Sexy & Choppy Short Hairstyles: How To Do It Right

Kimberly Stewart

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The newest version of the pixie cut features extended layers in the front for that messy, in-your-face kina bang. Unlike the traditional pixie cut of decades ago the modern pixie is a choppy short hairstyle with no clear lines of definition. The layers are created with a razor for that ragged look and definition is created by using pomades or styling waxes.

To style this pixie cut use a styling lotion on damp hair and blow dry hair with your hands. Use the palm of your hand in a circular motion to create volume at the root and guide hair into place with fingers. Finish off with the aforementioned pomade or wax to further coax and define those choppy layers.

Mariska Hargitay

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Avoid a super short hairstyle with a chopped up bob. By breaking up the solid lines of a traditional bob and replacing them with choppy ends you create a much fresher and edgier look. The long side swept bang gently frames Mariska’s face.

To style apply styling product to damp hair—smoothing balm if your hair is thick, a thickening lotion if your hair is fine—and blow dry with a vent brush. Make sure your side part is really deep and your bangs flow across your forehead. For added interest flip out those choppy side and back layers a little more than shown here.

Sharon Sports a Pompadour

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I kinda love it, I kinda hate it. Sharon Stone has never been known for doing anything subtly and her choppy short hairstyle is no exception. While I’m loving the longer, super-wispy sides and back the jury’s still out on that pompadour she’s sporting on top. I do love the height but I think she’s showing too much botox forehead with this style. Not surprising—Sharon’s been known to show too much of other body parts in the past.

Anyway, if you decide you love this style use a strong hold hair gel and use your hands to tousle your hair while you dry it—flip your head upside down for lots of volume on top. Now wrap your bangs back with a medium sized round brush, spritz with an aerosol hairspray and blow dry them into place. Use a light hair wax to define your wisps.

I gotta ask, Sharon Stone’s hairstyle—love it or hate it? Let me know in the comments section.

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It’s a law of nature—everyone who has straight hair wants curly hair and everyone with curly hair wishes it would turn poker straight. If you’ve got curly hair why not make peace with it by wearing one of those super easy to achieve curly hairstyles.

Beach-y Waves

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Long curly hair doesn’t have to be hard work. This summer let your hair have a beach holiday by faking beach-like waves. Create this sun and sand curly hairstyle by misting your hair with water that has sea salt dissolved in it. Mist all your hair until damp and scrunch curls into place. Whenever possible let your hair air dry for the best effect but when you’re in a time crunch slap a diffuser on the end of your blow drier and scrunch curls until barely damp.

Reshape Those Curls

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Just because Mother Nature gave you natural spiral curls doesn’t mean you have to keep them that size. Reshaping your curls via Velcro or hot rollers is an easy way to create a more relaxed curly hairstyle. Apply a smoothing balm to damp hair and wrap in medium sized rollers that will reshape the curl but not try to straighten it out entirely (more chances of frizz then). Let your hair air dry or speed up the process by blow drying rollers. Once the hair is set carefully remove the rollers and finger comb your new, sexy curls into place. This type of curly hairstyle is a great option for evenings out when you want a more glam look.

Go Topless

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Going with the minimum amount of clothing ensures that even if you’re hair looks like crap, no one will care. Oh, I’m just kidding!!! Despite the fact this woman appears to be performing a sequel to 9 ½ weeks all by herself, her short and sassy curly hairstyle is a fab one. Use a curl boosting spray and gently scrunch and mold curls into place with your fingers while blow drying with a diffuser. When the hair is just dry coat the palms of your hands with a small amount of hair wax. Scrunch your curls once again to lightly coat them and remove any frizz. Resist the urge to use hairspray—sticky curls are SO out of date.

Many times the right products can make or break curly hairstyles. Do you have a favorite hair product you use to tame your curly hair? If so share it in the comments section.

Who says short hair can’t be sexy? No one here, that’s for sure. For those that dare to wear short hairstyles we salute you and give you three of the trendiest short hairstyles right now.

Rhianna’s Dicey Crop

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Good God in heaven but this short hairstyle rocks. The front layers of this hairstyle are made super long and wispy via some serious razor cutting. The bangs are made deliberately uneven in length to ensure a choppy look. As the style travels back to the crown it shrinks in length until there’s just enough for some spiky volume right where you need it. As contrast the back of Rhianna’s short hairstyle is tapered down to brush cut proportions—which totally works here. The result is a confident and sexy short haircut with multiple styling possibilities.

Katie Bends the Bob

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Honestly I can’t think of a creepier couple than Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes—and I stand by the theory that the real Katie is stuffed in a closet while her Stepford Wife-like double provides arm candy for Tom. That being said you have to give Katie’s clone credit for a serious style makeover.

Katie’s latest incarnation has taken her sleek bob and transformed into a work of hair art. This short hairstyle breaks all the rules of your typical layered bob by adding loads of direction and volume. Use a volumizing mousse to create lots of lift at the roots—make those layers work for it, baby! Next use a large barreled curling iron to “flip” back the sides. The trick is to let that big ‘ol curl sit there as is. Think Farrah Fawcett flip. The icing on the cake are those choppy bangs which frame Katie’s beautiful, if not slightly glazed over, eyes.

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Emilie’s Romantic Waves

Emilie may be “Lost” on a deserted island but she’s sure found a kick-ass hairstyle. The hottest look for long hair right now is a very natural and romantic wave for evening. Here a short haircut can get in on this trend by mimicking those luscious waves on a smaller scale. If you have natural wave in your hair use a curl enhancer and scrunch waves into place with a diffuser.

For those with naturally straight hair fake it by spiraling one inch sections around two sizes of curling iron—medium and large. By alternating between the two sizes you create a more natural looking curl that won’t appear so “done”.

In the end the trick to wearing a short hairstyle is in a really good cut. If you don’t have that as a foundation no amount of styling will create a diva-worthy style. Have you ever had a short haircut go bad? Confess your short hair disaster in the comments.

For the longest time anyone with long hair wore it one length like an ode to the seventies. Well, that fad has gone the way of the tie-dyed shirt and now layers are making a comeback big time.

Today’s hairstyles are all about movement and styling options. Long, one length hair is just so…boring! Layered hair cuts allow you to create volume, play with different directions and combine lengths to create hair styles that are interesting to the eye.

Even Short Hair Needs Layers

Layers are popping up in practically every hair style today. Even the once rigid bob hairstyle with its blunt lines is getting a makeover into a softer style thanks to layering at the ends. This creates a tapered look at the ends that better frames the face and allows for playful flips if you’re so inclined.

On the Razor’s Edge

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Want the ultimate in layered hair cuts? The short to medium length hair cut that is layered with a straight razor is the cut for those who want to make a statement. Think styles like Lisa Rinna’s with their wispy and flippy layers that manage to look tousled yet put together all at the same time. These styles are especially fun because when you incorporate different panels of hair color into these layers the effects can range from subtly enhances to surprisingly bold.

Long on Style

If you wear your hair long you definitely need a layered hair cut. Having layers cut into the last three to four inches of your hair adds shape and lift to your style. What’s hot right now is to concentrate the layering around the face. Whether you wear your hair all down, half up or all up face framing layers are what’s in style for accentuating and softening your style.

What to do with that Long Layered Hair Cut

I found a really cool video over at Stylebell blog that shows you how to create beachy waves in your long layered hair. This style is so hot for summer as it mimics that “just came from the beach” casual look without getting sand in your shoes. See it here and then let me know your thoughts on the video.