7 Tips for Sexy Short Hair
1/7Get a Bob
The favorite haircut of preppy girls and flappers, bobs done right are actually graphic and sexy—just look at Katie Holmes, Hayden Panettiere, Mariska Hargitay, and Heidi Klum. We love the way bobs draw attention to the neck, collarbone, and jawline. And they're flattering to every face shape (except round), and ideal for straight or wavy (not curly) hair that's fine to medium in texture.
2/7Go Gamine
Supershort layered cuts—think Rihanna, Agyness Deyn, Victoria Beckham, and Marley Shelton—look sexy in an edgy way. They're perfect for women with petite frames, because the hair doesn't overwhelm the body. Plus, gamine cuts work on all face shapes (except long and narrow) and hair textures (except really curly).
3/7Rethink Your Blowout
"Hold the blow-dryer above your head and aim the air straight down at the crown to push the hair smooth against your head," says hairstylist Chris McMillan. (This helps further prevent hair from getting too big.)
4/7Know the Secret to Sleek
With a short cut, the smoother and less puffy, the better. Mist styling spray all over (we like Pantene Texture Wax Spray), and don't reach for the dryer until hair is about 90 percent air-dried, says hairstylist Garren. "Blow-drying short hair from start to finish can make it look puffy." And choose an ionic dryer— helps eliminate frizz and fluff and produces a sleek, shiny texture.
5/7Scale Down
Buy a round brush about the diameter of a lipstick tube. "Tiny round brushes are great at gripping hair that's only a few inches long," McMillan says. "You can blow it out straight or just brush it into the shape you want."
6/7Pick a Side
"If you have longer sections in front or on top, try styling them to one side," says McMillan. Part hair on one side as deeply as possible, then take a thin coat of pomade or cream (we like Bumble and Bumble Sumotech and Fekkai Coiff Contrôle Ironless Straightening Balm) on your fingertips and pull the longer pieces across your forehead. (Check out how Elisha Cuthbert, Rihanna, and Marley Shelton pull off the look.)
7/7... Or Pull It Forward
By raking long layers forward—think Agyness Deyn—"the eyes look sensual," says hairstylist Serge Normant, because they're slightly hidden. Start as far back as the crown, blow hair forward with a dryer, and spread a dab of pomade or cream over fingers and smooth them through to keep it all in place.
