55 Short Haircuts for Women to Try in 2023
If you’ve found yourself considering one of the coolest short haircuts for women, you’re not alone. The urge to chop our hair always strikes as the weather gets warmer, but shorter styles are trending particularly hard for 2023, and what better way to kick off spring than with a fresh cut? Bobs of all kinds—from the chopped bob to the easygoing undone bob—are having a moment, but there are more options than ever when it comes to shorter cuts, from buzz cuts to shoulder-skimming lobs.
Whether you’re in the market for a classic pixie or something a little trendier (how’s a modern Diana bob or shaggy bob sound?), we spoke to top stylists and gathered up the coolest crop of short haircuts for women. Scroll on for options for every style and hair texture, and get ready to screenshot. Something tells us you’re going to want to head to the salon ASAP.
- Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty Images1/55
Edgy Bob
Short hair can walk a fine line between childish and grown-up, but Simona Tabasco, of White Lotus fame, proves that a bob can be totally cool. The tousled texture and bangs pushed to one side are to thank for this sexy take on the look. Tabasco's cut is a favorite of celebrity hairstylist Laura Polko, who says bangs are the gateway to a total chop, which are clearly both in play here.
Instagram/@florencepugh2/55Sleek and Chic
Howard McLaren, cofounder and creative director of R+Co, speaks to the versatility of short haircuts and says that it comes down to choosing the right products. “Don't be afraid to ask your hairdresser to show you several looks using various products so you know how versatile short hair can be,” he says. Case in point: Florence Pugh's cut would look totally different if it were not slicked back for the wet look.
Instagram/@haileybieber3/55Easygoing Bob
It doesn't get more chill than this. Hailey Bieber always has an air about her that she “woke up like this,” but even more so now that she made the cut.
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Wolf Cut
If a mullet and a shag had a baby, it would be the wolf cut. It takes some confidence to rock this trendy look, but when cut right, it's super stylish. “This modified style maintains the bob silhouette while adding layers to enhance natural hair texture and frame the face,” says Franck Izquierdo, cofounder of IGK Hair Care.
Instagram/@emrata5/55Cub Cut
The wolf cut's younger sister is—as the name implies—a shorter version of the cut. An important thing to keep in mind for cuts like this is that they require maintenance. Rodney Cutler, founder of Cutler Salons and a Redken brand ambassador, says that you'll need to keep up appointments with your stylist in order to maintain the length and overall shape.
Instagram/@grahamnation6/55Angled Bob
A fun thing about short hair is how easily you can switch up your look with zero commitment. Pauline Chalamet would look totally different with sleek, shiny strands instead of these soft, easy waves.
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Close Crop
We love how effortless Taylor Russell's cut looks with it slicked back behind her ears. She pulls it off seamlessly, but Izquierdo points out that cuts like this can be difficult. “Find photos of others with similar face shapes and hair texture to yours to find what shapes and lengths look best,” he says.
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Fun and Flippy
Emma Chamberlain's icy blonde bob was given some major volume by styling the ends to flip out. Polko says deciding which way to style the ends—curling them under or out—is a major element to a short cut. The use of bobby pins really levels up this look too.
Instagram/@markryansalon9/55Modern Diana
If Spencer had you thinking about a Diana-inspired chop, you're not alone. Ryan Trygstad, celebrity hairstylist and cofounder of New York's Mark Ryan Salon, says he's been giving his clients a modern take on the princess's iconic haircut. “It's such a fresh look, and exudes confidence and style,” he says. “The cut itself is a mixture of a very short layered bob edging toward a pixie.”
Instagram / @cutlersalon10/55Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs and a collar-length bob go together perfectly, and when it comes to bangs, these are about as low-maintenance as they get. “Curtain bangs are the gateway to bangs, because they're super versatile,” says Emily Heser, stylist at Cutler Salon in New York City. “They're long enough to grow out or pin back if you want, but they can also be cut into a shorter look.” If you're on the noncommittal side when it comes to your cuts, consider this your match.
Instagram/@thisisjessicatorres12/55Blunt Bangs
Take this photo as a promise that blunt doesn't have to mean stiff. Ask your stylist for straight-across bangs with a bit of feathering and movement for a retro vibe. Add a little salt spray and you're good to go. (You should also read our advice on the best bangs tips, straight from the women whose bangs we obsess over.)
Instagram / @spokeandweal13/55Strong Bob
The strong bob—also known as a blunt bob—is on the rise. “This cut is a statement,” says Jon Reyman, owner of Spoke & Weal salons. “Cool is more important than sexy right now. Or rather, cool is the new sexy.” The strong bob works for any hair texture, but if yours is dense, ask your stylist to thin it out first.
Instagram/@lucyhale14/55Boho Bob
Some bright blonde highlights and long, shaggy curtain bangs make for a very 2023 twist on the classic bob.
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty15/55Platinum Crop
Iris Law's super-short crop only looks even cooler in a bright platinum blonde.
Instagram/@novaartsalon16/55Curly Bob
The trick for nailing this cut with curls is making sure your stylist specializes in curly hair. (The Swivel app is a great resource for finding curl and coil experts in your area.) A cute pair of bangs also help.
Vera Anderson/Getty17/55Classic Pixie
Zoë Kravitz's cropped pixie looks classic and cool at the same time thanks to the hint of bangs.
Courtesy of Riawna Capri18/55Polished Bob
“Out with the messy texture; in comes the polished structure,” says Riawna Capri, co-owner of Nine Zero One in LA, about the return of sleek cuts. She says that fuzzy, bedhead hair is being traded in for more sleek styles of all lengths, and you can expect to see “more blunt, thick lines in haircuts instead of shattered, piecey texture.”
Taylor Hill/Getty19/55Tight Crop
“Considering the current climate, a lot of women are doing their hair at home, therefore easy, effortless looks will be the go-to,” says Naeemah LaFond, Amika's global artistic director. “Women may take the opportunity to embrace their natural texture more than ever.” A short, cropped cut like Lupita Nyong’o’s is a beautiful way to embrace your texture.
Instagram/@salsalhair20/55Curly Lob
The right haircut can emphasize your natural texture, like this classic lob and face-framing combo.
ANGELA WEISS/Getty21/55Flapper Bob
A super-cropped bob—we're talking earlobe length, at most—has a cool 1920s feel. Wet-slicked texture like Zazie Beetz's makes it feel even more special.
Instagram/@kimkardashian22/55Rounded Bob
The rounded bob is certainly having a moment—Kim, Khloé, and Kylie have all been spotted in the style. “A rounded bob is fantastic because it flatters nearly every face shape,” says Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist, who loves this cut for its retro look. The best length, he says, depends on which features you want to highlight.
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Instagram/@chloehelenmiles23/55French Bob
The French bob was one of the most-searched haircuts in 2020, and we're still loving it three years later. “A French bob is typically shorter than your typical chin-length bob we’ve been seeing a lot of lately,” says celebrity hairstylist Alex Brown. “It has a bit of a ‘wedge’ look to it, and is so chic and stylish.” When getting the cut, be particular about where you want the length to hit (chin? jawline? cheeks?) and explain to your stylist how you plan on styling it every day. And as always, bring plenty of photos that exemplify your hair type and texture so you’re not disappointed.
Instagram/@sophia_roe24/55Micro Bangs
Add a vintage touch to your bob or lob with a pair of super-short micro bangs.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty25/55Sharp Bob
Curls also look great in a sharp bob. Here it's all about playing up angles. And don't forget the wispy bangs, which add even more visual interest.
Instagram/@rosiehw26/55Classic Lob
If a bob seems too short, dip your toes into a chop with a collarbone-length lob, like this beachy one on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. (We've got plenty of other ideas in our guide to the best lob haircuts too.)
Bryan Bedder/Getty27/55Shaggy Bob
Shag haircuts are still going strong for 2023, and it's not hard to see why. “Depending on your hair texture, the shag is a cut that can be worn extremely messy or seamlessly straight,” says stylist Anh Co Tran. The cut looks amazing with just about every length and texture, but as Taylor Swift shows here, it's particularly excellent with a few rough waves that hit right above the collarbone.
Instagram / @emilychengmakeup28/55Braided Bob
There are endless ways to style a braided bob hairstyle. One of our favorites? Add multicolored beads to the ends to give the overall look a younger, more playful vibe.
Instagram/@chrisappleton129/55Curved Bob
While J.Lo's rounded ends look incredibly cool, they also serve a purpose. “Bobs that lay right on or just past the shoulder are going to be the most work, since it’s tough to prevent your hair from flipping out on your shoulders,” says Brown. “Round-brushing or flatironing your hair under will help fight the flip.”
James Devaney/Getty30/55Cheekbone Bob
Aside from the almost wet texture, the coolest part of this bob on Rihanna is that it brings all the attention straight to her cheekbones.
Presley Ann/Getty31/55Short Slick
See? Bobs can be versatile. By pushing back the front, you can get a cool androgynous look.
Daniele Venturelli/Getty32/55Polished Bob
This is the epitome of a classic bob—smooth, sleek, and slightly rounded. Chic.
Frazer Harrison/Getty33/55Retro Curls
Drop everything you think you know about bowl cuts, and take in the vision that is Ruth Negga's retro curly cut.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty34/55Pink Tips
Charli XCX makes a sharp bob her own with bright pink tips and heavy bangs.
Karwai Tang/Getty35/55Long Pixie
Adding a longer bang to a classic pixie will give you a little bit of length to play with if you're getting cold feet about a shorter cut.
Instagram/@nicolacoughlan36/55Flipped Bob
A chin-skimming length and subtly flipped-under ends feels so fresh and pretty.
Kevin Winter/Getty37/55Full Curls
Size does matter—and when it comes to curly hair, stylists agree that bigger is better. “Together the length and shape of the cut help to build really stunning volume for natural girls,” says César Deleön Ramirêz, celebrity stylist. Kerry Washington's soft rounded shape sets it apart from your average lob.
Instagram/@chadwoodhair38/55Side-Parted Bob
A soft side part can make a blunt bob seem less harsh than a middle part would.
Instagram/@mrchrismcmillan39/55’90s Crop
Emma Roberts's hairstylist Chris McMillan (and the man behind Jennifer Aniston's iconic Rachel cut) called this short chop a “hairline bob,” probably because it looks so good slicked back. Paired with sunnies and stripes, it's giving us total Winona in Reality Bites vibes.
Instagram/@lacyredway40/55Side Swoop
An extreme side swoop adds some classic glam to a shorter cut.
Getty Images41/55Two-Tone
Looking to switch up your go-to lob? Take a cue from Dua Lipa and go for a fun two-tone color.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty42/55’70s Lob
Curly bangs make a bob feel super retro. Lean into it with huge sunglasses like Rita Ora’s.
Getty Images43/55Fulani Braids Bob
Fulani braids don't have to be long. As Danai Gurira proves, they look incredible when they hit just above your shoulders. Flared ends make the style even cooler.
Dominique Charriau/Getty44/55Short Coils
This cute coily style shows off Amandla Stenberg’s texture beautifully. Pair the look with caramel-colored highlights to add playfulness.
Gregg DeGuire/Getty45/55Vintage Pixie
This is why Tyra Banks references Rosemary’s Baby in nearly every makeover episode of Top Model. The iconic pixie is just as edgy and flattering in 2023 as it was in 1968.
Instagram/@kourtneykardash46/55Emo Bob
Kourtney Kardashian’s razor-sharp bob is the perfect complement to her new edgy style.
Instagram/@chadwoodhair47/55Outgrown Bob
The outgrown bob—or hair that falls somewhere between a bob and a lob—is the perfect length for the indecisive. It’s still short enough to pass as a bob but leaves you with the option to pull your hair back if you please. It’s also the perfect first step to going even shorter.
Steve Granitz/Getty48/55One-Length Bob
If you want a low-maintenance look, something like Margot Robbie’s cut is your best bet. “Depending on the texture of your hair, I find that a one-length bob just above the shoulders is easiest to style,” Brown says. “The haircut should do the styling for you.”
Instagram/@chadwoodhair49/55Mini Curtain Bangs
Going shorter with your length? That means you can get away with shorter bangs. Have your stylist cut the same shape as a classic curtain bang but ask for them to hit by your brows instead of your cheekbones.
Paul Morigi/Getty50/55Curly Bangs
This curly cut on Alia Shawkat has a subtle ’80s feel in the coolest way.
Steve Granitz/Getty51/55Sideswept Bangs
Halle Berry has been rocking some version of a cropped cut for as long as we can remember, but we're particularly into her current style, with sideswept blonde bangs.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty52/55Blunt Bangs
A blunt bob and blunt bangs is always an incredible pairing.
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David M. Benett/Getty53/55Edgy Mullet
Yes, mullets are back. We love this bob-mullet hybrid on Miley Cyrus.
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Presley Ann/Getty54/55Cropped Curls
Curls can still shine in a shorter length—take Samira Wiley's cut as proof.
Dominik Bindl/Getty55/55Elegant Bob
The classic length—right at the chin—and softly rounded ends give this cut such a pretty, elegant feel.
