From the towering hair sculptures adorned with live birds in 18th-century Europe to the bobs that symbolised rebellion and independence in 1920s America, hair has always been an extension of a woman’s personality. It quickly expresses to the world who she is—or who she wants to be—whether that’s a boho beauty with long mermaid locks or an edgy rocker with a piecey pixie cut.

But it’s easy to fall into a hair rut, sticking with the same style you’ve worn for years even though you’ve grown and changed as a person. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to modern women’s haircuts. It’s the perfect starting point if you’re looking to shake things up and need some inspiration to bring along to your stylist. 

Types of Haircuts for Women 

Pixie

The elfin pixie—one of the most iconic short hairstyles for women—keeps the back and sides cropped to just a couple of inches, with slightly longer layers on top. Styles vary, but even the longest pixie rarely extends past the earlobes.

• As seen on: Audrey Hepburn, Mia Farrow, Halle Berry, Lupita Nyong'o
• Get this style if you: want a daring change and don’t mind attention (there’s no hair to hide behind)
• Avoid this style if you: want a truly wash-and-go style (it takes some effort to shape in the morning) or don’t fancy salon visits every 4–6 weeks for a trim

Bob

The bob usually refers to hair cut straight around the head, sometimes graduating from shorter at the back to longer at the front. Bobs tend to sit between the jawline and just above the collarbone, and can be blunt or layered for extra texture.

• As seen on: Clara Bow, Anna Wintour, Jennifer Lawrence, Hillary Clinton
• Get this style if you: want to highlight your bone structure while keeping a little length that feels light and effortless
• Avoid this style if you: dislike frequent trims and love pulling your hair back into lots of different styles

Lob

The lob (long bob) has been one of the trendiest cuts in recent years, mainly because it flatters almost everyone. It’s neither too long nor too short—usually skimming the collarbone or sitting at shoulder length.

• As seen on: practically every celebrity from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to Kerry Washington
• Get this style if you: want a bit more time between salon visits, and enough length for ponytails or topknots
• Avoid this style if you: have extremely thick hair or hair so fine it’s almost see-through

Lobs are long enough for braids. Check out our braiding videos to master three different styles.

Shag

The shag is all about layers—copious, choppy ones that add volume and movement. Modern versions tend to be mid-length with heavy, eye-skimming fringes and an intentionally tousled texture.

• As seen on: Stevie Nicks, Farrah Fawcett, Alexa Chung, Taylor Swift
• Get this style if you: want a cut that’s easy to style (depending on your hair texture) and delivers cool, dishevelled waves
• Avoid this style if you: have stick-straight hair and no interest in curling it (otherwise it risks looking dated)

Undercut

Traditionally a masculine style, the undercut gets a feminine twist by pairing a buzzed section—at the nape or temple—with longer hair. The shaved area might even feature a design for added drama. For a subtle entry point, try an undercut at the nape, which only shows when your hair is tied up.

• As seen on: Scarlett Johansson, Miley Cyrus, Tilda Swinton, Jada Pinkett Smith
• Get this style if you: want something edgy that can still be made work-appropriate
• Avoid this style if you: dread the tricky grow-out phase

Asymmetric Cut

As the name suggests, this cut is deliberately uneven, with one side longer than the other. It can be subtle—just a few centimetres’ difference—or dramatic, mixing very short with very long sections.

• As seen on: Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, Marion Cotillard, Rosamund Pike
• Get this style if you: want a striking, statement hairstyle
• Avoid this style if you: don’t want frequent salon visits to maintain the bold shape, or if you’re worried about an awkward grow-out phase

Need styling ideas for asymmetric cuts, undercuts, or lobs? Check out our everyday and party hair tutorials

Mermaid Hair

Technically more of a hairstyle than a haircut, “mermaid hair” refers to manes so long they cascade past your bra strap. The best versions incorporate long layers to reduce bulk and add movement.

• As seen on: Cher, Blake Lively, Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez
• Get this style if you: love attention-grabbing, romantic hair
• Avoid this style if you: overheat easily or can’t face spending ages washing and drying your locks

Whatever cut you’re considering, stylists strongly recommend bringing in a photo of the exact look you want. A picture saves endless explanation—and helps ensure you leave the salon with exactly the haircut you imagined.