How to Style Chin Length Hair

Co-authored by Michael Van den Abbeel

Last Updated: November 3, 2022 References

Chin-length hair is low-maintenance and stylish. Although chin-length hair is fairly short, that doesn’t mean it can’t be styled in a variety of ways. You can choose a style for your hair based on the occasion and mood. For example, for a laidback day with friends, you may want to go for beach waves. If you’re going to a party, slicked back hair is a sexy and cool look. Or, go for an updo for a formal and classy look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Styling a Wavy Look

1
Use rollers to create voluminous waves. Voluminous waves are great for a night out with friends or a formal event. It is a sexy and dramatic look. To get these waves, first part your hair to whichever side you prefer. Then, set your hair in 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) rollers. Leave the rollers in for at least 30 minutes. Finally, take out the rollers and keep the style in place by spraying your hair with a strong hold hairspray.^{[1]
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- If you're using rollers on damp hair, wait until the hair is completely dry—either through air drying or under a heated dryer—before removing the rollers.
2
Use a curling iron for tousled waves. Tousled waves are a lovely and laidback look, and they are easy to get. Begin with a heat protectant spray. Then, section your hair into 4 parts using ponytail holders or clips. Then, curl your first section of hair with a 1 inch (2.5 cm) curling wand. Repeat with the remaining 3 sections. Once all of your hair is curled, run your hands through your hair to separate the curls. You can use a wide-tooth comb if your hands don’t undo the curls enough. Finish with a hairspray to keep the waves from falling out.^{[2]
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- For added texture, use a finishing spray or salt spray.
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3
Create pinned curls for a throwback look to the 1920s. This style is great for a formal event. To get this look, begin by taking about a 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of your hair. Use your thumb and index finger to create a loop with that section of hair. Then, roll that loop upwards or downward into a spiral. Only roll up to the ears and keep all of your hair from the ears up sleek and smooth. Use a single-prong clip to keep each curl in place. Repeat on the rest of your hair until all of it is pin curls. Finish with hairspray to keep the pin curls in place.^{[3]
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- When you take the pin curls out, you will get beachy waves.
4
Use a small barreled curling iron for tight curls. To get a ringlet curl, hold the iron vertically rather than horizontally. Repeat on each section of hair until all of your hair is curled. Finish the look with a medium hold hair spray. ^{[4]
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- Use a straightener on your bangs or side bangs if you have them.
5
Use salt spray for textured waves. You can find a salt spray at most beauty supply stores. To use, spritz it into dry hair. Then, use your hands to “scrunch” your hair, which will add the textured waves. If you want to add volume to your roots, you can also apply a bit of spray to your roots and then use your fingers to tease your hair.^{[5]
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- If your ends feel dry, apply a leave-in conditioner to the tips of your hair.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating a Sleek Style

1
Begin with a blow dryer to get straight hair. After you wash and condition your hair, apply a shine serum to wet hair. Then, use the nozzle attachment that comes with most blow dryers to begin drying your hair. Hold the blow dryer facing down to create a sleek and straight blowout.^{[6]
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- Use an anti frizz shampoo and conditioner to help make your hair sleek.
- You can find a shine serum at any beauty supply store and most supermarkets with a beauty section.
- For fine-to-medium texture hair, use a round brush while blow-drying to create some additional volume. Place the round brush underneath the hair, and the dryer's nozzle above the hair. Using this technique you can roll the brush under the air to create curls or simply brush your hair straight.
2
Finish with a flat iron for sleek and straight hair. Once your hair is dry, divide it into 3 sections—a left, right, and back section. Then, apply a heat protectant cream or spray. Use a flat iron to straighten 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) sections of hair at a time. Repeat until all of your hair is straight. Finish the straightening process by using the cool setting on your dryer to set the style.^{[7]
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- You can tame flyaway strands by applying hairspray to a rat-tail comb or a toothbrush and brushing the strands down.
3
Slick back your hair. This wet-look style is a great choice for going out to a party or bar at night. Plus, it’s simple and easy to do. First, dampen your hair, and add a lot of gel to your hair. Then use a wide tooth comb to sweep your hair back. You should not have a part in your hair. If you added enough gel, you shouldn’t need to use hairspray.^{[8]
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4
Part your hair down the center. Parting your hair a different way can make it look like you have a new haircut. Start by straightening your hair if it’s not already straight. Then, use a thin comb to part it straight down the center of your head.^{[9]
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- This style probably won’t work for those who have bangs.
- Use a texture spray if you don’t want your hair completely flat and straight.
5
Get blunt bangs to bring new life to your chin-length haircut. Although the bangs will require maintenance, blunt bangs will give you a mod vibe without the effort. For a mod look, have your blunt bangs cut to where they fall just above or slightly below your eyebrows. Them, simply straighten your hair, brush out your bangs, and you’re good to go.^{[10]
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6
Wear straightened hair with a thick headband. This look takes little to no effort and will look cute with any casual outfit. Simply straighten your hair with a hair straightener and brush it back. Then, choose a headband, put it on, and you’re done!^{[11]
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- If you have bangs, this is a way to try out a new style and get them out of your face for a while.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Choosing an Updo

1
Try a half-up half-down look. This is a good option if you can’t or don’t want to put your hair up all the way. Begin by taking 2 sections of hair from each side of your hair. Then, pull them back. Use a comb to gently backcomb them in order to tease them slightly. Then, secure with a pin or clip.
2
Do a French braid on both sides of your head. This look will look beautiful whether you dress it up or down. Begin by parting your hair down the center or on the side. Then do a French braid about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the hairline and continue until you reach your neck. Then, repeat it on the other side. Pin the ends to keep the braids in place.
3
Pin your hair at the nape of the neck. This is a good choice if your hair isn’t long enough to pull back in a ponytail. Pull the longest parts of your hair to the back of your head—as if you were gathering hair for a ponytail. Then, cross 2 sections of hair from either side of your head over each other and pin them. Fan out the bottom of your hair and flick it around the ears.
4
Put your hair up in a bun . For a sleek bun, begin by gathering all of your hair and brushing it back. Use a hair band to secure a small ponytail. Then, use a comb to tease the ponytail. Divide the ponytail into 2 sections and twist them into half circles. Use bobby pins to secure the bun. Finish by applying hairspray to hold the style.
- You can also put up a casual bun by first gathering your hair into a small ponytail and then wrapping a hair band around the ponytail until it creates a small, messy bun.
- A texturizing spray will also help your hair stay in a bun.

Community Q&A

Question

What are some good mid-length hairstyles long or short for a right side part?

sweet clementine

Community Answer

How to style chin length hair? It depends on your face shape. If you have a longer face, I would recommend putting your hair up, but if you are insecure about showing your entire face, you could leave some short hair parts in front of your face and curl it slightly. If you have a shorter and smaller face, leaving your hair down is a nice option.

Warnings

Apply a heat protectant spray or cream before using a heat styling product or your hair will get damaged over time.

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