26 Short, Edgy Haircut Ideas For Those Who Want a Bold Look

Short hair is having a moment right now. And when it comes to shorter lengths, there are so many styles to choose from. There's the ever-popular bob (which continues to reign supreme this year), but there are also equally cool options like precise pixies and sleek mushroom cuts. All of these short hairdos have an inherent edgy, bold feel and can be adapted for every hair type. Ahead, we've rounded up 26 stunning examples of short, edgy haircuts worth considering.

Effortless Waves

This effortless, wavy bob showcases the beauty of a "less is more" approach. For straighter hair types, invest in a great texture spray to enhance the undone texture and add movement.

Modern Bowl

The mid-90s "bowl" cut is returning with new reverence. Delicate, choppy ends and sleek, glossy hair give this retro haircut a modern feel.

Piecey Pixie

Pixies are such a classic short style. Opting for piecey ends and fringe can add versatility to the timeless look.

Airy Pixie

Sabrina Elba's take on a pixie features a piecey fringe in the front and a bit more length in the back. It's a sophisticated, elegant style—fitting for someone as chic as the S'able Labs founder.

Curls Galore

When you have curly hair and a tapered haircut, leaving length up top will allow your natural texture to really pop. Apply a soft hold hair gel, like Oribe's Curl Gelée ($44), and scrunch it into your hair with your fingers. Use a diffuser to set and volumize your curls.

Retro Remix

Karrueche's edgy haircut takes cues from several decades. Her 'do mixes mini pin curl sideburns, blunt 1920s bangs, and the most delicately elongated, wispy-ended shullet you've ever seen.

Styled Pixie

Thick hair is the perfect playground for a pixie cut. The chic short haircut is easy to style and maintain on all fronts. You may need to trim more often, but you won't be sitting in the chair for long.

Blunt Pixie

Having a hard-edged cut is daring, to say the least. But we'd expect nothing less from a hair chameleon like Doja Cat. To add to the edge, give your short haircut a brushed, jagged finish in the front.

Bouncy Blowout

Shorter haircuts often result in a fuller, voluminous look. This bouncy blowout falls graciously into its classic bob shape, but the extra-long fringe to contrast makes the style stand out. Using a hot brush on shorter 'dos will help you achieve this volumized bob in minimal time.

Micro Bob

The micro bob is a super flattering haircut that will highlight your cheekbones, jawline, eye shape, and lips. Cropping the hair so high up is punchy and daring. Add a baby bang to elevate the bold look further.

Plopped Bob

Wavy hair has a mind of its own, but styling it starts with finding the proper drying method. The plopping method is one way to dry and scrunch your wave pattern into place. With this look, it's all about leaning into your natural texture and letting the waves fall where they may.

Retro Waves

By keeping extra length on top in your pixie cut, you're leaving room to play with styling in a fun and edgy way. These brushed-out retro waves are easy to replicate. First, blow dry with a heat protectant and root lifting product, making sure to use a brush or your fingers to hold up those roots while you dry. Then, use a one-inch barrel curling iron or hot rollers to roll small sections of that top length forward in an angled direction. Once cool, brush out those waves until they join in unison for a cohesive, retro wave pattern.

Effortless Punk Pixie

Nothing says edgy like a punk rock haircut. To achieve a style that gives "I woke up like this" vibes, work R+Co's Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste ($29) into your hair to soak up those natural oils while giving the hair a little grit and separation.

Angelic Accessories

The shorter your length, the edgier it gets. To balance the look, throw on a delicate, angelic headband or bejeweled accessory. Here, Janelle Monae perfectly showcases how to accessorize a pixie cut.

Sassoon Swoon

Short cuts like this rose in popularity in the '60s, thanks to British hairstylist Vidal Sassoon. His geometric shapes and heavily angled cuts (like the one Zendaya is sporting) completely revolutionized the bob, and its influence remains today.

Choppy Layers

Adding choppy layers to a pixie will make your haircut all the more striking. It brings tons of movement and volume to the hair. Leaving the longer sideburns is another fun way to play up the movement of your layers and length.

Natural Shape

Amandla Stenberg's coils are gorgeous, so there's not much styling needed. To achieve a similar look, all you need to do is use an edge control to slick down the front of your hair.

Natural Bouffant

Bouffants are a timeless hairstyle. Working with textured hair to recreate the style makes it all the more modern, edgy, and powerful. Case in point: Lupita Nyong'o's sculpted style.

Buzz Cut

There are various ways to go bold with your buzz cut. Adding designs and playing with parting can break up the gradation of your fade. The best part is, outside of regular trips to your barber, little to no maintenance is required here.

Volumized Pixie

A volumized pixie has a fresh, fun feel. When blowing your hair out, use volumizing products like the John Frieda Volume Lift Air Whipped Foam ($12) to achieve the most voluminous result.

Finger Waves

Finger waves are a beautiful sculpted style, and Zendaya's take is stunning. To replicate this look on short hair, check out this step-by-step guide to creating finger waves.

Undercut Bob

Undercuts add an unexpected edge to any look but pair especially well with a bob. To turn up the notch on your cut's cool factor, let that undercut be visible and play with the gradient fade. Bring this photo of Taraji P. Henson to your appointment as inspiration.

The Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn is the epitome of classic glamour; therefore, any haircut or hairstyle she's ever worn is guaranteed never to go out of style. Her makeover in the film Roman Holiday, where she chops off her tresses for a feminine pixie, still holds its weight. These soft bangs are nearly synonymous with the starlet.

Modern Shullet

It's not quite a mullet, and it's not quite a shag: it's a shullet. Heavy face-framing layers on stick-straight hair give this cut its signature sculpted shape. Razor cuts on straighter hair types can give your style that imperfect edge that keeps it modern.

Lasting Waves

It's all about shine, texture, and movement here. Sarah Murdoch's bob is incredibly glossy, and the bends throughout her hair give the look an effortless appeal. The over-directed side part is the perfect finishing touch.

Modern Side-Sweep

Side-swept bangs have been around forever, but when you're using the length of your entire bob to pull off a side-swept look, you're making the look way cooler. Curling your ends under will create a fun little flip that stands out more when you sweep the bob across. To keep the hair in place, rely on a matte pomade and the heat of your blowdryer.

Read the original article on Byrdie.