All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
A dramatic chop always feels like a new lease on life, but 2024’s short hair trends aren't exactly new. They're simply, well, updated. Last year was big on nostalgia — ‘80s curly fringe, ’90s pixie cuts, and Y2K layers. Those styles will still be populating your For You page in 2024, but you'll notice a sleeker, smoother, shinier finish. Shoulder-length shag cuts now have polished, rounded edges; mullets are slicked and wet; and curls are coifed and manicured.
If you're looking to lose a few inches and lean into these sleeker trends (or you're simply trying to revamp your go-to short style) look no further than this story. Here, we've gathered all the short hair trends that stylists say are sure to take over in 2024.
Meet the Experts:
- Devin Toth is a hairstylist at Salon SCK in New York City.
- Bronwen Robinson is a hairstylist at Suite Caroline Salon in New York City.
- Ty Holbrook is a New York City-based hairstylist.
- Shelley Gregory is a hairstylist and owner of the The Gregory Salon in Las Vegas.
- Gerard Caruso is a hairstylist and owner of Salon G in Hackensack, and creative director of Milk Shake Hair.
- Nunzio Saviano is a New York City-based hairstylist and owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon.
- Aaron Grenia is a hairstylist in New York City and Miami and cofounder of IGK Hair.
- Araxi Lindsey is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist and R+Co Collective member.
- Felicia Dosso is a colorist at Nunzio Saviano Salon.
Sleek and Slicked
While tousled bedhead gives a distinct “What party were they at last night?" kind of vibe, a slicked-back style, as Lily Allen has here, says they were the guest of honor and paid the whole bar tab. The wet, sleek look practically drips in confidence, says New York City-based hairstylist Devin Toth, who notes that most of 2024’s short hair trends will air on the sleeker style like this.
To achieve it, comb a generous amount of volumizing mousse (Toth likes the Kérastase Mousse Bouffante Hair Mousse) from your roots to your ends, blowdry your hair with a diffuser attachment, and set it in place with a hairspray.
Pixie
The pixie has long been a hair symbol of fearlessness and radical change, both great notes to start any new year on. "Anyone with the right confidence can wear [a pixie]," says New Jersey-based hairstylist Gerard Caruso, who recommends bringing a photo of your favorite pixie with you to the salon that will help clearly illustrate what you want.
If you're having trouble landing on the perfect pixie, think about your natural texture and work with, not against, it. For instance, “someone with mostly straight hair would benefit from a pixie that is designed to fall flat and collapse, while anyone with super curly hair should choose a pixie that has a more three-dimensional voluminous shape and texture,” says Toth. While you’ll need trims about every six weeks to maintain the shape of the cut, a pixie should be low maintenance to style day-to-day.
The Rixie
While Halsey’s punky pixie lands firmly in the 90s, a more rounded (a “Rixie,” if you will), Mia Farrow-inspired pixie is a playful nod to the 60s. "It’s a slightly sweeter look that follows the curve of the head," says New York City-based hairstylist Bronwen Robinson.
The Bixie
Take one part pixie and two parts bob — shaken, not stirred — muddle with a dash of punky attitude and what do you get? The Bixie. It's a little short on top and a little longer on the bottom — like a mullet but way chicer. "[Ask for] softer graduated layers — long length in the back and shorter layers framing the face," says New York City-based hairstylist Ty Holbrook. Because it does walk the line between punk and mullet, you'll need a trim to maintain the length every six to eight weeks, she adds.
Rounded Bob
While 2023 saw a lot of blunt cuts and shaggy manes, 2024 is leaning softer and curvier. Case in point: a rounded chin-length bob, like Jourdan Dunn has here. “It looks amazing with or without bangs," says Robinson. If you do opt for fringe, hit them with a round brush so the style has a complete bubble-esque look all the way through (a great visual trick if you struggle with volume).
French Bob
A bob is a short haircut that typically ends somewhere around the chin. A French bob is a bit like that, but it’s had a galette and a glass of Dom Perignon. The main difference (aside from the diet of puff pastry and champagne) is its page-boy length — just a tad shorter than your average bob, usually ending somewhere between the jaw and ear lobe. "It can be worn in endlessly different ways," says Saviano, but he really likes this flirty length with the addition of short bangs.
Buzzed
The ultimate short haircut (and a great hard reset for tired strands), the buzz cut, is back and cooler than ever in 2024, says Toth — pointing to the likes of Lupita Nyong'o and even Harry Styles. Upkeep is easy — you can buzz your own hair every month to maintain the length and it requires zero daily styling — but, since your scalp can’t really hide behind this style, be sure to keep things looking fresh with a moisturizing scalp treatment like LivSo Moisturizing Lotion.
Curly Fringe
Somewhere along the line, someone uttered the complete lie that curly hair types couldn't have bangs. Not only is that untrue, we’d argue that textured hair looks especially chic with a short, tousled fringe. "Curly bangs are edgy on shorter hair and have a cool '80s look," says Saviano. "They're also an easy way to soften the face — especially on someone with strong cheekbones." The look is great with face-framing layers but we love them fully separated from the rest of the hair like Natasha Lyonne's cheeky cut above.
Natural Comb Twist
Hairstylist and R+Co spokesperson Araxi Lindsey says a short, natural comb twist is not only on-trend for 2024, it's great for those who "don't want to touch their hair for a week or so." (Thank you, Araxi, we love a set-it-and-forget-it style.) Getting this look at a salon means you'll be returning between 10 days and two weeks for another twist-out as the coils loosen or grow, but you can also achieve the same look at home if you're patient and you have the upper-arm strength to finish your whole head.
To style your hair, Lindsey emphasizes the need for a moisturizing routine. After cleansing, she suggests spritzing a wave spray “to allow curly hair to be pliable for any type of styling.” (She reaches for the R+Co Bleu Rose Water Wave Spray, but we also like Ceremonia Guava Beach Waves for this.) Then, massage in a conditioning serum and begin coiling hair strands with a regular-sized comb. “After the twists are complete, sit under a dryer until hair is dry.”
Curly Crop
A head of curls can go one of two ways: wild and teased out, or perfectly perched and defined. While we love both, Toth says this refined, short curly coif will be all the rage in 2024. “This look can be achieved with any length or style, however, the more texture in the cut, the more separation and piece-y texture you can achieve,” adds hairstylist and founder of IGK Hair, Aaron Grenia. Try a curl-defining cream like the Best of Beauty-winning Pattern Styling Cream to get clean, sexy definition.
Lived-In Layers
Short hairstyles have a reputation for being high maintenance. Extra-short cuts can have an awkward "in-between'' phase as they grow, so you end up making more frequent trips to the salon to keep everything juuust so. This flirty lob with long, seamless layers is a great alternative if you're looking for a short cut that’s a bit more easy-going. "Lived-in and layered is going to be trending in 2024 because it’s low-maintenance, encourages natural texture or wave pattern, and it’s perfect for air-drying," says hairstylist Ericka Verrett. While you can certainly blow it out, like Khloe Kardashian has here, "it's meant to be a wash-and-go minimalist style. Ask for triangular layers with a soft face frame."
Short Finger Coil Afro
"This look is best for someone with afro-textured hair who is considering the big chop," says Lindsey of this easy look on Amandla Stenberg. Finger coils are very unfussy to create on shorter cuts (you or your stylist can simply shape the curls around a finger with the help of a styling cream, pull, and let the curl bounce back) and it allows you to showcase the bounce and volume of your natural hair. "If you don’t want to fuss with heating tools, this is the perfect look." A great leave-in conditioner, like Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Cream, is key to making this short look feel soft and healthy.
'90s Lob
The '90s are so very 2024 these days — we're digging out our cropped cardigans and chopping our hair into a Posh Spice shoulder-length lob (steely gaze not included). Las Vegas-based stylist Shelley Gregory likes this look as a compromise between short and long hair. "It gives a nice bouncy blowout but can still be pulled back away from face easily," she says. Gregory recommends asking for a blunt cut right above the shoulders with full layers for extra movement. The look works on most face shapes but it’s especially striking on thicker hair that can show off the swingy shape.
More 2024 hair trends:
- 2024’s Best Hair Color Trends Are Unbelievably Warm and Buttery
- 9 Nail Art Trends You’re About to See Everywhere in 2024
- 7 Makeup Trends That Should Be On Your Radar For 2024
- 9 Bold Haircut Ideas to Try In 2024
Now, watch Charli D'Amelio react to TikTok trends:
