We get haircuts at pivotal life moments: After breakups, before new jobs, after we see a particularly inspirational Jennifer Aniston photo…And the beauty of it is, we never grow tired of a fresh chop. Whether you have a sudden urge to switch up your look or you’re just in dire need of a trim (guilty), here are the best haircuts in the history of all time.
1. SHORT WITH LONG BANGS
Go shorter on the sides and leave the length on top. Then work a pomade through for a piecey look.
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2. BLUNT BOB
Ask your hairstylist to dry-cut your locks for a super-sharp blunt cut.
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3. TAPERED AFRO
A hydrating cream is this style’s BFF. Apply one to moisturize hair, and then pick it out for all the volume.
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4. LONG PIXIE
In between a bob and a pixie, this style is more versatile than you think. Side-part it and tuck ends behind ears for a sleek look.
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5. TAPERED LAYERS
Add some life to limp hair by cutting gradual layers that create movement and body (even if they can’t hold a curl).
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6. SMOOTH LOB
A deep side-part and flatironed strands take a lob from ordinary to seriously straight.
STEVE GRANITZ/GETTY IMAGES
7. LONG LAYERS
If you love your long locks but hate the weight, ask for your hair to be shaped with thinning shears.
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8. SLEEK AND STRAIGHT
Blow-dry hair straight, and then go over it with a flat-iron. Finish with a smoothing serum for ultra-silky frizz-free strands.
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9. LOOSE CURLY AFRO
You can do an afro even if you don’t have super-coily hair. Pick it out and apply a little gel so it holds its shape.
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10. SPIKY PIXIE
Your everyday mantra: Wake up, pomade and go. It’s seriously that easy.
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11. CHOPPY LOB
A few layers is all it takes. Have your stylist use her beloved thinning shears for the most natural gradient.
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12. CURTAIN BANGS
Growing out your straight-across fringe or want to ease into the whole thing entirely? This style is great for both. Center-part your hair and ask for long, sweeping curtain bangs.
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13. THE UNDERCUT
Edgy when your hair’s up, invisible when your hair’s down. This cut is great for short-haired ladies, because it allows you to pull your hair back without a million pieces falling out in the back.
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14. GELLED EDGES
Natural-haired ladies: Don’t neglect those edges. When laid properly, they look just like art. Dab on a bit of edge control cream and use a soft-bristle toothbrush to mold them into waves.
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15. ANGULAR AFRO
A regular afro is beautiful, but a side-part makes all the difference. Use a rattail comb for a precise line.
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16. A-LINE LOB
When a lob is cut a little higher in the back, it allows the front pieces to fall more effortlessly in place. Read: No poofy triangle hair.
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17. SUPER-SHORT PIXIE
This short ‘do is so low maintenance, you can literally roll out of bed and go. Oh, and it works on all hair types, from coily to straight.
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18. MOHAWK
Shave the sides of your head and keep a little length in the middle. A few messy curls made it more modern.
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19. WAVY LOB
The length that’s flattering on literally everyone. Ask for it to hit just above your shoulders, so it’s not too short when it’s waved.
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20. ANGLED BOB
Shorter in the back and slightly longer in the front, this style looks best when worn sleek (so you can actually see the gradient).
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21. VOLUMINOUS LAYERS
Wavy-haired gals, this one’s for you. Layers throughout your whole head will lighten things up for weightless volume.
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22. ASYMMETRICAL BOB
Slightly longer on one side than the other; a deep side-part really accentuates the differentiation in lengths.
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23. LAYERED SHAG
Chop thin strands into a piecey shag for an edgy update.
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24. ROUNDED
Perfectly symmetrical is how we like it. Keep the majority of the volume on the sides with a center part.
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25. LAYERED WITH CURTAIN BANGS
The key is to make your bangs blend with your layers.
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26. THE TIGHT CROP
In between a pixie and an afro, this style is perfectly shaped but still effortlessly cool.
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27. BLUNT BANGS
For the grown-up gal who still loves thrift shops and flea markets. Have your stylist dry-cut them so you don’t wind up going too short.
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28. LONG AND CURLY
Curly girls can go long, too. Just ask for long layers so things don’t get too weighed down.
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29. SHAGGY LOB
A few layers and loose waves make this look so beachy-chic.
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30. SIDE-SWEPT BANGS
The haircut that makes you look ten pounds thinner. No, really. The angle here tricks the eye into thinking your face is extra narrow.
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31. LAYERED CURLS
Ask for face-framing ringlets for a more uniform look.
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32. SCULPTED PIXIE
Shorter on the sides than on the top, it’s the long pixie for natural hair. Aka the perfect way to show off your bone structure.
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33. CURLY BANGS
Who said bangs need to be straight? Chop these dry, too, so you get an accurate read on length.
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34. TOUSLED LOB
Short, swingy and voluminous. A little flip-over part adds to that effortless vibe.
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35. CURLY SHAG
Short curly locks, short layers and un-fussy bangs make for a winning combination.
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36. SHORT FACE-FRAMING LAYERS
Put all the focus on your gorgeous face with layers that draw the eye upward. Bonus: A few highlights literally brighten your complexion.
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37. THE SWEEPING PIXIE
Go shorter in back and slightly longer on top. Then brush hair forward to achieve that sweeping look.
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38. BOUNCY CURLS
They don’t just sound fun—they are. Short layers that start around the temple add lots of volume all the way down.
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39. SHOULDER-GRAZING LAYERS
This mid-length cut basically styles itself. Let it air-dry for natural texture and volume.
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40. BOUNCY BOB
Love the length of a bob, but want more body? Cut a few long layers around your face for extra oomph.
JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY IMAGES
41. SHAVED
Buzzed right off, this hairstyle is the very definition of no-fuss. Hint: If you go for a number three or four, your hair will be long enough to dye (if you want to).
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42. VOLUMINOUS PIXIE
All the volume with none of the weight. It’s almost like a grown-out mohawk—just brush hair up and back for a more polished vibe.
TAYLOR HILL/GETTY IMAGES
43. BOB WITH BANGS
This one should just be called the Anna Wintour. Book trims every fourish weeks to keep things as polished as possible.
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44. LAYERED MIDI
Proof that mid-length is never boring. Cut layers into a just-below-the-shoulder style to add bounce to loose waves.
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45. MODERN SHAG
Short and feathered for the win. This hairstyle adds body to even the thinnest hair.
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46. ONE LENGTH MIDI
Super-blunt edges that land below the collarbone are even more posh when worn sleek.
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47. SHARP LAYERS
You can’t miss these layers. Ask for sharp-graduated layers or angles at the front to lighten up thick hair.
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48. SHOULDER LENGTH WAVES
There’s a reason the Duchess wears this hairstyle so well—it’s classic, polished and works great with a crown (or hat, if you’re a mere mortal like us).
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49. BABY BANGS
These bangs are intentionally too short and we love it. Chop them a few inches above your eyebrows for that high-fashion look.
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50. THE SIDE SHAVE
Take the side part to new extremes by shaving the thinner side back to behind your ear.
