The 39 Best Low Maintenance Haircuts for Short Hair

Close up of a woman's profile and a short haircut

@anhcotran / Instagram

While people with long hair certainly have more length to play with, those with short hair can still take creative liberties with their styles. There is so much you can do with short hair—lobs, bobs, bixies, buzz cuts, etc.—but admittedly, some require more upkeep than others. Our lives can get very busy, so whenever there's a stylish low-maintenance haircut we want to try, we're all ears. After all, who actually has time to give themselves a full-on blowout every time you wash your hair? Must be nice...

Thankfully, there are so many low-maintenance haircuts you can get that'll make your short hair look stylish without having to put a lot of effort into it. "Long or short, haircuts with softer edges and more basic shapes are going to last you longer and take less maintenance," says hairstylist Benjamin Mohapi. But regardless of whether you have naturally textured or pin-straight hair, or whether you have a pixie cut or a layered lob, there's a haircut and style that will work for your busy lifestyle. Trust us.

We spoke to three professional hairstylists who walked us through 39 of the best low-maintenance haircuts and hairstyles for people with short hair. Below, you'll find styles that require zero time and energy to ones that just need a hair accessory or heat styling that requires less than five minutes. Ultimately, it's all up to you, your lifestyle, and preference.

Meet the Expert

01 of 39

Curly Shoulder-Grazing Cut

Yara Shahidi with curly short hair

@yarashahidi / Instagram

If you don't want to part with too much length, but still want a style that's relatively low maintenance, Cavalcante says, "A curly bob is a breeze to maintain." He recommends applying an ant-frizz product and quickly towel drying. He points out that, "you might need more frequent visits to your stylist to keep it in shape," though.

02 of 39

Slicked Back Crop

Close up of Emma Roberts with slicked back hair

Getty Images

Emma Roberts' slicked-back look combines the wet hair trend and the return of 50s styles perfectly. Whether your hair is greasy and you want to get another day out of it or you're looking for an effortless style that's super chic, this is the one to go for. It's also a good choice for someone who's growing out a pixie and has a little extra length like Roberts does.

03 of 39

Accessorized Pixie

Close up of Janelle Monae with pixie cut and bird hair accessories

Getty Images

Janelle Monáe proves that you can have fun with your hair at any length. As seen here, a pixie is the perfect, no-fuss backdrop for some super fun clips.

04 of 39

Piece-y Pixie

Close up of Rowan Blanchard with short hair

Getty Images

Rowan Blanchard's piece-y look has an almost borrowed-from-the-boys vibe. All it takes is a little pomade or gel to achieve some shine and enough grit to create the separation between the bangs.

05 of 39

Bob with Side Bangs

Close up of Lily Allen with side bangs

@lilyallen / Instagram

Want a bob with a little something extra? Side bangs can be the perfect addition as seen here on Lily Allen. Cavalcante says, "The banged bob is a perfect choice for individuals with a prominent forehead." Adding that although bangs tend to require some styling, it should not take more than two minutes. "You can effortlessly wear this style as is with some gel or pomade, or you can quickly use a flat iron to create a uniform shape for your hair."

06 of 39

Asymmetrical Crop

Julie Garner with curly short hair

@juliagarnerofficial / Instagram

Cavalcante says that Julia Garner's asymmetrical crop is "hands down the best short haircut. Just add some mousse on, and you're good to go!" This works especially well on wavy to curly hair types that have natural movement and volume.

07 of 39

Tapered Cut With a '90s Flair

Lupita Nyong'o at the Hollywood Reporter's Annual Nominees Night party.

Frederick. M. Brown / Getty Images

Lupita Nyong'o can rock any style without hesitation. Her cropped look can work on a variety of hair textures and will require a bi-weekly shape-up to keep the look crisp. If you have natural hair, you're in luck. You may not be able to say goodbye to washday entirely, since keeping coily hair washed and conditioned to maintain moisture is a must. But, our guess is, you'll be able to cut your dedicated styling day in half. 

08 of 39

Longer in the Front

Close up of Robin Wright with short hair

Getty Images

Arguably one of the most iconic short haircuts, Robin Wright's style gives the illusion of being longer than it actually is thanks to how thick of a bang is cut in the front. For straight hair types, this would be a breeze to style, simply making sure that hair is brushed and parted right.

09 of 39

Short Textured Style

Halle Berry

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic / Getty Images

This particular style is a great option for someone looking for style with almost no work. The hair is cropped short all over the head but a bit of extra length is left on top. Just apply a dab of pomade and simply run it side to side over the top of the head, to add texture and separation—15 seconds and you're done.

10 of 39

Casual Tousled Style

Kristen Stewart short crop haircut

Tibrina Hobson / FilmMagic / Getty Images 

Kristen Stewart's look can be replicated with a dab of finishing cream like JVN Complete Air Dry Cream ($24) and a quick run of your hands through your hair. And if you want real volume without all the hassle of using product, tell your stylist to use a razor. "Softening the edges on your cut either by point-cutting or using a razor to break up the cut line can also promote volume and texture," says Mohapi.

11 of 39

Asymmetrical Bob

Regina King asymetrical bob

John Shearer / Getty Images

Regina King's highlights and asymmetric cut add definition to her classic and voluminous bob. To smooth flyaways, apply a bit of finishing cream to dried and styled hair.

12 of 39

Classic Crewcut

Kristen Wiig

Frazer Harrison / Staff / Getty Images

Cut with a number three blade all over the head, this classic crewcut is super easy. A bit of pomade adds shine but isn't necessary for the look. It's a great style for people who want a look with almost no maintenance.

13 of 39

Classic Buzz

amandla stenberg

Getty/Barry King

"For short, low-maintenance hairstyles for women and men, buzz cuts are definitely in," says Leela. "The only thing that makes them higher maintenance is that the back hairline tends to grow out quickly." That means more time in the salon chair, with Leela recommending those with buzz cuts visit their salon "every four weeks to get a cleanup on the neck." To style a buzz like Amandla Stenberg, simply blow-dry hair and add some paste to tame any frizz. 

14 of 39

Great Texture and a Little Wave

Hailey Baldwin

John Sciulli / Stringer / Getty Images

For someone with a little natural texture to their hair, Hailey Bieber's damp, slightly waved lob is a perfect style. "These cuts always look good a bit tousled, so there’s no need to make too much effort," says Mohapi. "A bit of texture spray and a smidge of moisturizing cream will always look sexy." Simply throw a little styling cream into damp hair and scrunch your fingers in it until you achieve the desired effect. No comb required.

15 of 39

Faux Hawk

Gladys Knight

Lester Cohen / Getty Images for NARAS

When you're looking for a low-maintenance style, short is almost always the best way to go. For this simple faux hawk look, the hair is made to stand up with a ton of hairspray and a dash of pomade.

16 of 39

Classic Taper

Ruby Rose - Pixie Haircut

 Getty Images/Frazer Harrison

Ruby rose wears a classic tapered haircut well, in which the hair is clipped short on the sides and back and tapered to zero on the neckline. The hair is left about 2.5 inches long on top and can be worn casually swept back with the fingers (as seen here) or neatly parted and combed for a more formal look.

17 of 39

Short Sides and a Longer Top

Sanaa Lathan

Araya Doheny / Stringer / Getty Images

For this cut, the hair is about three-fourths of an inch on the sides and back with about six inches of length on top. To achieve any kind of slept-in look, apply a bit of texture cream or finishing cream to dry hair and toss it around a bit with the fingers.

18 of 39

Undercut

Scarlett Johansson

Kevin Mazur / Contributor / Getty Images

Leela says the old-school undercut is the ultimate in low-maintenance hair because it grows out so well. "The reason the undercut is so great is that, by the time your hairline on the neck needs to be cut, the hair on the top of your head has already grown," she says. In other words, the short 'do seen here on Scarlett Johansson can grow into a trendy bob—no haircut required.

"This is great for men, too—the mushroom undercut (think Nick Carter in the 1990s with the middle part) has definitely come back and again, it’s so easy to maintain and looks great growing out," says Leela.

19 of 39

Classic Pixie

Zendaya

Karwai Tang / Contributor / Getty Images

 

Zendaya's pixie cut is short in length and long in style, with slightly textured layers that frame her face. If you're looking to experiment with a new hair color, this is an especially appealing cut, as there's so much less hair to dye.

20 of 39

Classic Crop

Jennifer Hudson

Jeffrey Mayer / Contributor / Getty Images

Jennifer Hudson's classic crop shows off her features, leaving her hair off her face and styled with a bit of product. To achieve the look, hair is cut or clippered short on the sides and back and lifted at the roots to create volume.

21 of 39

Short Bob

Carey Mulligan

George Pimentel / Contributor / Getty Images

Carey Mulligan's bob is cut just below her ears—so there's enough hair to style via a side part and texturizing spray. We like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($23) for a piece-y look.

22 of 39

Slicked

Keke Palmer

 

Rommel Demano / Stringer / Getty Images

With this style, even hair that is in need of a trim can look put together. This is also a great way to show off an undercut. Set the style with pomade and a comb to slick hair back or to the side (as seen here on Keke Palmer).

23 of 39

Short and Flipped-Out

Phoebe Waller Bridge

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor / Getty Images

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's look is textured, with bangs and layers throughout. Style the look with hair gel like Pete & Pedro Hair Putty ($20).

24 of 39

Long Buzzcut

Eva Marcille

Maury Phillips / Getty Images

This is your typical number five or so buzzcut. No product or maintenance is required to pull it off, but running pomade through your hair can give it a great sheen.

25 of 39

French Bob

Kaia Gerber

David Livingston / Stringer / Getty Images

Another variation on the short bob, this cheekbone-grazing style works great on hair that is naturally straight, like model Kaia Gerber's. Throw in some texturizing cream and your hair is styled for the day.

26 of 39

Short Pixie

Rihanna

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage / Getty Images

One way to add a little extra oomph to a classic crewcut? Ask your barber or hairstylist to fade the sides. Though the crewcut itself can likely go without product, a little pomade will work wonders to smooth the sides.

27 of 39

Razor-Cut Pixie

Katy Perry

Daniele Venturelli / Contributor / Getty Images

Katy Perry's two-tone pixie is super-stylish, thanks to a razor-cut length that adds texture on the ends.

28 of 39

Short Fro

Jodie Turner-Smith

 Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / Getty Images

Actress Jodie Turner-Smith's short fro is stylish and simply to maintain. The trick here is to ensure hair remains moisturized at all times.

29 of 39

Curly Pixie

Alia Shawkat

 Gary Gershoff / Contributor / Getty Images

Alia Shawkat's natural curls take center stage in this longer variation on a pixie. Here, accessories (like a headband or barrettes) can make a big impact. Try a product like Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Leave-In Defining Cream ($22) to add further definition to curls.

30 of 39

Minimal Curls

Ruth Negga

Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images for Tiffany & Co.

Ruth Negga proves just how gorgeous minimal curls can look with a cropped cut. The key here is to work with your natural texture straight from the shower by letting it air-dry.

31 of 39

Italian Bob

 low maintenance short haircuts

@simonatabasco

Whereas French bobs have a bit of a '20s flair to them, Italian bobs flaunt a '60s spin thanks to its blunt, lightweight, and chunky ends. It feels fresh and vibrant, and we love how low-maintenance the cut is. Ciao bella!

32 of 39

Mod Pixie

Zoe Kravitz

Jim Spellman / Getty Images

This classic cut on Zoë Kravitz all comes down to product. Ask your stylist to use a number seven or number eight blade to allow for a bit more length on top than a standard buzz cut. To style, comb it forward with product or just use a bit of paste and your fingers to roughen the fringe up a bit.

33 of 39

Side-Swept Bixie

low maintenance short haircuts

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

Take a cue from Halle Berry and give your curls a glamorous style by sweeping them to the side and loosely pinning the rest towards the back. This hairdo is unexpected, easy to recreate, and will make your curls the center of attention.

34 of 39

Lob with Curtain Bangs

low maintenance short haircuts

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

While traditional bangs require a lot of upkeep, curtain bangs allow for laid-back styling and stretched out visits to the salon. We love how Jenna Ortega styled them here—slightly tousled to fit the texture of her lob.

35 of 39

Rounded Haircut

low maintenance short haircuts

@gabunion

36 of 39

Spikey Top

low maintenance short haircuts

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

It's giving upscale Guy Fieri in the chicest way possible. To replicate Florence Pugh's edgy red carpet style, sculpt hair into its desired shape using a powerful styling product such as Jack Black's Clay Pomade ($24) for all-day hold.

37 of 39

Layered Lob

low maintenance short haircuts

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Anyone with curly hair knows that every dent and wave can give the optical illusion of a layer, but we love how Issa Rae's intentionally layered lob gives intentional movement and dimension to her short haircut.

38 of 39

Feathered Pixie

low maintenance short haircuts

John Phillips/UK Press via Getty Images

Audrey Tautou;s vintage-looking pixie cut was on everyone's beauty mood board growing up, and it's still on our today. Her feathered tips give her short hair texture and dimension while remaining incredibly low-maintenance.

39 of 39

Curly Afro

low maintenance short haircuts

Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Let your natural curls do their own thing for results as beautiful as Solange's. We love how she embraces her texture and how her bouncy, fluffy curls look good from every angle.

FAQ
  • Are short haircuts lower-maintenance than long hair?

    In terms of styling, yes, though short hair will require more trims to keep everything nice and tidy.

  • Do you need to have a specific face shape for a short haircut to look flattering?

    Short haircuts work on a range of face shapes — it's all about how you style it and the angles and layers your stylist adds.

  • How often do you need to visit the salon if you have a short haircut?

    If the hair is super-short (i.e. a buzz) you'll need to get trims every four weeks. A little longer, and 6-8 weeks should be fine.

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