10 Chic Shorter Haircuts

3. Gamine Crop

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Soft, wavy tendrils around forehead, ears and nape give naturally ripply hair a feminine, sort of French look. Frances McDormand has the run-my-hands-through-it casual style that works with this cut. If you're on the fence, pin the back up for a test run like Lauren Hutton does. It's very low maintenance. Simply apply mousse to wet hair to encourage curl, and let it dry on its own. Run wet hands through to revive when needed. If you choose this style, consider adding highlights to create the illusion of density and thickness.

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4. Ultra-Short Cap

A bold chop of head-hugging mini layers — like the ones rocked by Judi Dench and Robin Roberts — is fashionably contemporary. Dench prefers piece-y wisps around the hairline and ears directed toward the face, while Roberts styles her cut totally off the face with extra lift at the crown. Brow definition with pencil and powder is an important move for close cuts that are more face than hair. Keep makeup soft and neutral and hair color in a one-color hue. All you need is a well-shaped head.

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5. Spiky Pixie

It's those gutsy stand-up strands at the crown that make the short cuts of Jamie Lee Curtis and Iris Apfel’s edgy, rather than sweet. Curtis tapers her stick-straight style to expose ears, but Apfel prefers long piece-y sections in front of her ears and at the nape. Tweaking a cut to suit your preferences is up to you, not your hairdresser. Always look in three-way mirror before and after you get a cut, and discuss specifics with your stylist. Rub a tiny bit of soft styling wax or pomade between your fingertips to help with the stand-up bits. Don’t spike it too much — no one wants a porcupine look!

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6. Curly Crop

From Annette Bening's tousled springs to Viola Davis' tightly textured coils, curls make going short glam. Both looks benefit from expert cutting, diffuser drying and moisturizing styling creams for definition. Use a curling iron or hot rollers to enhance or restore bounce to frizz-prone looser curls or those gone flat at the roots. Section hair in an irregular way (not uniform rows), let heat do its thing, cool and unroll. Use fingers — not a brush — to shape. For tighter natural curls, rub shea butter cream between fingers and randomly twist sections of hair. Then use a pick at the roots for extra lift.

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7. Short New Bob

Looks can be deceiving. What appears to be a classic chin-length bob now has invisible layers beneath to add oomph. With a twist of the flat iron, a short bob goes bend-y or wavy, like Helen Mirren's hair. Coax a wavier effect with a texturizing spray, or use a curling iron to spiral in random waves — let cool and break up with your fingers. Sculpted off the face with a gel, paste or pomade, the same short, layered bob becomes a sleek and modern alternative to an updo or pulled-back chignon — exactly like Emma Thompson does it. It's a great in-between length: short but face-framing.

8. Elegant Shag

Ready to go from long to medium — but not quite ready for a major cut? Do it in stages. Martha Stewart and Diane Sawyer sport polished modern looks that work for straight, wavy or curly hair. Starting just beneath the chin with tapered ends for movement, a side part and sideswept bangs, this neoclassic style hugs your face, jawline and neck. Who'd say no to that?

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9. Short Bobbed 'Locks

Thick, ropy chin-length dreads like those of Doria Ragland (Meghan Markle's mom) and Whoopi Goldberg — whether natural or salon-created —  tweak classic bobs and lobs. If you have long thin weightier dreadlocks that add traction at the hairline, take a break and then switch to this shorter, lighter version. Add a scarf hairband or pull dreads back gently in an elegant ponytail for a variation.  Thin hair can benefit from the addition of a few pop-in faux 'locks. Use a tiny dab of pomade to help style and set and to reduce frizz.

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10. Bangs

While not technically a "short cut," bangs are an entry snip to going shorter — no matter if your hair is long, lobbed or bobbed. Simply pulling the rest of your hair back with full feathery bangs will give you the feel of going short. Get used to it that way. You might start out like Gayle King, with a wavy bob and bangs, and work up to a short cut that's basically all-full bangs like Kris Jenner. And remember this: A heavy bang gives the overall impression of thicker hair and makes Botox irrelevant ... forever!

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