I love having short hair; as a bleached blonde who uses heated tools a LOT, having long, mermaid-esque lengths just isn’t possible for me, much as I wish it was. Because of this, a bob suits me far better and helps maintain my hair’s health where possible.
But I have to admit, the styling options for shorter locks definitely seem limited in comparison to anybody who has length on their side to work with. It also impacts being able to use tools such as the Dyson Airwrap in the same way.
But I’m here to break the myth that short hair isn’t versatile and easy to style in many ways, which I’ve learnt since working with the amazing team at Sam McKnight (namely the gorgeous and lovely Valerie Benavides).
Val has shown me there are ample styling options for my hair, so if you’re considering living out your best Bella Hadid bob life, I say go for it: there’s more to do with it than you may initially think.
Still need convincing? These two super cute styles are easy to recreate at home but still look faaaancy. They are perfect for everything from the gym (putting my hair up in a ponytail and losing half of it underneath at spin classes is my eternal living nightmare) to weekend brunches, evenings out or days at the office.
With expert tips from Val, here’s how to recreate them…
Look 1: The double twist
“This is such a great look for lived-in hair that you don’t really want to wash before going to a class or the gym, and is actually a clever way to incorporate a treatment mask during said workout. Our Deeper Love Mask seals 50% of split sends after one use and strengthens hair x10 after six uses, for example.”
Follow these easy steps from Val to create the look, and watch our video below:
- Apply a cream or treatment mask through hair.
- Starting at the front, take a section and twist, turning the twist away and up so it goes in the right direction.
- Keep taking a section and adding it underneath while twisting.
- When you get to the back, tie with a little elastic.
- Push a few pins or grips along the side, push through the twist and then slide onto the head.
- Repeat on the other side.
Short hairstyles: look one
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Look 2: The faux Frenchies
“This is the perfect style to keep short pieces at the back in check or fringes in control,” says Val. Great news for me, then!
“It will last all day and is good to try for those who don’t feel confident with plaiting. Keep it neat or for more texture and volume, gently pull bits out.”
Gym-wise, this is “a great hairstyle for those workouts where you spend time on your back (like barre, pilates etc) as there are no uncomfortable ponytails in the way.”
Here’s how to get the look from Val, with a mini tutorial video below:
- First, tame any flyaways with a hair cream such as our Happy Endings: a multitasking nourishing and styling cream. It mends split ends by 50% after one use and de-frizzes, defines and de-fluffs.
- Section the first bit of hair on a diagonal and tie into a ponytail with a snag free elastic, slightly pull the band down, split, and make space in the middle above the elastic. Then, flip the ponytail over, pushing it through underneath.
- Take your next section below and add to the section above, then repeat. Tie into a ponytail with a snag free elastic at the bottom.
- The more sections, the more it looks like a French braid.
Short hairstyles: look two
*Eliza may earn commission on sales from these product links
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