Are you searching for a new hairstyle? The layered short hair trend is a great look that is sure to give new life to your hair. The addition of layers will give any look a more textured and voluminous feel. It is sure to make a modern statement whether it be a daring pixie cut or a more relaxed bob style. Take a look at these 30 stunning examples of layered short hairstyles to get ideas to inspire your next hairstyle.
Choosing to go with short layers means sculpting the hair rather than just removing some length. One of my clients told me she had been growing out her hair for two years because someone told her that short hair would make her face look wider. She came in almost apologizing for wanting to cut it. When we did her layered bob, she cried in the chair because we had finally brought her back to looking like herself. That is the magic of good layering. Good layers will not just shorten the hair, they will expose the shape that was previously concealed by the bulk.
What keeps my love going after all these years is the endless possibility for creativity and personalization in short layered hair. Whether it’s a stacked bob or a feathered pixie and shag cut with bangs, and everything in between, short layered hair is the way to go. Each haircut captures and reflects light differently, based on how the layers are cut and placed. I curated 30 photos of short layered hairstyles with a range of maintenance levels from super low, to ones that will need some more upkeep. And I promise to be honest, you deserve to know what you’re signing up for before you sit in the stylist chair!
#1: That Sun-Kissed Textured Lob Everyone Asks Me About
I really suggest this style because it is super low maintenance. For the morning, it’s a simple lob and the soft blended layers are not too extra, but are still very inviting. The length is spot on for what you are wanting and it sits perfectly where it gives you a good frame for your face and isn’t too annoying. The color is what really sold it, the light brown base with soft blonde highlights makes it look like you were just on a holiday because your hair really caught the sun for two weeks. This will suit you if your hair is of medium density. The layers create an illusion of fullness without the bulk. You would have less maintenance than you would expect to create this look and it will last you more than six weeks as long as you get a trim to keep the shape.
#2: Silver Layered Bob with That Feathered Finish
I receive a lot of questions about silver nowadays and honestly, this is one of the better ones because it doesn’t look like it’s trying too hard. The hair has nice movement and the feathered layers give a look where the hair is lifting away from the face. That detail is super important for fine hair because it gives volume from the cut instead of having to use product every day. The face-framing layers are beautiful and super flowing. The silver look is going to involve a lot of maintenance. You will have to use purple shampoo so it doesn’t get brassy and will have to schedule toning appointments to keep the color from getting yellow. For some, this is a great way to embrace the silver and look intentional rather than fighting the natural color.
#3: Raven-Black Textured Bob with Side-Swept Bangs
I enjoy appointments where I get to do a cut that looks really hard, but is actually really easy for me. For example, this color is rich and deep and the layering is pretty subtle, but the black really makes the texture pop. The side bangs just blend so nicely to frame the face and pretty much do all the work for you. If the hair is fine to medium, this is great as the layers will create additional volume. If the hair is thick, the layers could become a bit overwhelming. This looks great worn sleek and polished, but a texturizing spray can be used to make it more messy/ casual, which is how I would say most of my clients like it. Every few months is ideal for a good trim.
#4: Light Blonde Stacked Cut with Darker Roots
The layers at the back of the hair cut allow the hair to stand out, as they cut back to front, offering a lifted look that adds volume! This is great for those with flat hair. The dark roots are a smart choice as they add some time between colouring appointments, giving the darker look more depth so that the blonde doesn’t appear too flat. For those with a rounder face shape, this is a great option, as the added height top elongates the look without it being too obvious. Getting that finish a little undone keeps it from looking too perfect, which I like. Blonde this light will pull warm over time, so this will test your patience. You will need good toner and if you aren’t one for colour maintenance, this will probably test your patience a little.
#5: Asymmetrical Brunette Pixie with Textured Fringe
This is so nice! The shape is so playful compared to a standard ‘pixie’ style. The back is shorter with more length and texture at the top – and the collar falling fringe is super flattering. This really draws the attention to the eyes and cheekbones. I did something very similar for a nurse client who does 12 hour shifts and she said it was the first haircut she had that still looked good at the end of the day with no effort on her part. For fine to medium hair, this cut will give you the illusion of much more hair than you really have! The brunette color is low maintenance which is a bonus. It will need some styling with your fingers and a little wax to define the fringe. You’ll need to come in for trims regularly because the pixie will start to look unintentional as it grows out.
#6: Jet-Black Curved Bob with Sheer Bangs
n A blunt bob with straight bangs is classy but ndoes remain trendy. A fair skin tone will benefit with extra ncontrast with black. Softer features will emerge with the nrounded bob shape with round or square faces, since blunt bobs ncan feel harsh without shaping. Hair appears straight and nmedium density is required for this look. You don’t want hair to nswing, move, or do anything outside of the nice clean look andn shape. Black is a great color but will show everything. So nyou must stay on top of conditioning if you have dry or frizzy hair.n n Bobs can be a require a lot of maintenance. Bangs need a ntrim every three weeks or they’ll be in your eyes. Keep that in mind nwhen deciding if this may be the look for you.
#7: Mocha Textured Bob with Micro Bangs
Micro bangs can really go either way, but in this case, they definitely work. The playful, artistic quality of this cut would have lost some of its essence with a longer bang. Paired with this textured bob in what seems to be a warm mocha color, it feels young and fresh without being too youthful, if that makes sense. This look will work best on fine to medium hair as the layering will provide the movement and body that this style needs and thicker hair may be counterproductive. The texture throughout will look great on low-maintenance days where you don’t style it as much. That messy chic look will probably take some time to look intentional, but it’s honestly not a huge production. A sea salt spray and some scrunching will probably do the trick. The mocha color will also look amazing on warm skin tones.
#8: Black Layered Bob with Gentle Waves
This haircut is charming in an understated way. This probably won’t get everyone’s attention, but there is remarkable art to this cut. The subtle layering creates just the right amount of wave around the face to give movement to the style and highlight your cheekbone without having to contour your face with hair. It is best cut for thin to medium hair because the layers will give volume to the hair without removing the overall shape. I can picture that hairstyle being appropriate in a corporate office, as well as a weekend brunch. It has a lot of versatility. I just want to say that if you want those waves to stay, you will have to spend some time with a flat iron or a large-barrel curling iron if your hair is straight. It shouldn’t take more than five minutes.
#9: Brunette Pixie with Auburn Highlights
I noticed the auburn highlights on this cut that adds some warmth and depth to the look, making the simple brunette pixie more interesting. It has choppy, textured layers just above the jawline with some bangs that blend into the front face framing pieces. It takes some time to master this flow, but the effort is worth it. Highlights falling in layers offer so much more than a flat single tone color and this clever highlight placement moves the eye to where the most layered movement is. This style will balance the features of oval or heart shaped faces as it widens the jaw visually. Those with fine hair will need some extra assistance to keep hair full and volumized throughout the day, but a sprinkle of volumizing powder at the roots works wonders.
#10: Platinum Textured Fringe with an Edgy Undercut
This is certainly a daring style. The undercut is going to keep everything short and light on the sides and back. The top has choppy, textured length that falls forward into a fringe, so the platinum color will make this look striking. It is a very bold style. I have had a few clients take this route, and every one of them said they felt like a totally different person. Of course, this style is great for round and oval faces because the top-heavy look and close sides creates a very nice proportion. However, platinum does require a lot of upkeep. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. You would have to get your roots done every 4 to 6 weeks, and you would need to use a product like Olaplex to keep your hair from getting fried. The damage is going to be substantial. However, if you are willing to put in the work, this look will certainly be a showstopper.
#11: Ebony Textured Bob with Ultra-Short Fringe
Your face will be opened up from this ultra short fringe that can grab some attention and make a statement. The ends of this bob sit right above the shoulders, and there are just the right amount of layers to produce movement, especially with the dark color adding a sense of cohesiveness to all the elements of the style. If your hair is medium to thick in density, it will hold the shape of the bob, and allow you to gain that full bodied look without any of the layers falling flat, that is, until you get to the ends that will ultimately stop falling. This style can be high maintenance as it requires regular trims in order to stop the fringe from getting long enough to give the look of being unkempt. Everything will look fresh with a light touch of texturizing spray, and it will draw attention to the movement.
#12: Brunette Curved Bob with Swooped Bangs
Curved bobs are one of my favorite styles. This specific cut looks beautiful on everyone. It has a rounded shape that hugs the face just right. The layered ends that curve under are really nice and will make the haircut look polished while also looking approachable. The deep brunette shade looks pretty warm and nice. Swoopy bangs are great for covering a forehead. If you feel like your forehead is the most noticeable thing about you, these bangs help soften that area. For people with an oval face shape this look will frame everything perfectly, and the density here will actually give you some volume. The cut will look good even if you don’t blow dry your hair for a really long time. I’d recommend using a round brush for the bangs and any face framing pieces if you want that nice smooth swoop to behave, but honestly I think it looks great even if it’s a bit messy.
#13: Espresso Tousled Pixie with Micro Bangs
I love the French girl aesthetic and this is exactly what I want. It looks as though the custom is super easy, just a step out the door kinda style, but it’s probably a great cut. Espresso is one of the best tones as it’s rich and deep but not as harsh as black. It compliments a large variety of skin tones. Micro bangs on this pixie cut add so much personality. They are super high and showcase the bone structure way more than longer bangs do. Fine to medium hair will suit this cut the best. The layering empowers volume while also not adding too much excess bulk. Less time spent on styling will likely be a goal with this cut so if you have a goal of looking like you just rolled out of bed this is the cut for you. Otherwise, just a bit of product is all you’ll need to get out the door.
#14: Silver Shag with Feathered Layers
I’ve noticed a lot of shags lately, and most are fine, but this one has some actual substance. The feathered layers are well placed, giving the cut an overall lightness that avoids the heavy look around the face that shags often encumber. The silver with dark roots color is practical AND beautiful. Instead of fighting your grow out, you’re working with it, and I appreciate a style that gets better with time instead of worse. Medium density hair is ideal here, because you have enough to work with for the feathering, without it getting too wispy. The softness around the face is forgiving across different face shapes, so I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to most of my clients. If you care about the silver staying cool and clean, you’re going to want to stay on top of toning. Other than that, between appointments the cut is pretty low maintenance.
#15: Chestnut Stacked Layers with Gentle Waves
Long hairstyles are ideal for those persons that are not ready to commit to a drastic change. It adds length without without losing volume. The layers on top let it appear longer than it is. The warm chestnut color is very nice and the root shadowing is very natural, without any sign of a balayage. The subtle color variation is gorgeous and the waves combined with the face framing are great on all face shapes. It is a very versatile style especially on hair that is thin to medium density and provides the most volume. Ideally, to keep layers looking great, cuts should be done every 6 to 8 weeks. Overall, it is a very nice and fashionable style to have.
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