Short Hair Is Back in Just About Every Iteration—These Are the Best Low-Maintenance Cuts To Try

"Short hair is an empowering experience and can make a woman feel beautiful on the inside and out," says Jamie Wiley, an award-winning hairstylist and the global artistic director at Pureology. "This year, short hair has made a comeback with its empowering feminine style."

The benefits of short hairstyles

While cutting off your length can feel intimidating, it can also be an exciting opportunity to get rid of any dead ends and really give your hair a chance to refresh. Plus, as summer rolls around and the temperature rises, short hair is a whole lot easier to deal with on those sweaty July days. So if you've been thinking of going in for a chop, there's no better time than the present (just ask Rachel Zegler, Kourtney Kardashian, and Selena Gomez, all of whom have debuted shorter strands this year).

Going for a low-maintenance short haircut is also a great option if you're managing thinning hair, explains Cory Aaron Scott, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles.

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"Keeping hair length at the shoulder or above will give a fuller appearance," says Scott. "Too much length can weigh the hair down, taking away the much-needed volume." Additionally, longer styles can be harder to maintain on thin hair because the ends become wispy and the hair lacks density, so it may be worth considering taking off some length.

How to choose the best low-maintenance short haircut for you

If you want something that's truly low-maintenance, you'll need to lean into a hairstyle that works with your hair texture. If the look you want is curly but you have straight hair and don't want to get a perm, maintaining the style will be a whole lot of work.

"There’s a range of curl patterns and textures," says celebrity hairstylist Sienree Du  "You have curl patterns from straight, wavy, curly, and coily to textures that range from fine to medium and coarse. And not everyone has [just one] texture on their head—most of us have a mixture. Understanding that can help us majorly solve some bad hair decisions."

You also may want to stick with your natural hair color—keeping up appointments to cover up your roots isn't very low-maintenance. Below, find eight low-maintenance short haircuts that will help you maximize your new crop with minimal styling required.

8 low-maintenance short haircuts to try this year

1. French bob

The French bob is the quintessential chic and easy look, a style that's great for thinning hair, too). “The cut is similar to a lob, but instead of the hair being long it is usually chin-length,” says celebrity hairstylist Brittany Harrington. “The key is to keep the fullness at the bottom of the hair so lots of layers are not necessary." It's also a great option if you want to rock short hair with bangs.

2. Big chop curls

When you have textured hair, the best part of doing a big chop is those first few weeks when your coils or curls are short and springy and have yet to grow out to an awkward length. Stay in that sweet spot forever by maintaining a cropped cut. Because your hair is so short, you can have a wash-and-go routine that doesn't end up stealing half of your day.

3. Rolled bob

Long and flowy bouncy blowouts are super in right now, and you can get the same look in a bob by having it cut with layers to give it body and volume. If you have straight hair, you can keep this style low-maintenance by sleeping in big foam rollers ($9). "When your hair is 80 percent dry, roll your hair up in the rollers and make sure they are secure so that they don’t come undone while you sleep," says Kiley Fitzgerald, a hairstylist at Mare Salon in West Hollywood.

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4. 90's pixie

“A good Halle Berry-inspired pixie cut is always in fashion. It’s timeless and manageable,” says Maui Moisture celebrity stylist ambassador Alexander Armand. If you’re going for this extra short look, “ensure it frames the face.” This, he explains, will accentuate your facial features and make it easier for you to style.

5. Long bob (aka LOB)

If it's your first time trying out a short haircut, the LOB is for you. It's typically shoulder length or longer, so you'll be able to see what your hair looks like short without going all the way. "Rock that look for a week or two before deciding if you want to go shorter," says celebrity hairstylist Clayton Hawkins. This will give you just enough time to decide if you're ready to take the plunge into losing more length.

6. Blunt triangular bob

If you have naturally curly hair, it's crucial to find a cut that shows off what your texture can do. Hawkins recommends the blunt triangular bob for curls and coils thanks to its chic structure and lack of styling it requires. If this look is speaking to you, ask your stylist for a chin-length cut that frames your face. It will allow you to show off your facial features and your curls with very little work on your part.

7. Shag

"If your hair is slightly wavy, shags are it," says Hawkins. You can achieve this '70s-inspired look by asking your stylist to frame your face, focus on how your waves form, and cut the length to right above the shoulder. It's meant to be messy, so it doesn't require the sort of heavy hot tool use that a more refined look demands.

8. Long pixie

For something a bit bolder that works on all hair types, an extended pixie cut "will highlight beautiful facial features and empower your inner vibe," says Wiley. This cut is cropped on the sides and long on the top, which means it requires minimal styling time—you'll wake up every morning with an effortlessly playful look.

Thinking about cutting your hair at home? Check out this video before you reach for the scissors: