24 Timeless Haircut Ideas That Transcend the Trends

Polished Pixie

Although Western society typically associates beauty with long hair, the short-haired pixie cut challenged this notion in the 1960s. “Twiggy started it all off, and then Princess Diana and Demi Moore ruled this look in the 1990s,” recounts celebrity hairstyist Jordan Garrett. It’s now one of the most iconic looks of all time.

Choppy Pixie

Today, the pixie has become the preferred cut among certain celebrities. “More recently, we’ve seen it come up with a few modern tweaks on celebrities such as [Zoë Kravitz] and Katy Perry. It’s a classic look and suits people with petite features,” Garrett says.

Curly Pixie

This short and stylish ‘do can, and should, be embraced by all hair types. Here, Ursula Corbero makes a very strong case for curly pixies. Use a great styling cream to keep curls looking radiant and defined.

Lived-In Shag

This sultry, textured, layered look features lots of shape around the face, drawing maximum attention to the eyes. “It looks great straight, curly, in plaits and in a tight or loose updo. It’s got incredible versatility, which always helps make a style timeless,” says Neil Smith, artistic director at Barrie Stephen Hair.

Coily Shag

Gabrielle Union takes her shag to the next level with a head full of curls—bangs included. To score her style, we recommend investing in a curly hair routine. Cleansing with curly hair shampoo and conditioner followed by applying a leave-in conditioner will keep curls looking their best.

Mussy Shag

Lou Doillon channels the spirit of the ‘70s with her rockstar shag. “This cut is a classic for millennials due to the fact that it’s so low-maintenance,” Smith says. The bangs are a nice touch, too—although we wouldn’t expect anything less from Jane Birkin’s progeny.

Blunt Fringe

Blunt bangs make a statement. In fact, they are an inexpensive yet effective way to completely change your look—and hide those frown lines (if that happens to be a concern), adding a youthful tone. It’s no wonder that Smith calls them “the Botox fringe.”

Curtain Fringe

And while you might be wary of bangs due to concerns like their constant upkeep, a curtain fringe, like this one here on Bryce Dallas Howard, is low-commitment, not to mention, super stylish. They also get an A+ in face-framing.

Although a cowlick around your hairline can be annoying, that doesn’t mean it can’t be managed. It’s just a matter of your fringe needing a little encouragement to sit where you want it to.

Side-Swept Fringe

A side-swept fringe is also easy to maintain and style. They’re the perfect accessory to texturized beach waves as modeled by Chrissy Teigen. To get her casual-cool beach vibes, apply a few spritzes of texturizing spray.

Micro Fringe

While you’ll want to consider carefully how to make the look work for your face shape, micro bangs are a timeless way to add a hint of wearable edge to any haircut. Zoë Kravitz pairs her fringe with a sleek updo here, but they also work well across a range of lengths, styles, and volume levels.

French Bob

It’s no doubt that bobs are classic, but did you know that they can be worn in countless ways? According to Sam Burnett, owner and creative director of Hare & Bone, “This is arguably the most versatile cut of all time. Two people can have a bob exactly the same length, but if one has choppy layers and a fringe and the other has a blunt finish, they will look totally different.”

Wavy Bob

Paula Patton’s wavy bob gives off a vintage feel with its length and texture. Its appeal stems from the fact that it works on nearly anyone. “It can also be styled to suit all face shapes, ages, hair types and styles, which is why it will always be popular,” Burnett adds.

Chin-Length Bob

Lucy Boynton modernizes the classic chin-length bob with a dose of texture. Burnett comments, “Any small changes to the shape can have a huge effect on the overall style, which means it’s easy for it to be updated with seasonal trends to give it a fresh edge.”

Bombshell Lob

A lob is a classic haircut choice for going shorter if you don’t want a full bob or pixie (or, alternatively, embracing as you grow out your strands). Voluminous bombshell layers never truly go out of style and highlight the truly glamorous potential of this mid-length cut.

Induction Buzz Cut

You might not think of the buzz cut as being evergreen, but thanks to celebs such as Sigourney Weaver, Cara Delevingne, and Halsey, it’s constantly having a revival. Halsey opts for an induction cut, the shortest extreme on the buzz spectrum.

Burr Buzz Cut

Carolyn Malachi goes only slightly longer with her buzz cut and rocks a burr. It’s edgy and liberating—especially if you decide to do it yourself. “This is a bold, brave choice, so it’s not for everyone, but it really does look stunning, and it’s very, very low maintenance if you do go for it,” says Smith.

Platinum Buzz Cut

If you want to take your buzz cut one step further, follow Kristen Stewart’s lead and bleach it. A platinum blonde buzz is head-turning and trendy. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to stay on top of regrowth (think: color touch-ups every few weeks), especially if your natural hair color skews darker.

Sleek and Smooth Layers

Want luxe-looking hair? Then it’s a long one-length-looking (there actually are some layers in there) style you need to go for. “Subtle long layers give the hair fluidity and movement, and it’s such a timeless look,” says Marc Trinder of Trinder Hair Studios.

Natural and Curly Long Layers

A blunt cut creates the illusion of fullness, so unless you’ve got fine or thin hair, this might not be for you. Instead, consider long layers, which are “easy to style and maintain, and they help create shape within a haircut as well as reduce some weight, making them ideal for thicker hair types,” Trinder explains.

Retro Layers

A blowout can vary from city to city, but in its simplest form, it is smooth and sleek with a touch of volume. Try it for yourself at home—but grab some blow dry mist first—and do like Elle Fanning by wearing this classic style with a retro twist: curling long layers inward and pinning hair to the side.

Mermaid Lengths with Bangs

There’s a reason that iconic bangs-havers like Dakota Johnson remain constant references for those seeking to change up their look. The contrast between the star’s cascading, ultra-long layers and blunt fringe creates visual interest that never goes out of style, with plenty of versatility to boot.

Short Afro Curls

When it comes to curls and textured hair, a freehand cut is a way to create a lasting style. “I think the most effortless and always on-trend look for curls is seeing them in their natural shape and state,” Trinder says.

Light and Airy Curls

If you’ve got curls, why not embrace them? “To do this, the hair cannot be cut in a methodically layered way. It prevents curls from sitting in their natural shape,” Trinder explains. “Instead, your stylist needs to slice out lengths to make them soft on the edges—this will allow the curls to retain their definition and enhance the natural shape.”

Varied Length Curls

Nathalie Emmanuel nails curly-haired perfection with this visually effortless ‘do. Her curls sit at varying lengths that translate as natural rather than sculpted and uniform. Apply a dab of curl cream throughout your hair to define, soften, and elongate your coils.