Ever since I first cut my hair up to my collar bones four years ago (then to my shoulders, then to my chin, then to the crook of my smile), having short hair has become part of my identity. It feels quirky and sassy and different. At the risk of sounding maudlin, having short hair simply feels like me. It's also easier to wash and takes less time to style. Overall, I'm a fan. My one and only qualm with my short haircut is that style-wise, it's a little harder to elevate. In other words, there's just less you can do with it. Folks with long hair can fashion it into intricate twists and updos when the occasion calls for it. And when your hair is dirty and you don't feel like doing anything with it, you can toss it up in a neat topknot or a braid and look instantly polished. All this is harder when you're working with less length, which is why, when in doubt, I turn to hair accessories.
When I don't have the time to style my hair properly or don't know what to do with it for a formal event or just want a little something-something to kick my hair game up a notch, accessories have become a go-to move. Whether it's a velvet headband or a bejeweled barrette, the right hair accessory can immediately take your short hairstyle from meh to oh, cute with zero effort. Keep scrolling to shop my nine favorite short-hair accessories.
1. LPA Pearl Bobby
My hair is just long enough to throw into a low pony, which I do if it's a greasy mess and I have no time to salvage it. It's truly amazing how much this pearl pin will do to upgrade a dirty ponytail to something chic and purposeful.
2. Lesset 2 Count Pearl Hair Clip
Here's a cheaper but still very pretty pearl set available on Amazon.
3. Lele Sadoughi Leopard Velvet Headband
This fun velvet leopard print on this statement-making headband is enough to make jeans a white tee or a black-on-black outfit look pulled together.
4. Little Sheep Pack of 3 Cross Knot Hair Hoop Hairband
Don't have $65 to spare? Amazon makes this set of adorable velvet headbands.
5. Valet Studio Claudia Clip in Pink
I could drool over Valet Studio's whimsical hair clips all day. This oversize clamshell accessory makes me feel like a mermaid even without the long hair.
6. France Luxe Mini Volume Tige Boule Barrette Pair
To know me is to know how obsessed I am with muted shades of yellow. These vintage-esque barrettes make me feel some type of way.
7. Donni Silk Poppy
Unlike most standard ribbons, this one (which is made of super-soft silk) has a bendable wire inside so you can fashion it into all kinds of bows and shapes.
8. Hogoo 3 Piece Headbands Denim
How summery and cute are these nautical denim headbands?
9. Valet Studio Kelly Clip in Tortoishelle
Another Valet Studio pick. Stick these clips on either side of your head or layer them up on the same side for a look that says "sophisticated without trying."
10. Chloe Isabel Lucite Pin Set
I like to pin back one side of my hair behind my ear, not with one pin but with a stack of two or three identical ones, like these simple lucite picks.
11. InStyler Word Play Hair Pins
I'm a word nerd, so possibly my favorite hair accessories ever are these witty international pins, which always score me compliments.
12. Urban Outfitters 1992 Flip Clip
Like your classic school-girl flip clip, but three times the size. So fun.
13. Darice Decorted Bobby Pins 6-Pack
More cheap-but-pretty pearl bobbies from Amazon.
14. Other Stories Beaded Hairband
I reach for an embellished headband when I'm going for a slightly more uptown look.Next: These 16 under-$100 accessories will be very on trend in 2019.
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