8 Easy Ways To Refresh Your Short Haircut for Summer

Summer is the perfect season for short hair, and this year, everyone ran to the salon for a trim. Whether you are leaning toward a French bob or a layered pixie, the inspiration is seemingly endless. And really, why not opt for the style? When the weather is hot and sticky, no one wants to deal with a sagging ponytail, messy bun, or hair glued to the nape of your neck.

If you’ve had short hair for any length of time, you already know that—as fun as it is—it can feel a little one-note. Ahead of peak season, we spoke with expert hairstylists to share their tips to freshen up the most popular short haircuts for the summer. Between styling tools, accessories, regular trims, and assorted products, your shag, bixie, buzz, or lob will stay looking chic and have you feeling cool.

This classic chin-length cut has multiple options for giving it a summery look. “It’ll look stylish and fun if you apply sea salt spray and let it air dry for a heatless style,” suggests Raven Hurtado, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. Alternately, she recommends using a waver product to create beach waves in your bob. If you prefer to heat style, Hayley Heckmann suggests “using a 3-pronged waver to give your bob a beachy, summer flair.”

Last but not least, if your bob doesn’t already include bangs, that’s yet another way to change it up for the season. So classic.

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Pixie

A pixie cut is feminine but still keeps things closely cropped. Nick Arrojo, the founder of Arrojo NYC Salon, tells us, “In summer, it’s all about keeping things light and lived-in. Add some choppy layers or a bit of piecey texture to give a pixie that effortless, air-dried look.”

If you find your pixie getting frizzy from humidity, you address it during styling. “If your pixie is having major frizz freak-outs, try using a wax stick to apply product precisely and hold those pesky flyaways in place,” says Heckmann.

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Bixie

In between the pixie and the bob is the bixie cut, which has more length than a pixie but less than a bob. “To keep your bixie fresh for summer, try to get trims regularly,” says Hurtado. “I recommend as often as every couple of weeks or so to maintain the layers. You can also show off the natural texture over the summer (since humidity can enhance it) and use products that’ll minimize frizz like creams and oils.”

If your bixie is feeling flat, Heckmann suggests adding body with the TRESemmé A-List Dry Texturizing Spray. “It gives your cut the perfect balance of volume and shape without weighing down strands,” she adds.

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Lob

A long bob can be intentional, or it can be the result of not trimming your bob for a length of time. “Is your bob growing out, and you forgot how to style your hair? Try using a smaller barrel curling wand (one-inch and below) to give your shorter strands bouncy ends,” Heckmann advises.

Hurtado says it’s all about accessories to keep the lob exciting for summer. “Wear accessories such as a classic headband or a jeweled bobby pin to keep hair out of your face during the summer months,” she adds.

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Afro

This natural haircut is all about volume, but it can be hard to achieve exactly the texture you want when the temps are high. “Summer humidity can make curl definition tricky, so shaping the afro with a soft taper helps maintain balance while letting the texture shine,” suggests Arrojo. He uses his brand, ARROJO Curl Control, to define and moisturize curls without weight. If you’re happy with your afro but looking to jazz it up a touch, Heckmann suggests letting your hair be the main character and accessorizing with headbands and clips for the summer.

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Shag

This edgy cut is full of heavy bangs and choppy layers, so it can grow out all too quickly. “For a summer fresh style with a shag cut, keep the length and layers fresh by getting a trim and keeping ends healthy,” says Hurtado. “You can use moisturizing products with UV protection to protect hair from dryness and sun damage, and a diffuser to add texture for a summer style.”

Heckmann instructs those looking to spruce up their shag to use texturing spray. “[This will] add a small amount of structure to your strands, allowing you to intentionally place strands for an unintentional effect,” she explains.

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Buzz

This shaved look might not seem like it has much in the way of change that would be possible for summer, but you’d be surprised! “The buzz cut always looks sharp, but for summer, you can play with subtle fades or even a bold tone-on-tone color to make it feel fresh,” says Arrojo. He notes that the look of a buzz cut is “clean, cool, and incredibly easy to maintain.”

Heckmann adds that you can use a bonding oil to keep those short hairs in the best possible shape for growth, should you be starting anew and on your way to a different cut with any length.

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Pageboy

Best described as a short bob cut with wispier front pieces, a pageboy can take well to a curling iron to give it a different appearance. “Create extra bounce by using a blow dryer and round brush to gently blow out your bangs, curling the brush inwards towards your face to create the perfect bouncy fringe,” suggests Heckmann.

Arrojo agrees, explaining that “a little wave or texture through the ends gives it a looser, more playful vibe.” He also recommends pairing the cut with bangs for a different take. “To make the pageboy summer-ready, soften the edges and add a curtain bang or micro-fringe,” he adds.