The Kindest Cut: 4 Cool Short Haircuts to Rock Now
In a culture that ties beauty to length, cutting it off is more than an aesthetic—it’s an act of care. A return to self, one inch at a time.
A Soft Rebellion
Colin Dancel
Short doesn’t mean less—it can mean freer. An ode to ‘90s boy bands, the boy bob is androgynous in spirit, but utterly feminine in its softness and ease. Slightly undone and effortlessly cool, it works with natural movement—straight, wavy, or somewhere in between. “This cut works particularly well on fine and thin hair types because its soft, blunt ends add volume,” says Cherry Reyes, CEO and lead stylist of Toni & Guy Philippines. A low-fuss style that leaves room for confidence to shine.
Tiffany Hardwear Medium Link Earrings in Yellow Gold and Hardwear Small Single Wrap Necklace in Yellow Gold.
The Warrior Bang
Colin Dancel
Precision meets strength in a look that doesn’t ask for permission. Zendaya’s 2018 Met Gala look—complete with crimson bob and micro-fringe—was a visual battle cry. Drawing inspiration from Albert Lynch’s painting of Joan of Arc, the style became a statement of power and presence. Chin-length hair with a sharp, ultra-short fringe may seem intimidating, but it’s surprisingly adaptable. “The bangs—the cut’s standout feature—can be made narrower or wider, depending on the features you want to
emphasize,” says Reyes.
Tiffany Elsa Peretti High Tide Earrings and Elsa Peretti Small Bone Cuff in Sterling Silver.
Shape Shifter
Colin Dancel
There’s power in choosing exactly how short you want to go. The pixie has long been shorthand for boldness, but today’s version feels more fluid, more individual. “When you say pixie, most of the time, [we think] ears out, very short [hair],” says Reyes. The cut may have first gained fame in the ’50s, but it became a symbol of change in the rebellious ‘60s. Today i’s all about shape and play—longer in the front, shorter in the back, or asymmetrical all over. Reyes brings the cut into modern territory by varying the lengths and recommending texturizing product for extra movement and control.
Tiffany Lock Narrow Bangle in White Gold with Half Pavé Diamonds, Loc Narrow Bangle in Yellow and White Gold with Half Pavé Diamonds, T T1 Narrow Diamond Hinged Bangle in Yellow Gold, Lock Bangle in Yellow and White Gold with Half Pavé Diamonds, and T T1 Narrow Diamond Hinged Bangle in Rose Gold.
Curl Power
Colin Dancel
No matter how you wear it, the message is clear: your hair, your rules. In a country once obsessed with chemically straightening hair, the recent movement to embrace one’s natural textures has been a long time coming. There’s a misconception that curly hair can’t be worn short or with bangs, but Glenda Eugenio of Toni & Guy proves otherwise, cutting the model’s wavy-curly hair and fringe even shorter
for the right shape. “You can either wear this curly or textured or straight,” says Reyes of the versatile style.
Tiffany Knot Drop Earrings in White Gold with Diamonds and Knot Double Row Necklace in White Gold with Diamonds.
Art direction by Nicole Almero. Beauty direction by Trina Epilepsia Boutain. Hair by Cherry Reyes and Glenda Eugenio of Toni & Guy Philippines. Makeup by Gery Penaso and Pong Niu. Modeled by Alexi Enriquez, Joanna Pojas, Marga Cortez of PMAP and Pat Cortez. Nails by Myrnelle Garcia of Extraordinail.
