10 Short Hair Care and Hair Styling Tips

Deciding to chop your hair is rarely an easy decision. No matter how many times you flip a coin or pull off flower petals, trying to let fate pick your hairstyle, it’s normal to waiver back and forth on whether or not you’re ready for more than a trim. And when you do finally commit to a short hairstyle, after the initial excitement wears off, it’s likely that the following questions will pop into your mind: How should I go about styling my new short ‘do? Do I care for my new pixie cut the same way I did my long locks? And what about hair accessories—how do I incorporate those into my short hair styling routine? Fortunately for you, we’ve got all the answers to your questions. Keep reading to learn about our best short hair care and styling tips.

4 SHORT hair care tips

First things first, before you try to style your hair, you need to take proper care of it. To answer the aforementioned question, shorter hairstyles do require a slightly different hair care approach than longer locks. Add these tips into your regular hair care routine for the healthiest hair possible.

short HAIR care TIP #1: use a smaller amount of product

Short strands still need leave-in hair care products (such as hair cream and hair serum), but don’t forget that they will require less product than your previously long(er) locks. This might seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating because using too much product can weigh down your short hair and make it look greasy. And nobody wants that! Instead, use a smaller amount of product and work it only through your lengths and ends.

short HAIR care TIP #2: wash as often as you need to

When you have short hair, it can have a tendency to get oilier at a quicker rate than longer hair, which makes sense when you think about it. After all, oil does come from the roots, which are much closer to the ends of your hair when your strands are short. Still, your hair will need moisture—especially if you’re amping up your washing efforts to combat greasy strands. To get fresh tresses without losing moisture, use a shampoo and conditioner system that’s formulated to replenish your locks, such as the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and L'Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Conditioner.

short HAIR care TIP #3: use a deep conditioning treatment

Just because your strands are shorter now doesn’t mean that they don’t need as much TLC as when you had long hair! When your mane could use extra attention, swap out your regular conditioner for a deep conditioner, such as the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner. Leave it on for just one minute, then rinse it out completely—it’s that easy.

Editor’s note: It’s important to use coordinating hair care products to get the best results, so if you pick up the above deep conditioner, be sure to stock your shower with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Conditioner.

SHORT HAIR care TIP #4: BOOK FOLLOW-UP HAIRCUTS

Going in for a trim once or twice a year just won’t do if you want to keep sporting a shorter mane. You’ll need to make trips to the salon a regular thing to avoid an awkward grow-out phase. To stay on top of frequent haircuts even when life gets busy, book your appointments further in advance and lock them into your planner before you’re otherwise obligated.

6 short hair styling tips

Now that we’ve shared our best short hair care tips, it’s time for some styling suggestions. Keep reading to learn about six short hair styling tips to help you make the most of your new look!

SHORT HAIR Styling tip #1: refresh and add volume with dry shampoo

On days when your roots are feeling extra oily, refresh them with a dry shampoo, like the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Clay Dry Shampoo. Simply spritz it onto your roots, holding the can six to eight inches away from your hair, then brush through. The formula will instantly absorb excess oil and give your strands a boost.

short hair styling TIP #2: MAKE HEADBANDS YOUR BFF

If there’s one thing that can make super-short tresses less tempting, it’s having to give up the ability to pull your hair into a ponytail. This much-loved style just doesn’t work with most short hairstyles. Of course, that’s not enough to stop us. Rather, when you’re looking to get your hair off of your face, you’ll simply need to find another solution. Instead of keeping your wrist wrapped with hair ties, have a headband on hand to sweep your hair out of the way. Find a few stylish ones and you’ll be sure to have a new favorite accessory!

SHORT HAIR styling TIP #3: TOUSLE FOR TEXTURE

Truly, there’s no hair length that can’t stand for some added texture. But short hairstyles especially look their best when they’re tousled and texturized. For a messy, piece-y effect, try a hair pomade, like the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty. To use it, just work a small amount through your strands (either damp or dry), then use your fingers to tousle your hair and style.

SHORT HAIR styling TIP #4: Air dry often

All hair types and lengths can benefit from air-drying more often since too much heat styling can contribute to damage. Just because you’re air-drying your hair doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style, though. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! Using a wave spray can help emphasize the natural shape of your strands and create a carefree, gorgeous look. To rock this style for yourself, spritz the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray onto damp hair, then scrunch your hair as much as desired and let it dry on its own.

SHORT HAIR STYLING TIP #5: wear a braided style

If you thought braided hairstyles were only for medium or long hair, think again. It’s totally possible, and stylish, to pull off a braided look with short locks. Need proof? Here are 5 Cute Braided Hairstyles for Short Hair.

SHORT HAIR STYLING TIP #6: consider UPDATING YOUR COLOR

There’s no reason you have to stick with just one change at a time. If you want a whole new look, pair your short haircut with a new hair color. If you’re wondering whether you’d look beautiful with blonde hair or red hair, now’s your chance to find out. After hitting the salon for your cut, you can update your hair hue at home with the help of an at-home hair color kit, like the L’Oréal Paris Féria, L’Oréal Paris Superior Preference, or L’Oréal Paris Excellence Creme. And just in case that sounds like too much newness for you, you can always switch up your shade with a temporary hair color spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Spray, instead.

Still need help selecting your perfect short style? Consider one of the following 5 Pixie Hairstyles for the Short Hair of Your Dreams!