These smart haircuts are effortless enough for everyday.
By
- Nikhita Mahtani
April 29, 2024
Styling your hair can be a time-consuming process, even if you don’t wash it every single day. On busy mornings, you may find yourself giving up altogether and just sticking it in a messy bun. And while that’s valid, opting for an easy-to-style haircut can simplify your morning routine and help keep you looking put-together (sans effort). If you need help determining exactly what constitutes a low-maintenance haircut, keep reading. Here, we’re sharing 20 of our favorites for every hair type and texture.
20 Easy-to-Style Haircuts to Consider
1. Shaggy bob
Textured hair tends to require some manipulation, but if you’re looking for a low-maintenance haircut for wavy hair, consider a shaggy bob. The short layers add instant texture and volume, ensuring your enviable texture doesn’t fall flat throughout the day.
2. Long layers
You may not think of long layers as an easy-upkeep haircut, but it can be—so long as you give it the care it needs. When you lather up, we suggest opting for a haircare system designed to help strengthen your mane, such as the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Restoring Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Super Detangler Conditioner. This duo helps to seal split ends and strengthen hair for long, healthy-looking strands.
3. Chin-length bangs
Chin bangs are a low-maintenance (and grown-out) version of curtain bangs. While the latter requires frequent trims and styling to maintain their iconic look, chin bangs are a longer, more manageable variation that rivals the face-framing layers. They can be styled in a number of different ways, on a number of different hair types—and if you want to forgo styling entirely, you can easily tuck them behind your ears.
4. ‘70s shag
The classic shag is among our favorite low-maintenance haircuts for wavy and curly hair. This textured cut is heavy on the layers, which help create body, shape, and movement while minimizing unwanted bulk.
On wash day, be sure to give your curls plenty of moisture with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner. The hyaluronic acid-infused duo gently cleanses, plumps, and helps lock in moisture for up to 72 hours, leaving your strands bouncy and full of shine.
5. Wavy lob
The wavy lob is universally flattering for many different hair types and (in our opinion) one of the best easy-to-style haircuts. While most short haircuts require frequent trims to maintain their shape, the lob is far more forgiving The trick to getting your lob to grow out seamlessly while maintaining its shape is to keep the back a little shorter than the front pieces. As it grows, your lob won’t look boxy or shapeless.
6. Short choppy layers
If you have thick hair and want to remove some bulk, consider an easy short haircut with lots of choppy layers. The layers will help create movement and remove weight so your hair can dry naturally without becoming puffy or dense-looking.
7. Curly lob
If you have thin, curly hair, consider opting for a long bob that hits around your collarbone. Styling this easy-to-maintain haircut is simple: all you need is a curl-enhancing gel or cream to help define your natural texture. We suggest L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-In Conditioner, as it hydrates and helps enhance curls without any weigh-down. Just work it into damp hair after showering then let your strands dry naturally.
[carousel: L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-In Conditioner]
8. Layered bixie cut
The bixie cut falls somewhere between a pixie cut and a bob (hence the name). This low-maintenance short haircut is flattering on a wide range of hair types and textures and can easily be customized to flatter your face shape. If your hair tends to lack volume, consider working the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse throughout your hair before letting it air-dry naturally.
9. Octopus cut
Those seeking an edgy ‘do that doesn’t take a ton of effort (or product) to style in the morning should consider the octopus cut. The mullet-adjacent cut is intentionally worn a bit messy, so it’s among the best low-maintenance haircuts for those who favor a hands-off approach to styling.
10. Blunt cut
For a good haircut for thin hair, a blunt cut is a great way to fake the appearance of fuller strands. The level cut removes any signs of breakage and creates the illusion of bulk, causing hair to look denser and healthier. Additionally, the hair can easily maintain its shape as it grows, so it’s a great style if you’re looking to grow out your hair.
11. Minimal layers
If you favor longer haircuts, consider asking your stylist to add blended layers that start just above your shoulders. This easy-to-maintain haircut is ideal for those who are short on time because it grows out seamlessly and doesn’t require much effort to style (but it’s still long enough for that last-minute topknot on extra-hectic mornings).
12. French bob
A French bob is a short, chin-length cut with soft fringe and lots of airy, undone texture (and one of our favorite twists on the classic bob). Styling is almost effortless—once you train your bangs to sit where you’d like them to, you can just wash, condition, and air-dry your hair for the perfect tousled finish.
13. Angular lob
If you’re torn between keeping your hair longer or opting for a low-maintenance short haircut, consider an angular lob. This asymmetrical cut is shorter in the back and longer in the front and creates the illusion of having longer strands—but without the upkeep needed to maintain a lengthier cut.
14. Beachy waves
You may notice that many of the haircuts on this list fall into the “intentionally messy category,” and there’s a reason for that: If your hair is supposed to look tousled, a less-is-more styling approach will work in your favor. Such is the case with this layered cut, which features beachy waves that naturally frame the face. Wavy hair typically doesn’t need to be washed every day, but if you have an oily scalp, consider adding L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Pure Oil Erasing Serum for Oily Hair to your wash routine. The pre-shampoo treatment helps reduce excess oil on the scalp while hydrating your lengths for clean and shiny-looking strands.
15. Classic pixie
If you’ve never gone this short, you may need to work up the courage to ask your stylist for this one—but we promise, it’s worth it. The pixie cut is short, edgy, and unbelievably easy to style, thanks to the barely-there length that air dries in record time.
16. Shoulder-length layers
Shoulder-length layers are ideal for those who aren’t ready to commit to a pixie but want an easy-to-maintain haircut that has body and movement. You don’t need to do much to style, but if you want a tousled vibe, run a curling iron through your hair after blow-drying or air-drying it. The L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hair Spray - Unscented will help hold your waves in place without a stiff or sticky feel.
17. Curly cut
The curly cut is unique because it doesn’t describe a particular style, but rather, a technique. Typically, this cut involves carefully cutting and shaping curly hair when it’s dry to help create a flattering shape that shows off the hair’s natural texture without any unwanted fluffiness or poofiness. If you have curly hair and want a low-maintenance haircut, we suggest visiting a stylist well-versed in curly cuts for your next trim—you’ll be amazed at how much time the right haircut can shave off of your morning routine.
18. Short mullet
You’re already familiar with the classic mullet, and the short mullet is one of the easiest low-maintenance short haircuts to add to your list. The sides are very short like a pixie, while the top is lightly trimmed for neatness. As it grows out, the short style takes on a wolf cut-like shape, giving you body and texture without the need for repeat salon visits. To keep your mane looking fresh and airy, we suggest lathering up with a clarifying shampoo and conditioner, such as L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoo with Antioxidants and the coordinating Conditioner.
19. Tousled bixie
For an edgy twist on the classic bixie, consider opting for a choppy, layered bixie. The layers add pieciness and definition without tacking any time onto your styling routine. That being said, if you can spare a minute (or two) for products, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty. This matte putty adds texture and styles hair with medium hold sans unwanted shine or crunchy texture.
20. Bold buzz cut
We’ve saved the most low-maintenance short hairstyle for last on this list because, admittedly, it’s not for everyone. The buzz cut is as close to effortless as you can get without completely shaving your head, and even maintenance is easy provided you have a pair of electric clippers on hand. Aim to trim your hair once every three weeks or so to maintain its short-cropped length.
Next Up: 21 Easy Updos That Are Short Hair Approved
