hairstyle trends The Best Low-Maintenance Haircuts for Every Hair Type

Many underestimate the impact that a hairstyle can have on your beauty routine. Blonde hair and bleached, silvery tones are always touted as high-maintenance but so are most short hairstyles like pixie cuts, sleek bobs, micro bangs or asymmetrical ‘dos that require constant cuts to maintain their shape. 

If your hair goals are rooted in (no pun intended) easy and low maintenance, achieving that starts with your haircut. Opting for the right haircut that can flatter your hair type and maintain its shape as it grows is the key to keeping a low-maintenance hair care routine. So, read on as we share the top low-maintenance haircuts for every hair type so you can look forward to fewer salon visits and easy styling.

1. Shaggy Bob

The shaggy bob is a great haircut for wavy hair types. And most importantly, it’s your ticket to a low-maintenance hairstyle because you can truly just wash it and go. The short layers add instant texture, volume and body, acting as the ultimate complement for your hair’s wavy texture. 

They also remove bulk for those with thick hair and add body to avoid a flat style if you have thin, wavy hair. For easy styling all-around, opt for a wave-enhancing product like the L’Oréal Paris Dream Lengths Super Curls Cream Leave-In to give your shaggy bob frizz-free volume and texture.

2. Long Layers

Long hairstyles always rise to the occasion when you want to keep your hair routine easy. Long layers are especially great for most hair types because they give your strands shape and movement that allow you to cut down on style time without sacrificing on the overall look.

To maintain your longer layers, opt for a hair care system that can strengthen long lengths and reduce breakage like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Restoring Shampoo for Long, Damaged Hair and the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Conditioner for Long, Damaged Hair. This duo helps to seal split ends, strengthen hair and enhance shine with each wash. Pair it with a styling cream like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream Leave-In Conditioner to seal split ends and keep frizz to a minimum.

Editor’s tip: Hair dusting is a great technique to remove dead ends while preserving length. If you skip out on routine haircuts to keep your length, this technique is the perfect solution to your problem.

3. Chin Bangs

Chin bangs are a low-maintenance (and grown-out) version of curtain bangs. While the latter requires frequent trims and styling to maintain their iconic look, chin bangs are a longer, more manageable variation that rival the face-framing layers. They can be styled in a number of different ways, on a number of different hair types and if you decide you no longer want them, they can easily grow into longer layers. 

Bangs get oilier much faster than the rest of your hair because they sit on your forehead so keep them fresh with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Blonde Hair if you have blonde or red hair or the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Brown Hair if you have dark hair. 

4. ‘70s Shag Cut

The ‘70s shag haircut, also known as a wolf cut, is a great option for wavy and curly hair types because the layers offer body and shape without bulk. Thanks to the shag layers, the curls all look the same length but the hair doesn’t feel heavy. Not only will your hair maintain its shape as it grows but the process will be effortless. 

To keep your shag cut looking its best, use a hydrating hair system like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Push Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Seal Conditioner. This duo will help to lock in moisture, keeping your curls soft, bouncy and defined. Pair it with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dreamy Curls Leave-In Conditioner to complete the look and reveal gorgeous, hydrated curls that complement your nostalgic ‘do.

5. Wavy Lob

The wavy lob is universally flattering for many different hair types. While most short haircuts require constant trims to maintain their shape, the lob is the most forgiving of the bunch. The trick to getting your lob to grow out seamlessly while maintaining its shape is to keep the back a little shorter than the front pieces. As it grows, your lob won’t look boxy or shapeless. 

A wavy lob definitely looks best when air-dried which is why we recommend the L’Oréal EverPure Sulfate-Free Simply Clean Sheer Oil to enhance shine and reduce frizz. On certain occasions when you have to use heat, make sure to prime your strands with a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Weightless Blow Dry Primer, Heat Protectant or the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In. 

6. Short Choppy Layers

If you have thick hair and want to remove some bulk, consider short, choppy layers. Similar to a shag cut, short, choppy layers will give movement while the shorter layers help to remove bulk and weight. It works well for thick hair of any length and as your hair grows, it will continue to feel light, allowing your texture and natural volume to shine. 

To keep your choppy layers frizz and static-free, reach for the aforementioned L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In. Use one to two pumps as needed on dry hair.  

7. Curly Lob

If you have thin, curly hair, a long bob is a great way to achieve instant volume and body. Styling is kept simple, all you need is a curl-enhancing cream to bring out your hair’s natural wave pattern. If your curls ever feel weighed down, switch out your shampoo for a clarifying shampoo like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Micellar Shampoo to remove excess build-up and refresh your curls.

8. Layered Bixie Cut

The bixie cut is a hybrid version of a pixie cut and a bob. It’s longer than your average pixie, making it easier to style and maintain while proving to be just as edgy. Ultimately, it works well for many hair types, especially those that want to focus on movement and texture. 

To style your bixie cut, tinted dry shampoo is a must. Use it to refresh your roots while adding volume, texture and body to the rest of your short cut.

9. Octopus Cut

Part bowl cut, part mullet, the octopus cut or jellyfish cut is definitely not your average set of layers. While the look isn’t going to be for everyone, this edgy and eclectic ‘do is great for low-maintenance styling because it looks its best air-dried with minimal styling. If you are looking to upgrade your hairstyle without the next-level maintenance, the octopus cut could be your perfect match. 

 

To keep your cut looking textured and perfectly undone, we recommend reaching for the L’Oréal Paris Overworked Hair Putty. This matte putty adds texture and styles hair with medium hold sans unwanted shine or crunchy texture.

10. Blunt Cut

For those with thin hair, a blunt cut is a great way to fake the appearance of fuller strands. The level cut removes any signs of breakage and creates the illusion of bulk causing hair to look denser and healthier. Additionally, the hair can easily maintain its shape as it grows and it’s a great style if you’re looking to grow out your hair. 

A blunt cut will keep maintenance low but never eliminate its need. Instead of a routine cut, consider hair dusting. As we said earlier, It’s a great technique that focuses solely on removing dead, split ends, allowing you to maintain the blunt shape of your cut and preserve length.

Next: 8 Bob Styles to Inspire Your Next Big Cut

Written by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Digital Tech: Katy Andrascik, Photo Assistant: Sam Kang, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Melina Kemph, Wardrobe Assistant: Kayla Martinez, Model: Adrianne Kiara