Usually, when people sit in my chair and tell me to do something “spiky,” there’s a bit of a pause. They seem to be waiting for me to talk them out of it, and I’m definitely not gonna do that. That said, spiky cuts on women over 40 can be quite hit or miss. Most of this comes down to the architecture of the haircut rather than the styling. Good spiky cuts are built into the shape of the haircut, so you shouldn’t have to do a ton of work. In fact, you should be able to avoid any struggle when styling the cut.
I notice that women who are happiest with shorter spiky hairstyles are often not trying to look younger. They end up taking a decade off. There is definitely a different energy when hair is cut with purpose, and spiky shorter hair creates a really nice vibe without going over the top. I have put together 25 photos of haircuts that you can look through, whether you currently have short hair or are just thinking about it.
#1: Soft Silver Spiky Cut That Actually Looks Effortless
This is one of those instances where the silver isn’t opposing the style, but rather melding with it. The highlights have been done to move with the spiky layers rather than sit on top of them which gives a softness that you don’t always get with a cut this short. If your hair is fine, this sort of layering creates a lot of volume through the crown and top and works wonders. In the morning, a light texturizing paste will do the trick and it’s unlikely this will take more than five minutes to style once you get it down.
#2 Faded Sides with Spiky Texture on Top
The fade is what gives this haircut value. Without the fade, this cut would just be another generic, short and spiky haircut. On the other hand, the tapered sides bring in some nice angles and that really changes the whole vibe. It makes the haircut feel more intentional and that is pivotal when working with finer hair, because without detailing, hair can look unkept and messy really quickly. A bit of pomade on the top is all you need, and I can bet that you will be back in my chair in about 4-5 weeks because the fade is going to grow out really quickly.
#3 Short Curly Cut with Warm, Dimensional Highlights
When talking to people who naturally have curly hair, I often say that with shorter hair, the most challenging part is learning to trust their curls to do their thing at a length they aren’t used to. This haircut is just above the ears so the curls will be able to spring up and create their own shapes which is exactly what you want. These highlights are placed well, as they are on the curls that sit forward towards the face, which brings lighting exactly where it needs to be. If you’re going to do this, you might want to invest in a good curl cream and do not touch it once it is dry. The less you touch curly hair the better it will behave.
#4 Layered Spiky Cut with Just Enough Highlight
I’d suggest this cut more than nearly anything else because it works for such a broad number of people. The stacked layers add movement without overdoing the thinness on fine to medium hair. The ear length layers help keep it manageable. I like that the highlights are a bit more low maintenance so you don’t have to be on some six-week color cycle. The cut works best for heart and oval shapes, but with a few tweaks to temple length, I’ve done versions on rounder faces as well.
#5 Curly Short Cut with Natural Volume
You might have been straightening your curls for a while, and now you’re thinking about letting your curls go wild. That’s a great place to start! The layers are soft enough to lift the curl pattern without causing disruption. The volume is natural, and comes from your hair, rather than a product or technique. I do want to mention that if you are transitioning, trusting the process during the grow out phase will be key. Curls at this length will bed messy for one to two weeks, but once it settles, it’s one of the most wash-and-go style a person can have.
#6 Spiky Layers with Bright, Lively Highlights
The most important aspect of this cut are the highlights. Without them this is just a decent spiky cut. With the highlights, this gives an illusion of depth that fine hair look almost twice as thick. Additionally, the placement of the highlights is scattered, which helps avoid that uniform ‘highlighted’ look, and she gets ‘fun hair.” Since spikey cuts lose their structure quickly, you’ll need trims every 5 weeks, but in between appointments this is a pretty low effort style day to day.
#7 Curly Textured Bob, Cropped Short
This is a good choice for anyone looking for a shortcut who isn’t ready for a full pixie cut yet. It has enough length to create the illusion of more hair to style, and the curl gives some body which is straight hair won’t give you. The warm brunette color adds nice dimension, keeping the whole look rich instead of sparse. Some mousse and a quick scrunch is all it takes, but keep in mind this style isn’t for people who want a super polished look. It’s intended to look wilder and more textured.
#8 Gray Spiky Cut with Real Personality
Going gray and going spiky at the same time is a statement and I love this look. The texture on top adds character to this look and makes gray on the hair more intentional, and that’s the point. This shape works well for square and oval faces as the volume on top balances a stronger jaw without adding width at the sides which is great. A matte wax is essential as it will help the spikes hold without looking wet or crunchy, so that is definitely a line to pay attention to.
#9 Spiky Pixie with a Fade at the Nape
What really makes this cut stand out is the small fade at the nape. While it may be minor, it really helps complete the haircut, offering a finished look that is often missing in short spiky styles. The highlights really accentuate the dimension and texture of the cut, while the back stays clean and polished. The hair length is above the jawline, exposing the neck and keeping the whole look very well balanced. This style will require some morning styling, but I would estimate only 3 minutes. Definetely not 15.
#10 Fine-Haired Spiky Cut with a Side Part
One of the details that adds to the overall look is the side part. It makes it look more polished than if it had spikes sticking out in all directions. This is particularly suited to finer hair as the layers are cut so that your hair works with the layers, rather than overworking it. If you have an oval face, this is one of those styles that just seems to sit right, like it requires almost no adjusting. For those days when your hair is feeling flat, have a flexible hold spray ready, though most of the time the cut will do the work.
#11 Voluminous Spiky Layers for Fine Hair
While this is similar to some of the other styles on the list, the layering is more pronounced, providing more elevation through the crown. If you have finer hair and everything you try seems to fall flat by noon, this is the kind of structure that will hold up all day. Rather than relying on a lot of product to shape the haircut, the texturizing is done, which is how I like to do it. This shape looks fantastic on heart and oval face shapes, though the height on top is really nice on most.
#12 Spiky Cut with Depth from Soft Highlights
The highlights are designed so that some may not even notice that you have done something to your hair. It may come off as your hair just looks good. The best type of highlighting work creates natural dimension. The texture of the cut is spiky and youthful, and just enough to make it look overdone. Hair that is fine to medium density works well with this shape. I would suggest this to someone who wants a change without going for anything that is super loud. This cut is super easy to style and takes almost no time. All you need is a light product and your hands.
#13 Classic Short Spiky Pixie
This style is as simple as it can get, with no fads or distractions competing for your focus. This short haircut features nicely spiked textured layers that are done as intended. It will suit an oval or heart shaped face with fine to medium hair. The best part is it’s super low maintenance and only requires five minutes of styling. The only downside is that to keep the spikes maintained you will have to re style them every day. This look requires minimal sleep, and no effort which is perfect for a just walk out the door style, and we love that for you.
#14 Lively Layered Spiky Cut with Blended Highlights
The way your highlights were blended, it looks as if the sun was catching your hair! That is so impressive considering how tricky it is to do that on fine hair. More movement is created with the added layers, and the look is given more spiky texture and more energy overall. All together, I think it looks versatile enough to take you from the grocery store to dinner without anything needing to be changed. With regular trims, it will look the best because once those layers start growing out even just a little, the shape will soften more than you want.
#15 Auburn Spiky Cut with a Warm Edge
The warm rich auburn color on a short spiky haircut brings a lovely warmth to the style which is something cooler tones won’t achieve. If your skin has warm undertones, this is a great color choice as the cut is pretty standard short and spiky with enough texture to keep it interesting. It is easy to style and manage, but with the color it elevates it from a “nice short cut” to an eye catcher.
#16 Dark Spiky Cut with a Sophisticated Feel
Sometimes even the greatest highlights don’t compare to the effect a solid color has. The dark brown here has depth on its own, while the spiky layers reflect light and create natural dimension without needing color. If you choose not to add color, this is a great choice to make the cut the focus. The soft layers add a feminine touch, while the structured ones help maintain its shape. This is perfect for someone who wants to look put together without having to think about it too much which, let’s be real, is the goal for most of my clients.
#17 Textured Short Bob with Wispy Bangs
The bob cut is the most straight cut of all the styles on this list, but don’t let that detract you. It is a great choice if you want to achieve a short textured style without going fully spiky. The ends of bobs tend to be more wispy which softens the overall look. The layers in a bob add movement without making it look like a ton of work which is perfect for fine hair. If you have been wearing a longer bob, then this is a great way to finish off your hair and to transition to the next style.
#18 Short Wavy Layers with Airy Movement
The style lies somewhere in between wavy and spiky, and the texture does the talking. It starts really soft and the wave pattern creates an airy relaxed look, which I think is great for someone who wants to keep it simple. This suits best round and oval face shapes as the layers give more vertical movement rather than adding to the sides. This cut works if your hair has any natural wave. If it doesn’t, then achieving the look will require some morning effort to use salt spray and a diffuser, and that is more work than some people want.
#19 Wavy Textured Bob with Warm Auburn Color
To be honest, the effortless waves on this bob are probably not effortless. If you have the right natural waves, lucky you! But if not, a curling wand and about ten extra minutes a day is likely in your future. With all that said, this style has a lovely shape. The shoulder length is versatile, and the warm auburn color richens the style making it more polished. I think this look is most suitable to someone who loves the ritual of styling and doesn’t consider it a chore.
#20 Collarbone-Length Wavy Cut with Soft Highlights
At collarbone length, volume is added which works best for medium to thick hair, and the highlights add dimension instead of looking flat. This length is also versatile because you can tie it up as needed, and the waves create a lot of versatility so it won’t fall to the boring side. This style is still higher maintenance than some of the other options though for this length it is the lowest. This is the longest length on the list and it is here because the attitude and texture are still very much in the same spirit as the shorter styles.
#21 Chin-Length Wavy Bob with Soft Dimension
Chin-length bob haircuts can look super stylish, or they can look like they’re growing out from some other style, and a lot of that has to do with how the hair is layered. This style has the layers right. The layers at the ends provide movement, and the waves provide body in the mid-lengths. It’s easy to see how it looks intentional from every angle. This length is really flattering around the cheekbone area for heart shaped faces. The highlights also add depth to the waves. If you want hold and definition, a light texturizing spray works well. Other than that, this style should be easy to maintain between cuts.
#22 Icy Blonde Spiky Cut with a Polished Edge
Let’s talk commitment for this icy blonde look. If achieving a striking icy blonde color you’re going to have to put in an amount of time that may be more than you are willing to commit to. However, if you’re a natural light blonde, already blonde, or are willing to put in the time for this color, the end result is beautiful and the effort is worth it. Spiky layers provide a soft look that is more refined than edgy. The color also brightens the face better than any warm tones. This is a style where cut and color together are more than the sum of their parts.
#23 Burgundy Highlighted Spiky Cut
No matter the time of year, Burgundy will always be a reliable option. The short spiky cut will be complemented by the burgundy highlights, as they add dimension, and help define each spike and layer. For square or heart shaped faces, this is a good choice! It will soften the features, without providing any additional length. This color will require maintenance, as it fades quickly. Using color depositing shampoos can help extend the time between touch ups!
#24 Wavy Bob with Understated Highlights
This style is more on the subtle side and I find that nice. The texture is more soft and slight while the waves are easy and complimenting. The shoulder length cut is easy and doesn’t make a big statement. Sometimes that’s exactly what one needs. The body from the waves is good for medium to fine hair and the highlights give it dimension rather than looking one-toned. This style looks good on round and oval face shapes. It may not be the most exciting on the list, but it is one of the most practical and sometimes that’s what matters most.
#25 Textured Spiky Cut with Softening Layers
This cut is well shaped with a rounded silhouette. The layers soften the harsh features of the face while the spiky texture keeps it interesting. This look is polished and playful and is a versatile recommendation. The style works across a range of face shapes and hair types. It is also great for fine to medium hair; styling is made easy with the right product. If you have been looking through the options trying to find what is going to work best for you, and you want something that is unlikely to disappoint, this is a great option.
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