What’s not to like about short sassy haircuts?
Sure they are cute and all.
Plus a fresh cut can revive a tired style long overdue for an overall.
They can also be daring not just different. At least it seems that way at first especially if arriving at shorter strands from much longer locks.
But after a while it’s easy to find yourself in a styling rut.
And I know. You can change your part, texture or add a headband in an attempt to jazz things up.
Yet all to quickly your daily dilemma is coming up with fun styling ideas that are different yet don’t take hours to pull off.
Most can’t be bothered. Hence the styling rut. Sound familiar?
Believe it or not chin length to shoulder grazing cuts or slightly longer still have enough length to them to leave all sorts of braided styling options open to you. And braiding short hair is really not as far-fetched as it may sound.
Best of all most can pull together any of the styles that follow in five minutes or less. Because we all know less hair translates into faster styling times, right?
Well, okay not always.
Yet the speed at which these can done alone should have you excited and ready to dig in.
So let this braidapalooza begin.
Here’s what in store for you. Read ’em in order or jump to the one that catches your eye with the click of a mouse.
- #1 French Side Braid
- #2 Asymmetrical Snake Braids
- #3 Braided Bangs
- #4 Crown
- #5 Crown Braid Half Up
- #6 Crown Twist
- #7 Double Dutch Plaits
- #8 Halo
- #9 Milkmaid
- #10 Frenched with a Twist
- #11 Nothin’ To It Braid
- #12 Going Dutch
- #13 French Braided With a Pulled Through Ponytail
- #14 Chunky French Plait
- #15 Waterfall
Let’s start off with an easy one.
#1 French Side Braid
That’s right. Here’s one that super simple yet super cute too. It proves you don’t have to possess hair styling super powers to successfully braid short hair.
How cute is this?
Perfect for the girl on the go who wants a style that looks more pulled together and done on purpose than not.
Quick to do. And again, adorably cute.
Even better the dimensional ombre color makes this one really pop.
10 Second Advice: The easily missed trick is the L shaped part that separates out the hair that will ultimately drape over the braided end. I feel hiding the end under your hair is a genius touch that creates a more polished outcome. While tugging the plaits gives a slightly undone more voluminous look to the style. The result is a showier, super stylish look that takes your strands well beyond your everyday braids.
If you’d love more help we’ve got three more useful videos on French braiding short hair here.
Of if you just need to brush up on French braiding in general click over for all the help you could ever need.
Staying with simple this next one practically defines uncomplicated hairstyles.
#2 Asymmetrical Snake Braids
Just love the look and feel of this simple asymmetrical double braided hairstyle.
Sleek. Clean. Thoroughly modern.
Plus with this so called snake braid the entire style isn’t all about by the braids. Instead of being overwhelming, they play a supporting role and add a free spirited element to this otherwise sleek, stand out bob style.
10 Second Advice: As an alternative you can always experiment with the relative size of the two braids. While these were both rather petite, mixing something more chunky and loose with tighter and tiny creates a visually appealing alternative while still keeping things asymmetrically unbalanced overall.
Oh and if you need more step by step guidance to rock this one you’ll find it here.
#3 Braided Bangs
Now sometimes when it comes to short braided styles you have get the hair wherever you can.
Often that side swept fringe represents the longest locks on your head.
So in the spirit of making the best use of what you’ve got let’s next explore braided bangs because they’re a great way to add new life to your look too.
10 Second Advice: For anyone considering this look dry shampoo can be a difference maker here since bangs can get oily from laying on your forehead. It also helps with texture. If not that then some pomade or clay on freshly washed locks might be good to add some grit so things hold together when you’re done.
Otherwise this video shows in great detail how to quickly braid your bangs.
Basically you start by sectioning what you expect to braid up and clipping the rest out of the way.
Naturally there are several things you’re going to want to pay attention to.
- While she didn’t some suggest you exaggerate your part lower than usual to start.
- When it comes to stopping one key is to stop adding more hair to the plait once you reach the outer edge of your eyebrow. From there just complete the plait.
- Third, it’s best not to let your fingers work their magic to the very end of the strand. She leaves a good two inches unbraided.
- As most do with their plaits loosen the loops to get both volume and height.
- Five, pin the braided locks in place. It may take crisscross pinning with your bobby pins to do the job. Then release the clipped up hair. That should drape over the ends and since they are not braided they blend in perfectly.
- If you like, backcombing can add some height to the crown.
Viola! A cute and rather chic alternate way to style your short hair.
So the next time you’re feeling the urge to trim those bangs, don’t. Braid ‘em instead. Great for summer or if you’re simply rushed for time.
#4 Crown
You’ll want to rock a slightly imperfect crown braid because it is
- Perfect for a bad hair day or second day strands.
- Perfect for keeping hair out of your face and off your neck when it blazing hot out.
- Perfect for when you just feel like flaunting a more free spirited Bohemian style.
Now with short hair you likely can’t get away with one section wrapped around your head as you would if your mane was much longer. Just not enough to work with.
Instead you’ll likely need to work with two braided sections and then crisscross them in the back, discretely hiding the tails and going as crazy as needed with the pins to keep things where you put it.
Depending on the look you’re going for it’s sometimes best to make sure to work as close to the hair line as you can. Other times having a bit of a bang left out works fine too.
Even though the sound quality of this video leaves a little to be desired still thought the technique shared was interesting. It shows how to start one braid in the front and then one in the back. Assuming of course you can work this out by a sense of touch since you won’t exactly be able to see what’s going on back there.
10 Second Advice: The hack to keep in mind when rocking a crown braid like this is to liberally pancake it or loosen up your handiwork by pulling it. Adds a stylish dimensional touch. Just go easy. Tug too hard and given you’re working with shortish strands, the style can fall apart on you. But the idea is to not have the braids flat against your head as some depth and dimension with this is a good thing.
Any stray strands that aren’t cooperating and decide to stick up, well, those can be dealt with using bobby pins in just the right places. If needed, here’s some useful bobby pin tips including how to easily hide them out of sight.
Still while neatness may count for some things, with braided bangs messy is absolutely okay.
#5 Crown Braid Half Up
Ride the tousled waves with his half up crown braid. Simple and elegant, it’s perfect for the person who’s looking for something with a hint of casual but still looks thoughtfully polished.
It starts with bringing the beachy waves to life with a wand or iron and is finished by a simple braid on each side.
10 Second Advice: Salt spray can help with that bringing the beachy waves to life part.
Loosening the braided result will give a chic appearance to the hairstyle.
What you get is a fabulous way to spice up a shoulder length haircut. You’ll find this works amazingly well even with tresses much shorter than hers.
#6 Crown Twist
What I love about it is it’s actually so simple anyone can do it.
If you can do nothing more than twist hair you’re in.
All you need are two sections of hair. As you go around your head just remember to add another bit to the front section then twist it back over the back section. Then add another section of hair to the front section, the twist it back over the other section.
10 Second Advice: Working with smaller sections will give you a tighter twist that won’t be as apt to unravel and fall out. Also you may find this is even easier if you tilt your head so your hair is falling away from where you’re twisting.
Some shorter bits of hair popping out of the style are nothing to get hung up about. They just add to the overall bohemian vibe. Or you can hairspray them so they stay in place.
Easy Peasy. Perfect for anyone who’s down with having a little fun with their locks but doesn’t want to bother with braiding exactly.
#7 Double Dutch Plaits
Blink and you’ll miss this one. It goes that quick.
Looks like something elaborately crafted, doesn’t it?
Like most of these, this uncomplicated style is perfect for day-old locks. So it qualifies as an idea to try on those days you are in-between shampooings.
10 Second Advice: Of course if second day strands are in short supply create the equivalent by liberally applying texturing spray, dry shampoo or working some styling clay in. Besides any of that will help the style to grip and take hold which should eliminate worries about it coming undone.
Now if you want to glam this up you can always crisscross the ends in the back, pin them in place and you’ve got yourself the makings for a more trendy crown or halo braid.
#8 Halo
This face flattering updo look goes great with shorter strands.
Not only is it so girly and pleasingly pretty, it creates the illusion of totally full, flirty fabulousness that belies the shortness of your mane.
Remember to loosen up the plaits to soften the look to give a more casual, lived in look that works equally well for spin class or drinks after work. Your statement hairdo awaits.
10 Second Advice: This tutorial shows a different way to loosen each element of the plait, mostly in the front, using a pick. Or you could use the business end of a rat tailed comb. Great way to get some added height and volume to the look.
For some reason a style like this makes you feel beautiful and desirable, doesn’t it?
You may find more halo braid help if you still find this one challenging.
#9 Milkmaid
The humble milkmaid plait continues to grow in popularity. Problem is with shorter cuts you may feel you don’t have what it takes to pull it off.
Well, as this fast paced video shows, those with shoulder skimming length can get the look – even with layered locks – if you cheat. You just have to make every inch count.
Actually it’s super simple and only takes five minutes too.
Best of all the end result will look like there’s one braided strand that goes all the way across your head.
As you know super slippery strands and any braided style don’t mix. Which is why a generous dose of texturing spray or dry shampoo blasted into the roots may be the best place to start.
10 Second Advice: Here’s the cheat. It’s important to gather the hair as high above each ear and as far forward as possible. This forms the bottom of your plait so the higher the better since you want the two braided parts to at least kiss at the crown. That’s why you want to start braiding high as you can.
Don’t look now but this one can give your strands the wow they’ve been missing.
Oh and as with some of the other styles any little bits of the tails or strands stubbornly sticking up can be tamed with strategically placed bobby pins.
#10 Frenched with a Twist
What we’ve got here is a French braid on one side paired up with a playful twist on the other.
There’s really not much more to say about this one. Enjoy.
#11 Nothin’ To It Braid
Perfect for those who aren’t into French braiding.
All you do is quickly intertwine a small section on one side. Repeat on the other side. Then stash the ends under a curtain of cascading strands.
The size of these simple braids apparently doesn’t matter. You can use as much or as little hair as you wish although you’ll find smaller ones are probably easier to manage.
To achieve this one first clip a section from the middle of the crown in the back up and out of the way.
Then take the hair above the ears on one side, including the braid, sweep it all back and pin it in the back below the hair just sectioned out. Again a cross pinning is the best way to be sure everything will stay where you put it.
Repeat on the other side.
Next let what was previously clipped up down and you’re done.
Easy. Stylish. Simple yet chic and a different way to style short hair that’s not something you see every day.
#12 Going Dutch
This video provides a jolt of inspiration while showing how even short bobbed locks can be braided.
The styling genius here is Dutch, or inverted French, braids add depth that may be missing from ordinary bobs or other shorter styles.
Oh em gee, pretty!
Did you catch the point made about trying to have the braid be relatively the same size from the crown on down? Doing that, or not, gives you two variations to play with so you stand out from the crowd.
10 Second Advice: Also as mentioned don’t be afraid to try different things. Use the ideas shared as a starting point. Then add your personal sense of style and by doing so remove your name from the list of style starved mane mavens.
#12 French Braided With a Pulled Through Ponytail
You don’t have to be a master braider to do this half up crown braid with a twist. It’s essentially two braids and a twist of the tresses just below each that blend into a pulled through ponytail in the back. And it’s that ponytail element that helps them meld together seamlessly.
10 Second Advice: The pull through of the pony at the end was unexpected but finishes this one with a flair.
All and all a nice take on your ponytail braid. Probably better suited for hair all the same length than layered cuts. But it doesn’t require loads of skill or time and will provide an upgrade from the regular ‘do you wear every day.
#13 Chunky French Plait
Now for one that’s sophisticated, pretty, off the face yet with a bit of an edge to it.
Here you’re doing a loose, chunky French braid of the hair near the crown in the back. You’re going for a casual, voluminous take with one.
10 Second Advice: To give things some perhaps badly needed grit, manageability and added volume to work with you might want to prep with thickening spray and/or a lightweight texturizing paste. With the paste rub between your palms and then spread throughout your strands.
With this style you can leave your ears covered with hair or not.
Or maybe use that as an alternate way to wear this one.
When done interlacing the strands, you want to go back and gently spread the braid to loosen up the plaits a bit to fatten it up and soften it a little. Just don’t lose control so that the braid unravels on you.
What I love about this sweet, totally effortless style is how romantic and soft the braided swirls look from the back.
It also goes to show you don’t need to be anywhere near perfect when braiding wavy hair.
#14 Waterfall
You wouldn’t think you could pull off a romantic waterfall braid with short strands, now would you?
Turns out you can actually because it seems this one isn’t more suited to long locks like many others are.
So even though you may not have a ton of hair to work with this super detailed video shows you exactly how step by step.
Remember it looks waaaaay more complicated than it is. Which is why those who have mastered this intricate looking style get more styling street cred than those who can’t.
10 Second Advice: In 50 words or less the trick here is just remembering to drop the bottom part of your braid instead of adding hair to it like you would any other. Then you simply grab a new piece of hair from just BEHIND the bit just dropped and add that as you continue develop this plait. It’s those dropped strand’s that creates the waterfall effect.
You can seriously live off the afterglow of this one for days.
Still don’t you just hate it when you can’t get your head around something that someone else makes look so simple? In that case here’s a link to more detailed help if you feel you need it refresh your waterfall braiding skills. More step by step help directly ahead.
Phew. How’s that for a styling spree?
Who knew there were so many braids you could rock with short hair?
So here’s to the easiest, quickest, cutest braided styles for short hair.
Now for wading through even a few of those you should consider taking a bow. You’ll no longer be found among the styling ideas starved with access to a repertoire of styling options like these.
Better still, mastering less than half of these means you won’t have to face the almost daily tyranny of how to style your short strands today. You’ll know your next move and that most often it involves easy braids for short hair. And won’t that be a relief?
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