Types of Haircuts for Women: 18 Cuts With Names
Knowing the types of haircuts for women by name makes a salon visit far easier. A photo helps, but when you can also say "a long bob with face-framing layers", your stylist knows exactly what you mean. This guide lists the main cuts by length, explains each briefly and notes who it suits.
Haircuts are described by three things: the length, the shape of the outline, and the layering. Bangs are a fourth option that can be added to almost any cut.
Types of haircuts for women at a glance
| Name | Length | What defines it |
|---|---|---|
| Buzz cut | Very short | Clipped to one short length all over |
| Pixie | Short | Short back and sides, longer on top |
| Bixie | Short | Between a pixie and a bob, softly layered |
| Crop | Short | Close cut with texture and a short fringe |
| Bob | Chin | One length around the jaw |
| French bob | Jaw | Short bob with a fringe and natural texture |
| A-line bob | Chin | Shorter at the back, longer at the front |
| Stacked bob | Chin | Graduated layers at the back for volume |
| Lob | Collarbone | A long bob |
| Shag | Any | Many layers, crown volume, usually a fringe |
| Wolf cut | Medium | A shaggier, choppier mix of shag and mullet |
| Long layers | Medium to long | Layers starting below the chin |
| Face-framing layers | Any | Shorter pieces around the face |
| Blunt cut | Any | One length with a sharp edge |
| U-cut | Long | Outline curves gently at the back |
| V-cut | Long | Outline comes to a point at the back |
| Curtain bangs | Fringe | Parted in the middle, swept to each side |
| Blunt bangs | Fringe | Cut straight across the forehead |
Short haircuts
Pixie. Short at the back and sides with length on top. It can be soft and wispy or sleek. See our pixie cut ideas. Bixie sits between a pixie and a bob and is a good first step toward short hair. A crop is closer and more textured, and a buzz cut is clipped to one length.
Short cuts suit people who want quick mornings and do not mind regular trims. Fine hair often looks fuller when it is short. More options are in short hairstyles for women.
Bobs and lobs
A bob is cut to one length around the jaw or chin. The French bob is shorter, usually with a fringe and a natural, slightly undone texture. An A-line bob angles from shorter at the back to longer at the front. A stacked or graduated bob has layers built up at the back for a rounded shape.
A lob, or long bob, ends at the collarbone. It is the most forgiving version: long enough to tie back, short enough to feel fresh. Bobs flatter most face shapes when the length is adjusted, ending below the jaw for round faces and at the chin for long faces.
Medium and layered cuts
Long layers begin below the chin and add movement without thinning the ends. Face-framing layers are shorter pieces at the front. A shag has many layers, volume at the crown and usually a fringe, and works best on hair with natural wave. The wolf cut is a choppier, more dramatic relative of the shag.
Our guide to medium length layered haircuts shows how these look at shoulder length and which hair types they suit.
Long cuts and outlines
Long hair is described mostly by its outline. A blunt cut is one length with a sharp edge and looks thickest. A U-cut curves softly at the back. A V-cut comes to a point and removes weight from thick hair. Any of these can be combined with long layers. See long hairstyles for women for examples.
Types of bangs
- Curtain bangs: parted in the center and swept aside. The easiest to wear and grow out.
- Wispy bangs: light and see-through. Good for fine hair.
- Blunt bangs: thick and straight across. A strong look that needs regular trims.
- Side-swept bangs: longer and brushed to one side. Soft and flattering.
- Micro bangs: very short, well above the brows. Bold and high-maintenance.
How to choose
Start with how much time you want to spend styling and how often you will go back for a trim. Then consider your hair type: fine hair suits blunt lines, thick hair suits layers, curls need to be cut dry. Face shape is the last adjustment, handled by where the length ends and whether you add bangs.
Bring photos, use the names above, and ask your stylist what they would change for your hair. For general hair care, the American Academy of Dermatology has clear tips for healthy hair.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of haircuts for women?
By length: pixie and crop (short), bob and lob (chin to collarbone), layered and shag cuts (medium), and blunt, U-shaped or V-shaped cuts (long).
What is the difference between a bob and a lob?
A bob ends around the jaw or chin. A lob, or long bob, ends at the collarbone.
What is a bixie haircut?
A cut between a bob and a pixie: shorter than a bob, longer and softer than a pixie, with light layers.
What is the difference between a shag and layers?
Layers can be subtle and long. A shag uses many layers throughout, with volume at the crown and usually a fringe.
Which haircut is lowest maintenance?
A lob or long layers. Both grow out gracefully and need a trim only every eight to twelve weeks.
