Short hair, don’t care — we LOVE a chic short hairstyle as much as the next short hair devotee, but all short haircuts are not created equal. How your hair is styled once you get a good snip is important to maintain a great shape that works well with your face and features. This list of nine unflattering short hairstyles is not meant to be the final word on the matter. There is no final word on this — one person’s best hairstyle is another person’s worst — style is definitely subjective.
If you’re thinking of getting a short haircut, or are trying to find ways to modify yours so that it looks more stylish, many hair stylists would agree that avoiding these nine mostly unflattering styles can be helpful.
Baby Bangs
For a few minutes a few years ago, baby bangs were all the rage. These super-short bangs called attention to bone structure, eyes, and great eyebrows, but they can also look very harsh and make the face look more square than it is.
Blunt Bangs
Blunt bangs are another bangs style to largely avoid. These bangs are cut in a square shape with a harsh, straight line that doesn’t always flatter every face shape and can make the face look more severe.
Blunt Bob
You may see the word “blunt” tossed around a lot when the subject of unflattering hairstyles comes up — there’s a reason for that. Blunt cuts like blunt bobs can make thinning or fine hair look a lot thicker at the ends, which is a plus. But the absence of layers and lift can also drag the face and features downward, which is the opposite of what you’re probably looking for in a great hairstyle. Even if you prefer to keep your end blunt, adding a few face-framing layers can give you a lift.
Severe Undercuts
The pixie haircut is one of our favorites because it is versatile — it can look sophisticated or funny and fun. When you ask your stylist for an undercut, they will likely cut the sides and back much shorter than the top, or even take a razor to the area. Customize how short you’re willing to go in this area by considering the look you are after — shaved sides may not be for everyone.
Wispy Layers
A little layering on a bob or lob is going to provide volume and lift. But wispy layers where the ends are feathery can actually make your hair look thinner and less healthy. When asking for layers, request blunter ends to keep more bulk in your hair.
Pin-Straight Lob
The lob is a longer bob that sits around the collarbone. If it’s pin-straight, you can lose natural body and volume and it can fall flat and not do much for your overall look. The solution is simply adding a heatless waves or large rollers to your hair to give it instant texture.
Too-Dark Hair
At a certain point, too-dark hair can call attention to uneven skin tone or fine lines. The root issue here is that black or flat dark color lacks dimension, so all of the focus will be on your skin at all times. If this is just fine with you and you prefer the darkest hair possible, this may be your core look. If it feels like something is off, ask your colorist to weave in a few lighter or warmer highlights to your hair.
Too-Blonde Hair
Blonder isn’t always better. Even though lightness, especially around the face, can look more youthful, overdoing it with bleach and choosing very ashy blonde tones can appear more aging. Try balancing very light hair with lowlights and depth.
Overgrown Pixie
Some haircuts can grow (and grow) and no one will be the wiser — the pixie is not one of those cuts. Even though a pixie can have major upsides, including being lower maintenance than long hair, it will require a cut every six to eight week to retain its shape.
