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10 Trending Short Hairstyles For 2018

Jackie Summers

May 25, 2018

Liberated and empowered are just two words that crop up again and again when women talk after cutting their hair. Adding to that, we might also say short hairstyles make one feel sophisticated, chic, slinky and sassy. This season there are so many shape and texture options for short hairstyles, there’s bound to be one that suits you. And to top it all off—consider a standout hair color in any shade from peppery red to violet blonde, pastel pink or rose gold. “Short hair without great hair color,” comments Matrix Artistic Director Danielle Keasling, “is like pasta without the parmesan. It’s just not complete!”

Squared-Off Bangs With Short Hair

Sharpen up a bob or lob with crisp, squared-off bangs, and bring the length up to your jaw for instant, French-girl polish. This hairstyle begs for vivid hair color. No matter which shade you choose, keep it looking salon-fresh with shampoo and conditioner formulated to prolong the life of your hue.

Short Shag Haircut

Hair Color Credit: @msnataliejean

Thoughtfully-placed layers shift the entire shape and feeling of a short haircut—it goes from sweet to edgy. While modern shag haircuts are less disconnected and better-blended than the original cuts from the ‘70s, they still provide a rock ‘n roll vibe, especially when the hair color is bold and dramatic. Style short layered haircuts with a buildable definition gel that offers flexibility without build-up.

Center Part Short Bob

Hair Color Credit: @styledbyarlene

A short bob with a middle part takes on a brand-new personality. It’s part youthful and part geek chic, especially when paired with big, retro curls and sly, lime green hair color. At the foundation of this short hairstyle is a clean, one-length geometric bob that can also be worn smooth and sleek.

Architectural

Hair Color Credit: @andersremnas

When Vidal Sassoon set the hair world on fire with his clean, unfussy geometric haircuts, he credited modern architecture as his inspiration. After many years of blurred edges and layering, his sharp esthetic is making a comeback. A simple, graphic short haircut is the best way to display shiny, artistic hair color, btw. Keep it shiny with an application of treatment oil before blow drying.

Curtain Curls

Hair Color Credit: @sharnellb.colorist

Treat your curls to a new, squared-off shape and add long curtain bangs to seal the deal. This ‘70s-inspired hair shape is pure Donna Summers…and a perfect way to show off a spiral texture. Use an alcohol-free, curl defining elixir to control curls and repel frizz.

Pink Buzz

Hair Color Credit: @jonathanjandrew

Do you dare? If you’ve been flirting with the idea of a close crop, summer’s the perfect time to go for the big chop. You’ll raise the style bar exponentially if you adorn your micro-tresses with an of-the-moment hair color shade like petal pink or rose gold.

Big Bends

Hair Color Credit: @saripaints

A bob or lob is updated in a minute with this lazy-wave hair texture. Use a hair texturizing spray and a jumbo curling iron to create one large wave on each section of hair around the head, about midway or two-thirds of the way from the top. It’s just a notch up from “I woke up like this”…truly effortless.

Skip Waves

Hair Color Credit: @dylanprescotthair_

Use several sizes of curling irons to style your lob haircut. Alternate a small, medium and large barrel, and also alternate the direction of each section—forward and backward. The result will be a natural-looking blend of wave textures that modernize a short hairstyle. Wait until all your hair is cool, then use a wide-tooth comb to blend the sections together.

Full Pixie Cut

Hair Color Credit: @pati.rodrigz

A wispy silhouette and side-swept bangs make this short pixie cut soft, feminine and flattering. Another element that makes it suitable for every face shape? A little bit of volume on top. To achieve lift, apply a conditioning hair mousse to damp hair and use a small round brush with your blow dryer in the top sections.

Angled Bob

Hair Color Credit: @cryistalchaos

This hair style is the opposite of a lived-in look—it’s neat, clean and smoothed to perfection. The slightly angled hair shape is a beautiful and elegant way to frame your features, and the glossy texture is an ideal canvas for bold hair color. If you’re using a flat iron to achieve sleek strands, be sure to start with a hair conditioning heat primer that will protect your hair and your hair color.

Dramatic Disconnection

Hair Color Credit: @guyannescissorhands

This shape takes the pixie cut to a whole new level of cool. With an extended top section; messy, “I don’t care” texture and buzzed sides, the distinctive shape only gets more remarkable with icy violet and orchid hair color. Go strong or go home!