair like straight hair and wonder why it looks weird, but this is clearly someone who understood the assignment. The length is just right for the curls to spring without getting into triangle-head territory. The main thing with a cut like this is hydration. You want really good curl cream, and you want to leave the hair alone once you’ve scrunched it. Stop touching it. I know that’s hard, but stop.
#4 Soft Bangs on a Layered Bob, Which Is Basically My Love Language
Let’s be honest – bobs with bangs are the best. They add an interesting detail and dimension to the look without taking away from the person’s beauty. And these bangs are the best kind: soft and piecey rather than some blunt straight across curtain! The bangs are layered and blended so that the whole look flows. This is also a great travel cut as it will look great and super intentional with only a little bit of product when you air dry it. The great thing about the cut is that it will never look like a helmet. And don’t worry, fine hair will work for this cut too! Just bring some volumizing mousse to the party!
#5 That Short Pixie Where the Color Is Doing Half the Work
The flattering shape and texture of the layers are spectacular. Auburn and caramel color tones also really match well with the hairstyle. The pixie cut complements the color combination quite well. It also brightens the skin and makes everything healthier. Having short hair really puts the face front and center. This makes the color choice more important than it would be for longer hairstyles. If you’ve made the decision to go this way, be prepared to make an appointment with your colorist because those tones will fade fast. The good news is that the cut is really low-maintenance.
#6 Burgundy Bob That I Would Probably Talk You Into
If we were to do a more abrupt change than the suggestion I made a few moments ago, I would recommend something like this. The burgundy is a nice color that won’t look tacky, and the darker roots will give you more time between color appointments, which I appreciate because I don’t want to see you every three weeks unless we’re friends and you’re just coming in to visit. The layers look nice and are doing a lot to keep the shape interesting and stop that thing from happening where bobs go a bit boxy as they grow out. This color is going to look amazing in warm lighting which is perfect because that’s the lighting in most restaurants and every vacation photo.
#7 A Blunt Bob with Bangs That Means Business
I can appreciate that this is a point of view. I like the blunt cut, and the bangs definitely scream “I know exactly what I want.” That type of confidence is what every hairstyle needs. This will definitely be better with straight hair because that is where you will get the clean line at the end and with wavy hair you will be fighting the hair a lot. So do some serious soul searching before going for a hairstyle like this. I love the chin length and the bangs really add to that, and it is a really bold look. Because of the length, this will definitely need a lot of upkeep since it is a blunt cut and will show growth. The good news, however, is that daily styling will be a breeze because you will just need to do a lot of flat ironing.
#8 The Lob for When You Want Short Energy Without Going Short
I call this the gateway haircut because I give it to people who say they want to go a little shorter, but get a little jumpy when I take out the scissors. And honestly, this length is nice. With only a few layers, they can give the hair some movement without removing any of the weight that fine hair needs to look full. Soft waves like that can be natural, or from a quick twist with a large barrel curling iron, but either way, it’s a refined look. If your hair tends to fall flat, you may be needing to pull this look together a tad more, but the cut is very forgiving as it grows out, which is a huge plus.
#9 Clean A-Line Bob with a Side Part
A well-done A-line bob looks amazing. The simplicity of the bob shows real class and sophistication. The A-line bob cuts weighless looks (feels) light and captures all of the light. The side part here is a great choice, as it creates some nice subtle asymmetry which is ideal. More often than not, bobs like this get loads of compliments and it’s very common for the person not to be able to explain what they like about it. That’s what you want to hear about your hair. The trim is super important here so make sure to book appointments often. That look is very time sensitive and it will lose that clean, almost aggressive, angled look very fast.
#10 Classic Bob with a Fringe That Softens Everything
The fringe is what sells it. It’s soft and a little wispy, and it takes what is a fairly average bob and gives it some personality. There’s some clever layering going on in the back that you can’t see from this angle. It keeps the shape rounded and full instead of flat. I always tell people bangs are a commitment and you can’t just get rid of them. They’re literally right in front of you, but these bangs are the low maintenance option. They are long enough to blend in when they grow out and short enough to do their job. This is super easy and flattering for fine to medium hair.
#11 Textured Bob with Bangs That Frame Your Face Perfectly
Face framing bangs draw attention to the cheeks and eyes, while still showing some forehead. The rest of the cut is a bob with the perfect amount of texture to keep it interesting without being distracting. I appreciate this haircut for not pretending to be something it’s not. Chic, flattering, and easy to maintain which is perfect for running errands on a Tuesday morning. Most of us need this kind of practicality from our hair. The straight texture is ideal here. If you have a slight wave, that would look just as good with this silhouette.
#12 Choppy Crop with Flicks That I’m Kind of Obsessed With
I admire the little flicks at the end of the hair. They give a personality and playfulness to a hairstyle that is absent from a regular crop. I find this especially appealing on women who are done with boring hair. The choppy hair is modern in a good way. I also think the medium length is versatile enough to allow a good range of styling options. If you want to accentuate the flicks, a round brush will do the trick. Light hold paste and a bit of finger styling should also do the trick. It’s a great sign of a good haircut that either way will look great.
#13 Curly Bob with Wispy Bangs That I Keep Coming Back To
Curly hair and wispy bangs come together beautifully; I love this hairstyle. There is a charm about it that is so playful. The subtle suggestion of bangs helps this look because curls and bangs can clash. The softer, more romantic feel of undone curls helps this look feel more undone. Bangs can clash with curls, so the softer curls of this style are looser than others. Curls look more free when they are above the shoulders because the hair can move instead of being stuck together in a clump. While it is best to thin extra thick hair, fine or medium hair will also work with this cut.
#14 Short Textured Crop That Looks Good Without Trying
This hairstyle looks great when worn at the jawline since the waves are soft and look very natural. It works without looking like any effort was put in. Overall, I think the hairstyle you don’t think too much about is the best. The texture is great, and if you have medium-density hair with a few natural waves, you will get close to the desired result with very little effort. I recommend just a little sea salt spray and some scrunching on damp hair. Don’t think about this much. It’s meant to be relaxed and effortless, so treat it just like that.
#15 Curly Crop with Highlights That Catch the Light Beautifully
The warm highlights look stunning, and the tight curls show me that whoever did this hair really understands how curly hair moves. I appreciate it so much because far too many colorists just slap on highlights thinking the hair is straight, and then are shocked when it turns out wrong. The shorter length keeps everything bouncy and lifted, and overall the shape is really flattering and not too round. You’ll want to come in for regular trims to maintain the shape. Curly hair grows out differently than straight hair, and it can look unintentional quickly.
#16 Natural Curls with Caramel Highlights, Done Right
These curls are gorgeous, and the caramel highlights always the entire look in a way that feels more natural than processed. I think this is what a lot of curly-haired women mean when they want highlights, this exact thing where it looks like the sun kissed your hair. The short to medium length is a good choice because it lets the curls spring up and show the full pattern without weighing them down. To maintain this, I’d recommend a good non-crunch curl defining gel, and if you want consistent definition, I’d suggest diffusing instead of air drying.
#17 Textured Bob at the Jawline with Just the Right Amount of Volume
This style is so nice! It’s not distracting, but still nice. This cut sits at the jaw which is super flattering on everyone. The volume is just right, not too puffy. The waves look so good with this cut. This style is so versatile, and finding that balance is so hard. One thing to keep in mind if you have very thick hair is that this may look heavier than in the picture. For finer and medium hair though this style is a dream, you’ll just wake up and look good.
#18 Short Curly Crop with So Much Personality
Look at that! The curls bounce, the shape is on point, and overall it screams confidence! What I love about these super short curly crops is that they start getting almost sculptural. Your well-defined curls really become the focus of the style, so you definitely don’t need a ton of extra bells and whistles. What I love about the shape of the crop is that it’s designed to work with the natural direction of the curls, which is something I wish more stylists would catch on to. If this is your curl type and you’ve been growing out your hair thinking longer is better, I would honestly encourage you to do something like this. You might even surprise yourself!
#19 Textured Pixie with Just Enough Volume Up Top
With the added volume around the crown, this particular pixie will be guaranteed height and dimension. This is the number one concern I hear, especially with this type of hairstyle; ‘It just sits there.’ Well, not this one! It’s tousled and textured, and the overall softness and approachability is further improved and combined with the incredible shape; the sides are not too tight and the top is not too heavy. If we have fine to medium hair, we are not exaggerating when we say, you will have the best hair day of your life. It’s no surprise that pixie hairstyles are the easiest to style. All that’s required is some lightweight mousse, which can be worked through damp hair in virtually no time at all.
#20 Short Pixie with Highlights That Actually Look Natural
These highlights are exceptional because they are subtle enough to provide a natural variance in the color of the hair. This is ideally what highlights should do on a pixie. If you go too big on color on such short hair it can get very stripy, but these are super blended. The layers give the fine hair a volume that it wouldn’t have without the layers. The shape is very clean and soft. I think this is a good choice for someone wanting to look put together without spending time on their hair. This is ideal because once you have it done you literally have to do nothing after you shower, just towel dry it and it looks good. You could also add a bit of styling wax to separate the layers if you want to do something a little fancier.
#21 Short Curls with Warm Highlights for Days
I can’t even explain how happy this color makes me. The way the highlights work with the natural curls really adds so much dimension and movement. You can see the hair in motion even in a still photo. This shows how short hair can be styled with a vibrant fun color. Short hair has so many fun possibilities. The color could even stand out more with short hair since more of it is exposed at once. The bouncy curls around the ears really feel youthful and I think that is really important. It is all about leaving in the conditioner so the curls can do their thang.
#22 Auburn Highlights on a Textured Bob, and I’m Here For It
I think the waves and auburn tones are super warm and inviting. The cut is a medium length bob that has some layering done to it for added enhancement to the waves and the color. You may be surprised to know that auburn is a color that compliments more skin tones than you would assume, plus it has a special beauty when it is wavy or curly as you can see the dimension fully. Depending on your hair type, the waves may require a little anti-frizz serum. The color and cut together are doing the majority of the work.
#23 Textured Pixie with Warm Tones That Brighten Your Face
These warm tones are a great touch on a pixie! With short hair, color can either wash someone out or warm them up because it sits right next to the face. This definitely gives the warm effect. The soft layered texture adds movement without going shaggy, which is a fine line to walk with a pixie. I would suggest this to someone who is sporty and doesn’t want to deal with their hair but still wants a style statement, because this definitely says so. You’ll be in for trims every five to six weeks, so regular upkeep is a must, but it should be short and sweet.
#24 Blunt Bob with a Strong Fringe That I Genuinely Love
I adore a solid fringe and I think this one is fantastic! It is blunt and full, and looks so polished with the bob. The shine in the hair is unreal and this level of sleekness is either friendly hair or a lot of time spent on a flat iron. A chin level fringe this strong is a bold move, and it’s definitely not for everyone, but when it works, it REALLY works. If you have a lot of hair, it is likely you will find the fringe starts to get heavy so don’t be afraid to ask your stylist to take some weight out.
#25 Airy Pixie with Light Layers and a Little Bit of Highlight
This haircut is one of the pixies that sits on the edge between a pixie and a very short bob. The most flattering shortened hair length is, in my opinion, this one. The soft light layers give a gentler, more airy, and less crisper look to the cut, which is why I think the framing highlights around the face look awesome without being too distracting. I constantly have in the back of my mind how good this would look when growing out. That is something I take into consideration when cutting someone’s hair short because most people do plan on growing it out eventually so you definitely don’t want three months of awkward in between lengths. This haircut skips that and honestly I think it is a strong selling point.
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