Short Crop Hair: A Complete Guide
What is a Short Crop Haircut?
A short crop hair refers to short hairstyles where the hair is cropped close to the head, typically with the back and sides of hair kept shortest. Compared to long hairstyles, short crops require less styling time and are easy to manage.
Some signature features of classic short crop haircuts include:
- Hair length ranging from 1-5 inches
- Layers cut throughout for added movement
- Volume focused around the crown
- Short tapered sides and back
- Longer pieces left on top for styling
- Clean nape and ears exposed
- A textured, piecey finish
Short crops are a great option for women with thick hair looking for a fuss-free, low maintenance cut. They also complement oval, heart, and diamond face shapes beautifully.
Short Crop Hair Throughout History
Short hairstyles for women have come in and out of fashion over decades, but they always make a statement.
1920s – The Bob
Short cropped hair exploded in popularity in the 1920s, thanks in part to dancer Irene Castle who cut her long hair into a “Castle Bob.” Hair was flattened on top with volume at the sides.
1960s – The Five Point Cut
Vidal Sassoon revolutionized short hair in the 1960s with geometric, architectural cuts like his famous Five Point cut. Hair hugged the head for a sleek, mod look.
1990s – The Rachel
Jennifer Aniston’s layered shag cut “The Rachel” on the TV show Friends made short, textured hair the peak of 90s style.
Benefits of a Short Crop Hair
There are many advantages that make short cropped hairstyles a popular choice:
- Low maintenance – Short hair needs less frequent trims and minimal styling compared to long locks.
- Easy styling – Short hair can be quickly blow dried and finished with little fuss.
- Cool and comfortable – Less hair means a cooler neck in summer and better hat hair in winter.
- Modern look – Short crops have an of-the-moment, contemporary vibe.
- Versatility – Easy to style sleek, messy, or anywhere in between.
- Less products needed – Short hair requires less shampoo, conditioner, styling products.
- Flatters many face shapes – Crops highlight facial features.
- Fun colors – Easily experiment with trendy nontraditional colors.
Best Face Shapes for Short Crop Hair
While any face shape can suit short crops, some are especially flattering.
Oval Faces
Oval faces have balanced proportions ideal for short crops. A chin length bob helps frame the face. Short side swept bangs also complement oval faces.
Heart Faces
Heart shaped faces have wide foreheads and narrow chins. A short crop with side fringe softens corners. Angled bob and pixie cuts also flatter heart faces.
Diamond Faces
Diamond face shapes have narrow eye and jawlines with wide cheekbones. A short crop cut to below the cheekbones flatters this shape. Fun asymmetry also suits diamond faces.
Worst Face Shapes for Short Crop Hair
Short crops can highlight irregularities on some face shapes. These should be avoided or modified:
Square Faces
Square faces have wide jaws and angular features. Severe short crops can overemphasize squareness. Soft layers and side swept bangs help downplay harsh lines.
Round Faces
Round face shapes lack definition around the jawline. Very short styles can accentuate fullness. Add height with volume, avoid cuts ending at the jaw.
Triangle Faces
Triangle faces are widest at the forehead narrowing to the chin. Short crops showing the ears over focus on upper width. Long side swept bangs help balance triangle faces.
Popular Short Crop Hair Haircut Styles
There are endless variations of short cropped hairstyles. Popular options include:
Pixie Cuts
Pixie cuts feature layers cropped close to the head in the back and tapered sides. Hair on top is slightly longer with playful texture. Ultra short napes exposed.
Bowl Cuts
Bowl cuts leave hair the same length all over with soft fringe trimming the forehead. Straight thick hair suits this mod, graphic look best.
Bobs
Bobs come in myriad lengths from chin to collarbone. They can be sleek, wavy, or piecey with shorter stacked backs. Great for thick or thin hair.
Boy Cuts
Boy cuts feature square, blunt fringe across the forehead with hair cropped close around sides and back. Simple yet chic.
Tapered Crops
Tapered crops have dramatically short tapered sides and back blended into longer top layers perfect for height and volume.
Undercuts
Undercuts shave or buzz sides and nape close with longer hair on top styled up. High contrast styles are edgy and modern.
Short Crops for Different Hair Types
Adjust crop length and layering technique to complement your hair density and texture.
Thick Hair
Remove bulk with texture and layers concentrated at the crown to flatter thick hair. Avoid blunt cuts which intensify bulk.
Thin Hair
Minimize scalp exposure with choppy, piecey ends. Short layers can remove needed weight, so distribute with care.
Straight Hair
Blunt edges and fringe highlight straight hair’s sleekness. Avoid extreme layering that can look stringy.
Wavy/Curly Hair
Embrace natural texture with a short shag to encourage waves. Longer layers allow curls to spring on top.
Fine Hair
Too much layering can sap volume from fine hair. Go for geometric cuts like bobs over heavily layered crops.
How to Style Short Crop Hair
The styling product you use will depend on your preferred finish.
Pomades
Pomades add shine while controlling flyaways and frizz. They allow molding and shaping of texture.
Mousse
Volumizing mousse boosts body at the roots when blown dry. Helps achieve tousled, fuller short styles.
Wax
Hair wax separates strands for definition and flexible hold. Lets you experiment with messy texture.
Gel
Hair gel delivers firm hold and controls unruly hairlines. Use to spike short crops. Defines parts and fringe.
Sea Salt Spray
Sea salt sprays add gritty texture best for short layered crops. Scrunching creates rumpled, undone texture.
Cream
Soft hold styling creams define and separate short hair minus stiffness. Offers natural movement and flow for fine hair.
Short Crop Hair Upkeep and Maintenance
While short crops need less day to day styling, there are maintenance steps for health.
- Trim every 4-6 weeks – Short hair grows out quickly. Regular trims prevent overgrown shagginess.
- Use volumizing shampoo – Lift fine hair at roots. Thicken each strand with body building shampoos.
- Condition ends – Prevent dryness on shortened locks. Hydrate ends to keep hair soft.
- Protect color – Vibrant dyed crops fade faster. Use color safe sulfate-free shampoos.
- Apply treatments – Short damaged hair benefits from restructuring masks and oils.
- Style quickly – Reactivate yesterday’s products with heat tools, bending cream or dry shampoo.
- Use correct tools – Invest in short hair appropriate brushes, dryers, irons and rollers.
- Check for hidden length – Inspect nape and sides for unnoticed growth.
Conclusion
For ladies looking for hassle-free contemporary style, Short Crop Hair are the way to go. The array of edgy options from precision pixies to angled bobs flatters all different faces and hair types. Crops reduce styling time and showcase natural texture beautifully. Just remember to trim regularly, condition diligently, and style to highlight your gorgeous short locks!
Frequently Asked Questions about Short Crop Hair
What face shape is best for a pixie cut?
The pixie cut’s layers and short sides most flatters oval, heart, and diamond face shapes. These shapes suit the pixie’s soft angles and ability to balance features. More angular face shapes can try longer pixie variants to soften lines.
How do you style very short hair?
On a cropped pixie or undercut, focus styling product at the roots to get height and definition. Use a pomade or wax to separate and define the longer top pieces. Finger style and tousle into place; avoid over brushing. Hair spray can lock in volume on shorter locks.
How often should you trim very short hair?
Expect to trim very short pixie and cropped cuts every 4-6 weeks. The shortness means layers and fringe grow out quickly and being precise with trimming keeps the shape sharp. Book regular maintenance with your stylist. Trimming more frequently prevents the dreaded mullet effect.
What haircut makes thin hair look thicker?
Choppy short crops help thin hair look fuller by removing damaged ends and encouraging bounce. Angled bobs with textured ends are great for fine hair. Avoid blunt cuts which show scalp. Long side swept bangs also thicken hair visually.
What length is a short bob haircut?
Traditionally, a short bob falls somewhere between chin length and collarbone length. Very short bobs end at the jawline or just below. Lob (long bobs) extend to the shoulders. A-line bobs angle shorter in the back and stacked bobs feature shorter back layers.
How do you blow dry a short bob?
Here are tips for blow drying a chic short bob: Section damp hair cleanly and work in small sections starting at the nape. Use a paddle or round brush to smooth and shape the ends inward or under as you dry each section. Lift hair as you dry to build volume. Run a flat iron over ends for a polished look.
What face shape should avoid a pixie cut?
Triangle face shapes with wide foreheads should use caution with full pixie cuts, as ultra short sides can accentuate upper face width. Customize the pixie with softer side-swept fringe to balance a triangle face shape’s proportions. Leave more length around the jawline as well.
How do you cut your own short hair?
Cutting your own short hair is tricky but can be done. Always use sharp shears. Tie hair in a low ponytail and trim ends in small cuts working upwards. Trim back and sides in sectioned layers. Use point cutting technique angling scissors to remove bulk and create softness. Check symmetry and even out any unevenness.
When should you not cut your hair short?
It’s best to avoid dramatic short chops right before important events where you want to look polished (like starting a new job or attending a wedding). Wait until after to go super short if you want time to get used to the look. Also avoid right after major hair coloring – let color settle before cutting.
What face shapes should avoid short hair?
The most angular face shapes like square or inverted triangle need to be more cautious with very short pixie crops. Hair’s softening effect is lost on such extreme shapes. Avoid cuts ending bluntly at the jawline in favor of longer side swept styling to soften lines.
