Haircuts for Women: 24 Styles

Takeaways

Choose a haircut by texture first, then face shape. Fine hair looks thicker with a blunt bob or lob, thick hair wants a shag or butterfly layers, and curls are cut dry. A longer bob lengthens a round face and soft layers at the jaw soften a square one. This guide shows 24 looks in four groups: short cuts, shoulder-length styles, cuts over 60, and hairstyles for Black women, from braids and locs to short cuts and color.
Short cuts need a trim every four to eight weeks, medium hair every six to eight, and uncolored long hair every three to six months. Braids last four to eight weeks, and locs need a retwist every four to six.
Bring two or three photos to the appointment, front and back, and say where the length should land, whether you want layers or bangs, and how long you spend on your hair each morning.

Ever sat down in the chair, been asked “What are we doing today?” and had nothing to show? Most of us have. Then you leave with a trim, because a trim is the safe answer.

This page is for the next appointment. The 24 looks below run from a cropped pixie to waist-length braids, in four groups, and each one is shown on real clients with the words to say when you sit down.

There’s a guide behind every section, so when one look catches your eye, there are 20 or 30 more like it a click away.

Women’s haircut guides, by type

Every section below borrows six looks from these guides, where you’ll find the rest.

Short haircuts

Choppy pixie with bangs

Dark-haired woman with red lipstick, her short crop swept across the forehead — Pointed ends on the bangs keep the edge soft.

Laughing woman with blonde highlights through a short, layered crop — Longer bangs, brushed to one side and feathered at the tips.

A pixie with bangs cut in points rather than straight across, so the line never looks stiff. It shows off the eyes and the cheekbones, and it dries in minutes. Rough it up with a little matte cream and it’s ready.

What to ask for Keep roughly two inches through the top, take the back and sides in close, and point-cut a fringe that lands at my eyebrows.

Photos: @claudiastevenbeauty (left), @rcgimenes (right) Pin this

Short bob above the chin

The ends stop clear of the jaw, so the neck shows.

Woman facing the camera, with a straight dark bob and a center part — Parted down the center, the ends curve in before they reach the chin.

A bob cut a little shorter than the chin makes fine hair look thicker, because every strand ends at the same weighty line. It’s quick to dry and doesn’t need much more than a round brush. We’ve got 28 more in our bob haircuts for fine hair.

What to ask for A short bob ending half an inch above the chin, blunt at the perimeter, no layers, either a center part or a long side fringe.

Photos: @esther.itterly (left), @hirohair (right) Pin this

Short shag with bangs

Blonde woman facing the camera, her shag cut short with feathery bangs — Choppy layers stop at the jaw, with bangs feathered into them.

Brunette woman whose short curls are cut into a shag, curls falling over her brow — On curls, the same cut stacks up at the crown and stays short at the brow.

Short shags and wolf cuts are the short cuts that look better the less you do. The layers are cut in to be worn messy, and the bangs blend into them so there’s no hard line to keep tidy. It works on straight hair and on curls. Pixies, bobs and wolf cuts are all in our guide to short haircuts for women.

What to ask for A short shag with choppy layers ending at the jaw, wispy bangs blended into the sides, the ends point-cut for texture.

Photos: @hirohair (left), @rossana_tijeras81 (right) Pin this

Short wolf cut

Side view of a woman with a shaggy brown crop, short bangs and wispy length at the nape — Cropped choppy on top, while thin strands are left long behind the ears.

Woman in a denim shirt looking away, dark hair cut in choppy tiers with a ragged fringe — Near the jawline, the uneven tiers turn outward.

Half shag, half mullet: the layers start high at the crown and leave wispy length behind. It suits wavy or thick hair that already wants to do its own thing. Scrunch in a little texture spray and leave it messy.

What to ask for Lots of short, choppy layering up top, leave the back long and thinned out, and cut ragged bangs to my eyebrows.

Photos: @kaysgroovyhair (left), @daiki.hair (right) Pin this

Curly pixie

Smiling woman with tight dark curls cropped short, falling to one side, and a beaded necklace — Springy curls pile up on top and tip over one brow.

Length on top, very short around the ear.

Curls look fuller cut short, because nothing weighs them down. Ask for a dry cut so your stylist can shape each ringlet where it lands. A curl cream and a diffuser keep the definition.

What to ask for Please cut my curls dry: leave them two or three inches long on the crown, clip the back and the area around my ears short, and keep a few longer ringlets falling forward.

Photos: @camyhairstylist (left), @thesambullen (right) Pin this

Wash-and-wear layered crop

Every piece is cut to sweep backward, away from the forehead.

Side view of an older woman, silver hair cropped short, pearl at her ear — The neckline is tapered, and the top stays soft and full.

This crop is built for women who’d rather not blow-dry. The layers are cut to fall one way, so you can towel it dry, push it back with your fingers and go. It suits gray hair well, and there are 22 more in our guide to short haircuts for women over 60.

What to ask for A short layered crop, about two inches on top, layers cut to sweep back off the face, tapered at the nape and around the ears.

Photos: @ittaribeiro (left), @loxbybrynn (right) Pin this

Shoulder-length hairstyles

Straight lob with a middle part

Dark-haired woman facing the camera, glossy straight hair cut to the collarbone — One clean edge, just below shoulder height.

Smiling woman with a brown lob, straight and parted in the center — A shorter take, cut to end just above the shoulder.

A lob is a long bob, cut somewhere between the chin and the collarbone, and it’s the cut a lot of people mean when they say shoulder length. With a blunt edge and a center part, it suits straight hair that you’re happy to flat-iron. Lobs, layers and curtain bangs are all in our guide to shoulder-length hairstyles.

What to ask for A lob cut to the collarbone, one length with a blunt edge, no layers, a center part.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), Luxe Digital (right) Pin this

Layered curls at the shoulder

Woman laughing, a curly fringe over her brow and dark curls reaching her shoulders — Curls cut in layers, so the shape is round instead of triangular.

Woman with a wide smile and long, honey-brown spiral curls — On longer curls, the shortest layer is level with the chin.

Curly hair cut to one length tends to go wide at the bottom. Layers fix that by letting the curls stack, so the volume moves up toward your face. Ask for a dry cut, curl by curl, so your stylist can see where each one lands.

What to ask for Shoulder-length curly hair cut dry, curl by curl, layers starting at the chin, curly bangs cut to the brow when dry.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), Luxe Digital (right) Pin this

Shoulder-length waves with curtain bangs

Woman with wavy brown hair to the shoulders, caramel streaks and bangs parted in the center — Parted down the center, the fringe curves out toward each cheek.

Woman with long brown layers and a sweep of bangs on each side of her face — Here the bangs are longer and melt into the layers.

Curtain bangs are the easy way into a fringe, because they part down the middle and grow out without a hard line. On shoulder-length waves they lift the front and add shape. Most mornings, a hairdryer and two minutes is enough to shape them.

What to ask for Shoulder-length hair with soft layers, curtain bangs parted in the center and cut to the cheekbones, ends left wavy.

Photos: @hirohair (left), @id_studio_ (right) Pin this

Butterfly haircut with curtain bangs

Woman with long dark hair parted at the center, bangs curving away to each side — There's no gap between where the bangs end and the layers begin.

Woman looking down, with dark hair to the collarbone, soft bangs and layers — Here the cut stops at the collarbone, bangs and all.

The butterfly cut stacks short layers around the face over longer ones behind, so it can pass for a short cut at the front and a long one at the back. Curtain bangs suit it, because they lead straight into those front layers. It needs a round brush to get the bounce in. Our butterfly haircut guide has 23 more.

What to ask for A butterfly cut with short face-framing layers from the cheekbone, long layers behind, curtain bangs parted in the center and blended into the front.

Photos: @shokosoco (left), @angelo.baiunco (right) Pin this

Medium shag with flicked ends

At the shoulder, the ends kick outward.

Back view of a brunette shag in stepped layers — The back view shows each tier of the cut.

A medium shag keeps enough length to tie back, with layers through the crown and ends that flick out. It suits thick or wavy hair that needs weight taken out. Long, curly and short versions are in our shag haircut guide.

What to ask for A medium shag ending at the shoulder, layers cut from the crown down, bangs blended into the sides, ends cut to flick out.

Photos: @alessandra_nakamura (left), @alessandra_nakamura (right) Pin this

Curly shag with bangs

Smiling woman with a full head of brown ringlets that turn orange-red toward the ends — The ringlets in front are cut short enough to clear her eyes.

Smiling woman in navy, her curly hair dyed a deep blue-black with ringlets over her forehead — Volume builds out at the sides rather than up on top.

A shag gives curls a shape to grow into, with layers that let each ringlet spring up instead of hanging flat. Curly bangs are forgiving, since the curl hides any uneven ends. Cut it dry and diffuse it.

What to ask for A curly shag cut dry, layers from the crown to the collarbone, curly bangs cut long at the brow.

Photos: @aoki_hair (left), @ashadoeshair (right) Pin this

Hairstyles for women over 60

Face-framing layers at the shoulder

Older woman beaming at the camera, highlighted brown hair to the shoulder and a long sweep of fringe — The side fringe flows straight into the front layers.

Smiling woman in a patterned top, her caramel waves cut shorter around the face — The layers begin at the cheekbone and open into waves.

Stylists tend to suggest a length between the jaw and the shoulder after 60, and face-framing layers make it work: they lift the front without cutting off length behind. Wavy and straight hair both take to it. Our guide to hairstyles for women over 60 has 33 looks, from lobs to silver curls.

What to ask for Shoulder-length hair, face-framing layers starting at the cheekbone, a long side fringe, the back kept one length.

Photos: @hair_by_pedro (left), @giboazhair (right) Pin this

Long layers

Blonde woman in yellow, seen at an angle, hair falling well below her shoulders — The layers begin below the chin, so the ends stay thick.

Woman with long dark hair, a full fringe and choppy layers — A heavy fringe on top of long, choppy layers.

There’s no age limit on long hair, as long as it’s healthy. A few long layers keep it moving without thinning the ends, and a full fringe is an easy way to change the shape without losing length.

What to ask for Long hair with a few long layers starting below the chin, ends kept full, a full fringe to the brow if you want one.

Photos: @hairbyjanetbiggers (left), @motherofcurls (right) Pin this

Silver lob

Back view of a straight silver cut ending in a blunt line at the shoulder — One straight line across the back, at the shoulder.

A blunt lob suits gray hair because there are no wispy ends for the color to look dull on. It’s also a smart cut for thinning hair, since a solid edge makes it look fuller. A gloss every few weeks keeps the silver bright.

What to ask for A one-length lob cut blunt at the shoulder, no layers, the edge kept sharp at every trim.

Photo @soularzsalon Pin this

Long silver curls

Side view of a woman whose gray and dark curls reach below her shoulders, fringe curling over her forehead — Volume at the crown, length past the shoulders.

Curls and gray are a good match, since the curl pattern breaks up the color and keeps it from looking flat. Have them cut dry so the length is right once the curls spring up.

What to ask for Long curly hair cut dry, curl by curl, light layers for shape, curly bangs cut long at the brow.

Photos: @curlprosb (left), @josh_congreve (right) Pin this

Medium shag over 60

Older woman with gray-brown hair cut in a choppy shag to the shoulders, fringe over her brow — From a heavy fringe, uneven pieces run down to shoulder length.

Side view of a smiling older woman with a black shag and fringe — Two flicks: one at jaw level, another lower down.

A shag is a good friend to hair that’s thinning on top, because the short crown layers add lift without a lot of styling. Gray grows in softly through the choppy ends. Scrunch some foam into the roots and you’re done.

What to ask for Shoulder length overall, with short, choppy pieces through the crown, a long fringe that reaches past my brows, and the ends thinned out.

Photos: @artistrybyrachelp (left), @katiew_hair (right) Pin this

Bob with a fringe and glasses

Older woman grinning behind pale glasses, white hair cut level at the jaw with a heavy fringe — There's a small gap between fringe and glasses.

Woman beaming in black frames, brown hair in a straight bob with a blunt fringe — A longer bob, with the fringe resting above bold frames.

Everyday glasses change where the fringe should end. Too long and it rests on the lenses, too short and it looks severe. A straight bob keeps the outline simple next to the glasses.

What to ask for Cut it to my jawline in one length, and bring the fringe down to just clear the top of my frames.

Photos: @kstylistlentz (left), @cortneyfarkashair (right) Pin this

Hairstyles for Black women

Boho braids

Woman standing hand on hip, her black braids reaching her waist with curly strands and small silver rings — Curly pieces left out along every braid.

Head tilted down, a woman with curly-ended braids reaching her waist — The cuffs are spaced at different heights.

Boho braids are box or knotless braids with loose curls left out along the length, and a big favorite for a reason. The curls soften the look and hide the parts as they grow out. Expect four to six weeks of wear. Braids, locs, short cuts and color for Black women all have a section in our guide to hairstyles for Black women.

What to ask for Waist-length medium knotless braids in a boho finish, with human-hair curls pulled out down the length and some silver cuffs.

Photos: @camilafreireoficial (left), @camilafreireoficial (right) Pin this

Jumbo box braids

Woman in a gray knit, smiling down, a few thick braids over her shoulders — With parts this wide, the whole head takes just a handful of braids.

Seen from behind: thick braids in a grid of big square sections — The square grid is easy to see from the back.

Jumbo braids take an afternoon, where small braids can take a full day. Fewer braids means less weight per section too, though at this length they’re still heavy, so ask for the edges to be left loose.

What to ask for Jumbo box braids with large square parts, about three rows from front to back, braided to mid-back.

Photos: @tamarindhair (left), @tamarindhair (right) Pin this

Layered pixie with a long fringe

Woman looking down, with a burgundy-brown pixie and a fringe falling over one eye — Height at the crown, and a fringe long enough to cover an eye.

Woman with her eyes closed, with a short dark pixie and a golden fringe — Only the fringe is lightened, so the color follows the cut.

Short at the nape, layered up to the crown, with one long sweep at the front: this pixie gives you height and a fringe to hide behind. Wrap it at night and the fringe falls back into place in the morning.

What to ask for A layered pixie, short and tapered at the nape, layers building to about three inches at the crown, a long side fringe cut to the cheekbone.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @styles_by_juwan (right) Pin this

Faux locs

Faux locs are extensions over your own hair, and a set stays in for four to six weeks. Think of it as a trial run: you’ll know by the end whether you want to commit to the real thing.

What to ask for Faux locs wrapped over medium box braids, a side part, waist length or shoulder length, a few gold cuffs.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @iam.nubian (right) Pin this

Brown highlights on black hair

Long, wavy dark hair from behind, threaded with warm brown — Light hits the brown pieces where each wave bends.

Woman in navy, hand in her hair, lighter brown strands near her face — The lightest pieces are kept at the front.

Brown needs only a level or two of lift on black hair, so it’s an easy first color. It grows out without a hard line.

What to ask for Fine brown highlights on black hair, lifted two or three shades, placed on the top layer and around the face, toned warm.

Photos: Luxe Digital (left), @dvcolour (right) Pin this

Crochet curls

Smiling woman with long spiral curls past her shoulders, parted in the middle — Loose, bouncy curls, worn long and parted down the middle.

Woman beaming, cornrowed front section and a mass of long curls behind — Braids along the front with curls hanging behind.

Crochet hair is hooked onto cornrows with a crochet needle, and your own hair stays braided underneath. It gives you big curls without putting heat on your hair.

What to ask for Crochet curls installed over straight-back cornrows, spiral curl pattern, a center part, length past the chest.

Photos: @trendytresses1 (left), @blvckhair_ng (right) Pin this

Which haircut suits your hair type and face shape?

Start with your texture, because it decides how any cut will behave. Fine hair looks thicker with a blunt edge, so a bob or a one-length lob works well, with any layers kept around the face. Thick hair wants weight taken out, and a shag or a butterfly cut does that job. With curls, ask for a dry cut, so the stylist shapes each curl as it really falls. Coily hair can go almost anywhere: a short TWA, a puff, braids, twists or locs.

Then look at your face. If yours is oval, most cuts will suit you. A longer bob or a lob lengthens a round face. A cut that ends at the jaw with soft layers takes the edge off a square one. If your forehead is wider than your chin, bangs swept to the side or parted in the middle help even things out.

Face shape	Try	Why
Oval	Nearly everything	Already in proportion
Round	A lob or curtain bangs	Adds length
Square	Soft layers ending near the jaw	Rounds off the corners
Heart	Bangs swept aside, layers by the cheeks	Evens out a wide forehead

Short, medium or long: which length suits you?

Short hair suits you if you want quick mornings and don’t mind a trim every month or so. Medium is the safe middle, long enough to tie back and short enough to dry fast, and it’s where stylists tend to steer women over 60. Long hair suits thick, healthy hair, and there’s no age limit on it.

How you live with your hair counts too. Sharp, one-length cuts look their best after a pass with straighteners. A shag, a crop or a curly cut looks better the less you touch it. Braids, twists and locs trade a long install for weeks of almost no styling.

What to ask your stylist for

Show your stylist pictures, ideally a few of them. Most looks on this page show two photos, often the front and the back, because your stylist needs both. Copy the ask line under the look you like into your phone and read it out.

Then say where the length should land: at the ear, the jaw, the shoulder or past it. Mention layers or a fringe if you want them, and be honest about your morning routine. For braids or locs, ask about the part size and how many hours to plan for, and say if your edges are delicate.

How often should you get a haircut?

It depends on the length. Plan on four to six weeks between trims for a pixie, and six to eight for a bob. Medium hair can go six to eight weeks, and long hair that isn’t colored can go three to six months.

Protective styles run on a different clock. Expect a braid install to stay in for one to two months. Past eight weeks, the American Academy of Dermatology advises taking it down. Locs go back for maintenance roughly once a month to six weeks, and that gap stretches to two or three months once they’ve matured. Highlights on dark hair need a gloss between appointments to keep the tone.

What are the most popular haircuts for women right now?

Among short cuts, it’s the soft bob, the pixie and the bixie. At medium length, it’s lobs, shags and butterfly layers with curtain bangs. The classic shapes never really leave. A chin bob or a long layered cut is a safe pick if you don’t want to chase a trend.

Which haircuts are low maintenance?

Go with your texture, not against it. Choppy pixies, shags, wash-and-wear crops and curly cuts are meant to look a bit undone, so the hot tools can stay in the drawer. Braids, twists and locs need a long first appointment, then very little day to day.

Braids or locs: what’s the difference?

Braids are temporary. They come out after four to eight weeks. Locs are permanent. Your hair is twisted or interlocked until it locks, and it usually takes 15 to 18 months to mature. Faux locs are in between, wrapped over your own hair for four to six weeks.

Style	How long it lasts	Upkeep
Braids	Four to eight weeks	Satin bonnet at night, scalp wash every one to two weeks
Faux locs	Four to six weeks	Same as braids
Locs	Permanent	Retwist every four to six weeks, more spaced out once mature

If you’re not sure about locs, try faux locs first. A few weeks is enough to find out whether you like the weight and the look.

How long does it take to grow out a short haircut?

At roughly six inches a year of growth, a pixie needs half a year to a year to reach bob length, and a year to a year and a half to touch the shoulders. Ask for layers on the way so the in-between stages still look like a cut.

Pick two or three looks before your appointment, screenshot both photos and keep the ask line handy. Your stylist will have something to work from, and you won’t leave with another trim.

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