What works in theory may not always be appropriate—or even attainable—in real life, and we’ve definitely seen our share of looks that would never make it off the catwalk. This year however proved a pleasant surprise, as we were met with tons of hair inspiration that we could actually take home to our stylists. We were so inspired in fact, that we took it upon ourselves to curate our picks for the cuts we forecast to make a big splash this 2017. The results are surprisingly uniform, and we’ve also noticed fashion and beauty trends scaling back to natural, unpretentious looks (that may or may not have been a part of our childhood evolutions—see: your middle-school yearbook photo). And just like when we first sported these “hipster” looks without tongue-in-cheek, they’re back in all their simple, unironic glory. Straightforward cuts and uninhibited texture ruled supreme for these latest short haircuts—perhaps a yearning for a simple time? Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain: You’ll be seeing more of these looks the further we go into the season. And paired with rising temps and bare shoulders being another big hit for the year, it seems high-time for a short haircut renaissance. We’ve tallied the best of the best below:
The 3 Best Short Modern Haircuts to Try Right Now
1. Blunt Bob
The verdict is in: This is the haircut of 2017. First spotted at the tail end of last year, this ’90s-inspired bob is one of the latest short haircuts to be seen on nearly all It girls and models du jour. We don’t blame them: It’s painfully cute and, despite its grungy origins, is quite an angst-free look—it’s as wash-and-wear as they come. Anything more is gilding the lily. Add a touch of shine to this look by combing some TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum through the ends of your bob to give this easy-to-wear look a subtle upgrade.
2. Curls with Bangs
Could anything be more charming than this short hairstyle? Curly girls have found a super-wearable update for their regular crop by sporting it with a soft, natural fringe. Bangs and fringes were a common theme amongst the latest crop of modern short hairstyles, as they’re pretty efficient at freshening up an entire look without sacrificing much length. In this case, curls get an understated refresh with the addition of eyebrow-grazing curls. A fringe also is a tried-and-tested trick for making a hairstyle look more youthful. Win-win. Add some definition to your curls by combing Dove Style + Care Curls Defining Mousse through your damp hair and letting them air-dry into curl perfection.
3. See-Through Bangs
That said, straighter-haired ladies will be happy to note that they, too, can get in on some fringe benefits. See-through bangs, first popular in East Asia, have now made their way coast to coast and graced the foreheads of many a local influencer. Like the bob, this is also a throwback look that first came to the fore during the late ’80s and ’90s (you remember!) but modernized with a lob or waves, and they regain a stylish new momentum. If you’re using a flat iron to nail this look, don’t forget to protect your hair with Nexxus Promend Heat Protecting Mist first. Want more unique short hair inspiration? Check out these edgy short looks that are making a comeback.
