Style Hair 30 Short Hairstyles That Flatter Brown Hair Beautifully By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South.She earned a B.A. in Journalism at the University of Georgia. She hopes to inspire your travel bucket list with her features on road trips through Texas Hill Country, bourbon tours in Kentucky, and the best beach getaways on the Gulf Coast. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on May 26, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: @styled_by_carolynn To chop or not to chop? This is the critical question that motivates hours of Pinterest perusing (and probably triggers cold sweats in the process). Add to that all the calculus involved in choosing a style—face shape, hair color, natural texture—and it's no wonder some of us never move beyond the inspiration stage. But what if we told you there's a cut that's so endlessly adaptable it can work for basically everyone? It's time you meet the many iterations of the bob. This short style (and its even shorter sibling, the crop) might just be the perfect cut for brunettes, since it lifts weight from your locks, while bringing enough drama to complement dark hair. Whether you commit to that fierce collarbone-grazing look you've been eyeing for months or finally accent your signature bob with those perfectly wispy bangs, a short brunette cut can deliver exactly the oomph you're after. Find all the inspiration you need in these 30 can't-fail cuts. 01 of 30 Rounded Chin Bob @natalieannehair A deep side part balances the subtle asymmetry of this trendy bob, while the under-the-chin flip keeps the look feminine. 02 of 30 Wispy Curtain Bangs @riawna Can we observe a moment of silence for these perfectly wispy bangs? Add them to any lob or bob to achieve the sort of effortless style that would make Brigitte Bardot proud. 03 of 30 Face-Framing Waves @hairby_chrissy Think collarbone-length means playing it safe? Wrong. This lob by stylist Chrissy Rasmussen has serious sass, thanks to artfully placed highlights and just-so waves. 04 of 30 Retro Curly Bangs @salsalhair We're convinced pursed lips are a necessary accessory for this bold shag. Since it's a shorter cut, the curly bangs blend right in, while still framing strong brows or chiseled cheekbones. 05 of 30 Tousled Crop @mila_kryshchykhina You'll never call crops "boyish" again after you try this ultra-feminine take. The flowy layers leave a little length up front for styling versatility, while the short back lends true crop cred. 06 of 30 Sleek Shoulder Cut @chrisjones_hair Sharp, sleek, shoulder-length—what's not to envy about this edgy cut by stylist Chris Jones? To score a similar style, request a shoulder-grazing bob with minimal layering. 07 of 30 Curly Shoulder Shag @natalieannehair / Instagram Curls demand lots of layers for maximum movement—and this shoulder-length cut doesn't disappoint. Tousled fringe helps break up the bounce. 08 of 30 Angled Shoulder Cut @natalieannehair Prepare for lift-off! Take weight off your lob—and gain instant volume—by adding an angle toward the front. Request an A-line cut to avoid the layering of a stacked bob. 09 of 30 Textured Chin Bob @salsalhair Break up your bob with layers and long curtain bangs for loads of texture. This striking cut is an easy way to add dimension to dark hair without highlights. 10 of 30 Blunt Chin Bob @lucyhale Can we be blunt? This no-frills chop is hard to beat. Wear it straight for a sharp, low-demand look or with a slight bend wave for a touch of the undone. 11 of 30 Angled Balayage Bob @summerevansstudio Rock your dark roots and embrace the lighter side with blonde balayage. The color contrast in this look by stylist Summer Evans pairs perfectly with a flattering angled bob. 12 of 30 Retro Curly Shag @veronica_nunez Shags will never lead you astray, especially if you're sporting natural curls. It's the coolest way to play up your texture. Trust us. 13 of 30 Side-Swept Short Bob @styled_by_carolynn Nothing freshens up a spunky short cut like fringe. Side-swept bangs bring volume and movement, ensuring your bob never veers into helmet-hair territory. 14 of 30 Balayaged A-Line Bob @styled_by_carolynn Playing with length isn't the only way to dramatically switch things up. To update your classic dark brown cut, add a slight A-line angle and incorporate fuchsia balayage highlights toward the front. You'll love the fun, face-framing effect. 15 of 30 Grown-Out Crop Or as we like to call it, a "transitional" crop. Consider this a super grown-out pixie that could become a bob in no time if you miss the longer look. Something tells us you'll become a cropped-hair convert once you try this spunky style. 16 of 30 Wavy Baby Bob @salsalhair You'll look too cool for school with this fringed bob. It's a perfect halfway point if you're growing out a pixie—or an edgy way to transition from lob to bob. Our favorite part: You can let your natural texture shine with this unfussy style. 17 of 30 Low-Maintenance Collarbone Cut @chrisgreenehair If there were an emoji for a low-upkeep haircut, it'd be a smiley face sporting this relaxed lob. The long layers create just enough movement to satisfy your desire for texture, but without requiring much styling. 18 of 30 Sunlit Textured Lob @nikkilee901 If air-drying is your morning M.O., this easygoing, layerless lob is the no-fuss cut to bring home from the salon. 19 of 30 Money Piece Lob @styled_by_carolynn Inject personality into this simple collarbone cut with warm caramel "money piece" highlights. These hand-painted, face-framing streaks are less of a commitment than a full head of highlights, but they don't skimp on visual impact. 20 of 30 Thick Side Lob @chrisjones_hair Nothing flaunts naturally thick hair like a deep side part. An everyday lob can go from basic to va-va-voom with a single swoop. 21 of 30 Sideswept Crop @anhcotran This style is short but far from sweet. The sharp layers and bursts of caramel balayage make it the epitome of adventurous. 22 of 30 Balayaged Shoulder Cut @chrisjones_hair If shoulder-length feels blah to you, drop in a few well-placed streaks of caramel and golden blonde for a dose of daring. Effortless waves keep the look just soft enough. 23 of 30 Curly Crop @ashleyantoinebeauty Feeling wild and free starts with your head—literally. Give your curls a little autonomy with this layered, ultra-short cut, which lets your locks play as they please. Don't be shocked if you notice an extra spring in your step. 24 of 30 French Girl Bob @anhcotran We're not saying this is the prettiest bob we've seen this year. But we're not not saying it. It's so delicately feminine that only a pinkish-red lip will do. 25 of 30 Layered Lob @riawna If you're not ready to venture above the chin, try this collarbone-grazing cut. The tousled layers keep your look lightweight and unfussy, yet with enough length to pull your hair back. 26 of 30 Angled Lob @nicoleoharehair Let's give the A-line cut the attention it deserves. This underrated (but oh-so-stylish) lob is versatile, totally manageable, and subtler than stacked cuts. Make this your secret weapon for highlighting beautiful bone structure. 27 of 30 Collarbone Lob @salsalhair One of the bonuses of dark hair is often a bold brow. Don't let that enviable feature go to waste—frame your face with a long bob, like this one by stylist Sal Salcedo. 28 of 30 Volume-Packed Curly Crop @salsalhair Because whoever tries to tame curls needs to think again. Bring on all the curly volume, please. 29 of 30 Thick Blunt Lob @chrisjones_hair Listen, no one can pull off a blunt bob or lob like a thick-haired lady. That's just the truth. Maintaining a little length gives your strands enough pull to keep things tame. 30 of 30 Relaxed Lob @ashley901_ All the low-maintenance gals out there can sit pretty with a no-frills lob like this one by stylist Ashley Ruiz. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit