How to Style Short Layered Hair

Co-authored by Ashley Adams

Last Updated: February 5, 2023 References

Styling short, layered hair can be simple and quick. If you're styling wet hair, you have the option of blowing your hair out, creating curls or waves, or straightening it. Hair accessories like headbands and bobby pins are super useful for securing hair out of your face while creating a stylish look. You can even spend a few extra minutes braiding your hair into a crown or using gel to create soft spikes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Creating Volume

1
Add volume to mostly dry hair using a round brush and hair dryer. Position a round brush underneath a section of hair that is about 70 to 80% dry. Then, use the brush to tug the section of hair up and away from your scalp while using a hair dryer with a nozzle attachment to dry it. Pull the brush down the entire length of hair and move the hair dryer back and forth across the section of hair to avoid frizz.^{[1]
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- You want to create the most volume around your temple since this is where your head is the flattest.
2
Use sea salt spray for natural-looking waves. Apply sea salt spray to the middle and ends of your damp hair, giving your head a fine mist. Scrunch and twist your hair up using your hands to create those waves.^{[2]
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- Spray each section of your hair, which will end up being roughly 4-5 squirts.
- How much you apply will ultimately depend on how much hair you have, so experiment with the sea salt until you find an amount that works best for you.
- Sea salt sprays should last all day.
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3
Curl your hair for bouncy layers. For a classy and cute look, use a curling iron to curl 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) sections of your hair. Wrap each section of hair around the curling iron, altering the curling direction each time so that you get more volume.^{[3]
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- Use a hair elastic to pull back the top layer of your hair so that you can reach the bottom layer first.
- Use a heat protectant on your hair before curling it.
4
Use hair gel to style a pixie cut. If you have a pixie cut, hair gel can be a useful tool for getting it to look exactly how you'd like. Use a dime- or quarter-sized squeeze of hair gel and comb it through your hair using your fingers or a comb. Pull strands of your hair straight up or at an angle to create soft spikes.^{[4]
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5
Blow out your bangs, if applicable. Position your bangs under a round brush and pull them away from your head and down while using a hair dryer. Repeat this process several more times to get more volume.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Slicking Hair Back

1
Use a flat iron to create a straightened look. After spraying a heat protectant onto your hair, start straightening your hair using the flat iron in 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) sections. Pull the top layer of hair into a bun so that you can easily reach the bottom layers.^{[6]
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2
Wear a headband or scarf to accessorize. You can use a headband or scarf to pull your hair back away from your face, or to simply add a pop of color and texture to your look.^{[7]
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- Tie the scarf so that the knot is at the back of your head.
3
Use bobby pins to pin back your hair. You can twist a strand of hair out of your face and then pin it back, or pull together the top section of your hair using a comb and pin it in the back of your head.^{[8]
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- Use colorful bobby pins to make a statement, or opt for bobby pins that match your hair color for a more subtle look.
4
Slick your hair back using styling gel to show off your face. Apply regular hair gel to your hair and comb each side back so that your hair stays slicked back. You can comb the top of your hair back too, parting it in the middle or on 1 side.^{[9]
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- Parting your hair to 1 side can be easier if your hair has a natural part, while parting your hair in the middle will create a sharp look.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Styling Braids and Buns

1
Braid your bangs to keep them out of your face. You can choose a French braid, Dutch braid, or regular braid to style your bangs and keep them pulled back. Use a bobby pin once you've finished the braid to keep it in place.^{[10]
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- To create a simple braid, separate your hair into 3 sections. Pull the back strand over the center strand, and then the front strand over the center strand. Repeat this process until your braid is long enough.
2
Pull your hair into a bun for a sophisticated look. Comb your hair so that it's detangled and gather your hair together, twisting it up into a bun. Use a hair elastic to keep the bun together.
- Create a high bun and use bobby pins to pin up the bottom strands of your hair if they are not long enough to stay in the bun.
- Form a low bun and use hairspray to keep stray hairs in place.
- Braid a small section of hair right next to your face before pulling your hair up into a bun for a sophisticated look.
3
Create a large braid for a stylish hairdo. You can create a small side braid or fix your hair up in a crown braid. Use hair elastics or bobby pins to secure the braids so that they won't come undone once you've finished.^{[11]
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4
Pull your hair into a half-up, half-down hairstyle. Use a comb to pull together the top layer of your hair, starting at your temple and going back. Brush it out so that there aren't any bumps, and then use a hair elastic to hold your hair in place.^{[12]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Updating Your Cut

1
Ask for a pixie cut for a shorter classic. A pixie cut is going to be shorter than a bob, with the longest strands of hair being roughly ear-length. Your hair will be tapered in at the back with the top being a bit longer.
- Tell your hairdresser if you're planning on spiking up your pixie cut so that they know how short to cut it.
2
Opt for a softly layered bob to keep some length. A bob can be anywhere from ear-length to neck-length, depending on your preference. As opposed to a pixie cut or crop, the back of your hair will be the same length as the front of your hair with a bob.^{[13]
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3
Try out a short asymmetrical crop for a trendy hairstyle. The key to a short asymmetrical crop is to leave length in the front and cut it short in the back. Show your hairdresser how much length you'd like to keep in the front and ask them to taper in the back of your hair.
- You'll be able to style the hair in the front, even tucking it behind your ears, while not having to do much to the back.
- You can also ask for an asymmetrical cut that shows on either side of your face, with 1 side being longer in length than the other side. The back will show the smooth curve of your haircut.
4
Add colorful highlights or an ombre effect to your short layers. Asking your hairdresser to give your layers a purple ombre effect or blue highlights can give your hair a bold and unique look. Choose a bold color that complements your hair color.
- Ask your hairdresser for advice if you're not sure what color would be best for your hair.
5
Bring in a picture of your desired hair cut to show your stylist. This is super helpful to your hair dresser and will give them a clear visual for how you'd like your hair to look. If possible, try to print out a picture of the hair style you're going for, or be able to pull up a picture on your phone.