Short hairstyles have a reputation for being high maintenance. Extra-short cuts can have an awkward “in-between” phase as they grow — so you end up making more frequent trips to the salon to keep everything juuust so. This flirty lob with long, seamless layers is a great alternative if you’re looking for a short cut that’s a bit more easy-going. “Lived-in and layered is going to be trending in 2023 because it’s low-maintenance, encourages natural texture or wave pattern, and it’s perfect for air-drying,” says celebrity hairstylist Ericka Verrett. “It’s meant to be a wash-and-go minimalist style. Ask for triangular layers with a soft face frame.”
Short Finger Coil Afro
“This look is best for someone with afro-textured hair who is considering the big chop,” says Lindsey of this easy look on Amandla Stenberg. Finger coils are very unfussy to create on shorter cuts (you or your stylist can simply shape the curls around a finger with the help of a styling cream, pull, and let the curl bounce back) and it allows you showcase the bounce and volume of your natural hair. “If you don’t want to fuss with heating tools, this is the perfect look.” A great leave-in conditioner, like Bread Beauty Supply Elastic Bounce Leave-in Conditioning Styler Hair Cream, is key to making this short look feel soft and healthy.
Platinum Bob
If the new you in 2023 involves a fresh coat of paint (or er — hair dye), try this icy platinum blonde, which is best for shorter cuts like a chin-grazing bob because of how high maintenance it can be. The result is very Y2K Cameron Diaz. “I find this to look best on people with naturally light hair,” says New York-based colorist Felicia Dosso, noting that darker hair will require more time in the salon chair (and ultimately, more damage) to counteract yellow tones. “Tell your colorist that you want a double process blonde. Ask for one solid color that is free of yellow or brassy tones. In this scenario, cooler tones are key.” Like we said, the color is cool (literally and figuratively), but it comes at a cost: Dosso recommends root touch-ups every four weeks.
