We don’t have robots for servants, we’re not flying around in cars, and the wheel has not been re-invented. I know, I know, “modern” society sounds a bit disappointing, doesn’t it? However, we do have machines that make us single cups of coffee, cars running purely electric and the wheel has been perfected over time for many different usages. So, where does that leave our coif in these modern times?
Classic hairstyles and haircuts for women are classic for a reason — they’re timeless. How have these “coif classics” been redefined over time to fit our futuristic selves? One word – TEXTURE. It’s one of my favorite words! Whether it’s being written or spoken, even the word itself has texture. Regardless if we are using a Keratin treatment, color service or a perm, we are creating texture in our look. These modern haircuts for women are stunning twists on classic looks by simply including, (you guessed it) texture! Get ready to see some pictures of amazing cuts that will help you (and your hair) feel younger and with the times.
#1: Textured Shag
I would describe this style as a textured shag. When performing the cut, I used a combination of point cutting, slide cutting, and texturizing shears. My client has very thick, coarse and straight hair, so I had to take out a lot of weight to create a cut that will work well straight or waved as the picture shows. My favorite thing about this style is the bangs. They’re at that length where it looks like maybe you had short bangs and they kind of grew out to that perfect “around the eye” length.
This look is for a client who wants to keep some length while still having fun with volume, texture, and layers. If you’re going to rock this haircut with your natural texture and you have wavy hair to medium curly hair, products will be your best friend. On wet hair, apply SachaJuan Styling Cream, along with Unite Hair Mousse Medium Hold and L’Oréal Mythic Oil. It’s important not to comb out your curls or run your fingers through your hair.
#2: Modern and Messy Neck-Length Bob
A neck-length bob is ideal for thick, coarse hair with a low-maintenance lifestyle. This is perfect for any woman looking to have an easy haircut to wash and wear. In my opinion, adding messy texture with razor cutting is a great way to add soft, lived-in texture. Ask about incorporating texturizing into your next haircut service.
#3: Sweeping Fringe on Medium-Length Curled Hair
A curled medium-length cut with a sweeping fringe is worth a try. If your hair is fine to medium density, try getting a blunt cut with a slight texture to bring it back to life. If you’re looking for some added brightness to your dark hair, try caramel highlights. They should be 2-3 shades lighter than your base color. This will give it a natural effect and create a blended soft brightness.
#4: Modern Loose Curls
Ask for a modern loose curl hairstyle. Ask for a textured blunt cut with a slight graduation to show your natural texture. It will build weight through the perimeter. One of the best curly hair products is Innersense I Create Definition. It’s for a firm hold to set the texture and all-day hairstyle hold.
#5: Gorgeous Long Layers and Curled Ends
Here’s a gorgeous long layered style with curled ends. Long hair work’s nicely on longer face shapes. As long as you create layers that help bring attention up and away from the face for balance. Using a curling iron or pin your curls after a round brush curl will create hold and volume to the hair. Finish off with O&M Original Queenie Firm Hold Hair Spray.
#6: Long Layered Cut with Curtain Fringe
Consider a long layered cut with a curtain fringe. If your hair is straight and thick, try a shaggy texture layered cut to create softness and movement. Avoid going too short or too long with your face framing. Consult with your stylist about your face shape. This style can complement all face shapes with the right length.
#7: Unicorn Hair Color
There’s nothing I love more than colorful unicorn hair! I really wanted to play around with the Pulp Riot neons and then add a pop of silver toner. I was teaching a class when I created this look and we decided it reminded us of Lisa Frank in the 90s, and let me tell you. I love the 90s!
Recreating this exact look will be difficult because every strand of hair is a different color. I recommend being creative and creating your own masterpiece! I used all Pulp Riot color because they are so easy to blend and are so vibrant and beautiful. There is no wrong way when your experimenting with vivids!
#8: Youthful Chic & Textured Blunt Cut
This haircut is modern, chic, and textured. If you haven’t had short hair, get ready to feel sexy and sassy because you will turn heads with this look! It’s a very detailed style with a broken outline and very textured layers for maximum movement. If you’re used to having a ponytail, kick those hair bands to the curb because you won’t need them anymore. This a great length. Although it may feel a bit short in the beginning, it will quickly grow on you and you will love it.
#9: Shaggy Pixie Cut with Side Bangs
This cut is a modern shaggy pixie. With shag haircuts coming back into style I wanted to create a similar edgy feel for shorter hair. My favorite thing about this cut is the fact that it’s versatile – she’s able to switch up her parting any way she wants and she’s able to style it shaggy and edgy or even more controlled. This shaggy pixie is a fun haircut to rock but it does require more maintenance than longer haircuts. For anyone considering a pixie, I would be ready to come into the salon every 4-6 weeks for a maintenance haircut.
Product will be your best friend, so be sure to find a texture product you love. A product I’m obsessed with right now is a texture paste called Sandcastle from R+Co. I take a pea sized amount, rub it in my hands, and work the product through the base of the hair. It gives so much volume, control, and texture, and its a great product for a short haircut like this.
#10: Soft Airy Bob
If you love a messy shape, you should try a soft airy bob. I recommend layering your shape at cheek length with textured ends. This will give you an airy shape that is effortless to achieve with your natural wave or a 1-inch wand or iron. If you hate split ends, one of the best remedies is to cut your hair shorter. Remember to keep your length above the shoulders for the best visual line.
#11: Medium Hair with Long Layers
Go for long feathery layers if you have medium-length hair. Crown layered hair that blends into concave layers works beautifully on thick-haired women. Try a curtain bang that blends into the layers for a beautiful feathered effect. Maintenance on this style is about every 8-12 weeks depending on your personal preference and styling options.
#12: Edgy Undercut with Hair Design
I describe this cut as edgy and modern. I think that it’s different and eye-catching without being super in your face and avant-garde. I love pairing an edgy cut with a natural color so the cut can really shine through.
Go for it! Short hair can definitely save you time in the morning and money on products. To style this look, I used Paul Mitchell Invisible Wear Pump Me Up Texture Powder and Undone Texture Spray. However, the only possible downside to a cut like this is that it can be a lot to maintain. Depending on how short you like the sides of your hair to be, you may have to get your haircut every 3 weeks or more.
#13: Beachy Messy Hair
This look is something very low maintenance, textured, and beachy! The cut is very long and flowing therefore resulting in lesser maintenance as well keeping everything all one length gives it that boho style! I did do the color as well. I love how muted the roots are and how she has that pop of color around her face and her ends. Making it look like it was kissed by the sun. I love the style as well. Keeping all the curl through the mids keeping those ends nice and straight. My favorite thing about it all is that it’s timeless! Sunkissed hair is something that will always be in trend! Which I think is awesome to invest in.
Always ask for something low maintenance, lived-in, and textured. Nice and bright around the face and ends and muted at the root. A light texture spray is your best for products or dry shampoo. Filliping your heads upside down after curling to get that windblown effect. Also touching up pieces on 2nd-day dirty hair is the best! Running your ends with a flat iron if you feel like it’s too curly is another great trick! A look like this is perfect for anybody because I usually tell my clients to imagine spending the day at the beach and how your hair would get kissed by the sun is exactly what I love to mimic!
#14: Short Platinum Angled Bob
This look is a cool, dimensional platinum blonde with a soft textured bob. I love the balance of edgy color and soft haircut. This style makes you stand out but in a conservative way. I would consider this color to be a slightly high-maintenance color to maintain the bright, cool tones you see here. Once you achieve the desired level of blonde (be advised this will not safely happen in one sitting unless you are already blonde), I recommend a babylight every 12 weeks and a tone refresh every four weeks to ensure you never look dull.
A strengthening product wardrobe is a must to keep the blonde hair healthy! My recommendation is the Eufora Beautifying Elixirs line which heals and styles at the same time. This haircut is perfect for all hair types! It will make fine hair look thicker and can be cut to make thick, bushy hair lay softer. A Root Lifter and Smoothing Cream are must-have products. My favorites are Eufora Boost and Behave!
#15: Modern Messy Bob for Older Women
This is a tousled messy bob. I love the piece-y fringe paired with the strong shape of the bob. Those elements work really well with her fine, wavy hair texture.
For this bob, we cut a line with no layers or graduation. This method works well for finer hair. If you have medium to thick density, I recommend texturizing or adding “internal layers”.
Styling is key to get the tousled look here, especially if you have naturally straight hair. Using a flat iron or curling iron to produce waves and finishing with a texture powder or spray is key.
This look is very low maintenance if you have naturally wavy hair. It works best on longer or more narrow faces due to the heaviness of the cut overall and the widening effect the fringe has on the face. Having said that, the right style and attitude always override the “shoulds” and “should nots” when it comes to face shape. In other words, if you own the cut, you can rock it!
#16: Long Trendy Beach Waves
This look is a modern twist on the mid-length haircut with the ever so trendy beach waves. I know a lot of clients say they don’t want the soccer mom look, so I always show my clients how to create the loose curls that can last a few days. I think it even looks very sleek flat ironed straight, just not air-dried straight if you want to avoid the soccer mom look.
I love the way her color shines and makes her hair look very healthy, as well as the lived-in look of her curls.
This look pretty much works for anyone, regardless of their lifestyle. It especially works well for those who don’t wash their hair every day because all you do is throw is some texture spray or beach day spray (one of my favorites is by UNITE Hair) and curl away with a 1-inch curling iron or wand. The curls might be a little tighter the first day, but second-day curls always look the best because they are a little looser and more natural-looking.
As far as the color goes, we actually did a level 1 black which definitely does not look good on all skin tones, but it worked perfectly for her tone. Overall, the color, cut, and style worked perfectly for this specific client. The cut and styling could work for many different clientele.
#17: Medium-Length Texture
My favorite thing about this modern hairstyle is all of the built-in texture and the diversity of it.
I really love this cut on clients with naturally straight or wavy hair because it instantly gives so much shape and texture to the hair. I think it is a great length for most people. It is short enough to complement and bring some attention to the face, but it still has enough length that clients can play with it and rock different styles.
#18: Golden Brown Pixie Cut
This look is creative, fun, and definitely more stylish. It really shows off the strong personality of the client. My favorite thing about this look is that when your lifestyle gets so busy and active, it’s simple, quick, and easy to style, and it also gives you that celebrity look. This hairstyle would work for clients who live busy but still love looking stylish. The short framing fringe gives that chic look and works great for longer face shapes. It works great with fine and straight hair and hair that has texture.
#19: Elegant Short A-Line Bob
This easily achievable and pretty bob has been created with a longer cut at the front that tapers in sharply toward the back. It is, in not so many words, an elegantly long a-line bob with graduated side-swept bangs.
Cafe Au Lait blonde pieced with randomly placed Pastel Lilac slices creates a little more of an edgier look, yet it still has a neutral tone to it that can be worn by almost anyone. It is the perfect combination between cut and color, which is why I love this technique the most.
This look is great for those who have finer, naturally straight hair. When you have hair that’s fine, darker roots can give the appearance of added fullness and volume. If you have a round face, you can use side bangs for adding sharpness to the face shape.
I would only recommend this color to clients who can commit to frequent visits to the salon for maintenance. I would also recommend this color to clients who have healthy hair because, in order to achieve the pastel tones, you must have a near white canvas to color over. The color is not designed to last all that long, but pastel dyes are usually mixed with a very low peroxide so they are safe to apply frequently.
In between appointments, use professional hair care products at home. A gentle sulfate-free shampoo will suffice. Redkin or Kevin Murphy are my absolute favorites!
#20: Squared Off Neck-Length Blonde Bob
In the simplest terms, this is a very modern, squared-off bob with a slight texture. A concept like this is inspired by futuristic looks, basically anything space-related.
I always think of Scarjo’s pink bob in Lost in Translation or Mila’s bright orange bob from The Fifth Element in terms of shape. I love how every year there could be some version of this haircut and it would work.
Depending on the texture, the products will definitely vary. This model just happens to have amazing hair and needs just a bit of Oribe Straight Away. If someone has much finer hair, I would suggest a thickening product like Oribe Thickening Spray, as well as something with a smoothing quality.
This is definitely a statement look, but still quite versatile for a range of people. Depending on what you do with the color, it could be a bit more conservative. A squared-off bob suits most face shapes as it’s not round so it doesn’t really create issues with someone feeling full in the face.
Obviously, hair texture is the most critical with this shape as you want to avoid triangle hair, unless that’s what the client is wanting. That can be a cool look too!
#21: Cool Boho Braids Ponytail
I think this look has a cool boho vibe to it, but my favorite part is that it can be worn many ways. It’s a great, flirty festival style that can also be curled up tighter with some flowers or jewels for a gorgeous bridesmaid style.
All you need to create and maintain this style is a little texturizing spray or some light hairspray like MoroccanOil medium finish.
This look works best on someone with longer, thicker hair, but you can really pancake that fishtail if you’ve got less hair to work with.
#22: Bright Beachy Look
I would describe this specific hairstyle as a lived-in, bright and beachy look. My favorite thing about this style is that it is very low maintenance, yet chic! It is a great daily go-to no matter the occasion.
To maintain this look, I recommend the Unite Blonda (purple) shampoo to wash with once a week to maintain the bright, icey blonde color. To recreate the curls, I recommend using a 1 1/4-inch barrel iron. Use a texture spray to finish for the piecey, deconstructed look!
This type of color and style is for the client who loves an up-to-date, trendy style with very little upkeep. It is great for all face shapes. Anyone with a busy lifestyle would be a perfect fit!
#23: Bold Short Blue Crop
Embrace your inner rock star with this fearless hairstyle. The funky highlights complete this unique and fun look!
#24: The Long Ombre Hair Color
Nothing screams new and fresh like an ombre! If I were told to close my eyes and say the first thing to describe the most current hair trend, it would be ombre. This is a clear example of how color creates texture all on its own.
#25 The Undercut Mohawk
Another trend that has swept the runways and won us all over is the “punk” movement. Nothing goes better with that new studded handbag than this bad boy! I love how the softly textured top is juxtaposed with the clean, edged lines on the side.
How To Style:
- Start with a volumizing product on clean, damp hair.
- Wrap dry from left to right with a vent brush to create lift.
- With your flat iron, smooth horizontal sections, moving forward towards your face. When you reach the tips of your hair, give it a slight bend back to create that kick.
- Apply a finishing wax or pomade for separation and shine.
Face Shape and Hair Type:
This cut is ideal for someone who has more of a square face shape. The length concentrated on the top of the head directing up and away elongates the shape of the face. Texture doesn’t really matter as each different type of texture will simply give this look its own character.
Recommended Products:
Depending on your texture, you would use a gel or volumizer as your working product. Gel for more unruly, thick hair and a mousse/blow foam for fine hair. When it comes to gel I like to use Alphaparf’s Semi di Lino Gel. For the finer haired ladies (like myself), Kevin Murphy’s Body.Builder is the way to go when it comes to a mousse/blow foam. As for wax, use Kevin Murphy’s Night.Rider for a stronger, matte hold or Osmos Shaper for a softer, shinier look.
#26: The Pixie Cut with Side Bangs
Strong yet soft, the pixie has always swept me off my feet. The new spin on this model is the disconnection between the shorter sides and the longer top. We no longer want our pixies to lay flat, but to rise to the occasion!
Oval face shapes can pull any look off, however, they truly are best suited for the pixie. Typically medium to fine texture is recommended for this look as well. If you have curlier hair, you might want to think about a texture treatment to relax those precious curls before cutting them this short.
#27 The Shattered Chin-Length Bob
The classic bob has so many variations and this one is amazing. Just look at the movement and texture created here. A soft, sweeping fringe really sweetens up this classic look.
How To Style:
- Start with a working product on clean damp hair.
- Wrap dry from left to right with a vent brush.
- Use a round brush in vertical sections once hair is dry for more contour towards the face.
- Piece out the interior with a wax or pomade to create the shattered effect.
Face Shape and Hair Type:
I feel like any face shape is complemented by this look. The soft lines diffuse any square or heart shaped faces while the fringe fills out any triangular shapes.
Recommended Products:
Osmos Shaper is perfect for this soft, textured look.
#28: Shag Cut with Side Swept Bangs
Short, chunky layers sliding into soft ringlets of length — this look has it all! This style has so much to offer. Pull the length up for a “short haircut” effect, or blow out the ends for a long, fuller look. There are two words for this modern haircut — texture and versatility!
A medium to thick density of hair is required for this look. If it’s too fine in density, it will not have a strong enough length. If you have a curly texture, consider a Keratin treatment to collapse the bulk. According to the texture of your hair, use a gel with an oil cocktail for rougher textures and a volumizer for finer hair. Osmos Shaper is great as a polish on the ends for separation and shine.
#29: The Graduated Bob with Bangs
Here is another bob variation that redefines one of the classics. The graduated bob shows off so much texture. Accompanied by a trendy swing fringe, this haircut highlights so many focal points that it will compliment just about anyone! The graduated bob is better for triangular and oval face shapes. Unfortunately, for those who have square or heart shaped faces, this cut could widen the jawline. Typically the purpose of a bob like this is to build weight in the back. For this reason I would suggest this cut for ladies with locks that lean towards the medium to finer side.
#30: Super Short Layered Pixie
This short, layered pixie cut packs a big punch in the texture department! There is so much movement accentuating all of the right features.
This style is great for oval, triangular, and heart-shaped faces. The heavier top balances out narrow foreheads and wide jawlines. Medium to fine densities works best for this style because thick hair can easily turn into the dreaded “mushroom” look.
#31 Big Natural Hair
Last but definitely not least, we have the natural state. These days it is refreshing to see more and more African American women embracing their natural texture. After years of relaxing, weaving and pressing their natural texture into a molded form, it is about time their curl has its day!
How To Style:
- Shampoo and condition with your favorite moisturizing set.
- Comb conditioner through with a wide tooth comb and rinse.
- Scrunch hair dry as wrapping with the “turban” method pulls too much on the curl structure, hindering its bounce.
- Apply ample amounts of a curl defining cream and oil cocktail.
- Scrunch through product and air dry.
Recommended Products:
When it comes to unruly locks, I prefer the Sarya Key line. It is made with a superior quality shea butter. Not only does it weigh down rough cuticles, but it actually “feeds” the hair as well. Their shampoo and conditioner are perfect for the fussiest of locks!
Face Shape & Hair Texture:
This is for all African American women. No matter the length or face shape, it feels good to go “au natural”!