Mandy Moore has long been an inspiration for women embracing short hairstyles. Whether she’s on the red carpet or casually out and about, her looks always exude effortless elegance, sass, and sophistication. As someone who’s rocked short hair for several years, I can tell you firsthand that short hairstyles allow for an endless variety of looks – from playful and messy to sleek and formal. Inspired by Mandy Moore’s ever-stylish short hair, I’ve put together 13 sassy hairstyles that will inspire you to try something new with your short locks.
Hairstyles Featuring Mandy Moore’s Short Hair
Short hair doesn’t mean limited options – in fact, it’s the perfect canvas for a variety of styles. After years of experimenting with my own short hair, I’ve found that these 13 styles, inspired by Mandy Moore, are ideal for showcasing your sassy side while keeping things fresh and easy to manage.
1. Short Messy Look
The short messy look is my go-to when I want that “just rolled out of bed but still chic” vibe. Inspired by Mandy’s carefree texture, this style is all about embracing volume and layers to create an effortless, tousled appearance. It’s perfect for casual days, whether you’re brunching with friends or just running errands.
Tips:
- Ideal for: All face shapes.
- How to Style: I typically use a good texturizing spray and scrunch my hair with my fingers to build volume and give it that lived-in, airy look. Don’t overthink it – the beauty is in the mess.
- Personal Experience: This look saved me countless times on mornings when I didn’t have time to fully style my hair. A little spray, a little scrunch, and suddenly I had the perfect messy yet chic look.
- Extra Tip: If your hair tends to fall flat, flip your head upside down and give it a quick shake for added volume.
2. Short Jagged Flirty
There’s something incredibly playful about the jagged, flirty layers that Mandy often wears. It gives the impression of effortless fun and adds tons of personality. The jagged layers create movement and texture, making it perfect for anyone looking to add some edge to their style.
Tips:
- Ideal for: Heart-shaped or oval faces.
- How to Style: I usually flick out the ends of my layers using a flat iron to emphasize the jagged, flirty effect. The key is to keep it imperfect – no straight lines here!
- Personal Experience: The first time I tried this, I was amazed by how much it transformed my look. It gave my short hair a sense of volume and playfulness that made me feel lighter and more youthful.
- Extra Tip: Use a light styling cream to keep the layers defined and maintain the fun, flirty shape throughout the day.
3. Short Casual Mussy
For those days when you just want to keep things relaxed and carefree, the casual mussy look is perfect. Mandy nails this style, and it’s one I’ve adopted for lazy weekends. It’s easy, quick, and still looks like you put in effort.
Tips:
- Ideal for: Round and oval faces.
- How to Style: I always blow-dry my hair with my fingers for this look, skipping the brush to maintain the natural texture. A little mousse gives it extra volume and helps hold the style without looking stiff.
- Personal Experience: I use this look almost every weekend. It’s perfect when I don’t want to spend a lot of time styling but still want my hair to look intentionally messy.
- Extra Tip: Refresh the style throughout the day by running your fingers through your hair to keep the texture alive.
4. Elegant Curly Formal
Mandy’s elegant curly formal hairstyle is the epitome of glam. I remember the first time I wore this style to a wedding – it made me feel effortlessly chic and put together. The soft curls add a touch of elegance, making it perfect for any special event.
Tips:
- Ideal for: Square or oval faces.
- How to Style: I use a curling wand to create loose curls, then gently comb through them for a softer, more romantic finish. Pin one side back for that extra bit of glam.
- Personal Experience: This is my go-to style for formal events. It always makes me feel like I’m stepping onto a red carpet. It’s elegant without being overly complicated, and I always get compliments.
- Extra Tip: Use a shine spray to give your curls a glossy, polished finish.
5. Short Graded Universal
This is the perfect look for those who love a no-fuss style that still looks refined. The short graded universal cut works for almost any occasion, and it’s versatile enough to go from casual to formal with just a few tweaks.
Tips:
- Ideal for: Oval and square faces.
- How to Style: I apply a smoothing serum to keep everything sleek and well-defined, which is crucial for maintaining the structure of the layers.
- Personal Experience: I often wear this style when I’m traveling. It’s easy to maintain, and with a little product, it can go from casual daytime to an evening dinner without needing to restyle.
- Extra Tip: Adding volume at the crown can help transition this style from day to night.
6. Short Straight Casual
For those who love sleek, polished styles, this short straight casual look is perfection. It’s an effortlessly clean style that doesn’t require much maintenance, making it ideal for everyday wear.
Tips:
- Ideal for: All face shapes.
- How to Style: I usually straighten my hair with a flat iron and apply a shine serum to keep it looking glossy and frizz-free.
- Personal Experience: This style became my signature during my busy work weeks. It’s simple, but still looks polished and professional. It also takes minimal time, which is a big win on hectic mornings.
- Extra Tip: Tuck one side behind your ear for an effortlessly cool, casual vibe.
7. Wavy Romantic Formal
Mandy’s wavy romantic formal style is a favorite of mine for date nights and special occasions. Soft waves add volume and elegance, giving your look a more feminine touch.
Tips:
- Ideal for: Heart-shaped and oval faces.
- How to Style: I create loose waves with a large-barrel curling iron and finger-comb them for a more natural, undone finish.
- Personal Experience: The first time I tried this look, it gave me a confidence boost. The waves are soft and romantic, perfect for an evening out or a formal event.
- Extra Tip: Finish with a light mist of flexible-hold hairspray to keep the waves in place without making them stiff.
8. Short-to-Medium Layered Casual
If you’re in that awkward phase between short and medium-length hair, the short-to-medium layered casual look is ideal. It provides volume and movement, making it easier to style while you grow your hair out.
Tips:
- Ideal for: Round and heart-shaped faces.
- How to Style: I blow-dry my hair with a round brush to create volume, then add a bit of texturizing wax to define the layers and add bounce.
- Personal Experience: When I was growing out my pixie cut, this style was a lifesaver. It kept my hair looking styled and intentional, even when it was in that in-between phase.
- Extra Tip: Flip the ends out slightly for a playful, fun look.
9. Sassy Messy Wet Look
For a bold and high-fashion vibe, the sassy messy wet look is a game-changer. It’s edgy, dramatic, and perfect for nights out when you want all eyes on you.
Tips:
- Ideal for: All face shapes.
- How to Style: I apply a wet-look gel to damp hair and use a wide-tooth comb to slick it back, then use my fingers to create a messy, textured effect for extra volume and attitude.
- Personal Experience: I wore this style for a night out with friends, and I loved how it made me feel like a total rockstar. It’s edgy but surprisingly easy to maintain.
- Extra Tip: Add some shine serum to the wet-look gel for a glossy, runway-inspired finish.
10. Layered Sensual Casual
The layered sensual casual hairstyle is perfect for those who want to add movement and body to their short hair. The layers provide texture and volume, making it a great everyday style.
Tips:
- Ideal for: Oval and square faces.
- How to Style: I apply a lightweight mousse to damp hair and blow-dry it with a round brush, focusing on adding body at the roots and texture to the layers.
- Personal Experience: I love how this style looks effortless but still put together. It’s perfect for busy days when I want my hair to look great without too much effort.
- Extra Tip: Let the layers naturally frame your face for a soft, romantic vibe.
11. Sleek Graded Formal
For a more polished look, the sleek graded formal hairstyle is perfect for formal events. It’s sleek, structured, and exudes elegance.
Tips:
Ideal for: Heart-shaped faces.
- How to Style: I flat iron my hair for a super sleek finish, parting it to one side for a more formal appearance. Using a smoothing cream helps keep flyaways at bay and adds a glossy sheen.
- Personal Experience: I wore this look to a charity gala, and it was the perfect balance of sleek and sophisticated. It’s understated but still makes a big impact.
- Extra Tip: Add a statement hairpin or decorative clip to take this style up a notch.
12. Sassy Feathery Casual
If you’re looking for a style that’s playful and full of texture, the sassy feathery casual look is for you. This feathered style adds plenty of volume and movement, making it a fun and carefree option.
Tips:
- Ideal for: Round and oval faces.
- How to Style: Blow-dry with a round brush, focusing on creating volume at the crown and keeping the ends light and feathery. A light styling cream will help separate the layers and add definition.
- Personal Experience: I love wearing this style on weekends when I want to look cute but not too “done.” It’s carefree, but still looks like you put in the effort.
- Extra Tip: Piece out the layers with your fingers for that light, feathery effect that adds to the sass.
13. Short Casual Wet Look
For a modern twist on the wet-look trend, the short casual wet look is easy to achieve and perfect for a sleek, on-the-go style. It gives your short hair a glossy, edgy finish.
Tips:
- Ideal for: Oval and square faces.
- How to Style: Apply a small amount of wet-look gel to damp hair and finger-comb through for a sleek, casual finish. I leave the ends a little dry to give it a softer, more relaxed look.
- Personal Experience: This is my go-to when I’m in a rush but want to look polished. It takes less than 10 minutes but always looks fashion-forward.
- Extra Tip: Use a lightweight gel that provides hold without being too stiff to keep the style soft and manageable.
Conclusion
Mandy Moore’s short hairstyles have always inspired women to embrace versatility and sass with their hair. These 13 looks prove that short hair can be as playful, chic, and sophisticated as longer styles. Whether you’re in the mood for a messy, laid-back vibe or a sleek, formal look, there’s a Mandy Moore-inspired short hairstyle that’s perfect for you. From personal experience, I can tell you that experimenting with short hair is not only fun but empowering – so go ahead and find the style that brings out your inner sass!