How to use straighteners on short hair

Choosing straighteners for short hair

Narrow plates get closer to the root and are easier to manoeuvre around the hairline and nape. Standard 2.5 cm (1 inch) plates work for most bobs; plates around 2 cm (0.8 inch) suit pixie cuts and fringes. Wide plates cover more hair but are clumsy on short lengths. Rounded edges help you bend the ends without creasing.

A cordless straightener can be handy for short hair because quick touch ups take little battery. ghd's Unplugged, for example, lists 20 minutes of styling, which is often enough for short hair. See the best straighteners for travel for cordless options and the best straighteners for fine hair for narrow plates and lower temperatures.

Step by step: straightening a bob

The wrist turn at the ends is what stops a bob looking flat. Keep it small; a slight turn is enough to give a polished bend.

1. 1

   Start with clean, completely dry hair and a heat protection product.

2. 2

   Clip the top layers up and begin at the nape with small sections, about 2 to 2.5 cm wide.

3. 3

   Close the plates as near the root as you safely can, with a finger's width clear of the scalp.

4. 4

   Glide down in one smooth pass, keeping light tension with a comb.

5. 5

   Near the ends, turn your wrist slightly under for a bevelled finish, or outwards for a flick.

6. 6

   Work up through the layers and around to the front.

7. 7

   At the crown, lift each section up and out as you start the glide, for a little volume rather than a flat top.

8. 8

   Let hair cool, then finish with a light serum or your fingers.

Straightening pixie cuts and very short hair

With very short hair, aim to smooth rather than flatten. Take tiny sections and straighten in the direction your hair naturally falls. Hold the iron at an angle so the plates point away from your scalp. For the sides and nape, it can help to straighten downwards and slightly back, away from the face.

Use the straighteners mainly on the longer top section and fringe. Around the ears and nape, a quick smoothing pass is usually all that is needed. Narrow plates make this much easier and safer.

• Smooth in the direction of the cut.
• Tiny sections and short, quick glides.
• Angle plates away from the scalp and ears.
• Focus on the top and fringe; keep the sides simple.

Adding bends, waves and volume

Short hair looks fresh with a little movement. For soft waves on a bob, use the half twist and glide method from our guide to curling with straighteners, with a quick glide and small sections. For volume, lift sections straight up from the head at the crown before gliding. For a flicked out look, turn the wrist outwards at the ends. The best straighteners for curling have rounded barrels that make these bends easier.

See straighteners for bends and waves →

Temperature and safety near the skin

Short hair means the plates are close to your ears, neck and forehead. Go slowly at the hairline, hold the iron by its body and keep a finger's width between plates and scalp. If your straighteners are adjustable, short, fine hair often needs less heat than long, thick hair; start lower and increase only if needed. Fixed temperature models such as ghd's work at 185 °C (365 °F). Our temperature guide explains common settings.

Note:Straighteners can burn skin in a moment. Use a heat mat, unplug after use, keep away from water and children, and follow the safety section of your manual.

Frequently asked questions

What size straighteners are best for short hair? Narrow or standard plates, from about 2 cm to 2.5 cm (0.8 to 1 inch), are easiest on short hair.

How do I stop my bob looking flat after straightening? Turn your wrist under or out at the ends and lift sections at the crown before gliding.

Can you straighten a pixie cut? Yes. Use narrow plates, tiny sections and smooth in the direction of the cut, keeping plates angled away from the scalp.

Are cordless straighteners good for short hair? Yes, for touch ups and short styles, as short hair takes little battery time.