Wavy hair can be both playful and elegant, especially when styled into a chic, short haircut. Whether you have natural waves or like to create them with styling tools, the right short hairstyle can accentuate your wavy texture while adding volume, shape, and movement to your locks. Short haircuts for wavy hair are timeless and flattering, offering a variety of options that suit different face shapes, hair types, and personal styles.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through seven of the best short hairstyles for wavy hair that you can try today. From the classic bob to a textured pixie cut, these looks will highlight the beauty of your waves and keep your hair looking fresh, modern, and effortless.
7 Gorgeous Short Hairstyles for Wavy Hair
Classic Wavy Bob
The wavy bob is one of the most popular short hairstyles for wavy hair. It’s versatile, easy to maintain, and works well for all face shapes and hair textures. The classic bob with waves has become a staple in the world of short haircuts because it adds volume and movement while still being sleek enough for professional and casual settings.
Best for: Oval, Round, and Heart-Shaped Faces
This hairstyle can soften the angular lines of a square face and add height to a round face. The waves create texture and frame the face beautifully, providing a balanced and flattering look.
How to Style:
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Step 1: Start with damp hair and apply a texturizing mousse or sea salt spray to enhance the natural waves.
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Step 2: Use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment to dry your hair. Scrunch your hair gently with your hands to encourage the natural waves.
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Step 3: Once dry, define your waves with a curling iron or wand for a more defined look. Focus on the ends to create soft, bouncy curls.
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Step 4: Finish with a lightweight hairspray to add hold without weighing down your hair.
Variations to Try:
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Choppy Bob: For a more modern, edgy look, opt for a choppy bob with textured layers. This adds dimension and volume to your waves.
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Asymmetrical Bob: An asymmetrical bob with one side longer than the other can give your wavy hair an extra dimension while maintaining an elegant style.
Textured Pixie Cut
The pixie cut is a bold and fashionable choice for women with wavy hair. When combined with waves, it creates a look that is both playful and sophisticated. This haircut is perfect for those who want a low-maintenance, yet stylish short hairstyle that still shows off their natural texture.
Best for: Square, Oval, and Heart-Shaped Faces
A textured pixie cut works wonders for square faces, as it softens the angles. It also creates volume at the crown, which can elongate a round face shape.
How to Style:
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Step 1: Apply a curl-enhancing cream or mousse to damp hair to define your waves.
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Step 2: Blow-dry your hair with your fingers or a diffuser to create natural volume and movement.
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Step 3: Use a flat iron or curling wand on random sections of your hair to create defined waves throughout the pixie.
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Step 4: Use a texturizing spray or pomade to add more definition and texture to the pixie cut.
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Step 5: Finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep the style in place.
Variations to Try:
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Layered Pixie: Add some layers for more volume and texture. Layers can help your waves stand out and give the pixie cut more body.
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Tousled Pixie: Go for a more relaxed, tousled look by skipping the curling wand and embracing the natural texture of your waves.
Shaggy Wavy Lob (Long Bob)
The shaggy lob is another fantastic short hairstyle for wavy hair, offering a slightly longer length while still providing the texture and movement that waves create. This style works for almost every face shape and hair type, with layers that add dimension and volume.
Best for: Oval, Round, and Heart-Shaped Faces
The lob is great for oval and round face shapes as it balances the proportions of the face while allowing the natural waves to shine.
How to Style:
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Step 1: Begin with damp hair and apply a leave-in conditioner or styling mousse to define the waves.
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Step 2: Blow-dry your hair with a round brush, lifting the roots for volume.
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Step 3: Once dry, use a flat iron or curling wand to add extra waves for texture and definition.
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Step 4: Tousle the hair with your fingers for a more relaxed, undone look.
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Step 5: Finish with a texturizing spray to add body and a light-hold hairspray to maintain the shape.
Variations to Try:
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Layered Lob: Add more layers to the lob for an even more textured and voluminous look. Layers also help distribute waves more evenly throughout the hair.
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Beachy Lob: Use a sea salt spray or texturizing mousse and scrunch your hair for a beachy, relaxed finish.
Wavy Bob with Fringe
Adding a fringe to your short wavy bob is a great way to frame your face and give your hair an effortlessly chic appearance. Whether you prefer full bangs or a more subtle side-swept fringe, this style can be customized to suit your preferences.
Best for: Oval, Heart-Shaped, and Round Faces
Fringe works well with short bobs because it balances out the angles of a heart-shaped face or the roundness of a round face.
How to Style:
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Step 1: After washing your hair, apply a curl cream to define the waves and reduce frizz.
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Step 2: Blow-dry your hair with a round brush, lifting at the roots for volume. Use a flat brush for the fringe to ensure it’s smooth.
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Step 3: Once dry, add some light curls to the ends of the bob with a curling wand or flat iron.
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Step 4: Use a styling gel to tame the fringe and ensure it stays in place.
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Step 5: Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray to maintain the waves and fringe.
Variations to Try:
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Side-Swept Fringe: For a softer look, you can go for a side-swept fringe. This allows you to blend the bangs into the rest of the hair and adds softness to the overall style.
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Curtain Bangs: Curtain bangs with a wavy bob give a more laid-back and trendy vibe. These bangs frame the face on both sides, creating a softer appearance.
Soft Wavy Mohawk
The wavy mohawk is a bold and edgy hairstyle that combines short hair with waves for a dramatic, eye-catching look. This style can be customized to suit different levels of boldness, from a more subtle version with slight volume to a full-on, statement-making mohawk.
Best for: Oval, Square, and Heart-Shaped Faces
The mohawk works best for those with oval or square face shapes as it adds height and emphasizes the face’s angles.
How to Style:
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Step 1: Apply a mousse or styling cream to damp hair to add texture and volume.
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Step 2: Blow-dry your hair using a round brush, lifting at the roots for height. Alternatively, use a diffuser to enhance the natural waves.
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Step 3: Pin the sides of your hair back, leaving the top section of the hair free to add volume.
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Step 4: Use a curling iron or wand to create soft waves on the top section of your hair.
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Step 5: Finish with a strong-hold hairspray to keep the shape in place.
Variations to Try:
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Undercut Mohawk: For a more extreme version, consider an undercut that removes hair from the sides, leaving the top longer for volume and waves.
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Messy Mohawk: For a more relaxed look, leave the waves slightly messy and tousled.
Wavy Bowl Cut
The bowl cut, often seen as a more vintage look, can be given a modern twist by adding soft waves. This playful and trendy cut is ideal for those looking for a unique and bold hairstyle.
Best for: Round and Square Faces
The bowl cut works best for round faces as it creates the illusion of length and helps balance out the shape. It’s also ideal for square faces as it softens the angular features.
How to Style:
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Step 1: Apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair.
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Step 2: Blow-dry your hair using a round brush, focusing on adding volume and shape at the roots.
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Step 3: Use a curling iron or flat iron to add soft waves to the ends of your hair.
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Step 4: Tousle the waves with your fingers to create a more relaxed look.
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Step 5: Finish with a light-hold hairspray to keep the waves intact.
Variations to Try:
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Textured Bowl Cut: For a more modern twist, ask your stylist for textured layers that add volume and dimension to the bowl cut.
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Soft, Tousled Bowl Cut: A soft, tousled bowl cut with loose waves creates an easy-going, effortless vibe.
Wavy Undercut
The wavy undercut is an edgy, modern choice that combines the sharp contrast of shaved sides with voluminous, wavy top layers. This hairstyle is bold and perfect for those who want a distinctive and high-fashion look.
Best for: Oval, Square, and Heart-Shaped Faces
The undercut works best for oval and square face shapes as it adds height to the top of the head and balances the face’s proportions.
How to Style:
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Step 1: Start with damp hair and apply a curl cream or mousse for definition.
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Step 2: Blow-dry your hair with a round brush, lifting the roots to create volume.
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Step 3: Use a curling iron to define your natural waves, focusing on the top layers.
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Step 4: Finish with a texturizing spray to enhance the waves and a strong-hold hairspray for lasting control.
Variations to Try:
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Longer Top with Shorter Undercut: For a more dramatic contrast, leave the top layers longer while keeping the undercut very short.
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Messy Wavy Undercut: Create a more relaxed, tousled version by styling the waves loosely and enhancing the volume at the crown.
Conclusion
Short wavy haircuts are a fantastic way to embrace natural texture while still keeping things chic and manageable. Whether you choose a classic wavy bob or a daring pixie cut, there’s a short wavy hairstyle to suit every personality and occasion. By understanding the best styling techniques and variations for each look, you can create a hairstyle that highlights the beauty of your waves while keeping your hair trendy and fresh.
No matter which style you choose, always remember that the key to looking great with short, wavy hair is confidence and proper care. Keep your hair hydrated, use the right styling products, and enjoy experimenting with different looks. With these 7 short hairstyles for wavy hair, you’re sure to find the perfect cut and style that complements your unique texture.
