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The 18 Best Haircuts for Straight Hair, According to Hairstylists

bobs, butterflies and pixies

best haircuts for straight hair uni
Taylor Hill/Contributor/Todd Williamson/NBC/Contributor/Michael Loccisano/Staff/Getty Images

Anyone with stick-straight hair knows it’s a challenge. You can never just roll out of bed good to go, because everything looks limp. If, like me, you’re intimidated by the prospect of styling your hair, I’ve got you covered. Below, hairstylists gave me the scoop on 18 of the best haircuts for straight hair. Some need nothing more than a rough blow dry, while others require more involved styling if you’re feeling ambitious. So whether you have coarse, frizzy hair and need a diffuser or ultra-fine and thin strands, here are the best haircuts for straight hair to bring to your stylist, from the butterfly cut to the classic bob.

Meet the Experts:

  • Marilisa Sears, has been in the industry for over 25 years. During this time, she’s done everything from fashion shows for DSquared, Versace, Izzy Camilleri and Mikhael Kale to artistic direction for Marc Anthony Hair Care and L'Orèal. Sears’s portfolio also includes red carpet work, music videos and advertising campaigns for the likes of Nike, Samsung, MAC Cosmetics, Roots and  Cadillac Fairview. She counts Meg Donnelly, Anna Wintour, Justin Bieber, Fergie, Eva Longoria, and Tilda Swinton among her clients.
  • Jeannetta Walker-Rodgers is a hairstylist, colorist and hair extensionist. Walker-Rodgers is currently the global technical director of haircare brand Joico. With 20 years in the industry, she is a Certified Master Colorist and Texture Expert.
  • Jennifer Korab is the owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa and Revival Barber Shop in New Jersey. Korab has extensive experience working at New York Fashion Week and celebrity photo shoots.
  • Nicholas Taylor is an extension and color specialist and Oribe beauty ambassador. Taylor’s work has appeared in film and television, in addition to red carpets and editorials. He is based in New York City, styling clients alongside celebrity stylist Ruben Colon at New Collective NY.

The 35 Best Haircuts for Wavy Hair


First, What Type of Straight Hair Do You Have?

For celebrity hairstylist Marilisa Sears, everything starts with understanding your hair type. “There is fine straight hair, which tends to sit a little limp and gets oily quickly. There is also medium density straight hair, which has a bit of body to it. Finally, there is coarse straight hair, which does not hold a curl. Some straight hair has no bend, while other types have a bit of softness to them,” she explains. “Knowing this information is crucial because there is no hiding mistakes with straight hair. While curls and waves offer some forgiveness, every poorly executed snip will be visible in straighter stands, so you want to make sure the ends and any layers are diffused in a way that they blend in.”

How to Ask for the Exact Style You Want

The most effective way to ensure you get the cut you want? Bring reference photos to your appointment. “Words can easily be misconstrued, but visuals never are. Not only do visuals help us talk through the look with you, but they can also help a stylist recreate a version of a look that best suits your hair type,” she adds.

How to Style Straight Hair: Tips for Maintaining Shine and Texture

No one wants a head of dull-looking locks. To keep your hair smooth and glossy, follow these steps. First, prep your hair with a mousse if you want a root lift and some heat protectant. Then, Brook advises blow drying your hair with a paddle brush (adds sleekness) or round brush (adds movement). Drying hair in sections will ensure a polished result. “If you want added movement, wrap sections of hair around a curling iron or flat iron for loose waves, then brush them out for a softer effect,” she says. Finish with a serum to tame flyaways and frizz while adding shine. I also always top off with texture spray for added volume so that as my hair inevitably falls throughout the day, I still maintain some body.

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Pierre Suu/Getty Images

1. Rounded Bob

  • What to Ask For: Request a blunt bob that sits just below the chin with a slight bend at the ends for volume. Mention that you want a rounded shape that works well with straight hair.

A bob never goes out of style, and this one is decidedly has a stamp of approval from none other than Anna Wintour. Ask your stylist for a center-parted blunt bob that sits just beneath your chin. “Let them know that you want to be able to wear your bob straight with a voluminous bend toward the bottom,” advises Rodgers. I had this haircut for ten years, and my favorite easy styling hack was to blow dry it upside down for instant volume. However, if you want a truly low-maintenance cut, you should probably avoid the bob since it doesn’t look great without a little styling.

best haircuts for straight hair blunt lob
Rachel Luna/Getty Images

2. Blunt Lob

  • What to Ask For: Ask for a lob (long bob) that falls just above your shoulders with a blunt edge for a sleek finish. Emphasize that you want strong, straight lines without layers.

Here, Kiernan Shipka models a blunt cut that’s great for fine to medium fine hair, as it’ll create an illusion of hair density. “It could poof out a bit too much if you have coarser straight hair,” cautions Sears. (In that case, she recommends keeping the ends longer). “Otherwise, ask for a classic blunt cut with strong edges and in one length,” she says. If you want to add some texture, grab a curling iron or straightener to add some easy waves. (Utah curls, anyone?)

best haircuts for straight hair invisible layers
Amy Sussman/Getty Images

3. Invisible Layers

  • What to Ask For: Request subtle, invisible layers throughout the interior of your hair that add movement without disrupting the blunt exterior. Mention that you want the layers to blend seamlessly.

Jennifer Aniston is the poster child for this type of cut—consider it a natural evolution of “The Rachel”. As Karob explains, “Invisible layers are mostly done on the interior of the hair, which will help add texture and movement without making the layers too visible.” If you have thick hair, you can apply an air-dry hair product to quickly define your cut and control frizz. Thin-haired folks will want to opt for a root-lifting product, like mousse, blow dry and finish with texture spray for maximum volume.

best haircuts for straight hair full bangs
Amy Sussman/Getty Images

4. Full Bangs

  • What to Ask For: Ask for full bangs that graze just below the eyebrows, ensuring they are thick enough to create a statement but not so heavy that they overpower your face.

“Bangs work great on clients with straight hair especially those who have a larger forehead. Simply put, bangs also have the power to make anyone look high fashion,” says Taylor. Tip: To add more volume to your fringe, rake some mousse through your roots before you blow dry your hair. Best for those with thick hair, as finer strands may not be able to support the shape created by this haircut.

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5. Curtain Bangs

  • What to Ask For: Request curtain bangs that frame the face, starting shorter in the middle and gradually getting longer towards the sides. Mention that you’d like them to blend naturally into the rest of your hair.

“We’re still in our curtain bang era, and they’re here to stay for the foreseeable future. When cut correctly, curtain bangs can accentuate facial features, add life to limp strands and even make a simple ponytail or topknot look better,” says Taylor. Similarly to full bangs, those with thinner hair will want to skip, or, if you’re hellbent on the look, take celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez’s advice. She previously told me: “[Have your stylist cut] into the center of the bangs, creating texture within the length of the ends. The idea is that shorter hair pushes longer hair. Those shorter strands will push the bang into the shape and allow for an effective curtain shape.”

best haircuts for straight hair side-swept bangs
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6. Side-Swept Bangs

  • What to Ask For: Ask for side-swept bangs that start deeper on one side, creating a dramatic swoop. Let your stylist know you want volume at the roots to keep them looking full.

“Ask your stylist for volume! Straight, fine hair doesn’t mean you have to wear it that way. Look at Saoirse Ronan—she rocks texture and volume. To get a similar effect, ask your stylist for a deep side swept bang that will help with creating lift in the front,” says Wiley. She also recommends spraying a volumizing product like Pureology Levitation Mist on damp hair and blow drying it in with a round brush before setting it with a Velcro roller.

best haircuts for straight hair pageboy pixie
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7. Pageboy Pixie

  • What to Ask For: Request a pixie cut with full bangs that sweep across your forehead and slightly longer, tousled pieces on top. Ask to keep the sides closely cropped to maintain structure.

Prefer a short cut? Take a cue from Ginnifer Goodwin and try a pageboy pixie. With full bangs and plenty of tousled texture up top, it’s a chic option that gives you built-in volume. Just make sure to keep the sides closely cropped to keep things from getting too puffy.

best haircuts for straight hair asymmetrical bob
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8. Asymmetrical Bob

  • What to Ask For: Ask for an asymmetrical bob that is slightly shorter on one side, with a sharp, defined line. Let your stylist know you want the longer side to graze your jawline.

“Asymmetrical cuts on straight hair always make a statement, as Rihanna demonstrates to great effect,” says Taylor. This cut gives straight hair a structured line creating bluntness, making the hair look thicker and fuller.

best haircuts for straight hair a line bob
Todd Williamson/NBC/Contributor/Getty Images

9. A-Line Bob

  • What to Ask For: Request an A-line bob that is shorter in the back and gradually longer towards the front. Emphasize that you want a soft, smooth gradient that follows the shape of your jaw.

Similar vibe, but subtler, the A-line bob is cut ever so slightly shorter in the back and gets gradually longer in the front. This style looks best on straight hair because you can actually see the soft gradient. “To style the cut at home, you can use products like dry shampoo to add lift at the root. You can also flip that hair to a heavy side part to add a nice flip with volume to change up the style of the cut,” says Karob.

best haircuts for straight hair textured bob

10. Textured Bob

  • What to Ask For: Ask for a bob that’s layered with texture throughout, focusing on light, face-framing layers. Let your stylist know you’d like the ends to be slightly choppy for a more relaxed look.

Whereas the previous bobs I’ve mentioned are on the sleeker, blunter side, Taylor Swift’s is more layered and textured. Topped with forehead grazing fringe, the entire cut frames her face from every angle. Again, the sweet spot for a bob falls at or just below the chin because it creates the illusion of width and volume.

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11. Shullet

  • What to Ask For: Request a shullet with plenty of layers throughout, combining the shaggy top of a shag with the longer back of a mullet. Let your stylist know you want the cut to have a modern, polished finish.

A cross between a shag and mullet, the shullet (also referred to as “the wolf cut” on TikTok) offers plenty of texture and bulk to finer strands. Follow Miley’s lead and keep the cut polished and shiny by working a styling cream through the mid-lengths and ends before blow drying it smooth.

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Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

12. Diffused Lob

  • What to Ask For: Ask for a lob that’s slightly longer at the front with diffused, feathered ends. Mention that you’d like a cut that retains some movement and texture without obvious layers.

“Denser, thicker straight hair does well with diffused ends. When the edges are diffused, it gives it a bit of texture, giving the cut a bit of movement where there is none. This cut needs a bit of polish due to the thickness of the hair, so I like to blow it out when it’s half damp,” says Sears.

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13. Smullet

  • What to Ask For: Request a shorter version of the shullet that falls at or just above your shoulders. Ask for plenty of layers that create a tousled, casual texture.

Similar idea as “the shullet,” but shorter all around. The ideal length for a smullet falls just at or above your shoulders to give it more of a lob look.

best haircuts for straight hair mixie

14. Mixie

  • What to Ask For: Ask for a mixie cut that combines the length of a mullet with the shorter, cropped top of a pixie. Let your stylist know you want a strong contrast between the front and back lengths.

A mixie is an edgier haircut that’s longer in the back, like a mullet, and shorter in the front, like a pixie—basically, it’s a mullet meets pixie.

best haircuts for straight hair swept-over pixie

15. Swept-Over Pixie

  • What to Ask For: Request a pixie cut with longer pieces on top that can be swept over to one side, and shorter, tapered sides. Mention that you want the top to have plenty of volume.

You want to make sure you don't have too much length on the sides of your head, and instead keep more length up top. This haircut draws the eyes up the face and emphasizes volume at the crown of your head.

best haircuts for straight hair deep side-part pixie
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16. Deep Side-Part Pixie

  • What to Ask For: Ask for a pixie with a deep side part and longer bangs that sweep across the forehead. Let your stylist know you want the sides closely cropped for a sleek, modern look.

With a deep side part, longer pieces on top and cropped sides, this cut adds instant volume to straighter strands. All you need is a little pomade or styling cream to keep the ends polished.

best haircuts for straight hair: lily collins sports the micro bob
Michael Loccisano/Staff/Getty Images

17. Micro Bob

  • What to Ask For: Request a blunt bob that sits just below the chin with rounded, beveled ends. Mention that you’d like a cut that adds a bit of volume around the bottom to create fullness.

PureWow Beauty & Cultures Editor Chelsea Candelario decaled the micro bob one of the year’s hottest haircuts. As the name suggests, the cut falls just above the traditional bob, grazing the jawline or slightly higher. It’s also super versatile, with Candelario reporting that all face shapes can rock the cut because it’s easy for the stylist to adjust to your features. Cut correctly, a micro bob can soften the sharper features of a square face and accentuate cheekbones and balance heart and oval faces. Round faces should opt for a longer micro bob, which will give a slimming effect.

best haircuts for straight hair butterfly haircut
Taylor Hill/Contributor/Getty Images

18. Butterfly Haircut

  • What to Ask For: Request shorter layers around the face that will maintain volume. Bring in reference photos that show the desired end length, whether it’s the butterfly bob, a long cut, curly cut or you need something specific for color-treated hair.

If you have long, thick, straight hair, the butterfly haircut is a great option as the layers will help take some weight out of your hair. It’s a flexible hairstyle that can be cut at varying lengths, including the “butterfly bob” and tailored to curly hair types. When it comes to styling, a rough blow dry and dab of hair oil work wonders if you’re pressed for time. But if you want to go all-out, you can’t go wrong with a proper blowout and voluminous updo.

Additional Experts

  • Jamie Wiley is an editorial hairstylist and CEO of Hair Boss, a professional’s education platform. Wiley is also global artistic director of Pureology in addition to serving as a brand ambassador for Babyliss and Living Proof. An industry leader, she has been featured in myriad publications, including American Salon, Beauty Launchpad, InStyle and Marie Claire.
  • Chaz Dean is a celebrity hairstylist, colorist and the founder of WEN hair and body care line. Dean has over 25 years of experience, and his salon has served the likes of Ming-Na Wen, Nicole Murphy, Gilles Marini, Alyssa Milano, Gwyneth Paltrow and others. WEN is also the winner of multiple QVC Beauty Awards.
  • Sunnie Brook is a professional hairstylist and Biolage global ambassador with 20+ years in the beauty business. As a previous salon owner and educator, Brook's client list is composed of a who's who of Hollywood: Elisabeth Moss, Hailey Bieber and Ashley Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

What haircut requires no styling?

Brook says that a blunt bob or lob (long bob) are two great no-styling options. “They naturally frame the face and keep their shape without needing daily styling,” she says. “For those with natural waves, a soft textured cut can bring out movement with little effort.”

Are layers good for straight hair?

“Layering straight hair is a way to add interest and movement to your cut,” Dean explains. “I would suggest mid to longer length textured layering versus choppy, shaggy layers. A lot of times the shaggy layers on straight hair makes for a flatter style that is hard to work with.”

What is the difference between texturizing and layering hair?

According to Brook, layering hair removes weight, adds movement and creates a defined shape. Dean explains that texturizing hair is a way to “soften” any hard lines created by layering. “As stylists, we texturize to soften and blend out those lines to create a seamless, flowy style, which often extends the life of your haircut if you choose to go longer in between seeing your stylist. It’s also a great technique that is used to remove excess bulk/density within the mid-shaft to the ends of your hair,” he adds.


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