Kayla Young
Short is the new long. No longer relegated to those over 40, updated versions of short layered haircuts are all the rage at the moment.
Whether it’s a stacked bob, pixie cut, or a mix of different styles, adding disconnected layers will give your look a bit of an edge, add volume, or even de-bulk really thick hair.
And what’s not to love about the easier styling?! While not every short choppy layered cut is wash-and-go, it’s a lot less hair to deal with, so these hairstyles will significantly cut down on styling time.
There are short choppy layered haircuts to suit every hair type and face shape.
Still not convinced?
We’ve put together some short choppy layered style ideas for your inspiration, so you can decide if you want to go for something edgy, androgynous, or feminine.
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Short Choppy Layered Haircuts
With a shorter cut, there’s no hiding behind your hair. So it’s important to choose a style that will not only accentuate your best features but match your personality.
If you’re unsure of which style is right for you, opt for longer layers that offer a bit more versatility, so you still have the option of changing it up if you don’t want to commit to one look.
So grab your pomade, wax, or texturizing spray and have a look at 20 of our favorite short choppy layered haircuts.
#1. Wavy Choppy Bob for Fine Hair
Choppy layers make fine hair look a lot thicker. A blonde balayage color that goes from dark to light helps create a sense of depth and added texture.
Waves also add the appearance of more volume to fine hair.
#2. A-Line Bob with Long Layers
A bit apprehensive about getting short layers on long hair? This A-line bob cut has the styling of long hair, but the manageability of a shorter length.
Choppy layers and the steep A-line cut can add a ton of volume to thin hair, or conversely take a lot of bulk and weight out of extremely thick hair.
Since you’re still leaving some length around your face, it’s not quite as intimidating as some other shorter styles.
#3. No-Fuss Pixie
The super-short pixie is super cute if you can pull it off.
It’s pretty much as close as you can get to wash-and-go, super low maintenance. Lots of little choppy layers take the guesswork out of styling, not to mention will save you loads on styling and hair care products.
#4. Sculpted Pixie
Still super short on the sides and back, this pixie has slightly longer layers on the top than the “no-fuss pixie” to allow you a bit more leeway for styling.
Despite being such a short hairstyle, it has loads of styling options. Side-swept, styled forward, spiked, slicked back or just au Naturelle, this cut can achieve lots of different looks.
#5. Choppy Undercut for Thick Hair
Tired of wrestling with crazy-thick hair and often find yourself swearing in the mirror saying: “one of these days I’m just going to shave it all off”?
Well, you don’t have to go that far. Ideal for those with super thick hair who have had enough, or just need a major style change, this edgy cut features chunky, piecey layers over undercut sides and back.
Styled forward with thick choppy bangs, this choppy undercut is far from a last resort, and could likely be one of the best hair decisions you’ve ever made.
#6. Long Pixie
This is yet another version of the pixie, but unlike a lot of the pixies we’re featuring, instead of a longer front and shorter back, this version is more like a pixie mullet or wolf cut.
A short fringe is paired with lots of layers that graduate to about chin length in the back. Longer layered tendrils are styled in front of the ear. It’s a modern and stylish option, perfect for thinner hair.
#7. Choppy Pixie for Fine Hair
While fine hair can often look limp and lifeless with a long cut, choppy layers can make it look light and airy.
Lots of choppy layers will give fine hair fullness.
#8. Straight Cut Textured Bob
A straightforward yet sassy hairstyle, a straight cut textured bob gives a softer, more touchable look than the traditional blunt bob. Paired with face-framing textured bangs, this is a casual, go-anywhere style.
#9. Subtle Side-Swept Layers
Fine choppy layers go from longer layers in the front to shorter layers at the crown and shaved at the nape with a slight undercut at the sides.
Side-swept bangs with a deep side part give these subtle, not-too-chunky layers a delicate and elegant look. Ideal for thick or fine hair, and suitable for all ages.
#10. Chin-Length Choppy Bob
You can wear this short choppy bob hairstyle in two different ways. You can go with either a tousled and slightly wavy for a more casual feel, or blown out straight for a more sophisticated look.
#11. Sculpted Asymmetrical Pixie
A mixture of long and short angled choppy layers makes this a striking style.
Just be warned, this cut is going to require styling and product.
That said, it’s totally worth the little extra effort to achieve this look!
#12. Free-Form Asymmetrical Pixie
Another take on the asymmetrical pixie, but not quite as sculpted as the previous one. A little bit more haphazard choppy layers give this pixie a much more casual look.
That’s not to say you couldn’t style it sleek for different occasions, but unlike the sculpted asymmetrical pixie, you can get away with not spending loads of time styling every time you wash.
#13. Curly Pixie
Curls look great in short choppy layered styles like this pixie cut. Shorter styles will have your curls perking up and being beautifully defined.
The short sides and back, paired with longer choppy layers on top, allow curls to cascade.
#14. Razored Stacked Bob
This razored stacked bob definitely makes a statement. All you need is a little texturizing spray and you’re good to go.
#15. Blue Pixie
Like to experiment with color, or always wanted to? A short choppy layered haircut is a great way to do that.
While having blue hair that goes halfway down your back may be a little bit over the top for everyday wear, you can actually get away with bright colors if you have short hair without it being too overwhelming.
In this case, less is definitely more!
#16. Undercut Pixie with Subtle Color
Maybe electric blue is not your style. That doesn’t mean you need to stick to the run-of-the-mill hair colors if you’re looking for a change.
And you by no means need to choose just one color!
This cut features a pewter lilac with lavender highlights. Despite neither of those being a hair color found in nature, they come together to make this cut surprisingly subtle and sophisticated, while at the same time ready for the concert, depending on how you dress them up.
The right colors (even non-traditional hair colors) on the right person can take them from the rave to the executive luncheon to the opera to the family barbeque.
#17. Choppy Layered Bob with Color and Shadow Roots
The choppy layers work fantastically well to accentuate highlights and lowlights. For this cut, the darker roots showcase the violet color to make this a style that will turn heads for all the right reasons.
#18. Side-Parted Stacked Bob
A deep side part is the perfect complement to a stacked bob. This is one of the haircuts that gives you lots of styling options because of the longer layers.
Blow out for a smooth, sleek, sophisticated look. Scrunch in some pomade, mousse or wax for the tousled, messy look.
Or use a large barrel curling iron for a soft, wavy look.
#19. Choppy Undercut with Long Side Swept Bangs
For rounder face shapes, adding some volume at the top and a few choppy layers at the fullest point of your face will reduce the roundness, as does a longer, sweeping side fringe.
#20. Short Choppy Layers
Having this many options might be a daunting prospect for some, especially for those thinking about going short for the first time. The best thing to do if you are thinking about getting a short choppy layered haircut and are unsure of what to choose or what will look best on you, schedule a consultation with your hairstylist to go over options.
He or she will be able to make suggestions based on your face shape, hair texture and lifestyle.
The right cut on the right face can look amazing, with almost no effort involved in keeping it up!
