I enjoy short dreads! Everything from the excited look on their face when they realize how many styling options are available to them, to the way their eyes light up when they envision how crazy they could go with their look. I love when clients say “ I don’t want anything crazy”, and that’s the moment I know we are about to get something that is styling perfection.” I know one of the clients I was working with in particular was nervous about dreading her hair, as she had been straightening it for so many years so when we started her with short dreads, she got so emotional and started crying. This shows that when you get short dreads, you are not just getting an interim style! They are not a compromise until you can grow them long enough to do something else! They are fully their own vibe!
In addition, short dreads present an opportunity to create interesting shapes and dimensions dreads are often too long to do. They create a frame around the face, neck, and jawline, and instead of hiding everything, short dreads help to pull everything together. There are wonderful styles that look relaxed or adorned with accessories. Short dreads are gorgeous and a joy. You can look at someone and feel that their hair represents their personality, style and fun.
I will share some of my favorites with you, practically what I would tell you if you were sitting in my seat right now.
#1: Twist-Out Short Dreads with That Pretty Tapered Detail
This example shows a twist-out which really highlights define each individual dread and lets the texture stand out. I especially love the tapering at the temples. It’s a small detail but it accentuates the cheekbones and opens up the whole face. These dreads are a little over cheek length, which I love for shorter dreads. It adds some movement to your head when you talk or turn which livens things up. Moisturizing cream will really help keep the dreads polished, but other than that it’s pretty low maintenance for how elevated it looks. For really thick, textured hair, this is one of those styles that seamlessly incorporates what you have instead of trying to change it.
#2: That Rich Auburn Color on Short Dreads
I love it when I get clients who want to do auburn hair color and get short dreads. For these kinds of styles, the warmer and deeper tones are better, especially when you want to have a rich auburn color. It is a good color because it will catch the light, but will not be too distracting. This shade will look better with the short dreads, as well. I always warn my clients that the dreads are going to be a lot of work in order to avoid a muddy look and that goes for this color as well because it does fade quickly and in an unpredictable manner. On the other hand, when it is a new color it is beautiful. The fullness of the dreads gives a good look to the style even when the dreads are short. If you have a warm skin tone, this shade will make you glow and is something that needs to be seen.
#3: Caramel Tones on Short Dreads That Just Feel Like Summer
These styles just above the shoulders and the warm caramel coloration gives someone a healthier and more more rested appearance (yes, we know it’s a little funny). The volume here is nice, and they are full without feeling heavy. This is best for someone who wants some texture and color without having to spend a ton of time styling it in the mornings. Just be sure to keep moisturizing regularly, because if you’re not on top of it the color process and the dreads will really dry things out. But in terms of a style, it’s carefree (in a good way).
#4: Tightly Coiled Corkscrew Dreads in Deep Black
For the woman who wants to look effortlessly beautiful, we have the perfect fit. This style speaks for itself, featuring tight curls with minimal accessories to draw the eyes. The beauty of the clean curls will shine without the need for color. Shoulder length hair means this style is practical. It is light enough for someone active, or maybe someone who does not want to be thinking about their hair every 5 minutes. What will require less thought, is the maintainance of the look’s older appearance. One thing that I will mention is that the cut is a bit more of a commitment than it appears. If you are ready for it, then this is one of the most incredible short dread styles I can imagine.
#5: Curly Bob with Those Perfect Little Ringlets
I know this looks more like a curly bob than dreads, but I’m adding this because a lot of my clients with tightly coiled hair see themselves in that in between stage while playing with their hair and texture, and this is an absolutely beautiful option. The maintenance for these ringlets will be a little on the higher side because you will need a defining cream and a refresh routine every few days, but the end result is a bouncy, volumous shape that nicely frames the face. Style like this will definitely get attention and you will get a lot of compliments, and that can be fun until you have to explain your whole process wash day routine for the 10th time.
#6: Short Tousled Dreads with a Lot of Personality
It’s low effort and casual, and I love that. It feels so good to have hair like this. The messy look to me adds movement and energy, and that’s why I like it. I think people with thick hair also probably love the volume. The length of the hair keeps it light which is good. You can do a lot of things like throw on a scarf or pin one side back. I guess you can also just leave it like this and walk out the door. Just keep in mind dreads can get pretty dry, so keep a moisture routine. Overall, this is pretty low effort, but it still looks great.
#7: Burgundy Tips on Coiled Short Dreads
The first thing I noticed was the burgundy tips. What I love about this approach is that it allows you to play with color without doing a full commitment. It’s great for people who are curious but not completely ready for a full dye job. The dark roots help to ground the color which makes it look natural. The coiling method adds so much more to the tips. This is a really nice medium density look and it requires little to nothing from you on a day to day. The color will definitely need a touch up soon. This burgundy shade will start looking washed out after a few weeks of sun exposure. But for a first step into adding color to dreads, I recommend this style all the time.
#8: Mini Twists on Short Natural Hair
Mini twists are fantastic option if you want neatness and definition without the long term commitment that comes with traditional locs. I love how they highlight natural textures and there’s lots of volume with a very flattering shape. I know my clients appreciate the low maintenance styling time. They do need to be re-twisted fairly often to keep that fresh look (especially around the hairline where they tend to loosen first). That’s a worthwhile trade off in my books. Just like you want, this looks great for your office day and weekend dinner plans!
#9: Warm Chestnut Dreads with a Little Bit of Highlight
The highlights on this hairstyle are amazing. The placement is ideal. It isn’t too obvious or stripey, and it adds great dimension to the dreads. The chestnut base is warm and not too red. I think that is the balance a lot of people want, but can’t articulate. If that resonates with you, make sure to show this to your stylist. The fullness of this style is great, plus it is the length that keeps everything looking nice and manageable. If you want a subtle way to add some color, this is a perfect option.
#10: Short Dreads Dressed Up with Gold Clasps
The gold clasps really enhance the quality of the dreads. They take neat short dreads and transform them into something almost jeweled, and I mean that in the best possible way. It’s a detail that gets people to look twice and compliment you directly on the piece, which is always a fun experience. The dreads are neat and well sized, not too thick or too thin and the length is good for round and oval faces. Just a reminder to keep up on the hydrating treatments because healthy dreads really come from the scalp and accessories can cover up dryness that may be hiding underneath.
#11: Braided Short Dreads with Little Beaded Details
This style’s artistry shines with tight braids close to the scalp. Beads add a nice personal touch moving the style from neat to truly special. For a style that feels like it tells a story, I love to recommend this style. The braiding technique mixed with a personalized choice of accessories makes the style unique to you. It’s ideal for medium and thick hair, plus it is a big plus if you live somewhere humid because it will hold up well in the heat. The major commitment for this style is maintenance. You really have to keep the braids tidy and your scalp clean, or else it can look messy really fast.
#12: Relaxed Black Twisted Dreads That Just Flow
I appreciate how these styles capture the kind of effortless look we aim for with clients. While the hair is styled into place using a specific technique, the end result looks like the hair just fell into place. The twists are a perfect length to frame the face without adding too much volume. There is definitely some defined texture, but the twists are not stiff. The best part about this style is that your hair can take a break from heat and tension from all the damaging stuff that causes breakage. For this reason, it’s a great protective style and a cute little fashion statement. It’s also a low-manipulation style, and while you do need to maintain the twists to keep them from looking fuzzy, that’s not as big of a burden as it is with other styles.
#13: Sun-Lit Short Dreads with Beaded Accessories
When dreadlocks are enhanced with white and black beads, their appearance seems to change when exposed to sunlight. The length of these specific locks is approximately shoulder-length, which is a desirable length for locks. They are long enough to have some movement, though short enough to not get in your way. This is a thicker dreadlocks hairstyle, and the fullness is a part of what makes it work. The beads add a simple and nice personal touch which keeps it from looking generic. Just check the beads every now and again because they can slide or loosen up over time, especially if you’re sleeping without a satin bonnet.
#14: Tawny Short Dreads with Soft Highlighted Pieces
The absence of structure adds to the overall aesthetic, since the inspiration behind the look is nothing about it being perfect, and that allows it to come off as more natural. The tawny color with the subtle highlights is very warm, and the compact dreads are also good for those who suffer from headaches with heavier styles. It works for both a coffee run and a dinner, which is exactly what I would say most of my clients look for. The only downside is that dreads can become a bit frizzy if maintenance isn’t kept up, so they do require some upkeep. This is especially good on rounded and oval face shapes since the framing a lot around the jaws is really.
#15: Ombré Short Dreads Going from Black to Auburn
I’m a sucker for the Ombré affect on dreads because of how well it works for this type of hair vs wavy or straight hair. The black to auburn transition is really nice as it isn’t too wild. The colors are great but with braids and bright colors you have to get ready for a fade as the sun will lighten it a lot faster than you expect. For dreads of this length the color will help take the style to an end expression as it will make the dreads look awesome instead of just a hairstyle.
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