hairstyle trends The 15 Best Short Haircuts for Wavy Hair

Wavy hair is the crossroad between straight and curly tresses presenting as loose, ‘S’ curls with natural volume and all-over texture. Cutting your wavy strands short can feel like a one-way ticket to poofy, unmanageable hair but it’s actually the opposite. Many with wavy hair love a shorter ‘do because it can add bounce and volume to your style while providing an effortless feel to your overall look — when it’s done right that is.

If you find yourself toying with the idea of making the chop, there is a short haircut for thin wavy hair, thick wavy hair and everything in between. Below,

What Haircuts Are Best for Wavy Hair?

A short hairstyle is extremely flattering for wavy hair types because it spotlights the natural texture, volume and loose curls in your hair — leading to a bouncy, full-bodied style. Short length works for thick hair because it can remove bulk (especially with layers) while it can also work for thin hair because it lacks the length that can weigh down your style. 

1. Pixie Cut With Cropped Sides

A pixie cut’s choppy, textured style pairs exceptionally well with wavy tresses. Ask your stylist for longer, piecey layers on the top and cropped sides. This will allow your wavy texture to add some height and volume to your hairstyle while the cropped sides will keep maintenance to a minimum. 

Wash and style your pixie with a curl-enhancing system like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Push Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Moisture Seal Conditioner and the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Non-Stop Dreamy Curls Leave-in Conditioner. This collection is formulated with hyaluronic acid and castor oil to moisturize and reshape your curls without weighing them down. It’s the perfect fix if you’re aiming for a wash-and-go, wavy hairstyle.  

2. Quiff

For a short style that still showcases your bouncy tendrils, rock a quiff with impressive top height and volume, paired with cropped sides. It’s chic but edgy and still manages to bring all the drama to your short style. To maintain volume at the crown, spritz your wavy quiff with a hairspray like the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold, Light Hairspray Unscented after styling. 

3. Mullet

For an experimental style with different lengths throughout your hair consider giving the mullet a go. It’s rebellious and looks every bit better with texture which makes it a promising pick for wavy strands. For texture and light hold throughout your mullet, keep the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty, a matte pomade on hand.

4. Bixie Cut

Part pixie, part bob, this ‘90s hairstyle is all about embracing texture and nostalgia. Since this haircut is a little longer than your average pixie, its choppy layers play well with curls and waves. Plus, this style doesn’t require a strict haircut regimen to maintain the shape of your style.

A bixie cut thrives with volume so embrace tinted dry shampoo like the L’Oréal Paris Everpure Sulfate-Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Blonde Hair for light hair and the L’Oréal Paris Everpure Sulfate Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Brown Hair for brown hair. Spray it onto the roots to absorb oils, add texture and enhance hair volume without any white residue. 

5. Lob

It’s hard to go wrong with a lob because it truly works for all hair types and textures. If you have thicker, wavy hair, go the layered lob route to remove some bulk. If you have thin, wavy tresses, we suggest a blunt cut lob to help your strands appear thicker. 

6. Side-Swept Bob

A side-swept wavy bob with a side part provides bounce and movement for your loose waves and does wonders for softening a long or oblong face shape. Add some wispy, long bangs into the mix to complete the look. 

7. Wolf Cut 

Think of the wolf haircut as a mix between the shag cut and the mullet. While it’s typically a hot choice for longer hair, the combination of choppy layers and wavy texture can really suit short strands, especially if you’re looking for a wash-and-go style. 

8. Shag Bob 

The shag bob is filled with layers that can help complement the texture of your naturally wavy tresses. This makes for easy styling because the layers and waves are all your hair needs to hold an effortless, undone look. 

To minimize frizz while enhancing shine, apply one pump of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In throughout your wavy strands. The bonus: It doubles as a heat protectant if you want to add a few waves to your hair with a curling iron. 

9. Asymmetrical Bob 

An asymmetrical bob can suit waves and since the style is dramatic on its own, it doesn’t take much work on the styling front. Ask your stylist for an asymmetrical bob with a slightly inverted shape to keep your strands from looking poofy. Pair your ‘do with a side part to enhance the skewed cut. 

10. Inverted Bob With an Undercut

The inverted bob’s high-low length is especially flattering for short hair as it grows. The shorter bob length highlights your bouncy waves while the undercut adds a different texture that gives your entire hairstyle an edgy look. 

11. Cropped Cut

A cropped cut paired with your plush waves is a sweet and simple hairstyle. To keep this buzzed style looking its best between washes, reach for L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Refresh & Reshape Leave-in Spray to lock in moisture and reshape your loose curls.  

12. Jaw-Length Bob 

For striking, bouncy waves, ask your stylist to cut your hair to the length of your jaw for an instant face-framing style. If you have thicker hair, ask for internal layers to remove some bulk while helping all your waves appear like they’re the same length. If you have thin hair, stick to a blunt cut and this short style will do wonders for faking the appearance of thicker, denser strands. 

13.  Lob With Bangs

The lob is the perfect mid-length cut to spotlight your wavy tendrils. Pair it with blunt bangs to soften a long or oblong face shape.

14. Layered Bob With Micro Bangs

Micro bangs are ultra-short bangs that can work with wavy tresses — just remember that the shorter you go, the more your waves will spring back up. Pair the daring short bangs with a layered cut that hits around the jaw for a face-framing, wavy style. 

15. Mushroom Cut

For noticeable volume at the top with shorter sides, look no further than the mushroom cut. If this style looks familiar, it’s because it made the rounds on many celebrities, models and singers in the ‘90s and 2000s. It’s a great short cut for wavy hair and the front pieces serve to soften your features while the short length elongates your face shape. 

Next: What Is a U-Shape Haircut?

Written by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo Credit: IG @/ katiemalonehair, Design Credit; Sarah Duvivier