47 ways to tie back short hair, from the micro bun to the mini braid
We love short hair. It’s bold, it’s brave and it looks incredible. There’s just one drawback. Lop your hair off above your collarbone, and it can make tying short hair back a hassle. Anyone who’s tried to scrape their jawbone-length crop off their face will be familiar with “the nub”. The teeny, tiny stub of hair that just about forms a low ponytail with a little coaxing. Go even shorter, and the different length layers mean a weensy top-knot or steggy buns staggered down the back of your hair (like the back of a dinosaur) are pretty much the only options available.
Until now, that is. We’ve scoured the net for the best short hair up inspo out there for short-haired babes. Turns out there’s plenty of new twists (we mean that literally) on short hairstyles, which is just as well since it seems more of us have had the itch to slice away our strands. According to Google search data "short hairstyles" is one of the most Googled beauty trends around the world. And the UK searches for this term most.
While XXL strands and midi cuts have gained ground over the past year, lots of us are are ready for a drastic chop, and there's plenty of celebs jumping in and offering up inspo, too.
How to tie short hair up
The styles available to you depend on length a which “short” threshold you've crossed.
Really, really short cuts can benefit from headbands, embellished clips, shower-fresh slick-backs and even tiny braids (we’ve seen it done).
Meanwhile, lobe-length chops open up the possibility for simple touches like ear tucks (very chic), undone topknots or mini ponytails or puffs. You can even achieve face framing baby braids. A little longer and you might even get a dinky bun out of your strands.
Our favourite ways to tie short hair up
As for short hair inspo, celebs like Florence Pugh, Sabrina Elba, Taylor Russell, Taylor Hill and Dixie D'Amelio can all show you how it’s done, having worked with some of the industries top hair stylists to achieve some beautiful and unusual styles. Likewise, street-style veterans like Vanessa Hong, Amy Lefévre and Steph Hui know what works. Finally, our hair crush, Taylor Lashae has taken her bob about as short as you can go, grown it out, then chopped it short again, so she has a fair few examples of how to ensure awkward lengths always look chic.
Jaw-length bobs still offer plenty of options for tying short hair up, like this adorable (and sophisticated) half-up style, complete with a silky bow.
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Khloe Kardashian did lots of experimenting with her teddy bob, teaming up with pro hairstylist, Justine Marjan, to create a flicked and snatched half-up style with face-framing tendrils.
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The easiest way to tie short hair up (with a little added pizzaz) is with a double bun, like this style on Taylor Russell created by hair stylist Joey George.
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After lopping all her hair off, Dixie D'Amelio made light work of the awkward growing out stage and tying short hair up with plenty of experimental styles, like this tripled-up pony moment.
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Sabrina managed to craft the daintiest dinky chignon out of her above-the-shoulder bob.
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A simple tuck-and-claw clip situation keeps hair off your neck and shoulders, making short hair so easy to put up.
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These adorable baby braids add interest to a classic chin-length bob.
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Something as simple as a single bobby pin can add extra detail and keep hair perfectly in place.
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We love this graphic medusa moment with curled edges and a teensy swirly bun.
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This dinky braid and bow moment created by hair stylist Amanda Lee for Hailey Bieber is a cute and creative way to put short hair up.
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Meanwhile, this mini twist created by Danielle Priano is cool and sophisticated.
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Florence Pugh set her hair stylist, Peter Lux, a challenge after she chopped her own hair (at different layers) for a movie role. This meant sectioning, slicking and tying up the pieces that were long enough.
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35 more ways to style short hair up…
@stxph.h / InstagramBaby braids
Face framing plaits are add a cute detail to chin-length hair.
Getty ImagesThe micro bun
A teensy nape neck bun works for shoulder-length bobs and longer.
@nikkinelms / InstagramTop knots
Why stop at one top knot when you can do multiple. This is cool and cute.
@lefevrediary / InstagramHalf-up bun
If the lower section of your hair is too short to tie up, a half-up bun works beautifully.
ocean_navarro / InstagramDinky pigtails
If your hair is long enough that it's flicking at the bottom, it's long enough for some dinky pigtails or bunches.
Instagram/@juliettenadineeThe braided bob
A bob shape, created with multiple braids, this protects hair and looks incredible.
Instagram/@poseandrepeatThe sleek half-up topknot
Super cute and easy to do.
Instagram/@oliviacalabioThe space buns
An adorable departure from the classic, mono bun.
@taylorlashae / InstagramThe top knot
Knot the top and leave longer lengths and your fringe loose.
Getty ImagesThe ear tuck
Simple, but effective. It looks chic, and keeps hair out of your face.
@chloenbrown / InstagramThe half-up bun
Tease the crown to add height and volume.
Getty ImagesThe twist
Twist the length at the back, then pin into place with a bobby pin.
Instagram/@melvieeThe sleek bun
This tiny bun keeps hair out the way and everything looking neat.
ocean_navarro / InstagramPretty hair slides
Keep any wispy short sections in line with cute hair slides.
dixiedamelio / InstagramWrapped space bun
Fashioning the buns high on your head mean you make the most of your length.
@laurapolko / InstagramThe half-up twist
Twist and pin the top half, then keep the bottom loose.
Getty ImagesThe mini braid
Proof that even super short hair has plenty of options. Use gel to lock the style into place.
Getty ImagesThe tuck
The short-haired gals take on the chignon.
Getty ImagesThe stegosaurus knots
Looks like the spikes on the back of a stegosaurus, only cuter.
Getty ImagesThe headband
A pretty accent to pixie cuts.
Getty ImagesThe low ponytail
The easiest style for shoulder-length bobs.
Getty ImagesThe hair slide
A pretty embellishment can add extra interest.
@jennychohair / InstagramThe wrapped plait
NGL, extensions may be necessary.
Getty ImagesThe mini ponytail
Dinky but effective.
@taylorlashae / InstagramThe hair nub
The half-up solution for short-haired babes.
Getty ImagesThe messy ponytail
The loose sections at the front make the most of pretty crops and bobs.
Getty ImagesSlicked and combed
For when you cba to dry it.
Instagram/@brittanyxavierThe high bun and tendrils
We love the '90s addition of these money piece tendrils.
Instagram/@taylorlashaeThe messy space buns
Half-up space buns for something a little more playful.
Instagram/@lifewithjazzThe looped dutch braids
This is pure festival vibes.
Instagram/@brittanyxavierThe embellished pony
When in doubt, accessorise.
Instagram/@poseandrepeatThe claw clip
Our favourite throwback hair accessory is back and ready to work.
Instagram/@laurapolkoThe baby braids
Midi hair works well with baby braids.
Instagram/@chadwoodhairThe half-up space buns
A sweet way to wear shoulder-length strands.
