25 Short, Edgy Haircuts to Inspire Your New Style

Cynthia Erivo's Super-Short Pixie

Actress Cynthia Erivo's lilac-hued, super-short pixie frames her face in the best way. This style also offers a great example of the power of hair dye. "I love a short pixie on all face shapes, especially when styled correctly," says Streicher.

Ciara's Short Blunt Cut

An edgy hairstyle doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple, sharp bob like Ciara’s perfectly completes her look without taking the focus away from her face. For a haircut like this, ask your hairstylist for blunt ends right below your jawline.

Dilone's Bold Buzz Cut

Nothing is bolder or edgier than a shaved hairstyle. "Buzz cuts are most definitely in and are here to stay for a while," says Leela. "They accentuate your physical features vs. take away with longer hair. They are also very low maintenance, considering how much less time you will need washing and styling." 

Dilone’s super-short cut makes even more of an impact in this bright platinum hue.

Keri Hilson's Bedhead Bob Cut

For this bedhead bob, the wispier, the better. Let your hair air-dry if you have a natural wave, or create organic bends in the hair with a flat iron. Then, muss it up with a little backcombing and texturizing spray, Like Kristin Ess Dry Finish Working Texture Spray ($14). Sweep the pieces around your face behind your ears to finish.

Lana Condor's Mid-Length Bob

From the front, Lana Condor’s soft waves seem like a classic choice. But a quick flip of her head reveals the peekaboo lavender streaks in the back of her mid-length bob. If you’re wanting to try a look like this just for the night, use clip-in extensions of a temporary spray tint for a similar effect.

Kristen Stewart's Tousled Pixie

Kristen Stewart’s choppy layers and deep side part are made even edgier with her ombré hair color and darker roots. "Some pixies are better with a little more length on top," says Streicher. "I think that keeps it looking a little more feminine and soft and gives you more flexibility with your styling."

Not only could you stretch out a piece-y style like this, we think it would look even better on day two or three, post-wash. Just use dry shampoo — like Living Proof Perfect Hair Day ($26) — to keep it looking clean.

Solange Knowles' Center-Parted Bun

If you think short haircuts can’t be pulled back, you’re missing out on a whole category of short, edgy hairstyles. For this look, Solange Knowles’s hair is styled in a perfectly imperfect low bun. The lived-in hairstyle complements the sleekness of her outfit for an overall cooler vibe. 

Rowan Blanchard's Wet Pixie

When it comes to short, edgy hairstyles, the less contrived they look, the cooler they feel. Rowan Blanchard’s effortless wet style appears as if she just stepped out of the shower, but the shiny, piece-y strands actually take a little behind-the-scenes magic. A lightweight gel or styling cream will give the effect of soaked strands without actually requiring water.

Kiersey Clemons's Short Strands

Kiersey Clemons’s short, slicked style is striking. For a similar style, you'll want to nourish your hair with plenty of conditioner and get regular trims. Her icy gray color adds tons of interest and can be replicated at home (just be sure to use a silver conditioner to maintain the tone and boost your shine).

Zoë Kravitz's Textured Crop

For this pixie look, Zoë Kravitz’s natural texture is emphasized. To recreate this texture and shape, warm a pinch of styling pomade into the palms of your hands, and use your fingers to work it through the strands from roots to ends. 

Cara Delevingne's Shaggy Bob

Remember the famous Meg Ryan haircut? Cara Delevingne’s short crop is a modern take on that early ‘00s favorite style. Side-swept bangs are typically too soft to be considered edgy, but when paired with lots of shaggy layers, they take on a cool-girl, rocker vibe.

Janelle Monáe's Dramatically-Parted Pixie

Janelle Monáe's classic short 'do goes modern, thanks to a deep side part and a mix of jet black and blonde strands. To style the look, Streicher recommends a potted paste or hair wax like Public Goods Wax Pomade ($7) to keep strands in place. "Depending on how short your hair is, I feel like this gives you a little more control and I like short hair a little more product-y."

Ruby Rose's Voluminous Pompadour

The traditional pompadour gets some added length and a touch of highlights, as seen here on Ruby Rose. For a similar look and hold, Streicher recommends R+Co Continental Glossing Wax ($28) which she describes as "a glossy wax," with "more moveable shine. [It gives] shorter styles texture, separation, and hold all in one product."

Lupita Nyong’o's Combover

Lupita Nyong’o offers a modern interpretation of the combover, complete with braids and a deep side part. This is a great demonstration of how versatile natural hair is and how much personality can be added simply by changing where the hair parts.

Zendaya's Finger Wave

Finger waves are an iconic, old-school look—but they can look very of-the-moment, too, as seen here on Zendaya. To achieve the "S"-shaped style, mold the hair, and follow with mousse.

Ashlee Simpson's Mod Cut

For a similar look to Ashlee Simpson, ask your stylist to incorporate classic mod details into your hair via shorter layers. Shorter layers lend an all-over structure to hair and help frame the face.

Halsey's Wet Look Cut

To achieve the much sought-after wet look, apply a mix of hair gel and oil to coat strands. The end goal is to have hair look damp but not drenched.

Miley Cyrus' Modern Mullet

Miley Cyrus' shaggy pixie took on new life when it grew out, becoming a modern take on the mullet. The choppy style has body throughout, with uneven, razor-cut layers that offer interest and depth.

Emilia Clarke's Middle-Parted, Chin-Length Bob

Emilia Clarke's bright smile is shown off with her middle-parted, behind-the-ears, bob. It hits just around the chin and has blunt ends, providing a sophisticated look.

Úrsula Corberó's Shaggy Pixie

As Leela notes, the shape of your face can help dictate the length of your pixie. Úrsula Corberó's shaggy pixie works especially well due to her sharp features and high cheekbones. "A super-textured pixie with or without length in the back is a great option to keep you current," she says. "For round faces, add a bit of height at the top to elongate the face. For longer faces, think about shorting the face with an added fringe."

Demi Lovato's Slicked-Back Bob

Slicked-back but not rigid, this look is supremely sophisticated. For an at-home version, try brushing hair back while blow-drying it to your head shape. Flat-iron the ends and finish with a product like Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil ($56) for shine.

Mary J Blige's Ombré Undercut

For a touch of punk, try a half-shaved 'do like Mary J Blige. Here, the back and sides are kept close to the scalp while the hair on top is a couple inches long. And for extra impact—like Blige—try a two-tone, platinum-on-dark hue.

Taylor Swift's Feathery Bob

The ashy hue adds a definite edge to this tousled bob with bangs seen on Taylor Swift. For a windswept effect, spray the ends with product (we recommend Redken Windblown 05 Dry Texturizing Hairspray, $17) while blow-drying, which will increase volume in the hair.

Scarlett Johansson's Slicked Undercut

There are several ways to rock an undercut. Slicking the longer part of the hair back—to really show off the shorter sides—is one of the most dramatic. Use a product that offers hold but flexibility, like Moroccanoil Styling Gel ($24).

MJ Rodriguez's 1970s-Style Bob With Bangs

Pose actress MJ Rodriguez takes a cue from the disco with this very '70s-influenced bob. Here, volume is key—as is a great styling product, such as Vernon François Pure Fro Hold & Shine Serum ($15).